-J-
ss-.<-.

>-;«i~^..»v<.,^

r " nrr^

Yale University Library

390020241.33721

?YALE*VNIVERSITY' |
? L I B R,A KY » I

FROM THE FVND IN MEMORY OF
FRANKLIN BOWDITCH DEXTER^
SECRETARy'LIBRARJAN'HISTORIAN OFYALE

HISTORY

.OF..

MIIVNEHAHA COUNTY,

SOUTH DAKOTA.

containino an account of its settlements, growth, development and
Kesources. An Extensive and Minute Sketch op its Cities, Towns
AND Villages, Their Improvements, Industrigs, Manufactories,
Churches, Colleges, Schools and Societies. Synopsis of
Public Records, Biographical Sketches, Portraits
of Early Settlers and Other Prominent Resi
dents. Illustrations of Public Build
ings, Residences, Farms
AND Scenery.

By Dana R. Bailey.

OWN it SAENQER, PTRS., S.OUX f Al 1
1899.

PREFACE.

In the preparation of this work the chief object sought after
was to give the people of Minnehaha county a brief account of the
principal events which made it the most populous and notable county
in the state. In doing so, a conscientious and unsparing effort has
been made to attain such a degree of accuracy as will place the book
among the authoritative records of what has transpired in our local
history; and if it shall be so recognized I shall feel such a sense of
satisfaction as will compensate me in a great measure for my labor.
For its success as a business enterprise no flattering hopes have
been entertained.
The reminiscences of early tiraes; the privations and dangers
experienced b)^ the pioneer settlers; an accurate review of the social
and commercial growth and development of the county, together with
carefully prepared biographical sketches of residents of the county
who have made their impress upon her affairs, find place in this
volume and will furnish an interesting retrospect of by-gone days.
In this labor I have been especially assisted by Miss Anna B.
Ericson, who has rendered most valuable and faithful services
throughout the work.
I am also indebted for much valuable information to pioneer
residents, the press, the clergy, the custodians of public records, and
the secretaries of fraternal and kindred societies, and to each and all
I desire to publicly tender my acknowledgments and thanks.
D. R. BAILEY.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, July 6, 1899.

INTRODUCTORY.

The County of Minnehaha is situated in the southeastern part of
South Dakota, and is about equidistant from the northern and south
ern limits of the famous Sioux Valley. It is bounded on the east by
Rock county, Minnesota; on the south, for a distance of seven railes,
by Lyon county, Iowa, and by Lincoln and Turner counties; on the
west by McCook county, and on the north by Lake and Moody coun
ties. South Dakota. It is twenty-four miles in extent north and
south, and thirty-four miles east and west, and contains twenty-four
townships, the eastern tier being fractional. The general surface is
undulating, or what is usually termed rolling prairie; except to a
limited extent along the larger streams where it rises abruptly and
is more or less broken. The soil is a rich black loam from one to
three feet deep, with a fertile porous subsoil. For the growing of
cereals and vegetables the soil is unsurpassed, and its productive
properties are not appreciably diminished by successive crops
without the use of fertilizers. Two valleys along the banks of the
Big Sioux river and Skunk creek extending nearly through the
county, north and south, are worthy of mention. They vary from
one to three miles in width, with a level, smooth surface, and no
better or more fertile land can be found in the Northwest. The
uncultivated portions of these beautiful valleys are covered with a
luxuriant growth of grass yielding on an average two tons of hay per
acre. Strictly speaking, there are no natural forests, but f ring-ing
the Big Sioux river there is at intervals a large growth of trees,
which adds greatly to the beauty of the landscape, and also affords a
large amount of fuel. In addition to this, there is upon nearly every
section of land one or more large groves of growing trees which
were planted and cultivated by the early settlers. The county is
well watered; the Big Sioux river, the largest stream, enters it from
the north, ten railes west of the east line and flows in a southerly
direction until near the south line, where it turns upon its course and
pursues its windings north, east and south, about twenty miles fur
ther before leaving the county. At several points it furnishes ample
power for manufacturing purposes, and at the city of Sioux Falls for
a distance of half a mile it falls in a series of cascades ninety-one
feet, and forms one of the most beautiful and picturesque sceneries
in the state. Skunk creek, another important stream, enters the
county from the north, nine miles west of the Big Sioux river, and

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA. COUNTY.

flows in a southerly direction until near the south line, where its
course turns to the east and forms a junction with the Big Sioux.
Split rock river, a stream of considerable size, also Slipup, Pipestone
and Beaver creeks, drain the eastern portion of the county. In the
western portion there are some small streams, and several bodies of
water of sufficient extent to find a place upon the maps of the county;
but only one of them. Wall Lake, located in the southwestern part,
is worthy of the name of lake. Good water in abundance can also be
found anywhere in the county at a depth of from twenty to eighty
feet. From exclusive wheat raising, which until recently was the
chief industry of the county, its enterprising farmers are turning to
diversified farming, and extensive corn and wheat fields can now be
seen side by side. The raising of all kinds of stock is also engaging
their attention, and a lively interest is being taken in dairying, and
creameries are rapidly increasing in number. Fruit raising is still
in its infancy, but gives promise of good success. One of the pecu
liarities of the County of Minnehaha is the outcrop of the Sioux
quartzite in large quantities, especially at certain points near the
Big Sioux river. It is a fine building stone, and is also being used
extensively for the paving of streets, varying in color from a light
gray through all the shades of pink and purple to a deep red, and
although as hard as steel, owing to its peculiar formation, can be
cut into blocks of alraost any size. Its coraraercial value is already
recognized, but as its merits become better known and appreciated
it will undoubtedly be more extensively used, and becorae a valuable
commodity for export. It is a county with fine roads, and iron
bridges span the large streams. No county in the state has better
railroad facilities; the Great Northern, the Omaha, and the Milwau
kee lines each traverse the entire length or breadth of the county,
and the Burlington and the Illinois Central roads run into the city of
Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls is the largest city in the state, and is the
commercial center of a large extent of territory. Dell Rapids is
another important city in the county, situated twenty miles north of
Sioux Falls. Garretson and East Sioux Falls are also incorporated
cities, and South Sioux Falls, Valley Springs and Hartford are in
corporated municipalities, while Brandon, Corson, Sherman, Baltic,
Ellis, Humboldt, Colton, Rowena and Ben Clare are properly desig
nated as villages.
The educational and social advantages of the county are excep
tionally good, corapared with any other county in the state, and we
might go further and successfully challenge any county in the
Northwest of the proximate age, population and wealth of Minnehaha,
to point to as many educational institutions in successful operation.
The residents of the city of Sioux Falls are especially proud of the
institutions of learning located in her raidst, evidencing as they do
the intelligence, liberality and enterprise of her people. She has
classical and comraercial colleges, a Lutheran Normal school, and
the All Saints' school for the education of young ladies, in addition
to the public schools which are models of efficiency in the educational
field. Public schools are maintained in every neighborhood in com
fortable, well furnished school houses presided over by professional

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

teachers corapetent to instruct and rapidly advance the pupils.
Church societies are alraost too numerous to mention, the church
edifices comprising all grades frora the iraposing cathedral to the
pretty little church on the prairie, are inviting inducements to

imraigration

In summarizing the advantages the county offers to all classes
of people — capitalists, professional men, mechanics, tillers of the
soil, and comraon laborers— we point to the reraarkable healthf ulness
of the cliraate, the coraraercial importance of the location, the fer
tility of the soil and its adaptation to all kinds of husbandry, its
good roads and unsurpassed transportation facilities, and last but
not least, the superior educational, religious and social advantages
that are enjoyed by the residents of the County of Minnehaha.
In presenting to the public a history of events which, as a whole,
have transformed the territory comprising the County of Minnehaha
from the habitation of the Indian to the abode of a prosperous, happy
people, as outlined above, the writer has raet with unexpected difiicul
ties. It is the beginning — the early events "in the history of all local
ities, that are sought after and prized by those who follow the
pioneer. But a large percentage of pioneers raove on as civilization
advances, leaving behind them, at the most, only fragraentary records
and shadowy traditions of their doings, and the recollections of those
who remain, seldom harmonize.
Only such events are chronicled in the early history as appeared
to be well authenticated. Subsequent to the pioneer stage, it has
been largely a matter of selection frora a wide field of data, and un
doubtedly some things appear which raight have been left out without
raaterially detracting from the work, and some events omitted which
would have been interesting.
But as it is, the History of Minnehaha County is submitted to
the public, in the full belief that it will meet with a kind and appre
ciative reception.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY HISTORY.
The History of Minnehaha County properly begins with an act
of the first territorial legislature, approved April 5, 1862, and entitled
"An Act to Establish the Counties of Lincoln, Minnehaha, Brook
ings and Deuel."
Sections, of this act reads as follows: "That so much of the
Territory of Dakota as embraced in the following boundaries be and
the same is hereby established as the County of Minnehaha, begin
ning at the south-west corner of the State of Minnesota; thence west
to the south-west corner of township one hundred and one, north, of
range fifty-three, west; thence due north to the north-west corner of
township one hundred and six, north, of range fifty-three, west;
thence due east to the boundary line between the State of Minnesota
and the Territory of Dakota; thence south on said boundary line to
place of beginning.
"Section 5. And be it further enacted, that for judicial and
election purposes the counties of Lincoln, Minnehaha, Brookings, and
Deuel form one and the same county, with the county seat at Sioux
Falls City, in the County of Minnehaha.
"Section 6. And be it further enacted that the county seat of
Minnehaha county be established temporarily at Sioux Falls City."
To trace the series of evolution which made this event possible,
it is necessary to give the reader some idea of the history of Dakota
prior to this date, but the writer will confine himself strictly to that
portion which relates particularly to Minnehaha county.
Leaving to the ethnological student the unsettled problem of the
origin of the Indian nations, who for centuries were the inhabitants
of this vast country, and passing over the period from the seven
teenth century, in which is included the dispersion of the powerful
Indian tribes of the Northwest; the ceding of the entire northwestern
territory by France to Spain in 1762; the receding to France in 1800,'
and the purchase of the same by the United States in 1803 for fifteen
million dollars; the gradual development and reaching out of civiliza
tion toward "The Land of the Dakotahs" first by trading posts
established by fur companies; the famous Lewis & Clark expedition
in 1804 (being the first American explorers to ascend the Missouri
river into what is now known as Dakota); the establishment, in 1808,

10 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

of the Missouri Fur Company, to which the first settlements here
may be ascribed; the missionary labors of Father DeSmet in 1840;
the act of Congress in 1849, by which a portion of Dakota was in
cluded in the new Territory of Minnesota — all of which are parts of
the history of the country — we corae to 1851, in which year was en
acted what raay properly be termed "the beginning of the end."
At Traverse de Sioux, Minnesota, in 1851, the treaty between
the United States and the upper bands of Dakota Indians was con
suramated, giving to the government a portion of land in which was
included that part of the present County of Minnehaha lying east of
the Big Sioux river. This constituted a part of the Territory of
Minnesota until May 11, 1858, when Minnesota was adraitted to the
Union and its western boundary was defined by a line running due
south from the foot of Big Stone Lake to the Iowa state line, leaving
a tract about thirty railes in width extending from this new boundary
to the Big Sioux river to be included in the new Territory of Dakota.
April 18, 1858, a treaty was made by the government with the
Yankton Indians by which the latter ceded to the United States all
lands owned by thera, except 400,000 acres, the eastern boundary of
which was the Big Sioux river, and included that portion of Minne
haha lying west of said river.
The first person to give the world any inforraation in regard tothe
falls of the Big Sioux was Nicollet, who in 1839 was sent out by the
government of Quebec to treat with certain western tribes of Indians.
He wrote a sketch of his travels in the Northwest, which was after
wards published, wherein he gave a description of the beautiful and
picturesque falls of the the river then called by the Indians "Te-han-
kas-an-data" or the "Thick-wooded-river." A copy of this sketch
found its way into the hands of Dr. George M. Staples, of Dubuque,
Iowa, sometime during the sumraer of 1856. The natural advantages
of the falls at once struck him, and he took steps to secure possession
of the delectable valley.
At that time speculation in lands and town sites was at high tide,
and the doctor without difficulty soon organized the Western Town
Company of Dubuque, Iowa. The following named persons com
prised the company: Dr. G. M. Staples, Mayor Hetherington, Dennis
Mahoney, Austin Adams, S. P. Waldron, William Tripp, and a
number of others whose naraes the writer has been unable to obtain.
Mr. Ezra Millard of Sioux City, Iowa, was eraployed by the company
to ascertain the location of the beautiful falls of the Big Sioux, and
was instructed to take up under the laws of the United States three
hundred and twenty acres of land contiguous to the falls for a town
site in the name of the Western Town Company. Early in Novem
ber of the same year, Mr. Millard accompanied by Mr. D. M. Mills,
also of Sioux City, started out to obey instructions. They followed
the east bank of the Big Sioux, and after several days' travel carae
within sight of the promised land.
Right here the writer will take the liberty to contradict the
fiction which has been frequently published, that the party upon
approaching the falls were intercepted by a band of Indians, and
although neither party was conversant with the language of the

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 11

other, the travelers could not misunderstand the meaning of the
Indians who, taking the travelers' horses by the bridle and turning
them about, silently pointed in the direction from which they had
come, and that the party immediately hastened back to Sioux City.
Such an incident happening at the first approach of white men to the
falls of the Big Sioux for the purpose of permanent occupation,
would always add piquancy to the events that transpired, and it is
with some misgivings whether it would not be better to let it stand,
that the writer asserts that nothing of the kind took place. The
fact is, the party had a surveyor with thera, and in the name of the
Western Town Company took undisturbed possession of three hun
dred and twenty acres of land, and D. M. Mills one hundred and
sixty acres. The company selected the southwest one-fourth of
section nine, and the northwest one-fourth of section sixteen and
Mr. Mills the southwest one-fourth of section sixteen. In a history
of Southeastern Dakota, published in 1881, the land taken up at this
time is very differently described, but the description above is cor
rect beyond question. Mr. Mills built a log house above the falls,
ten by twelve feet in size, and then returned to Sioux City for the
winter. In May, 1857, the Western Town Corapany sent Jesse T. Jarrett,
John McClellan, Farwell and Oleson to the Falls, to hold and ira
prove the town site located by the Mills party. They arrived at the
Falls about the first of June.
Meanwhile, in the winter of 1856-7, the Dakota Land Corapany
was chartered by the legislature of Minnesota Territory, for the
purpose of securing the best locations for future towns in the pro
posed Territory of Dakota, and it is to the efforts of this corapany,
that the location of the western boundary of Minnesota raust be as-
scribed, they being anxious to have the desirable tract lying east of
the Big Sioux river included in the new Territory.
The original incorporators of this corapany were: W. H. Noble,
J. R. Brown, A. G. Fuller, S. A.. Medary, Samuel F. Brown, James
W. Lynd, N. R. Brown, F. J. DeWitt, Baron F. Friedenriech, B. M.
Smith, Artemas Gale, Parker Paine, Thomas Carapbell, Judge
Charles E. Flandrau, and a number of others. The representatives
of the company left St. Paul in May, 1857, Dakotaward. They pro
ceeded to the Big Sioux river, and in what is now Brookings county
located the town of Medary, which they intended to be the capital of
the new Territory. Continuing their journey down the river they
located the town of Flandrau, named in honor of Judge Flandrau,
and then pushed on to Sioux Falls. But in reaching that point they
found theraselves anticipated, and the Western Town Company in
possession of the prize. However, they were not to be so easily
crowded out after all their efforts, and in the name of the Dakota
Land Company took up three hundred and twenty acres of land
south of the Falls, which included that present portion of the city
known as Gale's Sioux Palls; and erecting a log house thereon, near
where the Burlington depot is now located, named their settleraent
Sioux Falls City. James L. Fiske and James McBride remained to
hold their claim, and the balance of the party returned to St. Paul.

12 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

The population of Sioux Falls now numbered five souls, Messrs.
McClellan, Farwell, Oleson, Fiske and McBride, and although repre
sentatives of rival corapanies, they dwelt in peace and harmony, fear
ing only their common eneray, the Sioux. They were not troubled,
however, until late in July, when the Indians rose in great nurabers,
and threatened the extermination of all the settlements on the Big
Sioux river.
We have read in some of the newspaper accounts of the early
history of Dakota, "that Col. Noble about this time, with fifty men
in his employ, while locating a road frora Fort Ridgley to South Pass
was driven back by the Indians." This has been denied, and one of
the first settlers in Sioux Falls is authority for the statement "that
Col. Noble was not molested by the Indians, but after having spent
fifteen thousand dollars appropriated for the purpose of locating the
road, endeavored to get another appropriation, but was unsuc
cessful." However, the attitude of the Indians was of such a threatening
character that the Dakota Land Company withdrew Fiske and
McBride frora Sioux Falls. McClellan, Farwell and Oleson, were
now left in sole possession, and recognizing the fact that they were
in no position to defend themselves, and deeraing discretion the
better part of valor deterrained to withdraw from the scene for a
time. They placed their personal effects in a canoe, and starting
frora the foot of the falls navigated the Big Sioux to its mouth. The
Sioux Valley was once more deserted by white men, but not for long.
On the 17th day of August, 1857, the Western Town Company
sent Messrs. J. T. Jarrett, J. L. Phillips, W. W. Brookings, S. B.
Atwood, A. L. Kilgore, Smith Kinsey, John McClellan, Callahan and
Godfrey frora Sioux City, Iowa, to Sioux Falls. D. M. Mills also
joined them at Rock river. This party took with them machinery
for a saw mill, tools and impleraents for building, and a large stock
of provisions, which were transported by a teara of horses and sev
eral ox-tearas. They were obliged to travel slowly, the tearas being
heavily laden, and it being often necessary to bridge the streams to
be crossed on the way, so that it was not until the 27th of August,
after ten weary days, that the party arrived in sight of the Falls.
To those of the party who now came for the first time, the scene
was inexpressibly grand and beautiful, and all joined in three
rousing cheers. An encampment was made north of the island, and
the next day each member of the party selected a claim for hiraself.
On the 29th of August, four of the party, Jarrett, Mills, Atwood
and Godfrey, started back to Sioux City, for more provisions, leaving
the others at work. In about ten days Jarrett returned, ac
companied by Dr. Staples, one of the directors of the company.
When the party first set out, Jarrett was appointed by the
company the agent in charge, but being a man particularly unfitted
for the position, he at once became involved in trouble with sorae of
the other employes, and Dr. Staples having been sent out with
authority to make a change, removed Mr. Jarrett and appointed
W. W. Brookings, agent.
The men worked untiringly, building a saw raill, a stone house

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 13

and a store. The two last mentioned structures w^ere located on
what is now north Phillips avenue, near three sraall houses. Upon
the map showing the survey made in August, 1859, this stone house
is located on the northwest quarter of section sixteen, and was called
the "Dubuque House," but the fact is, it was located on the south
west quarter of section nine, near the south line of the section, and
was on what is now lot twelve or thirteen of block twenty-five in
Syndicate Addition.
Several of the party went back to Sioux City, leaving only six
men in the settlement. These pursued their labors undisturbed by
the Indians, save once, when some of the men run across a small
party near the settlement, but they retreated as hastily as the
settlers, and so caused no alarm.
On October 10, however, towards evening, about a dozen
Indians rode down over the bluffs, and terrifying the raen with their
yells, surrounded the one pair of oxen which had been left, and
before the astonished settlers came to their senses, had driven them
away. Four of the men undertook to follow the Indians, leaving two to
guard the camp, but their efforts to rescue the oxen were unavailing,
and they soon returned to spend an anxious night. The Indians
were known to be hostile and another and more serious attack was
moraentarily expected. With the breaking day their fears were
somewhat allayed, and the arrival of Mr. Brookings, who had been
absent for some days, helped to encourage them. The days passed
away uneventfully until the middle of October, when the Dakota
Land Company sent a party of seven men to look after their interests,
and the entire population now began to make preparations for
passing the winter at the Falls.
At the time winter set in they were in a fairly comfortable con
dition, having besides the saw mill and store building, three dwelling
houses, one of them the stone one already mentioned. The men who
spent the winter at the Falls were as follows: Messrs. W. W.
Brookings, J. L. Phillips, John McClellan, L. B. Atwood, A. L. Kil
gore, Smith Kinsey, Charles McConnell, R. B. McKinley, S. D. and
E. M. Brookings, representing the Western Town Company, and
James L. Fiske, James McBride, Jaraes W. Evans, Jaraes Allen,
William Little, James McCall and C. Merrill representing the
Dakota Land Company.
At this time the Sioux Falls settlement was under the jurisdic
tion of the Territory of Minnesota, and in what is known as Big
Sioux county, which then comprised not only the present County of
Minnehaha, but also a large portion of the adjacent region, and in
December the governor of Minnesota appointed the following oQicers
for the county, Sioux Falls being the only settlement: James Allen,
register of deeds; James Evans, sheriff; James L. Fiske, judge of
probate; W. W. Brookings, district attorney; J. L. Phillips, justice
of the peace; Wm. Little, James McBride and A. L. Kilgore, com
missioners, but there are no records showing that the officials qual
ified or acted under their appointment.
In May, 1858, Minnesota was admitted to the Union, thus leaving

14 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

all the country west of it in an unorganized condition. During this
spring a numlDer of other settlers came, among them the first white
woraan who came to the Territory to settle. This was a Mrs. Good
win, who came early in May with her husband. Soon after, Charles
White with his wife and daughter came.
In the latter part of June, the Indians again rose and drove all
the settlers frora the upper part of the Sioux Valley, including the
settlement at Medary, burning all buildings and destroying property.
They sent a raessage to the settleraent at Sioux Falls, demanding
its immediate evacuation, but by that tirae the population numbered
thirty-five able-bodied men, who were not to be easily driven from
the place they had hoped to make a horae. A consultation was held,
and it was decided to take measures for defense. A sod fort was
built surrounding the house already mentioned as being near where
the Burlington depot now stands, and here at night the people gath
ered, and a guard was detailed, the men serving in turns. Scarcely
were these preparations completed, when a delegation of Indians
visited the Palls and advised the people to leave.
The settlers pluckily "held the fort" until the excitement was
over, and the Indians once more quieted, but it is not to be wondered
at, that many of thera had too great a dread of passing through
another period of such suspense and fear, and when they could at
last withdraw without leaving their companions in danger, they did
so, and the population of Sioux Falls City was materially reduced.
A few years ago, a clipping from a newspaper, published some
time during the seventies, carae into the writer's possession, and as
it is a copy of a letter written by one of the occupants of Fort Sod,
in June, 1858, giving a graphic account of the life led in Sioux Falls
at that tirae by thirty-five men and one woman, it is transferred to
this work. If this should happen to arrest the attention of any of
the occupants of old Fort Sod, it would undoubtedly surprise them
that they had forgotton so much of the sufferings thev had passed
through. But here it is just as we have it:
Cleveland, Ohio, March Sth, 1875.
Friend Taylor: In looking over ancient home letters, I found the enclosed to my father
which may give you an idea of what trials and difficulties the old settlers at Sioux Falls labored
under seventeen years ago, when they tried to make homes there.
Supplementary to the letter should be added, how we were confined six weeks at the old
Fort, and how our provisions ran out — with the exception of a barrel of caked musty flour, which
we chopped out and then pounded for use, and how we lived on that fresh pickerel and pike with
out lard or salt — and how we daily grew poor in flesh and weak in spirits, and how at last Dewitt,
and a companion (Brown, now at Fort Edwards, N. Y.) made their appearance with a horse and
buggy bringing a sack of flour, a half bushel of beans, some pork, sugar and coffee; having cir
cumvented the Indians by taking a roundabout route through northern Iowa, and how the half
starved garrison marched out in battle array, rivaling Falstaff's army, to welcome. Even more
could be said, but have you not ex-Mayor Dewitt, as a fellow citizen of yours to apply to for
additional facts, and Major Evans to corroborate them. Fort Sod, Sioux Falls, D. T, June 17th, 1858.
Dear Father: We are in a state of excitement at the present time. Last Sunday ahalf-breed,
who had been acting as interpeter at Medary reached here, stating that one hundred lodges of
Indians (Yanktonais) had arrived at that place and ordered our townsite men away.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 15

Mr. Dewitt was at first disposed to fight them, but his men — a dozen or so in number —
thought the odds were against them and refused to do so.
The consequence was the Indians forced all hands out of the houses, took what provision they
wanted and burnt every building down. Dewitt and men have all gone to Agency or to St. Paul.
The Indians sent word by the half-breed, for us to leave the countrv forthwith and that they
would be down here in the course of a week and would drive us off, if wc had not left. Mr.
Dewitt also told the half-breed to tell us to go to St. Paul or any other convenient place at once.
On the receipt of this intelligence, we called a meeting of all the settlers, and unanimously
determined to remain and defend ourselves and property. As some doubted the correctness of
the half-breed's intelligence, we dispatched two mounted men towards Medary to reconnoitre.
The next day they returned and reported the Indians to be within thirty-five miles of herein
great numbers. All day Monday was wasted by us, trying to decide which house to fortify. The
Dubuque Company were determined not to abandon their buildings and we were equally deter
mined not to abandon ours.
The Dubuque Company's houses being under the brow of the hill, could not be fortified to
much advantage, whereas our house was on an open plain, commanding an extensive prospect,
with a fine spring of water adjoining; therefore the settlers, knowing that there must be unity of
action in the matter, sided with us, and on Tuesday morning we commenced the building of our
Fort. We have erected of sods and logs, a perpendicular wall eighty feet square, ten feet high,
and four feet thick, with a deep ditch surrounding the exterior base, port holes are arranged every
tew feet in the wall, and an inner platform to stand upon. Also have an inclosure of three acres,
securely fenced for the herding of the cattle.
We now feel safe and are deterinined to resist the Indians and if necessary to fight them.
We want to teach them that they can not every season drive off the settlers on this disputed land.
The nevv settlers, Mr. Goodwin and his wife, have moved into our old cabin which is now a
wing of the store house, and Mrs. Goodwin has made a large flag out of all the old flannel shirts
we could find, and we now have the stars and the stripes proudly waving over Fort Sod.
All the property of the place is now deposited with us, including the movable portion of the
saw mill machinery.
We are on a military footing. Have organized into a company, (the undersigned ist lieu
tenant) sentries and scouting parties on duty day and night. All told we number thirty-five men
for defense, not including the woman, and she can shoot a gun as well as any one.
The Dubuque Company's agent, Brookings, whose feet were frozen off last winter, will be
brought to our house as soon as Indians are reported in sight. We feel secure now and could
fight 600 Indians, and even if the walls could be scaled, which is almost impossible, we could
retreat into our store house which is impregnable.
Those Yanktonais occupy the country northwest towards the British possessions, and pre
tend to claim an interest in all the country owned and ceded by the Sioux Nation. The Chiefs
who were in Washington the past winter are not with them. They have been told that a treaty
has been made with the Yanktons, but they will not recognize it until the first payment is made
and they even threaten to kill the chiefs for making the treaty.
All the troops in this section of the country (Fort Randall and Ridgely) are on the Mormon
expedition, and the result is that settlers are left to protect themselves.
The news of this Indian difiiculty will travel all over the country, and we cannot expect any
more immigration this way before next spring; and from all accounts there were large numbers
enroute here lo settie in the Big Sioux Valley, who will now turn back. I fear immigration will
be retarded for several years.
Four Sisseton Sioux came in last night, but hurried off when they heard of the Yanktonais
coming. We sent letters to the Agency by them. Weather hoc, 90 odd degrees in the shade.
James M. Allen.
At this time there were trading posts established at Yankton
and other near points on the Missouri river, which were controlled
by Frost, Todd & Co., and this company, unlike those at the
Sioux Falls settlement, was opposed to any immediate organization

16 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

of the Territory until a treaty could be made with the Indians, and
the land beyond the Big Sioux river be ceded to the United States.
They would then be entitled, under the trading post license, to locate
a raile square of land around the post to cover their improvements,
which would include the Yankton town site, and then, should the
Territory be organized, the advantage of Yankton for a capital would
be recognized. On the other hand, should the Territory be organ
ized at once the capital in all probability would be located at Sioux
Palls. During the summer of 1858, the Dakota Land Company, deeming
it necessary to make known to the world in general and Congress in
particular, the need for organization of the great and increasing
population of the Territory, as well as the wonderful advantages of
the country, sent out from St. Paul a printing press, printer, and
editor. The press was one which had already seen over twenty
years of service, having been purchased of the Smith Press Com
pany in 1836, and used to print the first paper published in Dubuque,
then a small mining town. In 1842, the press was sold to a stock
company and used in printing the Grant County Herald, in Lancaster,
Wisconsin. A few years afterward, J. M. Goodhue bought the old
press and moved it with an ox team on the ice to St. Paul, where it
was used for a long time in printing the St. Paul Pioneer. The
Pioneer soon required a larger press, and in 1858, the old Smith
press was again sent on its travels and by ox-power. After a long
and tedious journey over the prairies, through forests and streams
and around lakes it at length reached Sioux Palls, where it was once
more to serve its purpose as the herald of advancing civilization, and
was duly installed in a stone building on the bank of the river. The
editor was Mr. S. J. Albright, and the printer was J. W. Barnes,
afterwards a compositor in The Times office in Dubuque. The re
sult of this step was the birth of The Deraocrat. It was issued at
irregular intervals, i. e., whenever the enterprising editor or citizens
could think of anything that would advertise Dakota, and copies were
circulated broadcast throughout the east.
The first issue of this paper appeared on the 2d day of July,
1859, a copy of which is now in the possession of Doane Robinson of
Yankton. Mr. Robinson, in a letter to the writer, says: "It is
printed on the outside only, and contains nothing of local interest
except the poera by Gov. Masters entitled ' Sioux Palls ' which ap
pears in the July (1898) monthly South Dakotan. I have my copy
framed, and it is too frail to handle." He sent the writer four issues
of The Democrat, viz.. Vol. I, nurabers 3, 4, 6 and 9. No. 3 was
published August 26, 1859. No. 4 was published November 8; No. 6,
December 15, 1859; No. 9, February 18, 1860. In these issues appear
the following advertisements: Albright & Allen, Dealers in Real
Estate; J. McCall, Mason, J. L. Phillips, Physician and Surgeon;
W. W. Brookings, Attorney and Counsellor at Law; John Rouse,
Boot and Shoe Maker; and J. W. Evans, Carpenter. The office of
"The Deraocrat" was in the "Democrat Building" N. E. corner of
Bridge and Main streets.
In 1881, an extensive history of Southeastern Dakota was pub-

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 17

lished in book form by the Western Publishing Co., of Sioux City,
la., and The Democrat is there mentioned as Dakota Democrat, and
the date of the first publication, in its account of the "Sioux Falls
Settlement," is asserted to be on the 20th day of Septeraber, 1858,
but in a chapter entitled "Sioux Falls" we find the following account
of this newspaper: "The first newspaper published in the Territory
was issued at Sioux Falls. This was the Dakota Democrat, estab
lished in 1857 by S. J. Albright." These dates are clearly erroneous.
And its assertion that Mr. Albright left Sioux Falls in 1860, taking
the heading of The Democrat with him, may also be erroneous. But
it is a fact that Mr. Albright left Sioux Falls about this time, and
the paper thereafter was published as The Independent, this head
ing having formerly been used for a paper published in Iowa by
P. M. Ziebach. During the last fifteen years we have seen several
accounts of this newspaper enterprise, and they differ so much in
regard to dates and other things appertaining to its publication
which should be accurately stated, especially as it was the first news
paper published in Dakota, that we have taken great pains to ascer
tain and record the exact facts in reference to it. Further on, an
account of the destruction of the press will appear as one of the
incidents of the burning of Sioux Palls by the Indians the last of
August, 1862.
The Dakota Land Company, as already appears, was enterpris
ing in its efforts to obtain possession of land in Dakota favorable for
the location of towns, and, believing that it will not be uninteresting,
we transcribe a portion of a report which was submitted at the
annual meeting of the stockholders of the company in October, 1859.
This report was made by J. L. Fiske, showing the operation and
progress made by the company from August 1, 1858. It briefly
referred to the report of Secretary Gay, made the year previous,
from which it appeared that the company had suffered heavy dam
ages and losses by the sacking and burning of the towns of Medary
and Flandrau. The report then proceeded to show that during the
year "twenty-six hundred and forty (2640) acres of scrip had been
purchased to lay on six towns" and that "two of the directors of the
corapany had taken charge of a special expedition into the Territory
for the purpose of resurveying and establishing the required bound
ary raarks to six, designated by the board, preparatory to entering
them with the scrip on hand." That this party visited all these
parts, and, after preparing the necessary plats and other papers,
Messrs. Gay and Smith proceeded to the land office having jurisdic
tion, and successfully entered the towns. Two of these towns were
in Minnesota, namely, Saratoga, in Cottonwood county, and Mountain
Pass, situated at the head of Lake Benton. In Dakota four towns
were located, and described as follows: "Medary, the county seat of
Midway county, the first organized county in Dakota, situated on the
Big Sioux river at the crossing of the government road, and twenty-
five railes due west of Mountain Pass, two hundred and twenty acres;
Flandrau, the county seat of Rock county at the junction of the
Coteau Percee with the Sioux, fifteen miles south of Medary, six
hundred and forty acres; Sioux Palls City, established seat of gov-

18 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

ernment for Big Sioux county, and the recognized capital of the Ter
ritory, at the falls of the Big Sioux, the head of navigation, three
hundred and twenty acres; Emanija, the county seat of Verraillion
county, at the raouth of Split Rock river and Pipe Stone creek, on the
Big Sioux, thirteen railes below the Falls, and at the more practical
head of navigation for large steamers, six hundred and forty acres."
As already stated, the eastern portion of Minnesota Territory
was admitted as a State in May, 1858, and this left all that portion of
the present limits of the two Dakotas east of the Missouri and White
Earth rivers in an unorganized condition. From this time until the
Territory of Dakota was organized March 2, 1861, the situation of
the settlers was a peculiar one. During the summer of 1858, the
residents of the Sioux Valley were perplexed with the problem how
to proceed in order to obtain the benefits of a duly constituted gov
ernment. Of course, they appreciated the fact that such govern
ment must come through the organization of a territorial govern
ment, and this could only be established by an act of Congress. But
this would take considerable time, and until it was accomplished,
unless some provisional laws were enacted, each person would be a
law unto himself. Again the question was considered how to best
present this state of affairs to Congress, and obtain territorial
organization. It was finally determined that it would be advisable to
set up a government themselves, elect a legislature, and enact such
laws as would answer their purpose for the time being, memorialize
Congress for territorial organization, and elect a delegate to Con
gress to urge the immediate establishment of a territorial govern
ment. Having determined upon this plan, they proceeded to put it
in force, and a mass convention was called for that purpose. The
action of the convention appears from the following notice, which was
printed on small slips of paper:
"ELECTION NOTICE.
"At a Mass Convention of the people of Dakota Territory, held
in the town of Sioux Falls, in the County of Big Sioux, on Saturday,
September 18, 1858, all portions of the Territory being represented,
it was resolved and ordered that an election should be held for mem
bers to compose a Territorial Legislature.
" In pursuance of said resolution, notice is hereby given that on
Monday, the Fourth Day of October
Next, at the House of

In the Tov^n of
In the County of

An election will be held for   members of the Council
a-iid    of the House of Representatives for said Legislature.
"The polls will be opened at 9 o'clock in the morning, and close
at 4 o'clock in the afternoon of said day.
. x-!'-?o^^*^^^--   --^his 20th dav of September,
A. D. 1858. "(Dakota Deraocrat Print, Sioux Falls, City.)"

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 19

With the thirty or forty souls who composed the population at
that time, it required considerable ingenuity to arrange matters, and
the elections were conducted in a somewhat peculiar manner. We
learn from one of the members, that on the morning of election, the
whole population organized into parties of three or four, elected each
other judges and clerks of election, and then started off with their
teams in various directions for a pleasure trip, and whenever a rest
was taken, which occurred frequently, an election precinct was es
tablished, and the votes not only of the party but of their uncles,
cousins, relatives and friends were cast, until as a result of the elec
tion the total vote rolled up into the hundreds, and was properly cer
tified to.
Soon after the election the legislature convened, and Henry
Masters was elected president of the council, and at the close of the
session was elected governor. S. J. Albright was elected speaker.
This session lasted only a few days, but with due deliberation all
needful bills for home government were introduced, discussed and
passed. It also passed the strongest resolutions and memorials to
Congress, praying for an early organization of the territory, and
elected A. G. Fuller, Esq., to represent the Territory in Washington.
Years afterwards in speaking of this legislative session, a mera
ber said: "There has never been a regular legislature in Dakota in
which dignity, decorum and good order were better observed than in
this squatter legislature, and it would be well for other legislatures
to take pattern thereby."
Mr. Puller spent the winter of 1858-9 in Washington endeavoring
to secure his admission as a delegate, but his efforts were of no avail,
his influence being counteracted by that of Frost, Todd & Co., who
desired to postpone the organization of the Territory as before stated.
He succeeded, however, in establishing a post office at Sioux Palls.
Mr. James Allen was made the first postmaster, and the post ofl&ce
was located for a short time in the Dakota Land Company's building
already referred to.
At this point in the early history of events we have had not
a little diflficulty in sifting the truth from a mass of contradictory
statements made by individuals, who were residents of Sioux Falls at
the time of their occurrence. Judge Charles E. Flandrau, of St. Paul
Minn., and oneof her foremost citizens, about three years ago, desir
ing to obtain the exact facts concerning the first settlement of Da
kota, and especially the facts in reference to the attenipt to form a
government on the principles of "squatter sovereignty," applied to
S. J. Albright, then a resident of New York City, for the coveted
information. This Mr. Albright is the same person who came to
Sioux Palls in 1858, and was the editor of The Deraocrat. He com
plied with Judge Plandrau's request, and his narrative was so inter
esting and apparently correct, that it was published in the Minnesota
Historical Society's Collections, Vol. VIII, Part II, pages 134 to
147, inclusive. This narrative, with a preface by Judge Flandrau,
has' been published in pamphlet form, and through the kindness of
the judge we have a copy before us. This narrative, while purport
ing to give an account of the first organized government of Dakota,

20 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

entirely ignores the provisional or squatter legislature of 1858, in
fact, not only ignores it, but declares that "the iir si leg-islative assem
bly of Dakota came together in Sioux Palls City in the winter of
1859." Mr. Albright would undoubtedly admit he was mistaken in
this if he had before him Vol. 1, No. 4, of The Democrat published
Noveraber 8, 1859, at Sioux Palls City, of which he was then the
"Editor and Proprietor," for in that issue raay be found the follow
ing account of the assembling- of the legislature in 1859.
"DAKOTA LEGISLATURE.
"Report for The Democrat.
"The second session of the Legislative Assembly of the Territorv
of Dakota, convened at the Capitol House on the 2nd inst."
Then follows the legislative proceedings up to and including
Monday the 7th day of November, 1859.
Again Mr. Albright in the same issue says editorially under the
caption of "Dakota Legislature:" "This" body convened for a
second session the 2nd inst., that being the day appointed by law for
its convocation." After having given the facts in reference to the legislative as
sembly of 1858, and the election of Governor Masters, the propriety
of referring to the inaccuracy of this narrative may be questioned,
but it must be remembered that the narrative of Mr. Albright has
the indorsement of the State Historical Society of Minnesota, and at
some future time, when the evidence cannot be produced to sustain
our statements, their accuracy may be challenged. Judge Flan
drau in his preface to the pamphlet above referred to characterizes
these incidents as "a most interesting and curious epoch in the
history of the Northwest," and also says: "It presents the only
actual attenipt (excepting one earlier instance, the organizing of the
"State of Franklin" in 1784, in the district which now forms the
eastern part of Tennessee) to form a government on the principles of
"squatter sovereignty." If it is interesting, it is certainlv im
portant that all the incidents connected with \t should be correctly
recorded. In Vol. 1, No. 3, of The Democrat published August 26, 1859,
there appears the following: "ELECTION NOTICE.
u 'i?-°n ^'^^ 'f hereby given, that on Mondav, the 12th dav of Septem
ber, 18d9, at the several election precints in the County of Big Sioux
an election will be held for the following named officers, to-wit:
"A Governor, a Secretary of the Territory, a Delegate to Con
gress, four members of the Territorial House of Representatives
two members of the Territorial Council, a Judge of Probate a Dis
trict Attorney, three County Commissioners, a Sheriff, a Register
ot Deeds, a County Treasurer, a Coroner, two Justices of the Peace.
two County Assessors-, and two Constables.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 21

"Election to be held in the 1st Precinct at the Dakota House; 2d
Precinct, at the house of Henrv Masters; 3d Precinct, at the house
of Charles Philbrick. "J. M. Allen,
"Clerk Board Co. Commissioners.
"Dated this 6th day of August, A. D. 1859."
Mr. Albright's narrative also ignores the fact, that Henry
Masters was elected governor by the legislature in 1858, and here
again we find in the issue of November 8, 1859, of The Democrat, the
following notice of the death of Gov. Masters:
"DEATH OP GOV. MASTERS.
"Since our last issue Dakota has been called upon to mourn the
death of one of her oldest, ablest and raost honored citizens. Henry
Masters, lier Governor, has been called from his sphere of labor and
usefulness on earth, to that bourne from whence no traveler returns.
His demise occurred on the fifth day of September last, after an ill
ness of about ten days, and in the fifty-third year of his age. "
We also find in The Deraocrat of August 26, 1859, an advertise
ment of S. J. Albright and J. M. Allen of Sioux Falls City, Dealers
in Real Estate, under the firm name of Albright & Allen, and in
their list of references the following: "Hon. Henry Masters, Gov
ernor of Dakota Territory."
This would seem to settle the question that Henry Masters was
the first governor.
It is not an important matter, but the statement by Mr. Al
bright that "Henry Masters was originally a Massachusetts man,
and removed here frora Dubuque, Iowa, with his family and effects"
should be corrected. Gov. Masters was born in Bath, Maine, and
came from the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., to Sioux Palls, his family
remaining in Brooklyn, with the exception of his son Harry, who
came here some time after his father, probably in 1859. Gov. Mas
ters, on one occasion at least, preached a sermon in Sioux Falls,
the first sermon preached in the county, and probably the first
within the present limits of the State of South Dakota. It was in
support of the Swedenborgian faith.
On the 10th day of August, 1859, a convention was called to meet
in Sioux Palls City to nominate a candidate for delegate to Congress,
and, as Mr. Albright says in his narrative, "a few days subsequent
to the adjournment of the convention, the community was startled by
the information that he (Gov. Masters) had been stricken with apo
plexy at his home, and that death had followed the stroke," and as
Gov. Masters died on the 5th day of September, it is undoubtedly
true that there was a convention held on September 3, and was the
only convention held that year, for it is a fact that candidates for
other offices were nominated at this time.

22 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

In reference to the nomination and election of Judge Kidder for
delegate to Congress in 1859, we do not hesitate to affirm that the fol
lowing statements can be fully substantiated. Judge Kidder came
from St. Paul to Sioux Falls late in August, 1859, and was nominated
for delegate to Congress on Saturday, the 3d day of September, and
left Sioux Palls for St. Paul the forepart of the following week; that
before the election took place, A. G. Fuller, who was absent at the
time the convention was held, returned to Sioux Palls, and was so
displeased with the fact that Judge Kidder had been nominated in
stead of himself, that the name of Judge Kidder was taken from the
ticket and Mr. Fuller's substituted, and Mr. Puller was voted for in
the Sioux Valley. After the election Mr. Fuller went to St. Paul,
and it was arranged between the two candidates that Judge Kidder
should have the election, and a return was made from Pembina show
ing that Kidder had a raajority over Puller, and he received the cer
tificate of election.
Gov. Masters was nominated for governor at this convention,
but his death created a vacancy on the ticket. Mr. Albright soon
after the convention went to St. Paul, and during his absence his
name was put on the ticket for governor in place of Henry Masters.
Mr. Albright was elected governor, but, we are informed, did not
qualify, and was displeased with his election, stating that he would
prefer to be a member of the House, and its speaker, the same as he
was the year before, and a certificate was issued to him as a member
of the House.
At the top of the first editorial column of The Deraocrat in its
issue of November 8, 1859, the following appears:
"APOLOGETIC.
"An unavoidable absence eastward, prolonged beyond desire or
expectation, and our inability at the tirae of departure to procure
mechanical aid in our office, must be our apology for the hiatus of
several numbers which has occurred in the publication of the Demo
crat. A like occurrence has been provided against as far as may be
in the future, and we trust that our readers will, in view of the causes
which led to it, excuse the one just passed."
The last issue of The Deraocrat before this, was on the 26th day
of August, 1859.
When the second session of the legislature convened on Wednes
day the 2d of November, 1859, it adjourned from day to day until
Monday, the 7th, for want of a quorum. On that day Mr. Albright
was nominated speaker by Representative C. Cooper, and was elected
unanimously, and acted as such during the session of the legislature,
which adjourned on the 18th of the same month. A bill was intro
duced in the House (H. B. No. 5) "providing for the death or resigna
tion of the governor" passed by the House on November 14, and by
the Council November 16. It is a disputed question who was the
governor after the death of Gov. Masters, but, according to the best
information obtainable, we are confident that this bill No. 5 made the

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 23

Hon. W. W, Brookings (who was then President of the Council) ex
officio Governor. He signed the certificate of Judge Kidder's elec
tion as delegate to Congress "W. W. Brookings ex o-fficio Gov
ernor," and sent it to him at St. Paul, but Judge Kidder sent it
back requesting hira to sign it as "Acting Governor," which he did.
The members of the legislature were as follows:
COUNCIL.
Midway and Rock counties — J. B. Amidon, W. W. Brookings.
Big Sioux and Pipestone — L. B. Atwood, Jaraes McCall.
Vermillion and Yankton — Joseph Scales, J. B. Greenway.
HOUSE.
Midway and Pipestone counties — J. W. Evans, C. Cooper, J. E.
Peters, William Stevens.
Big Sioux — John Rouse, George Freudenreich, R. M. Johnson,
S. J. Albright.
Vermillion and Rock — Williara Little, Albert Kilgore, Amos
Shaw. The council organized by electing W. W. Brookings, president,
C. S. White, secretary, B. Jarrett, raessenger, M. V. B. Fisk, ser
geant-at-arms. The members of the House were sworn in by J. McCall, and
organized by electing S. J. Albright speaker, L. W. Stuart clerk,
John Kelts sergeant-at-arms.
It is hardly probable that any members of this legislature were
residents of Vermillion or Yankton counties. In looking up their
residences, and especially the places where elections were held, we
have come to the conclusion that no votes were cast in the Missouri
Valley. The Hon. J. R. Hanson, now residing at Yankton, was a
resident of that place in 1859, and in response to a letter written hira
in regard to the raatter, he says: "There was a public meeting held
at Yankton Noveraber 8, 1859, which declared among other things as
follows: "We do not approve of any election that has been held, nor
will we participate in any that may be held in any portion of this
territory for the purpose of electing a delegate to Congress, but we
trust in the wisdom and justice of Congress to provide us with a
legal form of government at an early day." Copies of this resolution
were ordered sent to Vermillion, Big Sioux, Bon Homme and Atkin
son to be read at raeetings to be held at those places. This resolu
tion was subsequently adopted at Vermillion, but I don't know about
the other places.
"Prom the foregoing it is fair to presume that no vote was had
for delegate to Congress, representatives to a legislature or terri
torial officers. My personal recollection is that we did not partici
pate in that election. " _ , _
This would seem to settle the question that this provisional

24 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

government was participated in almost exclusively by Big Sioux
county, and especially so when the members of the legislature,
Greenway, Brookings, Amidon, Evans, Peters, Little, Kilgore, Scales,
Stevens and Shaw, accredited to Midway, Rock, Pipestone, Vermil
lion and Yankton counties, were well known residents of Big Sioux
county. We are indebted to the columns of The Democrat for a partial
report of the proceedings of this legislature. Memorials to Congress
to extend a territorial governraent over Dakota, to recognize Judge
Kidder as a delegate, to recognize and ratify the laws passed, and to
establish a land office at Sioux Palls, were passed. A bill providing
for filling a vacancy in case of the resignation or death of governor,
and bills for fixing the boundaries of Big Sioux county, and estab
lishing the counties of Scott and Buchanan, were passed. Bills pro
hibiting the setting of prairie fires, the running at large of cattle and
swine, the incorporation of the Sioux Palls Manufacturing Co., and
the establishing of supreme and district courts were killed. Joint
resolutions appointing a public printer, providing for the printing of
the laws passed, and instructing the delegate to Congress to ask for
the appropriation of $6,000 to defray the expenses of the government
of Dakota for the current year, were passed.
The year 1860 was a very quiet one, the settlers anxiously
awaiting the result of Judge Kidder's efforts in their behalf. Very
few immigrants came. Among those were J..B. Amidon and faraily.
The year 1861 saw the hopes and expectations of the ambitious
population realized. March 2, President Buchanan approved the bill
for the organization of Dakota Territory, and President Lincoln
hastened to perfect the government by appointing the following offi
cers in accordance with the organic act: William Javne of Illinois,
governor; John Hutchinson of Minnesota, secretary; P. Bliss of
Ohio, chief justice; L. P. Williston of Pennsylvania and J. L. Will
iams of Tennessee, associate justices; W. Gleeson of Marvland, dis
trict attorney; W. P. Schaffer, United States marshal.
By a provision of the organic act, Dakota was made a distinct
land district, and G. D. Hill of Michigan appointed surveyor-general.
The name of "Dakota" was given to the territory for the reason that
the numerous tribes of Indians who had inhabited this region frora
the earliest times known to the whites bore the general name of
Dakotas, although each tribe had its peculiar name aside frora the
general one.
The officers appointed by the president at once entered upon the
discharge of their duties, and in June of the same vear Dakota had a
regular government. On the 13th day of July, 1861, Governor Javne
issued his first proclamation, dividing the territory into judicial dis
tricts and assigning the judges for each.
July 29, 1861, Governor Jayne issued his second proclamation,
dividing the territory into legislative districts, and appointing Sep
teraber 16, for a general election, when members of the legislature
and a delegate to Congress should be elected.
The first district comprised the Big Sioux Valley, and to this
district was assigned two councilmen and four members of the House.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 25

The first g-eneral election held in the new territory was an ex
ceedingly interesting one. There were three candidates for delegate
to Congress: Capt. J. B. S. Todd, independent; A. J. Bell, union;
and C. P. Booge, the people's candidate. Of 585 votes cast, Todd
received 397, and was declared elected by the board of canvassers,
who issued to him the certificate of election as the first delegate to
Congress from Dakota.
The members of the legislature elected from the first district
were as follows: Council, Austin Cole and W. W. Brookings; House,
J. C. McBride, Christopher Maloney, Geo. P. Waldron and H. S.
Donaldson. The first legislature convened March 17, 1862, at Yankton, that
place having been designated by the governor as temporary capital.
At this session an act was passed establishing the County of Minne
haha, and authorizing the governor to nominate, and with the consent
of council, appoint the county officers.
The following officers were elected: judge of probate and treas
urer, J. B. Amidon; register of deeds, Harry Masters; sheriff, J. W.
Evans; commissioners, Wm. Stevens, Wm. Amidon, and B. C.
Fowler; justice of the peace, James McCall.
An act was also passed legalizing the official acts of James M.
Allen as register of deeds, and James McCall as justice of the peace
for the County of Big Sioux as organized under the authority of Min
nesota. A meraorial to Congress was also passed, praying for the
establishraent of a military post at Sioux Palls City for the protec
tion of the settlers.
During the previous winter. Company A, Dakota Cavalry, con
sisting of ninety-six men under Captain Nelson Miner, was organ
ized and mustered into service in April, and a detachraent of this
company was stationed at the Palls. J. B. Watson, John McClellan
and A. F. Shaw were members of this company.
The spring and summer of 1862, were full of proraise to the
young County of Minnehaha, and had the Indians remained quiet all
would have gone well with her. Fate, however, decreed otherwise,
and the bright anticipations of the little band of pioneers who had
toiled and endured so faithfully, were soon to be destroyed.
In August the Indian uprising began again, and horrible massa
cres on the frontier of Minnesota were perpetrated. The news did
not reach the Palls until some time afterward, but on the 25th of
August an event occurred, which caused consternation among the
settlers. This was the murder of Judge J. B. Amidon and his son.
They left their home in Sioux Palls City early in the morning, to cut
sorae hay on their land about a mile north, taking their dinners with
them. When night came and they did not return, Mrs. Amidon be
came alarmed and notified the soldiers, who, fearing the worst, at
once started in search of them. Not until the next morning was
their search rewarded and their worst fears realized. They were
found in a cornfield, adjacent to the hayfield. Judge Amidon, lying on
his face, with a bullet hole through his back, and the son farther
back in the cornfield, his body covered with arrows. It was evident
that the judge had died instantly, but the boy had survived long

26 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

enough to draw a number of arrows from his body. While the sol
diers were searching for the raurderers a number of Indians ap
peared on the bluff with the evident intention of attacking the village,
but on the return of the soldiers, they fled and escaped in the
timber along the river.
The settlers were now thoroughly alarmed, and when a day or
two later messengers arrived with the news of the fearful massacres
on the frontier, and with orders from the governor for the soldiers to
proceed to Yankton and bring the settlers with thera, they hastily
g-athered up such property as could be easily carried and, with heavy
hearts, abandoned the earthly possessions they had fondly called
their own.
After their departure the Indians entered the village, destroyed
everything they found, and set fire to the buildings. They ended
the pioneer labors of the old Sraith press by throwing it into the
river, where it laid until 1871, when it was rescued and placed on
exhibition in the town. A part of it was sold to True Dennis, at
that time popularly known as the "village blacksmith," and the bed
lay for sorae time near where E. B. Smith's furniture store is now lo
cated, but Hiram Caldwell, living north of Sioux Falls, took it home
and used it for a door step. R. F. Pettigrew discovering the use to
which it was being put, and thinking- it should be preserved as a relic
of the first newspaper enterprise in the county, gave Mrs. Caldwell
five dollars for it, and now has it in his possession. Mr. Pettigrew's
brother Fred has the spindle. The Indians carried the type away
with them, and some of it afterwards found its way back to the settle-
raents in the form of ornaments to the pipes which they made of
pipestone. Two months later a number of men with a sraall party of soldiers
under Captain Miner came back to the deserted village in the hope
of finding and taking back with them some of the movable property
which had been left behind in their hasty flight. They found the
house which had been occupied by W. W. Brookings (standing nearly
where the Milwaukee depot is now located), and two others still left,
the fire having died out without consuming the buildings as the
Indians had expected. Among other things found and saved were
some valuable papers belonging to Mr. Brookings, which were kept
in a trunk and were partially burned.
By October of this year all the settlements in the Sioux Valley
were abandoned, and most of the settlers left the country. A few
in Yankton and Bon Homme counties gathered at Yankton, where a
good stockade had been built, and remained there through the
troublous tiraes, not knowing what moment they might be attacked
by the savages and their lives sacrificed. For nearly three years the
Sioux Valley remained almost deserted. A long and disastrous In
dian war was feared, and the settlements were' unguarded and de
fenceless, and murders and depredations were frequent.
The second session of the territorial legislature convened on the
first day of December, 1862, at Yankton, and after two weeks of con
testing and quarreling, was finally organized. The acts passed,
relating directly to Minnehaha county, were as follows: the counties

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 27

of Clay, Lincoln, Deuel, Minnehaha and Brookings were raade the
second council and representative district, and entitled to a repre
sentation of three members of the Council and six members of the
House. The counties of Clay, Cole, Lincoln, Minnehaha, Brookings
and Deuel were constituted the first judicial district of the territory,
with the seat of jurisdiction at Vermillion, and the first Tuesday of
May in each year appointed for the court to convene. Memorials to
Congress were also passed, praying for the establishraent of a raail
route from Mankato in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, to Port Ran
dall in Dakota territory via Sioux Palls, and for the establishment
of a military post at Sioux Falls for the protection of the settlers.
The latter is giyen in full as a picture of the state of affairs in Da
kota at that date, and reads as follows:
"To the Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War:
"Your memorialist, the legislative assembly of the Territory of
Dakota, would most respectfully represent that the frontier settle
raents of western Minnesota, northwestern Iowa, and southern Da
kota will require for several years to come, military protection to
guard the inhabitants and their property from the attacks and
plundering of roaming hostile bands of Indians who are constantly
ravaging that section of country; further, that all the frontier settle
ments of southwestern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa, and almost
the entire valley of the Big Sioux river in Dakota, have been depop
ulated during the past suraraer through fear of hostile Indians, the
inhabitants having been partially butchered in several of these set
tleraents; further, that for the last six years, the Minnesota Sioux
and the Yankton Sioux have been in the habit of coraing down the
river of the Big Sioux, to a rendezvous near Sioux Palls, then raak
ing that a base, strike off into northwestern Iowa and southern Da
kota, where they steal, ravage and harass the settlers, then escape
before any assistance can arrive from either Ports Randall or
Ridgley, and had it not been for the soldiers stationed at Sioux
Palls during the late massacre in Minnesota, it is raore than proba
ble, that a large number of the settlers in this territory would have
met with the same fate as those of the State of Minnesota: There
fore, your memorialist would raost respectfully ask, that a military
post be established and occupied at an early day as possible on the
Big Sioux river, in the vicinity of Sioux Falls. Your memorialist
would further represent that said Sioux Palls is about half way be
tween Ports Randall and Ridgley, on a direct line with the same,
and that a military post at said point would not only protect the ira
raediate vicinity of Sioux Palls, but would amply protect the frontier
settlements of southwestern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa, and
southern Dakota. A small force of cavalry stationed at said post
would be able to keep all hostile Indians north and west of aline run
ning from Fort Ridgley in Minnesota to Port Randall in Dakota.
Further, your memorialist would represent that there is abundance
of building material at said Sioux Palls, and your memorialist will
ever pray.
"Approved January 2, 1863."

28 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

At the legislative session in 1863-4, nothing affecting Minnehaha
county was done, and it still remained deserted.
At the fourth session of the legislative assembly, begun in
Yankton on the 5th day of Deceraber, 1864, and concluded January 13,
1865, the following memorial was passed:
"To the Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War:
"Your meraorialists, the Legislative Asserably of the Territory
of Dakota, would raost respectfully represent, that the safety of the
people of southern Dakota and northern Iowa from the attacks of
hostile bands of Indians require the establishment of two sraall raili
tary posts — one on the Big Sioux river in the vicinity of Sioux Falls,
and one at the point on the Dakota river near a straight line between
said Sioux Palls and Port Randall. Sioux Palls is about half way
between Fort Randall, Dakota, and Port Ridgley, Minnesota, and
your memorialists are of the opinion that such posts would give
better protection to southern Dakota, than the system heretofore
adopted, besides being far less expensive; therefore your memor
ialists pray for the establishment of such military posts; and as in
duty bound will ever pray.
"Resolved, Thatacopy of this memorial be sent to the Secretarv
of War, Hon. J. B. S. Todd and Hon. A. W. Hubbard.
"Approved, January 12, 1864."
In response to this prayer, on May 1, 1865, a military post was
established at Sioux Palls, and Company E, Sixth Iowa Cavalry,
under Captain Eicher, was ordered to take possession of the post.
A tract of land ten miles long and seven miles wide, comprising the
present township of Sioux Palls; sections 13 to 36, inclusive, of
Mapleton township; sections 13, 24, 25 and 36, Benton township, and
sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36 Wayne township was set apart for a
military reservation.
Barracks were built by this corapany during the summer of
1865, also a stone house called the commissary building, as shown in
the accompanying illustration. The barracks were located in part
on what is now Phillips avenue, between Seventh and Eighth streets,
the south end being about 125 feet north of Eighth street. The
larger building was about forty feet in width and thirty feet of the
south end was west of the westerly limit of Phillips avenue, and
nearly the entire north end was in Phillips avenue. A portion of
the building at the right was built in 1866.
On the 8th day of June, 1866, Company D, Twenty-second U. S.
Infantry, under Col. Knox, arrived at Sioux Palls "to relieve the
cavalry, which left the same day the infantry arrived, only Dr. Nisley
and Mr. Pratt, the hospital steward, reraaining.
With the establishraent of a military post in the Big Sioux
Valley peace and safety were secured, and gradually immigration
began, though slowly at first, and it was not until 1869 that the pop
ulation of Sioux Palls became as large as in the spring of 1862.
The first sutler at Sioux Falls was A. P. Hayward, who came

BARRACKS.

COMMISSARY.

OFFICERS QUARTERS.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

31

with the establishment of the post in May, but he afterwards sold
out to Charles K. Howard.
At the legislative session begun in December, 1865, and con
cluded in January, 1866, a memorial to Congress was passed, pray
ing that a small number of bloodhounds might be placed at each mili
tary post, for the better protection of the lives and property of the
citizens from the small bodies of Indians, who were frequently
skulking in the tall weeds and timber along the streams, for the pur
pose of theft or murder. Congress was also memorialized for the
establishment of a mail route from Sioux Falls to Ponca, Nebraska,
by way of Brule Creek and Elk Point, with weekly service thereon.
In the summer of 1866, a number of families settled in the
county, among whom were John Nelson, John Thompson, Wm.
Melvin, Sylvester Delaney, John J. Aasen, Jr., and Ole O. Gilseth.
_ Nelson and Thompson left Goodhue county, Minnesota, with
their wives, on June 4. They came across Iowa, and after leaving
Spirit Lake saw no white people until they reached Fort Dakota.
They took up land about ten miles from the fort, and Thompson is
still living where he first settled. Melvin and Delaney took up land
in the same vicinity. Melvin soon left for Kansas, but the log house
he built is still standing about three-fourths of a mile north of
Thompson's place and is occupied by Ole L. Ploren and family. An

MELVIN LOG HOUSE.

account of the privations and hardships endured by Aasen and Gil
seth in reaching Dakota, as translated from an issue of the Syd
Dakota Ekko, published in Noveraber, 1895, will be found in the
chapter of reminiscences.

32 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

At the next session of the legislature, which convened at Yank
ton on December 4, 1866, and adjourned January 12, 1867, a merao
rial to Congress was passed, praying that a road be laid out and
established from Elk Point up the Big Sioux Valley to Port Dakota,
and asking an appropriation of ten thousand dollars for that purpose.
As all supplies for the fort were transported by teams from Sioux
City by way of Elk Point, a road from the latter place to the fort was
a necessity. A memorial was also passed asking that the unex
pended balance of a previous appropriation amounting to three thou
sand dollars, be applied to improving and bridging the main traveled
road from Sioux Palls to Yankton by way of the upper James river
ferry. In 1867, Ole Gunderson, Foster Gunderson, Martin Gunderson,
John Johnson, Larson Sweet, J. Larson, Ole J. Arnson and their
families settled in the county.
During the session of the legislature which begun December 26,
1867, at Yankton and concluded January 10, 1868, an act was passed
to reorganize Minnehaha county. John Nelson, John Thompson and
William Melvin were appointed county commissioners and Edward
Broughton register of deeds.
In the spring of 1868, John O. Langness and Sivert and Gullick
Kringen started west, from Minnesota, to find a place suitable to
organize a colony. They found no place that suited them so well as
the Sioux Valley, and returning to Minnesota they came back in the
fall, bringing with them a large number of Scandinavians, among
whom were the following: Gudmund T. Ravlo and his sons, who
are still living in the county; Nils Iverson, Iver and Nils Nilson, Rol-
lof Pederson, J. Krogstad, Lars Kvarnmo, Jens Berg, Peder and
Thomas Paulson; Paul A. Risvold and his two sons, Andrew and
Peder Risvold; Qudmund Dalemo, Ole Thompson, Guttorm Eklo and
his son Peter Magnus; John Bruaas, who settled at Baltic; Halvor
Nyhus, Thorsten and Jonas Nassau and Ole Hougtro. O. B. Iverson
and Ole Bergerson settled in Split Rock, and John Walker also set
tled there about this time. John Langness brought with him a whip-
saw, which was in constant demand in constructing the houses the
settlers began to build. Ole Thompson and Mr. Langness would saw
two hundred feet of boards with this saw in a day, John Thompson
sent to the "old country" for one of these saws, and afterwards
procured another nearer home, and there were two or three others in
use in this vicinity. This method of manufacturing lumber by the
early settlers affords a striking illustration of the liniited advantages
and resources of pioneer days. ,
John Anderson Ole and Gunder Thompson settled about two
miles from the present city of Dell Rapids. Ole Thompson used to
help the Indians break their lands, and as his plow accomplished the
purpose far better and in much shorter time than their implements,
they gave him the name of "Maka-jubbedu-tanka" or "The great land-
breaker." A large number of settlers came into the countv durino- 1869, and
several people located at Sioux Falls and engaged in'' business
Among thera were N. E. Phillips, R. P. Pettigrew, John Hunter'

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 33

Jephtha Duling, Clark G. Coats, and D. B. Reynolds. Mr. Duling
brought his faraily, and moved into a cabin built by one of the sol
diers very near where the Burlington depot now stands. At that
time the only woraen Mrs. Duling found in Sioux Palls were Col.
Duffy's faraily, and two of the soldiers' wives. Mrs. Duling, however,
was accustomed to the privations of frontier life, having lived with
her husband at Port Randall from 1863, until his discharge in 1865,
and then on a ranch in Charles Mix county until they removed to
Sioux Falls. Later on Mr. Duling built a house on the bank of the
river near the cabin in which they first lived. In 1874, during a
heavy wind, he was struck by the roof of an old shed and instantly
killed. Mrs. Duling soon after removed to Dell Rapids, where she
raarried James H. Bishop, and resided until her death, which oc
curred August 18, 1894.
In those early days the only place where supplies of any kind
could be purchased was at the sutler's store kept by C. K. Howard,
and the prices paid would delight the hearts of the merchants in
Sioux Palls nowadays, who have to contend with numerous competi
tors and keep up in the race of "cut prices." Then a spool of thread
sold for fifty cents, calico was fifty cents a yard, and molasses two
dollars a gallon.
During the legislative session in 1868-9, a memorial to Congress
was passed, stating that Port Dakota was no longer needed as a pro
tection to the settlements on the Big Sioux, and praying that it might
be removed to Medary, sixty-five miles north of Sioux Falls, which
resulted in the military post at Sioux Falls being vacated on the 18th
day of June, 1869.
In 1870 the military reservation was opened to settlers, and
immigration steadily increased. Araong those who came were Nils
Noregaard and Nils Lauritsen from Denmark, who took up land
along the river below the present site of Dell Rapids. James Nisbet,
A. W.Hunt, Wm. Dockstader, John Hoy, Mr. Richardson, and Byron
D. Graves settled west and south of Dell Rapids. John Bippus, and
Colonel Charles Allen settled at the Palls, and Dr. J. L. Phillips
and John McClellan returned during this year to the scene of their
old labors. Dr. Phillips came in June, and brought his family, and
they raoved into the officers quarters, located where E. J. Daniels'
store is now.
At the advent of Mrs. Phillips, there were only seven white
woraen in Sioux Palls; and during the suraraer, in connection with
Mrs. C. G. Coats, she established the Pioneer Union Sunday School.
It was during this year that social matters began to have a stand
ing in the community.
The spring of 1871, opened auspiciously for Minnehaha county,
and a large number of the most desirable class of citizens carae to
Sioux Palls and the surrounding country to raake for theraselves
perraanent homes. Iraproveraents on quite an extensive scale were
made during this year. R. P. Pettigrew built an office, Joe Dupries
the Central House, W. H. Corson the Cataract Hotel, Wm. Van Eps
a large store building; all of which were occupied for business pur
poses. During the fall of this year the first residence was built at

34 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Dell Rapids, then known as Dell City. The residents at the close of
the year felt greatly encouraged by what had been accomplished
during the year, and were hopeful that 1872 would materially in
crease their prosperity and lessen the privations of pioneer life.
They were not destined to disappointment.
During 1872, new industries sprung up in Sioux Falls and Dell
Rapids, and considerable land was taken up in the county by actual
settlers; a saw raill was built at Dell Rapids by Dennis Rice, and a
store building was erected during the sumraer; a newspaper outfit
arrived the latter part of April, and the Dell City Journal soon made
its appearance. In Sioux Palls several buildings were erected; C.
K. Howard build a store 20x64 feet; Charles Hamilton, a photograph
g-allery; an Episcopal church was built; John McKee established a
harness shop; J. J. Hancock, a shoe store; Blade & Castor, a raeat
market; Edwin Sharpe a lumber yard; and a bakery and restaurant
were also amongthe new business enterprises. A weekly newspaper
was started by W. R. Kiter on the 10th of April; the fourth of Julv
was celebrated on the Island, and R. P. Pettigrew delivered the
oration; the "Dive" was torn down, and a temperance societv organ
ized. Artemas Gale, Melvin Grigsby, and Thomas H. Brown were
araong the new settlers during this year.
It has not occupied much space in giving in detail the iraprove
raents in the entire county prior to 1873, but during this year so
much was done towards the development of this section that a gen
eral statement must suffice. Imraigration set in early, and the Sioux
Falls Pantagraph is responsible for the stateraent that "the prairies
were teeming with schooners from the states." On the 15th day of
May the Sioux Palls Independent, a weekly newspaper edited by C.
W. McDonald, made its first appearance. The land office was opened
for business in Sioux Falls June 9, and on that day seventy-three
declaratory statements, sixty homestead and six cash entries were
made, covering 22,240 acres of land. The Webber & Hawthorn
grist raill commenced operation May 26. It appears frora the Sioux
Falls Pantagraph, in its issue of August 27, that there were thirtv-
two buildings in process of erection at that time in Sioux Palls. At
the close of the year the Sioux Palls Independent enumerated the
buildings completed during the preceding six months, and the list
comprised twenty-five business buildings and fifty-nine residences;
thirteen of these buildings were two stories high. A schoolhouse
was also built, 22x40 feet. The Methodist congregation had at the
close of the year a church building 20x 26 feet nearly readv for occu
pancy; and during the summer thirty thousand brick were manufac
tured by D. H. Tolbett. In the issue of the Sioux Palls Pantagraph
of July 16, it appears that the barracks had been purchased by True
Dennis, and in its next issue, July 23, "the barracks have been taken
down and removed;" so there need be no question as to when these
old landmarks of Indian warfare disappeared from the public view.
At the close of the year Sioux Palls had eight lawvers, three physi
cians, two resident ministers, twenty carpenters,' five masons, two
hotels, two restaurants, two lumber yards, two blacksmith shops,
two hardware stores, two meat markets, two wheelwright shops two

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 35

bakeries, one paint shop, one barber shop, one livery stable, two
dealers in agricultural implements, and six general stores. It is
needless to add that the people of Sioux Falls enjoyed the holidays
in 1873, so much having been accomplished.
During the winter of 1873-4 social affairs engaged the attention
of the residents of Sioux Palls as never before; church socials, balls,
sleig-h rides, "and other festivities," as one of the local newspapers
expressed it at the time, were of frequent occurrence.
With the coming of spring quite a large number of people ar
rived in the county to settle, and sorae of the townships had their
first settlers about this tirae.
But the year 1874, which began so promising, will long be re
membered by the older inhabitants as a year of adversities. Multi
tudes of grasshoppers visited this section, and complete destruction
followed in their wake. All the crops were destroyed, and a large
number of the settlers who had expected to raise enough to supply
their wants were doomed to bitter disappointment. To meet this
emergency a society was organized, and T. H. Brown visited the
east and obtained a large quantity of clothing and food, which was
distributed by the society; and $534.68 in money was also raised for
the same purpose. The iraproveraents during this year would not
compare favorably with the year preceding, but several residences
and a few business buildings were erected in Sioux Palls, and Valley
Springs township had its first school and — marriage.
The events which make up the history of the county to the be
ginning of the year 1875 have been stated in the chronological order
of their occurrence, and comprise the most important events that
transpired during her transition state — frora the horae of the savage
to the dawn of civilization.
It was during the early seventies that Minnehaha county passed
through the most trying stage of her existence, and it is fortunate
that the settlers were composed of men of remarkable energy and
enterprise. During this period, mills, stores, shops, churches and
schoolhouses were built, regular terms of court were established; the
affairs of the county carae under the control and raanageraent of a
board of coraraissioners; projects for better transportation facilities
were being considered, and the liraitations of pioneer life were fast
disappearing. How to best present to the reader the events that have trans
pired since then, has been a source of considerable anxiety to the
writer. At first it was thought the better way would be to continue
to chronicle the events in the order of their occurrence, but as the
work progressed it became evident that this method was irapractica
ble, especially after determining to give an account of the settlement
and development of each township and municipality by itself, includ
ing a large list of biographical sketches of the residents.
The plan was therefore adopted of first giving an account of the
county commissioners' proceedings, courts and other kindred sub
jects in which all the people of the county are equally interested, to
be followed by the local history of each township and municipality.

CHAPTER II.

SYNOPSIS OF SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT OFFI
CIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF
BIG SIOUX AND MINNEHAHA COUNTIES— LIST OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
In December, 1857, the governor of Minnesota Territory ap
pointed the following named persons, all of Sioux Palls Cit}% as
county officers for Big Sioux county as defined by the legislature of
Minnesota, a portion of which consisted of what is now Minnehaha
county: Jaraes L. Fiske was appointed judge of probate; W. W.
Brookings, district attorney; J. L. Phillips, justice of the peace;
Jaraes Evans, sheriff; Jaraes Allen, register of deeds, and ex officio
county clerk; William Little, James McBride, and A. L. Kilgore,
commissioners; but no record of their proceeding-s has been found.
The only record of any proceedings ever had b}' the Board of
County Commissioners for the County of Big Sioux which we have
been able to obtain is taken frora The Democrat published at Sioux
Palls City February 18, 1860, and reads as follows: "January 28, 1860.
"Met pursuant to adjournment.
"Present: Messrs. White, Kelts, and Greenwav. Mr. WhitQ
in the Chair.
"Mr. White requested that the report of the Committee on
County Buildings be postponed until the next meeting of the Board,
which was agreed to.
"Mr. Greenway moved that the Board confer with the Commis
sioners of Buchanan county, with a view to securing their co-opera
tion in erecting a bridge across the Big Sioux, at some suitable point
near the falls. Motion adopted.
"Mr. White suggested that a bridge be built across the Slip-up
creek, and, on raotion, it was ordered to be put under contract
at once. "Mr. Kelts moved that a county road be constructed frora Sioux
Palls City to the limits of Big Sioux countv, to intersect the Medary
road. Passed.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 37

"Mr. Greenwav moved that the last Saturday of each month
hereafter be the regular meeting day of the Board. Which motion
passed. "Mr. Greenway introduced the following resolution:
"Resolved, That the Board will receive sealed proposals for the
erection of a court house and jail up to the first day of June next.
Passed. "Mr. Greenwav moved that rent at the rate of $300 per annum,
be paid for the use of such offices in M'Call's block, as may be required
for county purposes, until the corapletion of the county buildings,
which motion passed, yeas, 2; nays, 1.
"Mr. Kelts moved that the meeting now adjourn, which motion
prevailed and the Board adjourned until the last Saturday in
Pebuuarv. "J. M. Allen,
"Clerk Board Co. Cora."
Probablv the first County Warrant ever drawn under any show
of authority within the present limits of Minnehaha county was
drawn by these commissioners. It is now in the hands of Arthur
C. Phillips, Esq., and reads as follows:
"Sioux Palls Citv, January 13, 1860.
"No. 1. " $3.00.
"Pay to Samuel J. Albright three dollars.
"James M. Allen, Clerk. "C. S. White,
"Pres. pro tem Co. Com."
(Mr. White was killed by the Indians two or three years later in
Minnesota. Mr. Kelts, at the time he was commissioner, had a
claim on the land where Levi S. Carter now resides, north of the
City of Sioux Palls, and soon after went to Montana. Mr. Green
way was a Virginian, and after a short residence here he and his
wife went further west).
The first territorial legislature, which began its session at
Yankton, March 17, and concluded May 15, 1862, enacted chapter
twenty-three of the session laws providing for county officers.
It required only twenty legal voters to organize a county, and
when organized it was to have the following county officials, viz.:
three county coraraissioners; a register of deeds, who was also ex
o-fficio clerk of the county board, sheriff, judge of probate, coroner,
justice of the peace, constables, county surveyor, and district attor
ney. The duties of county commissioners were prescribed, and their
compensation fixed. The governor was authorized to nominate and
with the advice and consent of the council, appoint such officers, to
hold their respective offices until the first general election and their
successors had qualified.
During this session the official acts of Jaines M. Allen as register
of deeds, and James McCall as justice of the peace for the County of
Big Sioux, were legalized; the County of Minnehaha was established.

38 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

and the following county officers appointed by the governor: Judge
of probate, J. B. Amidon; register of deeds, Harry Masters; sheriff,
J. W. Evans; commissioners, Wm. Stevens, Wra. Amidon, and B. C.
Fowler; justice of the peace, James McCall.
As already appears, all the settlers in this vicinity were driven
away by the Indians during the summer of this year, and no records
of official proceedings by these officials can be found.
By an act of the legislature approved January 4, 1868, the County
of Minnehaha was reorganized, with boundaries as established by
the legislature in 1862. John Nelson, John Thompson and William
Melvin were appointed county coraraissioners, and Edward Brough
ton, register of deeds. The coraraissioners were empowered to
appoint all other officers necessary to complete the organization of
the county. There are no records of their official proceedings, but
on the 31st day of December, 1871, the legislature passed an act
legalizing the official acts of the commissioners, the register of
deeds, and Ole Bergerson as justice of the peace of Minnehaha
county. On the 8th day of January, 1873, an act of the territorial legisla
ture fixing the boundaries of a large number of counties was ap
proved, and the boundaries of the County of Minnehaha as they now
exist were then established.
The first record of the proceedings of the Board of County Com
missioners of Minnehaha county commences with the 13th dav of
February, 1871, and the following comprises a brief summarv of
their official acts from that time to June, 1898.
"Sioux Falls, D. T., February 13th, 1871.
"Pursuant to call the Hon. Board of Commissioners met at the
store of W. S. Bloora for the transaction of such business as raight
properly be brought before thera. Present, Ole Bergerson and
John Thorapson. On motion John Thompson was chosen chairman
of the board. On motion the board decided to hold their meetings
at W. S. Bloom's store until more suitable rooms were provided.
The official bond of John Walker as sheriff with Ole Bergerson and
Hans Larson as sureties was exarained and approved. The official
bond of Bernt S. Peterson as constable and Peter Knutsen and Knut
Peterson as sureties was examined and approved. The official bond
of Ole B. Iverson, probate judge and county treasurer with Charles
Allen and John McClellan as sureties was examined and approved.
"On motion adjourned to the next regular meeting- first Mondav
in April, A. D. 1871. "Attest: W. S. Bloora, Countv Clerk.
"Minnehaha County, D. T."
^ . . April 3, 1871.
Coraraissioners met and transacted the following business:
lhe county was divided into districts as follows: All of the county
south of township one hundred and two west of range forty-eight dis
trict number one; all the county east of range forty-nine, district
number two, and all of the county north of township one hundred
and one, and west of range forty-eight, district number three. The

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 39

official bond of W. S. Bloora as register of deeds and county clerk
was examined and approved. A petition of the citizens of district
nuraber two was read, approved and granted, asking for a road frora
a point on the southeast quarter of section twenty-one, township
one hundred and one, range fortv-eight in Minnehaha county, where
the Blue Earth Citv raail route crosses the said quarter section, and
from thence to cross the Big- Sioux river at what is known as the
Iverson crossing-, and from thence to Sioux Falls, following section
and quarter lines where practicable. Knut Knuteson was appointed
justice of the peace in district number two. Ole J. Aasen was ap
pointed constable in district number three, and John McClellan was
appointed constable in district number one. The following named
persons were appointed road supervisors for their respective dis
tricts: John McClellan, district nuraber one; AmOs O. Bursem,
district nuraber two; John Langness, district nuraber three. James
A. Hand was appointed superintendent of public instruction for the
county. The account of Frank O. Wisner for printing tax lists,
amounting to ten dollars, was examined and allowed, and warrant
ordered drawn on receipt of warrant book.
At the next meeting of the board, a special one, April 12, 1871,
there were present John Thorapson chairraan, Charles Allen and
Ole Bergerson. A petition frora the citizens of Split Rock, asking
for a road commencing- at the southeast corner of section thirty-
three, in township one hundred and one, range forty-eight, thence
north along the east line of said section, and on the section lines as
far as practicable to the northeast quarter of section four of said
township and range, and that the county surveyor be requested to
locate and establish said road, was granted. The appointraent of
Jaraes A. Hand as superintendent of public instruction was re
scinded, and he was appointed county attorney, and John Bippus
was appointed sunerintendent of public instruction. The abstract
of taxable property was received frora the county assessor. The
account of John O. Walker for forty-eight dollars for services as
assessor was presented and allowed. The county surveyor was
ordered to lay out and locate road number one as, soon as possible,
following section and quarter lines as far as practicable. The
county clerk was ordered to procure blank books and seals for the
county. The next meeting of the board was held July 3, present John
Thompson, chairraan, Charles Allen and Ole Bergerson. The
official bond of John Hunter, justice of the peace, was approved.
Petition nuraber one asking for a road commencing at the point
where the Sioux river crosses the section line between sections six
teen and seventeen in township one hundred and one, thence south
on section lines as near as practicable to Sioux Falls, was approved
and granted, and county surveyor was ordered to lay out such road.
Petition number two was also granted, and county surveyor ordered
to lay out such road, provided the cost did not exceed fifteen dollars,
said road to comraence at a point on the boundary line between the
Territory of Dakota and State of Minnesota at the southeast quarter
of section three, township one hundred and one, range forty-

40 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

seven, thence west following section and quarter lines as
rauch as practicable to Sioux Palls. Petition number three
was granted, if cost of surveying road did not exceed five dollars,
said road to coraraence on south line of section thirty-three, township
one hundred and one, range forty-eight, thence to Sioux Falls, on
section and quarter lines as far as practicable. C. G. Coats, J.
Dickson and W. S. Bloom were appointed viewers. The report of
the superintendent of public schools, dividing the county into school
districts, was received, read and accepted. The report of county
surveyor on road number one, with field notes, was read and ac
cepted. The board levied a total tax of one per cent., divided as fol
lows: territorial revenue one and one-half mills; county revenue, four
mills; roads and bridges, one raill; school tax, two mills: county
sinking fund, one and one-half mills. The county clerk was author
ized to procure necessary blank books for the use of county surveyor
and superintendent of public instruction.
Board met again October 2; present John Thorapson, chairman,
Charles Allen and Ole Berg-eson. The official bond of H. W. Lewis,
coroner, was exarained and approved. A petition for a county road,
coraraencing at the northwest corner of section twenty-three, town
ship one hundred and one, range forty-nine, thence south between
sections twenty-two and twenty-three, 240 rods, thence east along
the quarter section line 80 rods to quarter post on north boundarv
of section twenty-six; thence south along the quarter section line
through the center of sections twenty-six and thirty-five, to the
south boundary of said township, was received and "granted, and
Messrs. Booth, Robinson and Brown were appointed viewers. Ole O.
Langness, Oliver Olson and Thomas Paulson were appointed viewers
for the road running frora the west line of section sixteen, township
one hundred and four, range forty-nine, to Sioux Palls. L. Berger
son, G. Torstenson and N. Neilson were appointed viewers on road
running east frora Sioux Falls to the Minnesota line and known as
road nuraber three.
A special meeting was called October 25, present John Thomp
son, chairraan, Chas. Allen and Ole Bergerson. The tax list for
1871 was presented and signed, and the county treasurer ordered
to proceed to collect taxes forthwith. The account of Mills & Co.,
of August 7, 1871, araounting to fortv-eight dollars, for seals for
county officers, was allowed and warrant drawn. The account of
W. S. Bloora for seventy-eight dollars fifty cents cash for sundries,
for use of county was allowed and warrant drawn. A petition was
received frora Jaraes A. Hand, asking the countv coraraissioners to
request his honor. Judge Brookings to hold a special terra of court
in Sioux Falls, subsequent to the first dav of December, 1871. The
accounts of John Thompson for sixteen 'dollars, Ole Bergerson for
fourteen dollars and forty cents, and Charles Allen for twelve dol
lars, for services as county commissioners for 1871, were examined
and allowed. Also the account of W. S. Bloom for seventy-five
dollars for services as countv clerk for 1871, was examined and
allowed. The board met December 1, 1871, pursuant to a call for special

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 41

meeting, present Charles Allen and Ole Bergerson. The verbal
resignation of John Bippus, superintendent of public schools, was
received and accepted, and Cyrus Walts was appointed to fill the
vacancy. 1872. January 1, at the regular meeting of the board, there
were present John Thorapson, chairman, and Ole Bergerson. The
county clerk being- absent, W. H. Holt was appointed clerk pro tera.
Newton Clark, meraber elect, presented his official bond, which was
approved. W. R. McLaury presented a bill for attorney's services
in case of Dakota Territory vs. G. W. White, which was allowed at
five dollars. A petition was presented for a county road beginning
at southwest corner of section sixteen, township one hundred and
one, range forty-nine, thence west as per petition filed, which was
accepted and road ordered opened. It was then resolved that all
accounts must be duly certified before acceptance by the board.
The following accounts were presented and allowed: Halvor
Olson, Thomas Paulson and Ole O. Langness, four days each in
locating county road number two, at two dollars per day; John O.
Langness, two days surveying county road number two, at four dol
lars per day. Wm. H. Holt, county clerk pro tera, was empowered
to issue license for the sale of spiritous liquors in Minnehaha county
at his discretion, license being paid and good and sufficient bonds
being given.
On January 16, the board of county commissioners met again,
pursuant to a call for a special raeeting. There were present John
Thorapson, Ole Bergerson and Newton Clark. A motion was made
by Newton Clark "that the rate of license be fixed at thirty dollars
per annura for persons selling spiritous liquors in Minnehaha county
in quantities less than one quart, in connection with general raer
chandise, and at one hundred dollars per annum for license for
saloon keepers in said county," which raotion was carried. The
resignation of W. S. Bloora, county clerk, was tendered, to take
effect February 1, 1872, and on motion was accepted. The board
then proceeded to vote for county clerk by ballot. W. R. McLaury
received two votes and N. E. Phillips one, whereupon W. R. Mc
Laury was declared elected to fill the unexpired terra. The county
clerk was then instructed to serve notice on dealers in liquors in
Minnehaha county, that license to sell liquors raust be taken out
prior to January 25, 1872.
At the next raeeting of the board held April 1, on motion of John
Thompson, a petition for the construction of a bridge across the Big
Sioux river, at a point where said streara is crossed by the public
highway, in the southeast corner of section thirteen, township one
hundred and one, range fifty, was rejected so far as it related to a
two raill tax, but by motion of the same member of the board, the
question of appropriating one thousand dollars to build the bridge as
above stated, was ordered to be submitted to the voice of the people
at the next general election. The official bond of O. B. Iverson,
county treasurer, was fixed at four thousand dollars, examined and
approved, and "the old bond held responsible to the present date."
At the next meeting of the board, held July 1, the petition of R.

42 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

S. Alexander and others asking for an appropriation of five hundred
dollars, subject to the voice of the people at the next general election,
to build a bridge at Dell City, was accepted. By action of the board
the following places were designated for holding the next general
election: precinct number one in the barracks, precinct number two
at Soren Bergerson's, precinct number three at John O. Langness'
school house. The board also contracted with Wra. Van Eps for
four ballot boxes complete, at one dollar and twenty-five cents each.
The board then adjourned until the next morning, when the financial
statement of the county was examined and ordered printed. It was
as follows:
"Financial statement of Minnehaha county, D. T., for the year ending June 30th, A. D. 1872:
Total amount of tax levied  $628 71
Amount of interest collected on delinquent tax._   2 50
Total    $631 28
Tolal amount of cash received    340 92
Total amount of warrants i-eceived    18 79
Total amount of interest received  2 57
Total amount delinquent tax   269 00
Total   $631 28
TERRITORIAL TAX.
Amount levied    $ 94 30
Amount cash collected    46 97
Amount delinquent tax.     47 33
Tolal       $ 94 30
Amount of cash on hand      $ i6 97
COUNTY TAX.
Amount levied         $251 48
Amount cash collected ._     $107 41
Amount of warrants received    iS 42
Amount delinquent tax  125 65
Total   ___ $251 48
Amount of cash paid on warrants.   m 80
Amount of cash in hand   76 61
Total  ^loy ^t
ROAD AND BRIDGE VAX.
Amount levied .--      $ 62 87
Amount of cash collected   « 7, j.
Amount of receipts received   __ _ _  -27
Amount of delinquent tax   ,j ,-
Total     ^ 62 87
Amount of cash on hand   « ,j j.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 43

SCHOOL DISTRICT TAX.
Amount levied     ¥125 74
Amount of cash collected    $ 63 27
Amoun'. of cash collected for license     45 00
Amount of delinquent tax  62 47
Total    $170 74
A !:nount of delinquent tax    O2 47
Amount of cash on hand  108 27
Total    $170 74
COUNTY SINKING FUND TAX.
Amount levied   __. $ 94 30
Amount of cash collected      47 14
Amount of delinquent tax    47 16
Total     $ 94 30
POLL TAX.
Amount enrolled  $265 5c
Amount of cash collected  $ii7 00
Amount of receipts received    3 00
Amount exempt  7 50
Amount of delinquent  138 00
Total    $265 5c
Amount refunded on illegal tax      i6 50
Amount allowed on receipts   3 0°
Amount exempt    7 50
Amount delinquent tax     138 00
Araount cash on hand      100 50
Total   -     $265 so
"(Signed.) W. R. McLaury,
"Clerk Board County Commdssioners."
At the next meeting of the board held July 30, a petition of J.
C. Ervin and sixty-two others, praying "for the establishment of an
election precinct, with the place of voting to be at the school house
at Dell City, said precinct to be known as precinct number four"
was granted. The board then proceeded to levy the tax as follows:
four raills on each dollar of the total valuation of property for county
fund; county sinking fund, one and five-tenths mills; road tax, five-
tenths raill; road and bridge poll tax "specific" one dollar and fifty
cents on each poll over twenty-one and under fifty years of age;
school poll tax, one dollar on each poll over twenty-one and under
fifty years of age; territorial tax, one mill; total amount of tax levied,
eight mills on each dollar of the total valuation.
The following resolution was introduced and passed:
"Whereas, it appears to this body that unjust complaint has
been made from various sources against Mr. John O. Walker, sheriff
within and for Minnehaha county, D. T., complaining that the said

44 history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

John O. Walker has been guilty of negligence in the perforraance of
his duties as sheriff. Ergo: having duly considered the circum
stances connected therewith, we do exonerate the said John O.
Walker from all blame connected therewith or with which he may be
charged. "Signed, "Newton Clark.
"John Thompson.
"Ole Bergerson."
On October 12 the board raet and canvassed the returns of the
general election held October 8, 1872, for territorial, district and
county officers.
For delegate to Congress, Wilraot W. Brookings received 122
votes, G. C. Moody 118, M. K. Armstrong 69, and John Hunter 3.
(M. K. Armstrong was elected by the territorial vote, at this election.)
Por register of deeds, N. E. Phillips received 177 votes, and W. H.
Holt 125. For probate judge, H. J. Whipple received 169 votes.
Por county superintendent of public schools, A. Thorne received 159
votes. For sheriff, V. R. L. Barnes received 37 votes, C. A. Lins-
trora 159 and Daniel Scott 69. For coroner, J. L. Phillips received
161. Por county surveyor, John O. Langness, 107. For district
attorney, A. Sweeny, 134 votes. For county coraraissioner, R. S.
Alexander, 159. Por justice of the peace, S. Pruner, 148, C. An
derson, 131, R. Anderson, 154. Por constable, J. H. Moulton, 136,
A. Larson, 133, O. J. Aasen, 144.
1873. At the meeting ofthe board January 20, Wm. H. Holt
was appointed sheriff to fill vacancy and accepted. The following
resolutions were also adopted: "That the county surveyor be in
structed to put up mounds at each angle, also at distances not more
than one-fourth mile from each other on straight lines. Also to
place sight mounds on high points on all county roads hereafter sur-
veyed,_ so as to enable the road supervisors to find the lines." The
following also appears in the record of this meeting: "Petition for a
road frora Sioux Falls and Schunk creek to Wall Lake. Also a road
from the quarter section post on the south boundarv of section
thirty-five, township one hundred and one, range fortv-nine via of
Raymond's intersecting Sioux Palls and Schunk creek road. And
from Raymond's west, intersecting the road from the Sioux Palls
and Schunk creek road to Wall Lake. Viewers appointed— Wm.
Van Eps, Cyrus Walts and Newton Clark. That thev are instructed
to meet and view said road as soon as the ground" thaws Board
settled with Ole B. Iverson per Wm. H. Holt as deputv countv
treasurer, leaving a balance in his hands to be delivered to his
successor, H. J. Whipple, of two hundred and nine dollars and
twenty-six cents. Dated January 21, A. D. 1873. N. Clark Chair
man Board of Commissioners." The assessor, Ole Bergerson is
also instructed as follows: "in assessing town propertv that he
exercise his own discretion; general merchandise, at general market
value; horses and mules over one year old, class one, old or young,
at ten to twenty-five dollars; class two, work horses, seventy-five

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 45

dollars; class three, fine stock, at one hundred and twenty-five dol
lars. Cows, not to exceed twenty dollars. Work oxen, class one,
fifty dollars; class two, seventy-five dollars. Young cattle, to use
discretion. Sheep, not to exceed one dollar fifty cents. Swine, to
use discretion. Improvements on land breaking per acre, two dol
lars. That the county license for the sale of liquor be fifty dollars
per annum throughout the county." Albion Thorne was also ap
pointed "district attorney in and for the district and County of
Minnehaha." At the next meeting, February 3, an offer was received from J.
C. Ervin, publisher ofthe Dell Rapids Journal, to publish the rainutes
of the proceedings of the board for one dollar per year. The offer
was accepted, and the Dell Rapids Journal was made the official
newspaper of Minnehaha county, and all official papers and public
documents of every kind requiring publication were ordered to be
published in this newspaper atthe due legal rates of the Territory,
except the proceedings of the board, which were to be at the price
named and agreed upon. It was resolved, "that the county attorney
be hereby instructed to enforce to the best of his ability the law in
regard to the selling of intoxicating liquors in Minnehaha county,
D. T." April 14, the date appointed for the next meeting of the board,
the following entry of proceedings appears on the records. "Severe
rain and snow storm made it impossible for the board of county
commissioners to meet as per adjournraent of April 7th. Attest, N.
E. Phillips, county clerk."
On the 22d of April, the board again raet, and allowed the ac
count of John Bippus for seven dollars, fifty cents, for a book case
to contain the records of the district court of Minnehaha county.
The financial statement for the year ending June 30, 1873, showed
that the total amount of tax levied was one thousand seven hundred
and ten dollars and forty-nine cents; the total amount collected,
eight hundred and fifty-three dollars seventy-four cents, and the
araount of delinquent tax, eight hundred and fifty-six dollars sev
enty-five cents.
1 874. On January 7, the Sioux Falls Independent was made
the official paper for the year 1874, upon the same conditions as dur
ing the preceding year. It was also ordered that the county license
for the sale of liquors should be thirty dollars per annura, and the
following resolution was passed: "Resolved, That we recommend
that the justices of the peace require persons making coraplaint in
behalf of the Territory of Dakota in cases of criminal procedure to
give bonds for the payment of costs." A petition was presented for
a ferry across the Big Sioux river on or near the lines between sec
tions nine and ten at Dell Rapids, asking that steps be taken to pro
cure bids for the building and maintenance of the sarae. On motion
it was ordered that notice be issued and posted to the effect that
"oral bids " would be received at the clerk's office in Sioux Falls, on
the 9th day of February, 1874, for the building and maintaining of
such ferry for the term of five years.
At the next meeting, February 9, "license was granted to B. D.

46 history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Graves, Peter Morse and R. S. Alexander, for the term of five years
for a ferry charter across the Big Sioux at Dell Rapids, under the
provisions of chapter 16, laws of 1865-6, with all the rights and priv
ileges thereby granted."
1875. At the next meeting of the board held April 5, the
county liquor license was fixed at forty dollars per annum.
At a regular meeting held July 6, the board fixed the salary of
the district attorney at two hundred and thirty dollars for the
year 1875.
1876. On January 3, the Sioux Palls Independent was again
made the official newspaper of the county for the ensuing year.
The salary of the county clerk was fixed at five hundred dollars to
be paid quarterly.
In April, N. E. Phillips resigned his office, not being able on
account of increased business to give it the attention it required, and
John Bippus was appointed register of deeds and ex officio county
clerk to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
At the regular meeting of the board July 3, Andrew J. Berdahl
tendered his resignation as sheriff, being about to raove from the
county, and John W. Callender was appointed to fill the vacancy for
the unexpired term.
On July 17, the board ordered that the county treasurer be in
structed to reserve the road fund on hand July 1, which had not been
accredited to any road district, and to pay the same to R. P. Petti
grew to be by hira expended in the construction of a bridge across
the Sioux river at the foot of Eighth street in Sioux Palls, upon the
receipt by the county clerk of a bond executed by said R. P. Petti
grew and approved by said clerk for the completion of said bridge on
or before the 20th day of October, 1876.
1877. January 3, The Sioux Palls Pantagraph was made the
official newspaper for the year 1877.
May 9, at a special session, the board selected the names frora
the assessment roll of 1877 from which grand and petit jurors were
drawn. 1878. January 9, the board instructed the county treasurer to
pay out of the county sinking fund the sura of one hundred and fifty
dollars to the building coraraittee for the completion of the bridge
across the Sioux river at what was known as "Clark's Crossing."
The Dakota Pantagraph and the Sioux Palls Independent were
made official papers, each paper to be paid one-half legal rates. On
motion the board decided to receive bids at the next regular meeting
to furnish rooms for county paupers, such rooms to ''be furnished
according to certain plans on file at the county clerk's office. Also
at the same meeting notice was ordered given "that "sealed bids for
making county map will be received, to be made according to specifi
cations on file at said office."
February 1, the board made a settlement with the county treas
urer, found his accounts to be correct, and the balances shown there
on were as follows:

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 47

Balance on hand January 1, 1878.
Territorial fund    ---- $ 1,633.11
County fund    1,042.54
schoolfund     --- 2,429.95
sinkingfund   ---    -- 2,284.46
" judgment fund --- - ---  --   96.62
" roadfund     437.60
District school fund — .-    -  -  2,833.81
Total -     $10,758.09
April 1, the board fixed the liquor license at two hundred dol
lars per annum. The salary of the county attorney for the year
1878, was fixed at two hundred dollars.
July 2, at a regular meeting, the board ordered "that the county
treasurer pay out of the county fund, derived from the issuing of
liquor licenses, the sum of one thousand dollars to the building com
mittee having in charge the construction of a bridge across the Sioux
river at the Tenth street in Sioux Falls, on condition that said com
mittee have said bridge completed and open to the use of the public
on or before October 1, 1878."
1879. January 6, Ole Bergerson retired from the board, having
served continuously from 1871. During this session, the assessor
was instructed to assess real and personal property as follows:
Lands inside the corporation of the village of Sioux Falls  from $ 20 oo to $ 100 00 per acre
Lands in township lOi, range 49, outside corporation  from 2 00 to 40 00 per acre
All other lands except timber lands    from i 5010 10 00 per acre
Timber land   --  ..from 3 00 to 25 00 per acre
Business lots in the village of Sioux Falls --  -   from 100 00 to 1000 00 per lot
Residence lots in the village of Sioux Falls   from 50010 200 00 per lol
Lots in the town site of Dell Rapids   from i 00 to 40 00 per loj
Lots in the town site of Valley Springs  from i 00 to 100 00 per lot
Lots in the town site of Brandon   from i 00 to 5 00 per lot
Lots in the town site of Wall Lake     from 100 per lot
Road bed of the Worthington and Sioux Falls R. R., per mile  3000 00
Stallions and jacks first-class     - 150 00
Stallions and jacks second-class  100 00
Horses first-class  50 00
Horses second-class   3° 00
Horses third-class  10 00 to 20 00
Mules and asses classed same as horses.
Yoke work oxen  40 oti to 50 00
Cows .-'  8 00 to 12 00
Cattle 3 years old    8 00 to 10 00
Cattle 2 years old      --- 6 00 to 8 00
Swine      5°^^ S ^°
Sheep     I 00
Vehiciss    10 00 to 50 00
Sleighs    -    --  5 octo 15 00
Breaking on government land  at i 00 per acre

48 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

The Dakota Pantograph was made the official paper of the
county for the ensuing year. It was ordered that the county clerk
procure a lease from E. A. Sherman of ground for jail purposes.
License for selling intoxicating liquors was fixed at two hundred
dollars for the ensuing year. nr o x xi.
A special meeting of the board was called on May 8, lor the
purpose of appointing a board of "Coram.issioners of Insanity." On
motion of Commissioner Burke, Dr. J. C. Morgan was appointed as
a member of said board, and on motion of Commissioner Jones,
John Bippus was appointed the other member.
At a regular session of the board July 11, the following reso
lution was adopted: "Resolved, that at the next general election to
be held on the 4th day of November next, there will be submitted to
the qualified electors"'of the county, the question involving the issu
ing of county bonds for the purpose of raising money to purchase
ground for a county jail and county poorhouse, to construct suita
ble buildings thereon, and furnishing thera complete; that said county
bonds shall be issued for the araount of ten thousand dollars, to run
ten years, with interest at the rate of eight per cent, per annura,
payable semi-annually; and the said bonds shall be sold at no lower
price than the face thereof; and it is hereby provided, that a copy of
said question substantially shall accorapany and be posted with the
notices of election." It was also ordered, "that the village calaboose
be refitted, and arrangements made for the removal therein and
board and care of the county prisoners."
At the regular session, October 6, John Bippus resigned the of
fice of coraraissioner of insanity, and R. J. Wells was appointed to
fill the vacancy.
1880. January 5, A. Clendenning, the commissioner elect, hav
ing qualified, took his seat, A. Gale retiring. The license for the
sale of liquors was fixed at two hundred dollars for the jear ensuing.
E. Parliraan was appointed counsel for the board at a salary of five
dollars per day, when called upon to appear, and to be retained as
county attorney when so required. The Tenth street bridge in
Sioux Palls was formally accepted by the county, and the indebted
ness existing on the 1st of January, 1880, amounting- to one thousand
twenty-three dollars and eighty-two cents, was assumed.
February 11, at the semi-annual settlement with the county
treasurer, the balance on hand January 1, 1880, was as follows:
Territorial fund   _     ^ 757 ^3
County fund    1,027 38
County school fund   1,272 20
Sinking fund    1^165 06
Judgment fund      170 00
Road fund   ^^,c,S 23
District school fund-     3>474 25
Bridge fund    jgi 20
Interest on R. R. bonds  .60 92
Village of Sioux Falls  c62 8^
Total  $10,509 60

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 49

The board decided to accept the offer of H. L. Hollister, to pur
chase the county bonds at a premium of one-fourth of 1 per cent., and
ordered that said bonds be executed and delivered to said H. L. Hol
lister, as follows: Bonds for five thousand dollars to be signed and
delivered immediately, and the balance whenever the county commis
sioners shall need the funds in the erection and completion of jailand
poorhouse buildings, as contemplated. The offer of N. E. Phillips to
sell the southeast quarter of section 27, township 102, range 49, with
the buildings and improvements thereon, for the sum of one thousand
five hundred dollars, was accepted by the board for the county poor
grounds, and lots 1 and 2, block 4, in J. L. Phillips' addition to Sioux
Falls, was purchased of W. D. Roberts for the county jail grounds at
the price of eight hundred dollars. Plans and specifications for the
building were also accepted and notice requesting bids ordered pub
lished for ninety days in the official paper of the county.
At the regular meeting which convened April 5, the county su
perintendent of schools reported a deaf and dumb person, and it was
ordered that a report be forwarded to the governor of the territory,
as provided by law, that the education of such person might be pro
vided for.
May 20 the sealed bids for a county jail and poorhouse were ex
amined, and the contract awarded to S. McCormack and T. S. Strat
ton for the sum of eight thousand five hundred and fifty-one dollars,
they being the lowest bidders. W. M. Walters was appointed su
perintendent, and the board of commissioners were to constitute a
building coraraittee in the construction of said buildings.
A petition was submitted to the board at this meeting, asking
that a special election be called for submitting- to the vote of the peo
ple the question of organizing the county into civil townships as pro
vided by law. It was ordered that such special election be called on
the 28th of June, 1880.
At the regular raeeting of the board July 8, the following resolu
tion was unanimously adopted:
"Whereas, The legal voters of the County of Minnehaha peti
tioned the board of county commissioners assembled in regular ad
journed session on the 20th day of May, 1880, to call a special election
to submit the question of township organization, and in pursuance of
and b)'^ authority of law, a special election was thus called and held
on the 28th day of June, 1880, and it appearing from the returns
made by the judges of election of the several precincts of the county
that a majority of all the votes cast were in favor of township organi
zation, the votes standing as follows:
Por township organization--     582 votes
Against township organization    88 votes
therefore, be it
Resolved, in pursuance of "an act providing for the organization
of civil townships and the government thereof," approved February
18, 1879, that the County of Minnehaha be and is hereby divided into
civil townships, and the boundaries of the same are hereby fixed and

50

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

determined and numbered in the order of their description as fol
lows, to-wit:

Township loi, Range 47, (fractional)

TOI, IGI,
TOI, lOI,lOI, 102,102, 102, 102,
102,
102, 103,103,103, 103,
103, 103, 104,104, 104,
104,104,104,

48,49> SO..SI.52,
47, (fractional)
48, 49. 50. 5'.
S2. 47, (fractional)
48, 49. SI.S2,
47, (fractional)
48, 49. SO.
SI.
S2,

Numbered i, Valley Springs
2, Split Rock
" 3, Sioux Falls
" 4, Wayne
5, Wall Lake
" 6, Wellington
7, Red Rock
" 8, Brandon
" 9, Mapleton
" 10, Benton
" II, Hartford
" 12, Humboldt
" 13, Palisade
" 14, Edison
" 15, Sverdrup
" 16, Lyons
" 17, Grand Meadow
" 18, Clear Lake
" 19, Highland
" 20, Logan
" 21, Dell Rapids
" 22, Burk
" 23, Taopi
" 24, Buffalo.

At a Special meeting August 30, W. M. Walters resigned his
office as superintendent of the public buildings in process of erection,
and P. W. Duffy was appointed in his stead.
At the regular meeting October 6, a petition was presented,
signed by H. L. Hollister and forty-:seven others, asking the board
to take the necessary action to secure another location for the county
jail. This petition was accepted and the following resolution adop
ted: "Whereas, H. L. Hollister and citizens of Sioux Palls, have
offered to purchase a lot and donate the sarae to the County of Min
nehaha, in consideration that the county jail shall be removed and
built thereon.
Whereas, the board of county commissioners have found it nec
essary to reconstruct the building known as the county jail and upon
due consideration it is found that no additional expense is incurred
to the county by reason of the removal of the said jail, therefore,
be it Resolved, that the building known as the countv jail be removed
and erected upon lot 13, block 30, in Brookings and Edmunds addi
tion to Sioux Palls, and the said county jail to be constructed and
completed according to contract, and the plans and specifications on
file in the county clerk's office." It was also ordered at this meeting
that each civil township be furnished twelve copies of the township
law, at the county's expense.
1881. At the January meeting the Dakota Pantagraph was
made the official newspaper for the ensuing year.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 51

The following resolution was adopted (January 12, 1881):
Resolved, that the chairman of this board be directed to correspond
with the delegation of our county in the territorial legislature, re
questing- their influence and exertion looking to the early passage by
the legislature of a bill authorizing the board of county commission
ers to issue and negotiate their bonds in amount sufficient to com
plete the payraent for the county buildings authorized to be built by
vote taken in November, 1879, and which buildings are now approach
ing completion with insufficient funds to pay therefor. And that a
copy of this resolution be forwarded to our said delegation."
At the regular meeting convened April 4, the following appoint
ments were made for the board of insanity: J. C. Morgan for the
term of two years, and R. J. Wells for the term of one year.
At a special meeting of the board held May 11, it was decided
that an additional lot would be required for more room and conven
ience, adjoining the jail ground; and it was ordered that lot 12, in
block 30, Brookings and Edmunds addition to Sioux Palls be pur
chased for the sum of four hundred dollars. The following resolu
tion was also adopted:
"Resolved, that a special election will be held throughout the sev
eral precincts in the County of Minnehaha, D. T., on Thursday the
9th day of June, 1881, at which time the legal and qualified electors
will determine by their votes the following propositions:
First. Shall there be built as soon as possible the following bridges ia Minnehaha county,
to-wit: I. One bridge across the Sioux river in the village of Sioux Falls.
2. Reconstruction of the bridge across the river in Sioux Falls township between sections
32 and 33 on the Lincoln Center road.
3. One bridge across the Sioux river between sections 7 and 18 in Sioux Falls township.
4. One bridge across the Sioux river in Split Rock township.
5. One bridge across the Sioux river in Sverdrup township.
6. One bridge across the Sioux river in the village of Dell Rapids.
7. One bridge across the Split Rock in Brandon township.
8. One bridge across the Split Rock in Palisade township.
9. One bridge across the Beaver Creek in Valley Springs township.
10. One bridge across the Skunk Creek in Wayne township.
II. One bridge across the Skunk Creek near the line between Hartford and Grand Meadow
townships. 12. One bridge across the Skunk Creek in Burk township.
13. One bridge across the Slipup Creek; in Mapleton township.
Second. Shall the county commissioners borrow twenty thousand dollars for such pur
pose, at not more than seven per cent, interest per annum, payable in twenty years.'
Third. Shall a lax of one mill on the dollar annually hereafter be levied upon the taxable
property ofthe county to provide a sinkingfund and to pay the interest upon such indebtedness.'
I. N. Neher and D. S. Stinson were granted a license to run a
ferry across the Sioux river in the village of Dell Rapids from date
until January 1, 1882.
At the regular session of the board July 8, license was granted
Lewis Spawn and others to run a ferry during the year across the
Big Sioux river on the section line between section 28 and 33 in town
ship 101 of range 48.

52 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

The following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, that all
children that now are or hereafter may become inmates of the county
poorhouse be bound out as soon as parties can be found to take
them." At a regular meeting August 15, upon notice of S. McCormack,
that the county jail building was corapleted as called for by contract,
the board visited the building and inspected it. It was found com
pleted in accordance with the plans and specifications, and was ac
cepted by the board.
1882. January 2, license was fixed at two hundred dollars per
annura. Lewis Spawn was granted a license to run a ferry across
the Big Sioux at Banning-'s crossing during the year upon the pay
ment of one dollar. Parliraan and Frizzell were appointed counsel
for the board for the ensuing year. Doctors J. C. Morgan, C. P.
Bissell and W. B. Parker were chosen as county physicians for the
year ensuing. The publication of the proceedings of the board was
awarded to The Pantagraph, and the job printing required by the
county to The Times.
At the regular meeting April 6, it was resolved that the sum of
one thousand four hundred dollars be appropriated from the countv
treasury for the construction of a bridge across the Sioux on the
Yankton road at a point known as the "Yankton Crossing." It was
also resolved that the sum of seven thousand five hundred dollars be
appropriated for the following purposes: "Two thousand fivehun
dred dollars to aid in the construction of a bridge across the Sioux
river at Tenth street in the village of Sioux Palls. Two thousand
five hundred dollars to aid in the construction of a bridge across the
Sioux river at Sixth street in the village of Sioux Falls. Two thou
sand five hundred dollars to aid in the construction of a bridge
across the Sioux river at Eighth street in the village of Sioux Palls."
Also two hundred dollars was appropriated to aid' in the construct
ion of a bridge across the Slipup creek on the highwav between
sections 12 and 13, township 102, range 49. Five hundred dollars
was appropriated for building a bridge across a slough on the county
road on the section line between sections 8 and 17 in Sioux Falls
township. The resignation of Andrew Clendenning as countv commissioner
was tendered and accepted, and N. E. Phillips was appointed by the
board to fill the vacancy.
October 5, the board accepted the proposition of E. A. Sherman
for the lease of rooms for county offices and a court room in a build
ing to be constructed and corapleted for occupancv by July 1, 1883,
on the southwest corner of Main and Ninth streets at a yearly rent of
one thousand two hundred dollars for the term of five years," or until
the county builds a court house.
1883. January 11, 1883, Christian Asleson tendered his resig
nation of the office of county commissioner, and Ransom Walter was
appointed his successor.
At the adjourned April session it was resolved to appropriate
the sum of four thousand dollars for a bridge across the Sioux river
at Eighth street m the City of Sioux Falls, provided, the bridge

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 53

should cost not less than eight thousand dollars. The new school
law was taken up and discussed and on motion rejected.
At the July session, it was ordered that the county superintend
ent of schools be allowed a salary of one hundred dollars for the year
ending the first Monday of January, 1884. It was resolved that a
special election be held in the several election precincts in Minne
haha county on Wednesday, August 1, 1883, for the purpose of elect
ing eight delegates to represent the county in the State Constitu
tional Convention to be held at Sioux Palls, Septeraber 4, 1883, in
pursuance of resolutions adopted by the Convention held at Huron
in June, 1883.
October 5, the following resolution was adopted: "Resolved,
that the County of Minnehaha be and hereby is divided into the
following- coraraissioner districts:
"District No. 1, to comprise the township of Sioux Palls (except
ing the city), Wayne, Benton, Mapleton, Sverdrup and Lyons.
"District No. 2, Valley Springs, Split Rock, Brandon, Red Rock,
Palisade, Edison and Highland.
"District No. 3, Logan, Dell Rapids, Burk, Taopi and Buffalo.
"District No. 4, Wall Lake, Wellington, Humbolt, Hartford,
Grand Meadow and Clear Lake.
"District No. 5, the City of Sioux Falls."
1 884. At the regular session, January 7, the liquor license for
the ensuing year was fixed at three hundred dollars. It was ordered
that seven hundred dollars be appropriated to aid in the construc
tion of a bridge across the Sioux river on the township line between
Sverdrup and Dell Rapids. A contract for the bridge was drawn
and signed by R. P. Pettigrew and the chairraan of the board.
The report of the county superintendent for the year 1883 was
as follows: January 10, 1884.
Number of districts organized during the year    7
Number of districts in the county in good standing  — 85
Number of schools in session at the present date-   60
Number of children of school age in organized territory  3,101
The county superintendent was allowed a salary of two hundred
dollars for the ensuing year. It was ordered that gas be introduced
to light the county offices and court room, and that the chairman
appoint a committee of three to purchase gas fixtures. The publi
cation of the proceedings of the board and all legal notices required
by the county was awarded to the Sioux Palls Argus and the Sioux
Falls Press.
1885. At the July meeting, D. C. Rice was appointed county
surveyor, to fill vacancy.
1 886- January 4, the board raet in reg-ular session. The new
members, Arthur Jones and John Thompson, qualified and took their
seats. The liquor license for the ensuing year was fixed at three
hundred dollars. Bids were received for printing the proceedings of
the board, and on motion a contract was awarded to the Sioux Falls

54 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Argus at one-fourth legal rates, to be published in both daily and
weekly. The salary of county superintendent was fixed at one hun
dred dollars. C. K. Howard resigned his office as county treasurer,
and C. L. Norton was appointed to fill vacancy. The resignation of
D. C. Rice as county surveyor was presented and accepted. Ped
dler's license was fixed at one hundred dollars for the ensuing year,
and auctioneer's license at twenty-five dollars. R. S. Alexander was
appointed county surveyor to fill vacancy caused by the resignation
of D. C. Rice.
At the meeting held October 4, the following resolution was
passed: Resolved, that at the next general election, to be held in the
County of Minnehaha on Tuesday, the 2d day of Noveraber, A. D.
1886, the following question be subraitted to the legal voters thereof:
"Shall the territory be divided?"
The following resolution was also passed:
Resolved, that the chairraan of the board of countv corarais
sioners is hereby authorized to advertise for four consecutive weeks
in the Sioux Falls Leader for proposals to adopt or take care of two
feraale negro children until they arrive at the age of twentv-one
years. 1887. At the January session Ole Berdahl retired, and the new
commissioners, John McKee and O. P. Bowles, qualified and took
their seats. During this raeeting a resolution was passed to build a
barn on the lots at the jail, 16x2+, with 12-foot posts.
At the July session the following appears on record:
"Whereas, a petition of raore than one-third of the legal voters
of Minnehaha county, as shown by the preceding election, having
been presented to this board, praying that the question of prohibi
tion of the sale of intoxicating liquors be subraitted to a vote of said
Minnehaha county, as provided by an act of the legislative asserably
of the Territory of Dakota, entitled, 'An act to prohibit the sale of
intoxicating liquors by local option,' approved March 11, 1887, on
raotion the prayer of said petitioners was granted."
The following resolution was also adopted:
"Resolved, that an election be and the same is hereby ordered
to be held in said county in accordance with the provisions of said
act, on the Tuesday next after the first Mondav in November, 1887,
at which election the qualified voters of said countv shall vote upon
the question of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors in said
County of Minnehaha." ^
1888. At the January meeting the following were made the of
ficial papers for the ensuing year, naraely, the Argus-Leader, Land
and Labor News and Dell Rapids Times. Dr. S. Olney was ap
pointed county physician. January 12 the following resolution was
adopted: Resolved, that the board of county commissioners of
Minnehaha county, believing that a county auditor is necessary for

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 55

the proper and expeditious dispatch of public business in said
county. Now, therefore, be it further resolved, that the said office
of county auditor be and the same is hereby created."
April 4, the following resolution was adopted: "Resolved,
that the board proceed to appoint a county auditor tomorrow
at 10 o'clock A. M.," and in accordance with this resolution, W. W.
Cooke was the next day appointed county auditor, and his bond fixed
at four thousand dollars.
At the July meeting the following resolution was adopted: "Re
solved, that the question of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating li
quors shall be and is hereby subraitted to a vote of the qualified
electors of said Minnehaha county at the next g-eneral election to be
held in November, 1888."
On motion the chairman of the board was authorized to take the
necessary steps to ascertain if a good and suitable foundation could
be obtained for a court house on the lots owned by the county.
At the Septeraber session, W. L. Dow gave it as his opinion
"that a good foundation for a court house could be had on the lots
owned by the county, provided that the streak of quicksand overlay
ing the blue-clay deposit was not so extensive as to preclude build-
ing." The following raotion was then carried: "Whereas, we believe
it to be for the best interest of the county that proper steps be
taken toward the erection and building of a court house for said
county, now therefore. Resolved, that we deera it best to issue the
bonds of the County of Minnehaha, Territory of Dakota, in the sum
of eighty thousand dollars for the erection and construction of a
court house for said Minnehaha county, said bonds to be one hundred
and sixty in nuraber, each of the denomination of five hundred dol
lars, forty thousand dollars payable in fifteen years and forty thous
and dollars payable in twenty years, with interest coupons attached,
bearing four and one-half per cent, interest, payable annually.
And we hereby order that the question of the County of Minne
haha issuing bonds as above described and for the purpose aforesaid
be, and the same is hereby submitted to the electors of the County
of Minnehaha, Territory of Dakota, at the general election to be held
in said county November 6, 1888, and thaf due and legal notice of
said election be given as required by law."
At the October meeting it was voted that the building, known as
the old deaf mute school be leased for one year for hospital purposes,
at a rental of four hundred dollars per year, and that E. J. Sharon
and wife be employed to care for the sick in the county hospital at
two dollars per day.
November 13, the board raet in adjourned session and fixed the
license for the sale of intoxicating liquors at one thousand dollars
per annum frora that date until the first Monday in January, 1889.
1889, January 7, the board raet, and the new members Henry
Mundt from district number 4, and J. C. Eldridge from district
number 1, qualified and took their seats. The county liquor license
was fixed at eight hundred dollars. The bond of the county treasur
er was fixed at one hundred thousand dollars, sheriff, fifteen thous-

56 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

and dollars, register of deeds, five thousand dollars, probate judge,
five thousand dollars, and coroner five thousand dollars. The salary
of county superintendent of schools was fixed at three hundred dol
lars. The Dell Rapids Tiraes, Valley Springs Enterprise and Sioux
Falls Argus-Leader were raade the official papers for the ensuing
year. At the February raeeting Dr. Olney was appointed county
physician. Coraraissioners McKee and Bannister were appointed a
committee to exaraine and accept of plans and specifications sub
mitted for building a county poorhouse, and the auditor was author
ized to advertise for bids for renting the poor-farm. The sketch
submitted by W. L. Dow was accepted, and he was instructed to
draw up plans and specifications for building the sarae.
At the March meeting the auditor was authorized to advertise
for bids for the building of the county poorhouse, bids to be opened
April 15. The county poor-farm containing 120 acres was rented to
P. P. Pierce. March 16, the day was taken up in discussing and
investigating a site for a court house. It was resolved that the board
employ the city engineer, W. L. Dow and Cross & Richards to
examine the lots now owned by the county on the corner of Ninth
street and Minnesota avenue, and report whether a suitable founda
tion could be had there and the probable extra cost of sarae. March
18, the afternoon was taken up discussing and exaraining the differ
ent proposed sites for a court house. March 19, it was moved and
seconded that the proposition embodied in the contract of A. Frizzell
for the board's action thereon forthe sale of lots 10 and 11, Brookings
and Edmunds addition, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha county, as a site for
a court house, the price of which was reduced from eight to five
thousand dollars, be accepted, and with the approval of the board of
county coraraissioners a warrant for five thousand dollars was issued
to A. Frizzell in payraent of said lots.
The following resolution was also adopted: "Resolved, that
the county auditor is hereby instructed to advertise for competitive
designs and bids for plans and specifications for a county court
house to be built in Sioux Palls, the county seat of Minnehaha
county, Dakota; material to be of stone known as the Sioux Palls
jasper, on a solid rock foundation with an east and south front, to be
three stories in height, including basement; to be built at a cost not
exceeding eighty thousand dollars, bids to be opened and considered
the 17th of April, 1889. Be it resolved, that the board of county
commissioners of the County of Minnehaha, Territory of Dakota,
issue the bonds of said Minnehaha county in the sum of eio-hty
thousand dollars, for the purpose of building and erecting a c*ourt
house on the site purchased by them for that purpose in the City of
Sioux i alls, in said county, and that said bonds be issued in pursu
ance of an act of the 18th Legislative Assembly of the Territory of
Dakota authorizing and empowering organized counties of said ter
ritory to erect county buildings for court house and jail purposes,
and to issue and dispose of bonds to provide funds therefor."
Also "Resolved, that the sale of bonds about to be issued by
said county for the purpose of building a court house in said county

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 57

as aforesaid be advertised once a week for four successive weeks in
the Bismarck Daily Tribune, a newspaper published in Bismarck,
D. T.; in the Daily Argus-Leader, a newspaper published in Sioux
Falls, D. T. ;and in the Chicago Daily Tribune, a newspaper published
in Chicago, 111.; and that the county auditor be and is hereby author
ized and directed to iraraediately proceed to so advertise said sale in
said newspapers."
At the April session, as the records of the county survey which
should have been on file in the auditor's office could not be found,
the county surveyor was instructed to procure a book and make a
record therein of all surveys that had been made. It was also moved
and carried that the contract for furnishing- plans and specifications
for the court house be awarded to W. L. Dow.
May 7, the contract for negotiating- the bonds of the county was
awarded to Parson Leach & Co. of Chicago, for five thousand five
hundred and ninety dollars, they being the lowest bidders. A spec
ial election was ordered for May 14, as required by the congressional
Omnibus Bill, to resubmit the constitution of 1885, and to elect three
delegates to the constitutional convention to be held July 4, 1889.
May 23, the board met as a canvassing board to canvass the vote
cast at the election. The vote of Valley Springs precinct was found
to be irregular, and finally the sheriff was sent for the ballot box.
June 20, at a regular meeting of the board, the contract for
building the court house was awarded to the Sioux Palls Granite Co.
for the sum of eighty-three thousand four hundred and fifty dollars.
In accordance with the statute providing for an auditing board to
audit the accounts of the county coraraissioners in the construction
of the court house. Porter P. Peck was appointed to act in that
capacity with the auditor and treasurer.
The Sioux Falls Granite Co. was required to give bonds to the
araount of forty thousand dollars to the county for building the
court house.
At the July meeting, W. L. Dow was appointed superintendent
of the building of the court house, and was to receive as corapen
sation for his services as such superintendent one and one-half per
cent of the cost of the building, (the cost not to exceed eighty thou
sand dollars) and was required to furnish a bond of ten thousand
dollars for the faithful preformance of his duties. Chairman McKee
turned over to Treasurer Swenson eighty thousand dollars, the pro
ceeds from the sale of the bonds which included the county warrant
of five thousand five hundred and ninety dollars paid for negotiating
said bonds. Treasurer Swenson refused to accept this warrant as
part of the proceeds and gave the board a receipt for seventy-four
thousand four hundred and ten dollars.
September 24, the county poorhouse was accepted at a reduction
of three hundred and forty-one dollars for not being built according
to plans and specifications. E. J. Sharon and wife were appointed to
superintend the county poorhouse and hospital at a salary of seventy-
five dollars per month. The contract for wiring the court house for
electric lights was awarded the Cascade Milling Co. at one dollar
and seventy-five cents for each 16 candle power lamp. The contract

58 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

for mantels and grates was awarded to the St. Paul Mantel & Desk
Co. at four hundred and ninety-four dollars. The contract for
plumbing was awarded W. A. Dow for the sum of one thousand four
hundred and twenty-four dollars. The Haxtun system for heating
the court house was adopted and the contract awarded W. A. Dow
for the sum of four thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars. It
was also resolved to instruct t'he contractor to build and complete
the tower of the court house according to plans and specifications.
1 890. January 6, the board met in regular session the new
members, John McKee and Geo. L. Wood taking their seats. The
Sioux Falls Press, Dell Rapids Times and Valley Springs Enterprise
were raade official papers for the ensuing year.
February 4, resolutions were adopted for the incorporation of
the town of South Sioux Palls, and notice of a meeting to the voters
resident in the proposed town, was ordered. M. M. Smith was ap
pointed superintendent of the poor-farra at a salary of fifty dollars
per month for two months.
At the election of February 20, the votes were all for the incor
poration of South Sioux Palls, and the board ordered said town in
corporated. The board figured up the number of bridges in the
county and their estiraated values, also the value of all other prop
erty belonging to Minnehaha county, and the total was placed at two
hundred and forty-seven thousand dollars. The board inspected the
different systeras of poorhouse governraent and pauper relief as laid
before thera and explained by Chairman McKee, and after due delib
eration it was ordered that the Milwaukee system be adopted by the
county. It was also ordered that the form of application used by
Milwaukee county for teraporary relief of the poor be adopted, and
the auditor was instructed to get the necessary blanks. It was fur
ther ordered that no relief be granted except on such application.
A special raeeting was called March 25, for the purpose of taking
action in assisting the worthy and needy farmers to obtain seed
grain, and to provide for the payraent of interest on the eighty thou
sand dollars of Minnehaha court house bonds. The following reso
lution was adopted: "Be it resolved, that the resolution heretofore
passed by this board on January 20, 1890, be and is hereby amended
so that there be issued beyond the nine thousand dollars of refund
ing bonds authorized by said resolution a further bond for three
hundred and sixty dollars to refund the interest due upon the bonds
for the refunding of which said refunding bonds were authorized by
said resolution, and that said three hundred and sixty dollar bond
authorized hereby shall bear date upon the 15th day of February,
A. D. 1890." The auditor was instructed to have "printed forthe
use of seed wheat applicants, a suitable form of blanks.
April 1, the board again met in special session, to consider the
applications for seed grain, and satisfactory arrangements were
made for the negotiation of seed grain warrants, to cover the araount
of grain applied for up to that date.
The board appointed the 19th day of August for a special elec
tion to be held in the office of the Sioux Falls Granite Corapany, for
the purpose of determing the question whether the citizens residing

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 59

in that territory will organize a city to be known as East Sioux
Falls. The county commissioner districts were redistricted, it
having become necessary by reason of a law passed by the last legis
lature creating- two coraraissioners for the city of Sioux Falls. The
new districts were fixed as follows:
District No. 1. Benton, Brandon, Mapleton, Red Rock, Wayne,
Sioux Palls, Split Rock, South Sioux Palls and Valley Springs.
District No. 2. Dell Rapids, Burk, Logan, Highland, Lyons,
Sverdrup, Edison and Palisade.
District No. 3. Buffalo, Clear Lake, Taopi, Grand Meadow,
Huraboldt, Hartford, Wellington and Wall Lake.
Districts Nos. 4 and 5. It was decided not to fix the boundaries
of these districts until the precincts in the city of Sioux Falls had
been redistricted.
At the August raeeting the result of the election in East Sioux
Falls was found to be 142 votes for incorporation and none against,
and the proposed territory, was by the board declared to be an incor
porated city under the name of the city of East Sioux Falls. The
resignation of C. O. Bailey as district attorney was accepted, and
W. A. Wilkes was appointed to fill vacancy. Mr. Wilkes refused to
accept and D. R. Bailey was appointed and accepted on the 21st of
August. The salary of the court house janitor was fixed at six hun
dred dollars a year, and I. P. Angstead appointed janitor.
October 17, the forenoon was spent in inspecting the court
house, after which the auditor, treasurer, county judge and sheriff
were instructed to move into their respective rooms in the new court
house building, and the afternoon of the same day was spent in
moving. At the meeting December 4, it was ordered that the Minnehaha
county court house, built by the Sioux Palls Granite Company, be
accepted and warrants drawn on the general fund for balance due
the company. It was also ordered that the offer of J. M. Bailey of
twelve thousand dollars for lots 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, block 4, J. L. Philips
Addition to Sioux Falls, be accepted.
The following resolution was adopted:
"Whereas, the duties of the district attorney by recent legisla
tion have been greatly increased and the terms of the court, which it
becomes his duty to attend, have been doubled in numbers, and
Whereas, there is now pending in the court about sixty cases which
require his attention, now be it Resolved, that the salary of the dis
trict attorney for the balance of the term be and is hereby fixed at
the rate of two thousand four hundred dollars per annura, and that
the salarj'^ for the state's attorney for the next terra coraraencing Jan
uary 1, 1891, be and hereby is fixed at the sarae rate. This is to in
clude such clerk hire and stenographic work as may be necessary
in connection with the duties of his office."
1891. At the January session, 1891, Dr. LeBlond was elected
county physician for the ensuing year. The Sioux Palls Press,
Argus-Leader and Dell Rapids Times were made the official papers
for the county.
At the July session a petition of the citizens of Garretson, ask-

60 History of Minnehaha county.

ing for the incorporation of a city, was received by the commis
sioners and an election was ordered to be held in the " Hotel Gar
retson " on the 25th day of July for the purpose of determining the
question. August 22, the board raet and the city of Garretson was declared
incorporated, in accordance with the vote cast at the election held for
that purpose.
At the September session which met September 7, the board
discussed the raatter of supplying the election precincts in the
county with thirty-eight booths and forty-five compartments. After
figuring the cost of same it was deemed advisable to advertise for
bids for their construction. The resignation of D. C. Rice, county
surveyor, was received and accepted and T. M. Patten was appointed
to fill the vacancy.
The contract for raaking booths was awarded to H. Gremmels,
he being the lowest bidder. The court house janitor's salary was
raised from fifty to sixty dollars per month.
1892. January 4, the board met in regular session and the new
members W. O. Colton and John T. Lee qualified and took their seats.
February 9, N. E. Stickney was elected superintendent of the
poor-farm. The Dell Rapids Tiraes, Sioux Falls Press and Argus-
Leader were declared the official papers of the count}-.
At this session the auditor was directed to advertise for bids for
steel cages for the county jail. A resolution was passed that for the
next year the board would not allow to exceed $840 for clerk hire in
the office of the clerk of courts, and would not allow that sura unless
it could be paid out of any excess over $2,000 there raight be in the
earnings of the office.
At the April session, the bids for furnishing the county jail
with steel cells were opened. The Pauley Jail Building Manufact
uring Co., and the Fred J. Meyers Manufacturing Co., put in bids
as follows; $6,243 and $6,141. After a thorough exaraination of the
niatter the contract was awarded to the Pautey corapany to furnish
six steel cells and place thera all coraplete in the jail at the sum
naraed in the bid. At this session the auditor was instructed to ad
vertise for a clock to be placed in the tower.
The following June, the board, after a thorough discussion of
the demand for bridges in various sections of the county, decided
that bridges should be built at the following places: "At Puller's
crossing on Skunk creek in Lyons; at Rathburn's crossing on Skunk
creek; at John Thompson's on the Sioux river; at St. Olaf's church
on the Sioux river; at Higgin's crossing on the Split Rock; and on
the line between Valley Springs and Split Rock on Beaver Creek."
Ten bids were received frora bridge corapanies, and the contract
was awarded to S. M. Hewitt & Co., for the sum of $6,482 Bids for
the tower clock were opened, and being unsatisfactory, the auditor
was directed to advertise again.
In July the board voted to loan the State World's Fair Commis
sioners the sum of $2,000, to raake an exhibit at the Columbian Ex
position. The Howard Clock Co., was contracted with to furnish a
clock for the court house tower, for the sum of $2,320 The treas
urer reported a cash balance on hand of $16,095.08.

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 61

In September the auditor reported that the treasurer had in his
hands for collection during- the year of 1891 taxes to the amount of
$56,187, that he had collected $29,185, and that there were county
warrants outstanding to the amount of $14,255.
In October, George L. Wood was appointed a coraraittee of one,
to look after the survey of the boundary line between Minnehaha and
Moody counties.
At the meeting in December, the following- resolution was offered
by Commissioner Wood: "Whereas, John McKee who has been a
member of the county board of Minnehaha county nine years, and its
chairraan eight years, is about to sever his connection with the board;
and Whereas, he has by his honesty of purpose and irapartiality in the
transaction of the business that has corae before the board, not only
from his district but from the entire county, performed the duties of
his office with great diligence and faithfulness, now be it Resolved, by
his associates, that he merits the thanks of every citizen of the
county, and we cordially endorse his official career as worthy of imi
tation by his successors in office. Resolved, that this resolution be
spread upon the minutes and published with our proceedings."
1893. January 3, the resignation of George A. Knott as com
missioner of the 4th district having been filed with the auditor, the
board accepted it, and calling in Judge Parliraan proceeded to fill the
vacancy by appointing Frank S. Emerson. John T. Lee was elected
chairraan of the board. At this session C. P. Bates was appointed
as one of the commissioners of insanity for the term of two years.
The Sioux Falls Press, Dell Rapids Tiraes and Syd Dakota Ekko,
were the newspapers appointed to publish the proceedings of the
board for the ensuing year. Dr. T. S. Roberts was appointed
county physician and P. S. Emerson purchasing agent for the
county. W. O. Colton and P. S. Emerson were appointed a commit
tee to procure furniture for the rooms of the circuit judge and super
intendent of schools. N. E. Stickney was contracted with as super
intendent of the poor-farm for one year.
In February, the board authorized Commissioner Colton to aid
persons living in his vicinity, who had their crops destroyed by hail
the year before, in procuring seed grain. The board by resolution
fixed the minimum prices for the lease of school lands, those under
cultivation not to be less than fifty cents per acre.
At a meeting in April the board offered a reward of $400 for the
capture of Dr. A. M. Pisher and his delivery in Minnehaha county
to the sheriff.
The contract for building such bridges as the county corarais
sioners might order during the ensuing year was let to S. M.
Hewitt & Co.
John T. Lee and A. J. Berdahl were appointed a coraraittee to
visit the hospital for insane at Yankton, to ascertain the feasibility
of caring for the raild cases of insanity at the poor-farm.
W. O. Colton was appointed to aid the county surveyor T. M.
Patten in settling the boundary line between Minnehaha and Lake
counties, and John T. Lee to aid the surveyor in fixing the boundary
line between the countiea of Minnehaha and Lincoln. They were

62 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

directed to set stone monuments, three feet in length and six inches
square, on the boundary lines one mile apart on section corners.
The auditor was directed to prepare a record of all bridges
built in the county since 1880, and to keep a record of all bridges
built in the future.
The county treasurer reported that he had received $2,000, the
araount loaned commissioners of World's Pair, and he was directed
to "turn it over to the general fund."
At the close of the session, John T. Lee and A. J. Berdahl re
ported that they had visited the hospital for insane, as directed, and
in their opinion "it would be unjust to the patients to remove them
from the hospital, and that there were legal obstacles in the way of
so doing." The board met July 3, and ordered the building of a bridge
" between sections 7 and 8 in Wayne, in the place of the one washed
away in May." The bond of James W. Cone, as abstracter, in the
sum of $10,000, was approved. The county treasurer's report was
examined and approved, cash on hand, $16,026.20.
The chairman of the board was directed at this session to em
ploy some competent person to thoroughly investigate the offices of
the clerk of the courts, treasurer and register of deeds.
August 10, the board passed the following resolution: "Resolved,
that it is the sense of the board that the state's attorney of Minne
haha county do desist and refrain from bringing any further actions
either civil or criminal under the prohibition act unless such state's
attorney is first fully satisfied from all the evidence within his
knowledge that a conviction is reasonably certain of being had, and
in view of the premises we further request that the honorable cir
cuit and county courts of this county examine carefully any evidence
which may be produced before thera prior to issuing- any process,
with a view of placing the force of this law in operation either upon
the request of the state's attorney or private citizens."
The commissioners of each district were directed to "prepare a
statement of the number of bridges in their respective districts,
when built, location and condition, so that a niap can be raade, and
to report at the next meeting of the board Septeraber 4."
September 4, the board convened and the auditor made his an
nual report of the receipts and disbursements of the year ending
June 30, 1893. The report was substantiallv as follows: After the
equalization by the state board in 1892, the assessed valuation of the
County of Minnehaha was $10,560,972. A lew of four mills was
raade, which araounted to $42,444. The county "disbursed during the
year $49,613.86; the collection of delinquent taxes during the year
enabled the board to disburse this amount. Of the tax levied in 1892,
$13,102.50 was delinquent. Registered warrants in the sura of
S5,676 were still unpaid. During the year the countv expended in
building and repairing bridges $11,578.15, and the delinquent tax be
longing to the bridge fund was S2,893.
November 13, the board met and canvassed the vote for judges
and county commissioner, and certified that J. W. Jones had re
ceived 1,183, W. A. Wilkes 644 and H. H. Keith 472 votes for judge

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 63

of the circuit court, and P. S. Emerson 358, W. D. Roberts 254 and
C. C. Peterson 87 votes for county commissioner for the fourth dis
trict. A warrant was ordered drawn to George A. Knott for $192.50,
for expenses incurred in bringing Dr. A. M. Pisher from Missouri
to Sioux Palls.
Public Examiner Meyers' report of his investigation of the clerk
of the courts' office was referred to the state's attorney with direc
tions to report in writing to the board at its next meeting what in
his opinion could be done under the circurastances.
1894. Atthe January session the state board of equalization
having raised the assessment of the banks in the county fifty per
cent., a refund warrant was ordered issued upon the payment of
their taxes for this excess less the amount of the state tax.
The Dell Rapids Times, Sioux Falls Weekly Press and the Syd
Dakota Ekko were chosen to publish the proceedings of the board
for the year ensuing.
At a meeting of the board March 9, Albion Thorne, clerk of the
courts, was directed to raake a settlement with the board on or be
fore the 2d day of April, 1894, and to turn over all the monies in his
hands earned in his official capacity prior to January 1, 1894.
April 7, a resolution was passed directing the state's attorney
to bring an action for the reraoval of Albion Thorne frora the office
of clerk of the courts, and also to obtain, if possible, his suspension
frora office while the action was pending. A refund order, in the sura
of $2,940.22, was issued in favor of the county fund for tax of South
Sioux Palls for the year 1890, the assessment of the property in that
municipality having been declared void for that year, and non-interest
bearing warrants on the county fund were ordered issued in favor of
those who had paid their taxes for that year in the araount paid by
them less the town and school tax standing against them, and the
taxes for the year 1890 were abated.
A contract was made with S. M. Hewitt & Co., for one year, for
building the county bridges.
On the 28th day of April, the board met and advised with the
assessors, as required by law. The state's attorney was instructed
to bring suit against Albion Thorne, clerk of the courts, and his
bondsmen, for the amount due the county from him in his official ca
pacity. At the June session the board were petitioned to contract with
parties proposing to produce rain, but it was rejected. Afterwards
they were so earnestly iraportuned by those having faith in the
ability of the rainmakers, that they entered into a contract of this
character. In July the semi-annual report of the county treasurer showed
that there was $21,119.97 on hand in the treasury.
In August, upon recoraraendation of the sheep owners Luke
McLachren was appointed sheep inspector for the terra of two years.
Two hundred and fifty dollars was voted to the town of Humboldt
to pay the expenses incurred in caring for the Krause family while
suffering- with diphtheria.

64 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

The assessed valuation of the county after the equalization by
the state board of equalization in August was $9,902,385.
A contract was entered into with E. L. Smith for 250 tons of
steam coal at $5.21 per ton, and 100 tons hard coal at $7.95 per ton,
and Jaraes Henneberry agreed to furnish 40 tons Hocking Valley
coal at $5.40 per ton.
Septeraber 15, the county treasurer was directed by the board to
proceed to collect the delinquent tax of 1893.
From 1876 to 1892 inclusive, the board had canceled from the
tax rolls the sum of $11,816.21 of personal taxes that could not be
collected. In November the board canvassed the election returns. At this
session the board voted that the judges and clerks of election should
receive in the city of Sioux Falls six dollars each, and in all other
precincts four dollars each for their services on election day.
In December two hundred dollars was appropriated and warrant
drawn in favor of the Woman's Benevolent association of the city
of Sioux Falls, to be expended by such association in relieving the
poor of the citv.
189.5. On the 7th day of January the members of the board
elected in November qualified, and John T. Lee was re-elected chair
man of the board. The amount of bonds of county officers was fixed
as follows: Treasurer, $100,000; sheriff, $35,000; judge countv
court, $15,000; coroner, $15,000; register of deeds, $10,000; auditor,
$5,000; state's attorney, $2,000; surveyor, $1,000; clerk of courts,
$2,000; superintendent of schools, justices of the peace, constables
and assessors, $500 each.
County Treasurer C. L. Norton turned over to John Mundt, his
successor in office, $24,892.39 in cash, $5,675 in school district bonds,
and $9,225 in real estate mortgages, being the securities held for
loans from the permanent school fund.
A resolution was passed requiring Albion Thorne, as clerk of
courts, to report what fees he had received and collected in 1895, and
to settle up and pay over to the board the amount of the earnings of
his office during the years 1894 and 1895 in excess of the amount he
was entitled to retain.
On the 12th day of January the board passed a resolution to the
effect that all persons in the county unable to procure seed grain
could obtain such by applying to the chairman of the township board-
where they resided, on or before the first day of Pebruarv, and to
make application upon blanks furnished by the auditor, an"d also re
quested the chairraan of each township board to send all such appli
cations to the coraraissioner residing in his district, before the 6th
day ot February.
T31 -"^fe Dakota Staats Zeitung, Dell Rapids Tiraes and Hartford
Plain Talker were the newspapers selected to publish the proceed
ings of the board.
.1, i!"i'^^^'"T? ^? eraergency was declared to exist in reference to
the building of bridges at Yankton crossing in Sioux Palls, between
sections 5 m Sverdrup and 32 in Dell Rapids, and between sections
28 and 33 in Split Rock, and steps were taken to have bridges biiilt-at

these points at once.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 65

On the 8th day of February the board decided to purchase 14,500
bushels of wheat, 30,000 bushels of oats, 3,900 bushels of barley and
600 bushels of corn, to supply the demand made for seed grain by
those who were unable to procure it themselves. John T. Lee was
directed to make the purchase and to secure as cheap freight rates
as possible. A special session was held on the 4th of March to consider the
price to be charged for seed grain, and it was fixed as follows:
Wheat, 56 cents, oats, 35 cents, and corn, $1.15 cents per bushel. On
the 12th a seed grain fund was created and warrants ordered drawn
on the county fund to the amount of $22,000, in denominations of $500
each, to be sold, and the sum received placed to the seed grain fund.
The treasurer was directed to purchase $10,000 of these warrants and
pay from the sinking fund $7,000, and from the salary fund $3,000.
On the 27th, a special meeting was held. New applications for
seed grain were received and acted upon, and grain ordered shipped.
At the April session a contract was entered into with the sheriff
to board all prisoners for sixty cents a day, this sura to include bed
ding, washing and all incidentals connected with the care of the
prisoners. Another contract was raade with S. M. Hewitt & Co., to
build county bridges for the year ensuing.
At a session in June the superintendent of schools was directed
to keep "copies of the school laws in stock for sale." Warrants in
the amount of $9,359.47, to pay for seed grain were ordered issued.
N. E. Stickney, in charge of the poor-farm resigned July 1, and
Joseph Hostetter was contracted with to fill his place until January
1, 1896. At the September meeting of the board the auditor reported that
warrants had been drawn during the previous fiscal year to the
amount of $102,716.17, and $300 was appropriated for a county ex
hibit at the state fair.
1 890. At the January meeting, the Argus-Leader, Dakota Ekko
and Valley Springs Vidette were made official newspapers. Dr. T.
Y. Stevenson was elected county physician, and Dr. Morgan and A.
P. Orr were appointed members of the board of insanity. The clerk
of courts turned over $535.35, the balance of fees collected over and
above expenses during the year ending December 31, 1895. Dell
Rapids, Garretson, Valley Springs, Hartford, Baltic, Brandon, Hum
boldt and Sioux Palls were designated as places for selling chattel
mortgage property. Settled with treasurer, cash on hand $56,675.35.
At the April meeting the board contracted with the Toledo
Bridge Co. to build county bridges for one year. Petition presented
for commissioners to order an action brought against themselves for
taking pay in excess of the araount provided by law.
July 6, T. M. Patten resigned as county surveyor.
August 8, the town of Hartford was declared incorporated.
At the September raeeting of the board an appropriation of
$125 was made to assist Buffalo township in making a road between
sections two and eleven; and the salary of the state's attorney was
fixed at $1,200 pet- annum, payable quarter ly._..
1897. January 4, the newly elected- officers, .qiialified; .thfe

66 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Argus-Leader, Syd Dakota Ekko and Valley Springs Vidette were
made the official papers and P. S. Emerson was made purchasing
agent for supplies for county offices, and A. H. Stites for poor-farm.
At the February meeting H. W. Smith's official bond as auditor
was filed and approved, and all salaries were raade payable monthly.
In April the board contracted with S. M. Hewitt & Co., of
Minneapolis, to build bridges in the county the ensuing year.
At the July meeting the Valley Springs Vidette, Sioux Palls
Journal and Argus-Leader were made the official papers. Contracts
were let to J. A. Ward to build two stone bridges, one in Wayne
township for the sura of $919.41, and one in Edison township across
Pipestone creek at a cost of $810.
The assessed valuation of the county in 1897 was $7,223,224.
1898. At the January session the Argus-Leader, the Sioux
Falls Journal, and Valley Springs Vidette were made the official
newspapers. On the 20th day of May, the board ordered a warrant
drawn in the sura of $500 for the purpose of creating a fund for the
use of the private soldiers of Company B, who had enlisted in the
military service, and the sarae day also ordered a warrant drawn in
the sura of $550 for a regimental fund for the First Dakota Regiment.
Having brought this synopsis to a recent date, we will close
with this appropriate and patriotic act on the part of the County
Board.

LIST OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OP MINNEHAHA
COUNTY FROM 1871 TO 1900.
1871 — John Thompson, chairman; Ole Bergerson, Charles Allen.
1872— John Thompson, chairman; Ole Bergerson, Newton Clark.
1873— Newton Clark, chairman; Ole Bergerson, R. S. Alexander.
1874 — Newton Clark, chairraan; Ole Bergerson, R. S. Alexander.
1875— R. S. Alexander, chairman; Ole Bergerson, William
Robertson. 1876— William Robertson, chairman; Ole Bergerson, RoUuf
Anderson. 1877— Arteraas Gale, chairraan; Ole Bergerson, S. H. Burk.
1878— Artemas Gale, chairman; Ole Bergerson, S. H. Burk.
1879— Artemas Gale, chairraan; S. H. Burk, W. J. Jones.
1880— S. H. Burk, chairraan; W. J. Jones, A. Clendennino-
Jooi^i" S" 5'"''^' '^h^irraan; W. J. Jones, A. Clendenning.
A J; *, - ". ' chairman; A. Clendenning, Christian Aslesen.
A. Clendenning resigned April 7, and N. E. Phillips was appointed
the same day to fill the vacancy.
r.,. .1883— S. H. Burk, chairman; Christian Aslesen, Sevmour Hill.
Chris. Aslesen resigned January 11, and Ransom Walter was ap
pointed the same day to fill the vacancy.
T u ^?f^®^^T?°"^ Hill chairraan; Ole J. Berdahl, Arthur Jones,
John McKee, Ransom Walter.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 67

1885 — Seymour Hill, chairman; Ole J. Berdahl, Arthur Jones,
John McKee, G. D. Bannister.
1886 — John McKee, chairman; G. D. Bannister, Ole J. Berdahl,
Arthur Jones, John Thompson.
1887 — John McKee, chairman; G. D. Bannister, John Thompson,
O. P. Bowles, Arthur Jones.
1888 — John McKee, chairman; G. D. Bannister, Arthur Jones,
John Thompson, O. P. Bowles.
1889— John McKee, chairman; O. P. Bowles, Henry Mundt,
G. D. Bannister, J. C. Eldridge.
1890 — John McKee, chairman; George L. Wood, G. D. Bannister,
Henry Mundt, J. C. Eldridge.
1891 — John McKee, chairraan; George L. Wood, J. C. Eldridge,
Henry Mundt, George A. Knott.
1892 — John McKee, chairraan; George A. Knott, George L.
Wood, John T. Lee, W. O. Colton. George A. Knott resigned De
ceraber 31.
1893— John T. Lee, chairraan; W. O. Colton, A. J. Berdahl,
Jacob Schaetzel, Jr., Prank Eraerson appointed January 3, to fill
vacancy occasioned by the resignation of George A. Knott.
1894— John T. Lee, chairraan; W. O. Colton, A. J. Berdahl,
Jacob Schaetzel, Jr., Prank Eraerson.
1895 — John T. Lee, chairraan; A. J. Berdahl, Frank S. Eraerson,
Jacob Schaetzel, Jr., C. W. Knodt.
1896 — John T. Lee, chairraan; Prank S. Eraerson, C. W. Knodt,
A. H. Stites, A. H. Stephenson.
1897 — John T. Lee, chairman; Prank Emerson, C. W. Knodt,
A. H. Stites, A. H. Stephenson.
1898 — John T. Lee, chairman; Frank S. Emerson, A. H. Stites,
Henry Mundt, A. H. Stephenson.
1899 — John T. Lee, chairman; Frank S. Emerson, Henry Mundt,
A. M. Olmem, Thomas McKinnon.

¦Ji^'

CHAPTER III.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT — DISTRICT AND
CIRCUIT COURTS OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY — PRO
BATE COURT — COUNTY COURT.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT.
At the first session of the legislature of the State of South Da
kota in November, 188'), R. P. Pettigrew was elected United States
senator. On the first Monday in Deceraber, following, he took the
required oath, and entered upon the duties of his office. He began
at once to secure such congressional legislation as the new state
required to place her on an equal footing with her elder sisters, and
on the 27th day of February, 1890, an act of Congress was approved
declaring that the State of South Dakota should constitute one judi
cial district, and that for the purpose of holding courts such district
should be divided into three divisions to be known as the Eastern,
Central, and Western divisions, and the United States circuit and
district courts held at Sioux Palls, Pierre, and Deadwood, respec
tively. The first Tuesday in April and October of each year was
fixed for the eastern division.
In 1893 a change was raade, and a new division created called the
Northern division, and Aberdeen was designated as the place for
holding the terms of court for this division. By the same act the
time of holding the October terra at Sioux Falls was changed from
the first to the third Tuesday in October. On the 19th day of No
veraber, 1889, Alonzo J. Edgerton was appointed United States
district judge of South Dakota. There was, of course, no govern
raent building for holding the courts at that time, and rooms were
rented in the Masonic Temple and used for that purpose until the
governraent building was ready for occupancy in Mav, 1895. Judge
Edgerton died on the 9th day of August, 1896", and on the 31st day of
the sarae raonth John E. Garland succeeded hira, and is the present
judge. Sorae terms of this court have been quite lengthy, and im
portant trials have taken place, both civil and criminal. One feature
when held in Sioux Palls which is quite noticeable is the large
nuraber of Indians always in attendance. The district court has
jurisdiction over offences coraraitted on the Indian reservations and
there is at each terra a large nuraber of indictments found by the
grand jury against persons for selling intoxicating liquors to the
Indians, which is prohibited by the statutes of the United States.

Alonzo J. Edgerton,
United States District Jndg-e.

John E. Garland,
United States District Judge.

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 73

DISTRICT AND CIRCUIT COURTS OF MINNEHAHA
COUNTY.
On the 16th day of May, 1871, the tirae fixed by law for holding
the first term of the district court in Minnehaha county, a few per
sons met at the appointed place, but there being no judge present,
the clerk adjourned the court until the next day. Wednesday the
17th day of May, pursuant to adjournment, the court convened, Hon.
W. W. Brookings, associate justice of the suprerae court of Dakota
territory and presiding judge of the second judicial district, being-
present and presiding. The docket was called and court then ad
journed until the next day. On the 18th, the case of J. P. Van
Dooser vs James Stephenson was called, and on motion of Jaraes
Hand, attorney for plaintiff, a judgment by default was taken against
the defendant for the amount claimed in the complaint together with
cost of suit. The judgraent was for $188.07 damages and $10.93
cost. This action was brought upon a promissory note given by
defendant at Rochester, Minnesota, on the 12th day of May, 1865,
payable to the order of Van Dooser & Hitchcock, with interest at
twelve per cent per annura, and the note had upon it a ten cent
revenue starap. The suramons in this case was served by John
McClellan, and Moody and Hand appeared as attorneys associated
with James A. Hand. At this terra of court, on raotion of James A.
Hand, John Bippus was admitted to the bar upon a certificate that
he had been admitted to practice law by the circuit court of Hunt
ington county, Indiana. The foregoing comprises all the doings at
the first terra of the district court in Minnehaha county, and the
court adjourned on the 18th day of May. O. B. Iverson was clerk
and Cyrus Walts, deputy clerk.
The next term, the district court convened May 21, 1872, but the
judge being absent, nothing was done until the 23d, when Judge
Brookings arrived. From the record it appears that only two cases
were called. In the first one, a demurrer to the complaint was sus
tained and excepted to by the defendant, and in the next a raotion
was raade to set aside the coraplaint, which was overruled and de
fendant given twenty days to file an answer, upon the payraent of
five dollars costs, and court adjourned.
The third term, the district court convened on Tuesday, May 20,
.1873, but no judge was present, and the clerk adjourned the court
until the next day, at which time the Hon. A. H. Barnes, associate
justice of the supreme court, arrived and held the term. Melvin
Grigsby was clerk and W. H. Holt was sheriff. The first business
appears to have been the adraission to the bar of Albion Thorne and
M. H. Underwood upon raotion of C. H. Winsor. There was quite a
number of cases upon the docket at this term, and it was the first
terra of court in Minnehaha county during which the lawyers had
anything- to do. In one case, Alfred Fuller vs C. L. Gardner, a
change of venue was granted and the case sent to Lincoln county for
trial. Continuances were granted in other cases. Pour decrees of
divorce were rendered at this term of court, the first one being in

74 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

the case of James G. Botsford vs Angeline C. Botsford, and the
judge in his decree says: "The welfare of both parties demands a
separation of the parties." One of the other cases was entitled,
Hattie M. Lansing vs Judson P. Lansing. The marriage records of
this date show, that iraraediately upon receiving their respective de
crees, Jaraes G. Botsford and Hattie M. Lansing were united in the
holy bonds of raatriraony. The first grand jury of Minnehaha county
was suraraoned at this terra, and consisted of the following persons:
J. L. Phillips, foreraan, Joseph Dickson, J. C. Shepherd, J. C.
Ervin, SeyraourHill, C. E. White, Thoraas Dickson, O. W.Douglass,
D. W. Fitz, John O. Walker, A. Danielson, H. B. Caldwell, John Ol
son, J. Ernstrom, J. Duganne, R. W. Talcott, R. G. Plemming, J.
Dunham and D. S. Goodyear. Thej^ found three indictments for
petit larceny, and two for assault and battery, and were discharged
on the 23d day of May. During this terra of court, the pleadings in
two or three cases required amending, and, as the parties were
anxious for a trial, it was decided to hold an adjourned terra in Oc
tober. The case of O. B. Iverson vs C. E. White, was the only jury
case tried. This was an action to recover damages for logs, trees
and cord wood belonging to plaintiff and which he alleged the defend
ant had taken and converted to his own use, and that they were of
the value of $206. Winsor & Bailey were attorneys for plaintiff and
McLaury & Underwood attorneys for defendant. The answer filed
in this case is so artistically drawn that we give it below: "The de
fendant answers to the complaint: 1st, That as to Count one of said
coraplaint, that no allegation contained therein is true. 2d, That as
to Count two, that he has no knowledge or inforraation sufficient to
form a belief whether any one allegation thereof is true." The jury,
composed of eleven men, found for plaintiff and assessed damages at
$67.10. During this terra of court, Mark W. Bailey was adraitted to
the bar. Albion Thorne was district attorney. On the 1st day of
October, 1873, the court convened pursuant to adjournraent, A!^ H.
Barnes presiding, and two jury trials were had. On the 3d day of
October, D. E. Sherman and E. G. Wheeler were admitted tothe bar.
Court convened for the fourth terra of the district court, June
10, 1874. Chief Justice P. C. Shannon, presiding judge; Albion
Thorne, district attorney; D. T. Scott, sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk.
The grand jury was called June 11, but only seven persons answered
to their naraes; nine other persons were then iramediately sumraoned
and the panel completed. Six indictments were found— three for
selling intoxicating liquors without a license, and one each for petit
larceny, extortion, and malicious mischief. Four of these indict
ments were quashed on motion. There were four jury trials during
J -ff*^'.^"., *^^ ^y^ "^""^ disharged June 16. C. J. Hadley was
admitted to the bar June 11. At this term of court the records show
that Bartlett Tripp, Alexander Hughes and three or four other
attorneys were m attendance from outside the county
Fifth term. May, 1875. On the 18th day of May, 1875, the dis
trict court of Minnehaha county convened. Hon. G. G. Bennett,
associate justice of the supreme court, presiding judge; Albion
Thorne, district attorney; A. J. Berdahl, sheriff ; Cyrus Walts, clerk.

Judge W. W. Brookings,

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 77

The grand jury commenced its work on the 19th, and was discharged
on the 24th day of May, having found no indictments. There were
four jury trials during this term, and in one of the cases — Almira
Dixon vs Ira Dixon — the following verdict was rendered: "We, the
jury, find for plaintiff on her complaint, and for the defendant on his
counter claim." On the 21st day of May, George J. Skinner was
admitted to the bar. The court adjourned on the 24th.
Sixth term. May, 1876. The court convened on the 16th day of
May. Hon. G. G. Bennett, presiding judge; Albion Thorne, district
attorney; A. J. Berdahl, sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk. At this terra
of court there were five jury trials. The grand jury did not find
any indictments, and court adjourned on the 28th day of May.
Seventh term. May, 1877. Court convened on the 15th day of
May. Hon. P. C. Shannon, presiding judge; Albion Thorne, district
attorney; V. R. L. Barnes, sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk. On account
of some circumstances growing out of the subdivision of the second
judicial district, by which the counties of Minnehaha and Lake were
made one subdivision, the court adjourned until the 24th day of May.
On May 26, C. W. McDonald was admitted to the bar. The grand
jury found two indictments, one of thera being against A. V. Corson,
for the raurder of Jack Van Kirk. There were three jury trials.
On the 1st day of June the court adjourned until the 17th day of
July, and on that day court convened with Judge G. G. Bennett pre
siding. At this adjourned terra, Corson plead guilty to raan-
slaughter in the first degree, and was sentenced to seven years hard
labor in the penitentiary at Fort Madison, Iowa. One civil cause
was tried by jury. Court adjourned on the 18th day of July.
Eighth terra. May, 1878. Court convened May 21, Judge P. C.
Shannon, presiding. Albion Thorne, district attorney; V. R. L.
Barnes, sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk. At this terra of court, five in
dictments were found by the grand jury; there were four jury trials;
eight indictments found prior to this term were dismissed. Edwin
Parliman, Justice A. Wilson and Lewis M. Estabrook were adraitted
to the bar May 21; Alonzo Frizzell, May 22; Gorhara P. Cross and
Oscar E. Rea, May 24; Martin A. Rathbone, May 25.
Ninth terra, June, 1879. Court convened June 10. Hon. J. P.
Kidder, presiding judge; Alfred M. Flagg, district attorney; Henry
Callender, sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk. The grand jury was in ses
sion seven days, and found nine indictments. There were four civil
cases tried to a jury and seven crirainal, resulting in four convictions
and three acquittals. At this terra of court proceedings were cora
raenced to obtain the right of way for the C, M. & St. Paul Railway
Co. The following persons were adraitted to the bar: John T. Fish,
Prank L. Boyce, R. J. Wells, Henry M. Williaras, Charles E. Flan
drau, R. A. Murray, George Rice, Edward R. Ruggles and E. E.
Sterling. Tenth term, Deceraber, 1879. At the 13th legislative session of
the Territory of Dakota an act was passed fixing the terms of the dis
trict court in Minnehaha county (Minnehaha, Lake and McCook
counties constituting one subdivision) on the 2d Tuesday in June
arid-Oeeember in each year,' -cou-rt-td' be 'held- at the'-coiirity-seat of

78 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Minnehaha county. There was a proviso attached, as follows: "Pro
vided, however, that the December terra shall not be held except upon
order of the county coraraissioners of Minnehaha county." The
necessary order was raade, and court convened Deceraber 9, Jeffer
son P. Kidder, presiding judge; Alfred M. Plagg, district attorney;
Henry Callender, sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk. There were ten jury
trials, six civil and four criminal. The grand jury was summoned
to appear on the 30th day of Deceraber, and was discharged on the
8th day of January, 1880, after having found sixteen indictments.
Thoraas S. Free, Moulton J. Gilraan, J. K. Doolittle and Alvin J.
Bolster were adraitted to the bar. Court adjourned January 9.
Eleventh term, June, 1880. Court convened June 8. Hon. J. P.
Kidder, judge; Alfred M. Plagg, district attorney; Henry Callender,
sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk. On the 9th day of June court adjourned
until the 16th day of June, and on that day adjourned to the 20th day
of July, and on the 21st day of July the court adjourned to the 21st
day of September, and raade an order for suraraoning a grand and
petit jury to serve at that tirae. On the 21st day of Septeraber the
court ordered the jurors suraraoned, to appear on the 16th day of
December, when the court convened pursuant to adjournraent. The
grand jury found seven indictments. One of them being against
Thomas Egan for the murder of his wife, and one against Henry
Muchow, charging him with the murder of John Pehlhafer on the 4th
day of July preceding, by assaulting and striking him with a neck-
yoke, fracturing his skull, by reason of which he died on the llth day
of July. The trial of this case comraenced on the 27th day of Decem
ber, and the prisoner was defended by C. H. Winsor and Thomas
Wolf. On the 29th day of Deceraber he was found guilty of man
slaughter in the first degree, the jury recommended him to the
mercy of the court. On the 31st day of Deceraber he was sentenced
to four years imprisonment in penitentiary at Detroit, Michigan.
Pettigrew and Swezey appeared as attorneys for Egan, and the case
was continued. There were six jury trials during this term, five of
them being civil cases. M. R. Kenefick, J. H. Bottum, Charles E.
Gregory and D. A. Brown were admitted to the bar. Court ad
journed Deceraber 31.
Twelfth term, April, 1881. An act was passed by the legis
lature in February, 1881, by which Minnehaha and McCook counties
were made a subdivision of the fourth judicial district, and the terms
of court fixed for the first Tuesday of April, and the second Tues
day of Noveraber, in each year. On the Sth day of April, the judge
not being present, the clerk adjourned the court until the next day,
and on the 6th, for the same reason, adjourned the court until the
7th, and on that day adjourned without date. This was one of the
results of the deep snow, the winter preceding.
Thirteenth term^ Noveraber, 1881. On the 8th day of Noveraber
court convened. J. P. Kidder, judge; J. W. Carter, district attorney;
J. M. Dickson sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk. There were nine in
dictments found by the grand jury, and ten cases tried to a jury-six
civil and four criminal. One of the criminal cases tried was the
Territory of Dakota vs Thomas Egan, for the murder of Mary Egan,

Judge Jefferson P. Kidder.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 81

his wife. The trial was coraraenced Noveraber 25, L. S. Swezey and
C. H. Winsor appearing for defendant. There were twenty-three
jurymen on the regular panel, but it was soon exhausted, and a
special venire was issued for forty additional persons. The exara
ination of the jurymen drawn in this case, was not completed until
the 28th, when a jury was obtained and the trial proceeded. At the
conclusion of the evidence on the part of the prosecution, the de
fendant's attorneys announced that they had no evidence to offer.
The case was argued to the jury on December 1, and on the same
day a verdict of "guilty as charged in the indictment" was rendered.
George L. Wood, of Logan, was foreman of the jury. A motion in
arrest of judgraent and for a new trial, was immediately made by
defendant's attorneys, which raotion was denied by the court, and on
Deceraber 3, Egan was sentenced to be executed on Priday, January
13, 1882. Execution of the judgraent was stayed, upon the applica
tion of defendant's attorneys, and the case was taken to the supreme
court, where the judgment of the district court was affirmed.
Thoraas H. Fairfax, C. H. Wynn and Charles M. Harl were
adraitted to the bar during the terra. Court adjourned December 3.
Fourteenth term, April, 1882. By an order of Judge J. P. Kid
der, the April term of court was adjourned until April 11, at which
tirae court convened. J. P- Kidder, judge; J. W. Carter, district
attorney; J. M. Dickson, sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk. There were
seven indictments found at this term of court, and there were
thirteen jury trials, six of thera being crirainal cases, resulting in
four convictions, one acquittal, and one disagreeraent of the jury.
One of the convictions, was that of Sarauel Irvin charged with at
terapting to shoot one of his neighbors. He was sentenced to fifteen
months in the penitentiary at Detroit, Michigan. On the 29th day of
May, Thoraas Egan was sentenced to be executed on the 13th day of-
July. During this terra of court W. H. Crow, Jackson B. Young and
Andrew C. Phillips were admitted to the bar.
Fifteenth term, Noveraber, 1882. Court convened on the 14th
day of November. J. P. Kidder, judge; J. W. Carter, district at
torney; J. M. Dickson, sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk. At this term of
court thirty indictments were found, but nearly all of the persons
indicted plead guilty, and were fined fiftj- dollars and cost, amounting
to $60.30 in each case. These indictments were for selling intoxi
cating liquors. There were fifteen jury trials — twelve civil, and
three criminal cases resulting in one conviction and two acquittals.
Charles A. Rounds, Herbert Taft Root, Aaron A. Bryan, Harry
Lacy, Paul Watson and E. Everett Savage were admitted to the bar.
Court adjourned December 1.
Sixteenth terra, April, 1883. The 3d of April was the day fixed
by law for the opening of the court; but no judge being present, the
court was adjourned to the 4th, and on that day adjourned to the 5th
for the sarae reason. On the 5th the court convened, J. P. Kidder,
presiding judge; J. W. Carter, district attorney; J. M. Dickson,
sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk; T. G. Brown, stenographer. At this
terra of court there were eight civil cases tried to a jury, and

82 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

three criminal. The grand jury found twenty-one indictments.
Pleading- guilty in raost of the cases, and receiving a fine of fifty dol
lars, indicates that the indictraents were for selling intoxicating
liquors. Peter V. Coffernoll, Jesse W. Boyce, Zane Biggs, Eugene
W. Coughran and Frank W. Little were adraitted to the bar. Court
adjourned April 18.
On the 2d day of October, 1883, Judge Kidder died in St. Paul
and there was no court held in Minnehaha county in Noveraber, in
consequence of his death.
Judge Edgerton raade an order for a special term of the district
court to be held June 21, 1883; but no jurors were suraraoned, and
the records show there was no business done except to grant a di
vorce, and court adjourned the day it convened.
Seventeenth term, April, 1884. On the first day of April court
convened. Hon. Cornelius S. Palmer, associate justice of the su
prerae court, presiding judge; J. W. Carter, district attorney; J. M.
Dickson, sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk; T. G. Brown, stenographer.
The grand jury found twenty-one indictraents, and was discharged
on the 12th. During- the term there were thirty-one jurv trials —
nineteen civil and twelve criminal — nine convictions and three acquit
tals. This was one of the iraportant terras of the district court.
One of the civil causes tried was that of Rose McBride vs City of
Sioux Palls, claiming five thousand dollars damages for injuries re
ceived owing to a defective street; C. H. Wvnn and J. W. Jones
were attorneys for the plaintiff, and A. Frizzell and Bartlett Tripp
for the defendant. The trial resulted in a verdict for the defendant.
On the 16th day of April, Alfred M. Plagg nleaded guiltv to embez
zlement, and was sentenced to four years in the penitentiary. Sam
uel Irvin, who had served a term in the penitentiary for shooting at
one of his neighbors, was again tried upon the charge of assault with
intent to kill; the offense being connected with the same affrav, the
trial resulted in a verdict of simple assault.
The following action was taken on the first dav of this term of
court upon the death of Judge J. P. Kidder: C. H. Winsor moved
and the Court ordered, "that a comraittee of five members ofthe
Minnehaha bar be appointed to prepare and report to the court suit
able and appropriate resolutions upon the death of the Hon. Jeffer
son P.Kidder, late associate justice of the supreme court of this ter
ritory and judge of the fourth judicial district." The Court ap
pointed as such comraittee, E. Parliman, W. A. Wilkes H H Keith
T. S. Free and P. L. Boyce. On the 29th dav of April, Hon. Edwiii
Parliman presented the following resolutions:
"Resolved, that the suprerae court of this territorv, the district
court of the fourth judicial district, the bar and thepeople of this
territory have sustained in the death of the Hon. Jefferson P Kid
der the loss of an honorable and upright judge; that his long
judicial career in this territory has been marked by great industry,
high ability and incorruptible integrity, and in the termination of his
long public career universal regret is felt and universal sympathy
extended; that m this slight tribute to his raemory we can but inad
equately express the loss sustained by his death;" that his life and

Judge Cornelius S. Palmer.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 85

labors, characterized as they were by honor, industry and the fullest
integrity, are left for the future, and stand as an encouragement to
those of us who survive him, showing that success in life depends
more upon integ-rity and good faith than upon raore brilliant accom
plishments." After the presentation of the above resolutions, remarks were
made by the judge and raerabers of the bar, and the resolutions
were ordered to be spread upon the records of the court.
Hosmer H. Keith, Dana Reed Bailey, Romeo H. Start, T. W.
Noyes, Charles L. Brockway, Joseph W. Jones, R. B. Smith, Her
bert L. Greene, Henry M. Avery, James B. French, Scott Ransora,
Martin A. Butterfield, Delraore Elwell, Sutton E. Young and W. S.
Wynn, were admitted to the bar.
At this term of court, the case of Arteraas Gale vs Mamie G.
Shillock, et al., was tried by the court. It involved the title to a
valuable tract of land in the then southerly limit of the city.
The g-reater portion of the indictraents at this term of court
were for selling intoxicating liquors, and were treated as formerhs
the parties being fined.
An order was raade by Judge Palmer that special terms of court
be held on the 26th day of July and the 23d day of August, but the
records do not show that any business was done.
Eighteenth term, November, 1884. Court convened November
11. C. S. Palmer, judge; J. W. Carter, district attorney; J. M.
Dickson, sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk; T. G. Brown, stenographer.
The g-rand jury found thirteen indictraents, and were discharged
November 15. Fifteen civil and five criminal cases were tried to a
jury. At this term of court the case of Wra. T. Henton vs the City
of Sioux Falls was tried. This was an action for daraages received
by the plaintiff by reason of coraing in contact with a telephone wire
while riding along Phillips avenue. The verdict was for the defend
ant. The case of the Territory vs E. G. Smith was also tried.
Sraith and Clampit were pork packers in Sioux Falls, and Sraith
claimed that Clampit had got away with some of the partnership
funds, and with a drawn knife induced Clampit to make his check
for $250. Smith was indicted for extortion. The trial excited agood
deal of interest, and was well tried by J. W. Carter for the prosecu
tion and C. H. Winsor and H. H. Keith for the defense. But it
seemed that Smith had the most friends and the verdict of the jury
was in effect, that Sraith adopted the proper method to adjust their
partnership accounts. Clampit left this vicinity about the tirae the
verdict was rendered. At this terra of court the case of Mamie G.
Shillock, et al., vs R. P. Pettigrew, et al., was tried. This case in
volved the title to 160 acres in the most populous resident portion of
.the city. The defendants prevailed, and since then the title has
been confirraed in the defendants. The following persons were ad
raitted to the bar: Samuel L. Tate, Albert T. Free and Arthur C.
Phillips. Court adjourned January 2, 1885.
Nineteenth ternl, April, 1885. Court convened April 14. C. S.
Palmer, judge; E. G. Wright, district attorney; J. M. Dickson,
sheriff;. Cyrus Walts, clerk; T. G. Brown, stenog-rapher. One crim-

86 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

inal and fourteen civil cases were tried to a jury. At this terra of
court several cases of more than ordinary interest were tried.
Among them were the cases of S. M. McCormack vs Andrew C.
Phillips; Ole Langness vs Justin A. Pettigrew, involving the ques
tion of the defendant's right to raaintain his railldara across the Big
Sioux at Baltic at the height he had built it; John A. Bankson vs the
City of Sioux Falls, claiming damages in the sum of $5,000 for per
sonal injuries he had received owing to snow and ice being permitted
to remain upon the sidewalk on Dakota avenue. In the last men
tioned case a verdict was rendered for the defendant. On March 7,
1883, the territorial legislature passed a law that clerks of the dis
trict courts should be elected in each organized county in the terri
tory. At the Noveraber election of the sarae year J. B. Cloudas was
elected for Minnehaha county, and at this term of court, through
proper proceedings, he politely invited Cyrus Walts to vacate the of
fice of clerk. Judge Palmer held that the legislature had no author
ity to make such a law; that Congress had given the judges of the
supreme court in the territory the right to appoint their clerks, and
he retained Mr. Walts. A. C. Biernatzki, S. H. Sibley and Rudolph
Schultz were adraitted to the bar. Court adjourned July 9.
Rules governing the practice in the fourth judicial district,
(thirty-two in number) were adopted July 9, 1885, by Judge Palmer.
Twentieth term, November, 1885. Court convened November 10.
C. S. Palmer, judge; E. G. Wright, district attorney; J. M. Dickson,
sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk; T. G. Brown, stenographer. The grand
jury found eight indictments, and was discharged December 12.
Nineteen civil and two criminal cases were tried- to a jury. On De
cember 1, the following appears in the record:
"In view of the fact that this is the day appointed for the fu
neral of Thomas A. Hendricks of the State of Indiana, late Vice
President of the United States, and out of respect for him and the
high position he occupied, I raove that this Court do take a recess
frora 12 o'clock noon, until two and half o'clock p. M., the hour set
apart for the funeral. E. G. Wright, District Attorney."
The Court ordered recess taken as requested.
Although this term of court was a busy one, no cases of pubfic
interest were tried. Park Davis, Alfred Beard Kittredge, Roo-er W.
Cooley and Wm. E. Howe were admitted to the bar. Court ad
journed December 23.
Twenty-first term, April, 1886. Court convened April 13. C. S.
, "^i""' A'^^Se'^ ^- G. Wright, district attorney; J. M. Dickson,
sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk; T. G. Brown, stenographer. The
grand jury found six indictments and were discharged April 17.
Eig-ht civil and two criminal cases were tried to a jury. April 21,
Judge Bartlett Tripp took the place of Judge Palmer until April 28.
J. Ryan, Edwin R. Young and Matt B. Kellev were admitted to the
bar. Court adjourned May 4.
Twenty-second term, Noveraber, 1886. Court convened Novem
ber 2). CS. Palmer, judge; E. G. Wright, district attorney; J. M.
Dickson, sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk; T. G. Brown, stenographer.
The grand jury found eleven indictments and were discharo-eci De-

History oF minneHaha county. 87

cember 3. One criminal and twenty-one civil cases were tried to a
jurv. At this term of court the case of Francis Wiren against the
City of Sioux Falls, claiming $5,000 damages for personal injuries
received by reason of a defective sidewalk on Phillips avenue, was
tried, and a verdict for the defendant was rendered. Quite a num
ber of the cases tried at this term of court were hotly contested, but
were of no particular interest, except to the parties involved. Rob
ert Copeland, Joseph Kirbv, A. D. Collier, E. A. Sherman, J. G.
Eddy, Charles Wilson Smith, Charles E. McKinney, John H. Ferny-
hough and Charles P. Bates were admitted to the bar. Court ad
journed December 18.
Twenty-third terra, April, 1887. Court convened April 12. C.
S. Palraer, judg-e; A. A. Polk, district attorney; John Sundback,
sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk; T. G. Brown, stenographer. The rec
ords do not show that a g-rand jury was summoned at this term of
court. Sixteen ci\il cases were tried to a jury. A good many of
the cases tried were iraportant to the parties, as they involved large
araounts, but were not of such character as to excite public interest.
The case of E. G. Wright against the county, g-rowing out of a
disag-reeraent as to the araount of the salary he should receive as
district attorney, was tried to a jury, and resulted ina disag-reement,
and the case was continued. The case of A. A. Polk ag-ainst the
county of Minnehaha, sirailar to that of E. G. Wright's, was tried to
the court and a judgment rendered in favor of the county, which was
afterwards reversed bv the supreme court. This was the first term
of A. A. Polk as district attorney, and he took occasion to dismiss
several crirainal cases frora the docket, that had becorae too old to
prosecute successfully. Benjarain Wyckoff, Charles O. Bailey,
Robert Buchanan and R. C. Hawkins were adraitted to the bar.
Court adjourned April 30.
Twenty-fourth terra, November, 1887. Court convened No
vember 8. C. S. Palmer, judge; A. A. Polk, district attorney; John
Sundback, sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk; E. P. White, stenog-rapher.
The grand jury found fourteen indictments. Six criminal and
twenty-six civil cases were tried to a jury. This was a term of ira
portant cases and large verdicts. Judge Spencer was called in to
try the causes growing out of the failure of the first National Bank.
Eight verdicts were rendered for the plaintiffs in the following
sums: Sl,110, $1,260, Sl,417, Sl,500, $2,500, $1,400, $5,340 and $16,706.
In one case involving $12,000, a verdict was returned for defendant,
and in two other iraportant cases \erdicts were rendered for the
defendants. The supreme court reversed a g-ood deal of the work
of this term of court. U. S. G. Cherry, Peter J. Rodge, S. W. Sul
livan and Cvrus Walts were admitted to the bar. Court adjourned
January 25,"" 1888.
Twenty-fifth terra, April, 1888. Court convened April 10. C.
S. Palraer, judge; A. A. Polk, district attorney; John Sundback,
sheriff; Cyrus Walts, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. The grand
jury found two indictments and was discharged April 14. One crim
inal and twelve civil cases were tried to a jury. Judge John E.
Garland took the oath of office on the llth day of April and presided

88 history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

at this term of court. He appointed W. D. Stites clerk of the court,
on April 17, the appointraent to take effect April 19. At this term
of court John O. Meara was tried for forgery, and after the prose
cution had put in its case, the court advised the jury to return a
verdict of acquittal, which was done accordingly. Charles J. Porter,
Wra. H. Wilson, Edward E. Burns and Samuel J. Barrows were
admitted to the bar. Court adjourned July 30.
On Septeraber 1, 1888, a revision of the rules governing the prac
tice in the fourth judicial district was made, and they were spread
upon the records.
Twenty-sixth term, November, 1888. Court convened Noveraber
13. John E. Garland, judge; A. A. Polk, district attorney; John
Sundback, sheriff; W. D. Stites, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer.
Upon the opening of the court an order was made, adjourning court
until Noveraber 19, and on that day the business of the terra com
menced. The grand jury found thirteen indictments, and was dis
charged December 5. Only one crirainal case was tried to a jury,
which resulted in an acquittal. Twenty-three civil cases were tried
to a jury. The case of the Plymouth County Bank vs Frazier Gil-
man, v/hich had for a long tirae stood at the head of the calendar,
was tried. Two cases growing out of theM. I. Jacquith failure were
tried at this terra of court; and two verdicts were directed in im
portant cases growing out of the First National Bank failure. This
terra of court was a fighting terra frora the beginning to the end, and
although the cases were not of great public interest, the parties and
their attorneys were raore than usually belligerent. Ralph W.
Hobart was adraitted to the bar. Court adjourned January 14.
Twenty-seventh terra, April, 1889. Court convened April 9.
Prank R. Aikens, judge; C. O. Bailey, district attorney; John Sund
back, sheriff; W. D. Stites, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. The
grand jury found eight indictments, and was discharged April 16.
There were thirteen jury trials during this term, eleven of them
being civil cases. E. G. Wright succeeded in getting a verdict
against the county in the sum of $355.50. This was the third trial
of the case— the jury disagreeing the first time, and rendering a ver
dict against him upon the second trial, which was set aside and a
"f^*^i^^§"^anted. Comment is unnecessary to establish the fact
that E. G. Wright has sorae fighting qualities in his raake-up. This
was a very quiet term of court— the cases tried not involving large
amounts, with one or two exceptions. It was the last term of the
district court m Minnehaha county. Upon the calendar for that
terra, the naraes of eighty persons appear as attorneys. Frank H.
Knapp John H. Wilharason, Charles A. Gilday and Joseph H. Lord
were adraitted to the bar. Court adjourned May 3

Judge Prank R. Aikens.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 91
CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,
WITHIN AND POR MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
The constitution of the State of South Dakota was adopted
November 2, 1889, and South Dakota becarae a state on that day.
Under the provisions of article fifth of the constitution, the judicial
powers of the state were vested in suprerae, circuit and county
courts, and justices of the peace, and such courts as mig-ht be
created by law for cities and incorporated towns. Under the pro
visions of the constitution, the state was divided into eight judicial
circuits, and Minnehaha county was placed in the second. There
was no term of district or circuit court in Minnehaha county in
November, 1889, owing to the change made in judicial matters by the
adoption of the constitution. At the first session of the leg-islature
of the State of South Dakota, an act was passed, transferring the
business before the territorial district courts to the circuit courts,
and fixing the terms of the circuit courts of the state; and by another
act, two terms in each year, of the circuit court in Minnehaha county,
were provided for to be held on the fourth Tuesday in May, ancl the
second Tuesday in December.
First term". May, 1890. Court convened on the 27th day of May.
Frank R. Aikens, judge; C. O. Bailey, district attorney; W. D. Stites,
clerk; John Sundback, sheriff; E. P. White, stenographer. The
grand jury found eleven indictments, and was discharged June 10.
Eight criminal cases were tried, resulting in four convictions and
four acquittals, thirty civil cases were tried to a jury. Sorae iraport
ant cases were tried at this term of court, but in the greater num
ber of them there was but a sraall araount in controversy. The case
of Maggie O'Rourk vs C. T. Jeffers and Porter P. Peck, was un
doubtedly the most iraportant case of the terra, and excited the raost
public interest. It was an action brought to recover $10,000 for per
sonal injuries received bv the discharge of a cannon at the corner of
Ninth street and Dakota avenue, during the evening of the great rati
fication raeeting- of the election of R. P. Pettigrew United States sen
ator. Peck was relieved frora any liability by a verdict of the jury,
under the direction of the court, and a verdict rendered against Jef
fers, in the sura of S9,500. The last that appears of this terra of
court in the records is the following: "Septeraber 6, the case of Gil
bert Hanson vs Red Rock Township still on trial."
Second terra, December, 1890. Court convened in the new court
house for the first time December 2. Prank R. Aikens, judge; D. R.
Bailey, district attorney; John Sundback, sheriff; W. D. Stites, clerk;
E. P. White, stenographer. C. O. Bailey having resigned the office
of district attorney, D. R. Bailey was appointed August 21, 1890, to
fill out the unexpired term. At the Noveraber election, 1890, Albion
Thorne was elected clerk of the county and circuit courts, and took
the oath of office and comraenced his official duties on the 6th day of
January, 1891. The old case of the Plyraouth County Bank vs Fra
zier Gilraan, was again tried to a jury, resulting in a verdict for the
defendant. The grand jury returned five indictraents, and was dis-

92 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

charged Deceraber 12. There were twenty-five jury trials — twenty
civil and five crirainal cases. The crirainal cases tried at this terra of
court were quite iraportant, and sorae of thera excited a good deal of
public interest. The case of the State vs Edward J. Mannix, charged
with erabezzleraent frora the Western Union Telegraph Co., was
thoroughly tried. C. O. Bailey, W. H. Stoddard and D. R. Bailey
for the prosecution, and C. H. Winsor and Judge Garland for the de
fense. C. O. Bailey prepared the case for the prosecution, and it
was admirably done, and C. H. Winsor raade one of his most eloquent
and pathetic appeals to the jury, for an acquittal of the defendant —
and the jury said "Amen." The case of the State vs Dr. C. P. Bis
sell, charged with administering morphine, while under the influ
ence of intoxicating liquors, to B. P. Sheffer, thereby causing his
death, was another interesting- case. D. R. Bailey for prosecution
and Wynn & Nock for defendant. He was ably defended, and the
jury disagreed. In the case of State vs Annie Nelson, charged with
burning several stacks of wheat, the sarae attorneys appeared as in
the Bissell case, and the jury disagreed. Two other crirainal
causes were tried, one charging an assault with a dangerous weapon,
and one for burglary, in which verdicts of guilty were rendered.
Sorae of the civil causes tried to a jury, were raore than ordinarily
interesting. The case of Clark G. Coats vs H. L. Hollister — two old
friends — was hotly contested and a verdict rendered for the plaintiff
in the sura of $15,935.00. The counsel in this case were Judge Pal
raer, Park Davis and D. R. Bailey for plaintiff, and Bailey & Stod
dard and T. B. McMartin for defendant. Another case of consider
able interest, was that of J. A. Wilson vs Drs. Brown & Tufts, the
plaintiff bringing suit clairaing that the defendants negligently
treated a fractured leg of plaintiff's and asking for a large sum in
compensation. The testiraony in the case showed, that the unfortu
nate condition of the plaintiff, was the result of his own negligence,
and the jury found a verdict for the defendants. John Howard
Gates and David Winton were admitted to the bar at this term of the
court. Court adjourned January 31, 1891.
By an act of the legislature, approved March 7, 1891, the terms
of the circuit court in Minnehaha county were changed to the fourth
Tuesday in April and the first Tuesday in Noveraber.
Third terra, April, 1891. Court convened April 28 P R
Aikens, judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; John Sundback, sher
iff; Albion Thorne, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. The o-rand
jury found eighteen indictments— ten of thera against persons
charged with selhng intoxicating liquors. Two of these cases were
tried, resulting m one conviction and one acquittal. It was at this
terra of court that the cases of Enos & Bailet vs the St Paul Fire &
?^-'''"i"'' ^r- ^°" ''"'^ ^^'^ Springfield Fire & Marine Ins. Co., were
tried. Ihese cases were transferred frora Deuel county, owing to
the prejudice that had arisen there, in reference to the matter in dis
pute and the parties connected with the cases. The trial occupied
the attention of the court more than two weeks, and resulted in a dis
agreement of the jury in both cases. Every inch of ground was con
tested, and the attorneys on both sides came to their work thor-

Minnehaha County Court House.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 95

oughly equipped. Palmer & Rodge appeared for plaintiffs, and
Fauntleroy of St. Paul and H. H. Keith for defendants. The jury
was discharged June 6, and court adjourned June 10. Charles E.
Sutton and William Milchrist were admited to the bar.
Fourth term, November, 1891. Court convened Noveraber 17.
P. R. Aikens, judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; John Sundback,
sheriff; Albion Thorn, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. The
grand jury found thirty-one indictments — a majority of thera
charging- persons with selling intoxicating liquors as a beverage.
The grand jury was discharged Deceraber 15. At this term of court
there were twenty-seven cases tried to a jury, five of them crirainal
cases, resulting in three convictions and two acquittals. Both of the
cases in which there were no convictions, the persons -^.'ere charged
with selling intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and the proof seeraed
conclusive of their guilt. If the charge had been that of highway
robber}', or forgery, the sarae raeasure of proof would have resulted
in a prorapt conviction. The civil cases tried to a jury were not
very iraportant even to the parties theraselves, except in two or three
instances. Enos & Bailett vs the St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., was
tried again, the same attorneys appearing as the terra preceding,
with the addition of D. E. Powers for plaintiffs. The plaintiffs ob
tained a verdict. These suits were brought to recover, on policies
of insurance, against loss by fire, on a stock of goods owned by
plaintiffs in Gary, Deuel county. Mr. Enos was indicted in Deuel
county for setting fire to the building in which the goods were kept.
Of this charge he was acquitted. To say the least, the circurastances
were peculiar in connection with this fire. It occurred on Sunday
evening, and Mr. Enos testified in substance, that he went to church
— was called out to get some article wanted at his store, and when he
went into the store he was assaulted and tied with a rope to sorae
fixture in the store, his person robbed of a large sura of raoney, and
the store fired by his assailants. There was a good deal of testi
mony in reference to the manner he was tied, the condition he was
found in, and the character of his injuries. The cases growing out
of this fire were expensive, and the tax payers of Deuel county
had reason to feel sore over it. Deuel county paid Minnehaha county
about $1,200 for court expenses during the trials. At this term of
court, the case of David Winton vs Charles Huntimer, was tried to a
jury, and a verdict rendered for the defendant. Low water in the
lake on section 3, in Taopi, was the primary cause of the trouble
from which the suit originated. Winton was aiding a client to get
possession of a crop raised on land from which the water of this lake
had receded. His client plowed the land and Huntimer sowed it
and cut the grain, and both parties wanted the crop — and a colli
sion occurred. Winton claimed, that Huntimer used a pitchfork on
him, instead of the bundles of grain, and Huntimer claimed, and
Winton admitted, he had prodded Huntimer with his fork. Captain
Stoddard tried the case for Huntimfer, and was unusually funny, and
convinced the jury that it was only a little fracus after all, that the
parties undoubtedly enjoyed the diversion, and only a bold, bad jury
would think for a moraent of taking the case into serious consider-

96 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

ation. The case of H. H. Wood vs W. H. Ridell, et al, was also
tried, Palraer & Rogde for plaintiff, Keith & Bates and Judge Car-
land for defendant. The jury was erapanelled in this case Decem
ber 3, and rendered a verdict for plaintiff December 11. This was a
Red Rock case, involving the boundary line that had been established
by a recent survey of the township. It was a sharp trial, and parti
cipated in not only by the parties directly interested, but by others
who thought that the verdict in this case, would to a certain extent
at least, affect their interests. The testimony as to the location of
the stakes and mounds established by the governraent, was of a con
flicting character, so rauch so, that the jurors could justify any ver
dict they raight render in accordance with their prejudices for or
against a resurvey.
The case of Margaret Laura de Stuers vs Alphonso Eugene Lam
bert de Stuers, an action for a divorce, was tried by the court.
William Henry Stoddard and William Henry Wilson were attorneys
for the plaintiff, and Joseph Lawrence Glover, Alpha Fremont Orr,
and David Edward Powers were attorneys for the defendant. Itwas
a great case in all its surroundings. Count William Zborowski, by
his constant labor in aid of the plaintiff's cause, added a piquancy to
the trial that was relished by the spectators. Here is a list of the
naraes of persons whose testiraony was used in the trial of the case:
Jeremiah McCraith; William Waldorf Astor; Charles, Count de By-
landt; Countess Mary Seilern; Edward Gould Peters; Harriet Thie-
raard; Jean Martin Charcot, professor at the Salpitnere Hospital;
Arthur Astor Carey; Henry J. Vinkhuysen, physician to H. M., the
King of Holland; Jaraes Louden, formerly minister of the colonies
and governor general of the Netherlands, East Indies; AdrienneVan
Riemsdyk; Carel, Baron Van Heeckeren Van Kell, rainister of the
Netherlands in Portugal; Mathieu Van Lier, consul general of the
Netherlands at Paris, France; Charles Ephrussi; Emilie Charles
Wauters; Henry de Weede, secretary of the Netherlands at Paris;
Mina and Isidore Ansermet; Mary Van den Heuvel; Elise Gahlen-
beck; Charles Chevalaz, butler; Charles Auguste Garnier Helde-
wier, minister plenipotentiary of the King of the Belgians; Donald
James Macka}-, eleventh Lord Reay, late governor of Bombay, late
member of the Second Charaber of the States-General in the Nether
lands, peer of the United King-dom of Great Britain; Alexis Delafoy
and A. Arnaud de Poiard. And still, some people blame Judge
Aikens for granting a divorce, when confessedly the parties were
tangled up in this mess. It makes one tired to look at the list. The
divorce was granted, and soon after — in fact, very soon after — at the
Cataract House, in the city of Sioux Palls, Margaret Laura de Stuers
and William Eliott Zborowski were united in the holy bonds of mat
rimony by the Rev. John A. Cruzan. The happy couple went abroad
and shortly after were engaged in the courts at Paris trying to get
possession of Countess Zborowski 's daughter by her former mar
riage. It is said that President Lincoln, getting embarrassed in
regard to the appointment of a postmaster — there being so many ap
plications, and so many endorsements recommending each candidate
—had the papers weighed, and appointed the man whose papers

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 97

weighed the most. Well, the writer is pretty tolerably well conver
sant with the testimony in this case, and has come to the conclusion
that the learned judg-e, in deciding the case, turned the great presi
dent's method bottom-side up, and reversed his measure of proof.
Another divorce suit at this term of court was Pollock vs Pol
lock. It was the bridegroom who came out to South Dakota to grow
up with the country, and finally settled down in the Queen City with
the full determination to make this his horae for life. There is noth
ing on record that shows that he went so far as to purchase a lot in
the cemetery, but lots of people never prepare for death. His father
was wealthy, but the son was cautious and conservative, and occupied
a good deal of his time in sliding down hill, and reflecting upon what
g-reat enterprise he would eng-age in. But lo, the bride cometh! She
had with her two little children. She had been a doraestic in the
family of the bridegroom's father. The claira was desertion, but she
followed him to his new home. Mr. Pollock, soon after the trial, not
finding an occupation that suited him, returned to his father's house.
Mrs. Pollock remained here long-er than Mr. Pollock. The divorce
was granted. Selah.
On the 7th day of March, an act was passed reducing the num
ber of grand jurors from twenty-three to eight, and as there was no
eraergency declared this was the first terra of court under the new
law. This change raaterially reduced the expense incurred by a
session of the grand jury, but the raost important- feature is the fact,
that the work before it can be performed raore expeditiously and
with better results. It requires five votes in the affirraative to find
an indictraent.
I. G. Lawshe, N. M. Dahl and H. D. Jaraes were adraitted to the
bar. Fifth terra, April, 1892. Court convened April 26, 1892. P. R.
Aikens, judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; John Sundback, sheriff;
Albion Thorne, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. The grand jury
was in session until the llth day of May, having found six indict
ments. Three of the persons indicted plead g-uilty, the other three
plead not guilty and were tried, and the jury found thera all guilty.
Charles E. Bowman was tried at this term of court for having pro
cured an abortion, frora which the victim died. The testimony in
the case, although circumstantial, tended strongly to establish the
charge as raade in the indictraent, but under the charge of the court
the jury were restricted to finding a verdict of raanslaughter. He
was found "guilty as charged in the indictraent." The code pro
vides, that any person while engaged in coramitting a felony causes
death, .without any design to cause death, is guilty of raurder, and
any person while engaged in the coraraission of a misdemeanor causes
death, is guilty of manslaughter in the first degree. The indictraent
in this case was designated as an indictraent for manslaughter in the
first degree, although it charg-ed Bowman with the actual commission
of the offense of murder. The verdict being "guilty as charged in
the indictraent," the court held that Bowman was convicted of mur
der. A motion in arrest of judgment was made by counsel for the
defendant, and after the case had been argued by. the attorneys, on

98 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

two occasions the motion was granted and Bowman held for trial at
the next term of court. There was no demurrer to the indictraent,
and in such cases the code provides that only two objections can be
taken under a raotion in arrest, viz., to the jurisdiction of the court,
and that the indictraent does not state a public offense. The court
in this case had jurisdiction, and the indictraent charged raurder.
The learned judge before whora the case was tried was greatly
perplexed with the problera, but finally concluded to grant the
raotion declining to sentence Bowraan for raanslaughter for which he
was tried under the charge of the court. This case was very ably
defended by Winsor & Kittredge, and Captain W. H. Stoddard with
equal ability assisted the state's attorney in the prosecution. At
the next terra of court this case was continued, for the reason that
a witness residing in Minnesota refused to corae and testify for the
prosecution. At the next terra of court the case was dismissed, as
the same witness declared that she would never again give her evi
dence in the trial of this case, and as without her testimony the
defendant could not be convicted, and the State being precluded
frora taking her deposition, the prosecution had to be abandoned.
There were twelve civil causes tried to a jury, but as a whole thev
were devoid of public interest. The case of Peter Carlson vs the
Sioux Falls Water Corapany was successfully tried by the plaintiff.
The suit was brought for personal injuries received by the plaintiff
while in the eraploy of the defendant, by the "caving in of a ditch" in
which he was at work. The plaintiff clairaed $5,000 daraages, and
the jury found a verdict for him in that amount. There is a passage
of scripture that in substance advises us to agree with our adver
saries before they get into a fighting attitude. In this case, after it
had been continued over one term of court, the attorney who brought
the suit offered to take $1,000 in settlement. It shows how careless
he was, and how little he appreciated the injuries his client had
received. The case was appealed to the supreme court and a new
trial was granted, but the case was then dismissed by the plaintiff.
Prank Chapin Langden was admitted to the bar.
Sixth term, November, 1892. Court convened November 15.
Prank R. Aikens, judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; John Sund
back, sheriff; Albion Thorne, clerk; E. P. White, "stenographer.
The grand jury found thirteen indictments and was discharged
Deceraber 6. Five of the persons indicted plead guilty, and four of
thera were sent to the penitentiary and one sentenced " to pay a fine.
One plead not guilty, was tried and found guiltv, and sentenced
to the penitentiary. There were nine civil cases 'tried to a jury.
The case of D. L. McKinney vs John Sundback, growing out of the
McMillan failure m Sioux Palls a few years before was fought inch
by inch and resulted in a disagreement of the jury. Winsor & Kit
tredge were attorneys for the plaintiff and McMartin and P. L.
Boyce for the defendant. One or two other cases were contested
from start to finish ' but were not of public interest, and the term
taken as a whole was a tame one. Webster C. Haight, George A.
Jeffers, Henry A. Muller, Lyman P. Bayard and R. H. Warren were
admitted to the bar. Court adjourned on the 21st day of December.

Judge Joseph W. Jones.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 101

Seventh term, 1893. Court convened April 25. Frank R.
Aikens, judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; George A. Knott,
sheriff; Albion Thorne, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. The
grand jury found ten indictments, and was discharged May 12.
There were six criminal cases tried — four of them resulting in ver
dicts of guilty, one not guilty, one disagreement of the jury. There
were eighteen civil cases tried to a jury, resulting in eleven verdicts
for the plaintiffs and seven for defendants. There were no cases of
public interest at this terra of court. Harry B. Carleton was ad
raitted to the bar May 12, and P. R. Sidwell, May 31. These adrais
sions were the last ones in. the Minnehaha county circuit court before
the law of 1893 went into effect, requiring- all persons not previously
admitted to the bar to obtain a certificate of good moral character
from some court of record in the state, and to pass a satisfactory
examination before the suprerae court before a license would be
granted to practice as' an attorney and counselor at law. Court ad
journed May 31.
Eighth terra, 1893. Court convened November 21. Prank R.
Aikens, judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; George A. Knott,
sheriff; Albion Thorne, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. Upon
the grand jury being called, challenges were made to the array, by
persons who had been held to appear at this terra charg-ed with crim
inal offe-nses. The challenges were based upon the fact that only
85 names, instead of 200 as required by law, were in the box at the
tirae the jury was drawn. The challenge was sustained by the court
and all the persons making the challeng-e were held in bail to appear
at the April term, 1894. Three persons, charged with having- cora
mitted public offenses, waived all objections to the jury, and their
cases were considered. Noveraber 23, the g-rand jury reported two
indictraents and "one bill not found" and were discharged. The
court was adjourned on the sarae day until January 2, 1894, at 2
o'clock P. M.
January 2, 1894. The court again convened. Joseph W. Jones,
who had been elected to succeed Judge Aikens in the second judicial
circuit, appeared and the oath of office was adrainistered to hira by
Judge Parliraan. 'George M. Higby was appointed official stenog
rapher, and the real business of the Noveraber terra of 1893 began.
Twenty-two civil cases were tried to a jury, resulting in thirteen
verdicts for the plaintiffs and nine for the defendants. One of the
iraportant trials at this terra of court was that of State vs Dr. A. M.
Fisher charg-ed with manslaughter. It was a case of abortion, and
the victim died on the 13th day of March, 1893. The following day,
upon learning of her death, he took the first train out of the state.
He was indicted at the April term, 1893, of the circuit court in Min
nehaha county, and was finally located at Doniphan, Missouri,
brought back to Sioux Palls and committed to jail June 14, 1893.
The writer, then state's attorney, assisted by Judge Aikens, ap
peared for the state and Judge John E. Garland for the defendant.
The trial lasted four days and resulted in a disagreement of the jury.
The case was again tried in the latter part of May, 1894, by the same
attorneys, and lasted three days and again resulted in a disagree-

102 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

ment of the jury, which at both trials had been about evenly divided.
Soon after this trial Fisher obtained bail, after having been in jail
for nearly a year, and at the next terra of court the case was dis
missed. There was only one other criminal case tried at this term
and resulted in a verdict of guilty. Court adjourned February 10,
1894. Ninth term, 1894. Court convened April 24. Joseph W. Jones,
judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; George A. Knott, sheriff;
Albion Thorne, clerk; George M. Higby and Miss Mary Strohecker,
stenographers. The grand jury found nineteen indictments, and
were discharged May 19. There were thirty-six jury trials, result
ing in twenty-four verdicts for the plaintiffs and ten for the defend
ants; in two cases the jury disagreed. Seven criminal cases were
tried, resulting in five verdicts of guilty, one not guilty, and one
disagreeraent of the jury. One of the persons found guilty was J.
Westley Hartwick, who had becorae quite notorious in Sioux Falls
and vicinity, having been charged with a good raany petty offenses,
and it was a relief to the community that he was given a home in the
penitentiary for a while, at least. Court adjourned June 4.
Tenth term, 1894. Court convened November 20. Joseph W.
Jones, judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; George A. Knott,
sheriff; Albion Thorne, clerk; George M. Higby, stenographer. At
the opening of the court, sixteen criminals confined in jail were
brought into court; no challenge being raade, the grand jury were
sworn and charged by the court as to their duties. Twentv-one in
dictments were found. Four persons plead guilty as charged in the
indictment, and five cases were tried to a jury, resulting in three
verdicts of guilty, one disagreeraent of the jury, and one verdict of
not guilty. In addition to the trials of crirainal cases frora Minne
haha county, was the trial of the Rev. John T. C. Wilson, indicted
for rape in Lincoln county and brought to Minnehaha county upon a
change of venue. He had been tried once in Lincoln county and
found guilty, and sentenced to fifteen years in the penitentiary! The
supreme court granted hira a new trial, which took place in Minne
haha county, as raentioned above. M. E. Rudolph, state's attorney
of Lincoln county, appeared for the state, and O. S. Gifford and
Judge Palraer for the defendant. The case was ably tried by the at
torneys on both sides, and the jury returned a verdict of not guiltv.
Twenty-five civil cases were tried to a jury, resulting in thirteen
verdicts for the plaintiffs and ten for the" defendants, and two disa
greements of the jury. Court adjourned January 25, 1895.
Eleventh term, 1895. Court convened April 23. Joseph W.
Jones, judge; Peter J. Rogde, state's attorney; C. W. Hubbard,
sheriff; Harry B. Carleton, clerk; George M. Higby, stenographer.
At this term of court sixteen indictments were found by the grand
jury. Five criminal cases were tried to a jury, resulting in three
convictions and two acquittals. Four persons plead guilty. Two
indictments were quashed, owing to an informality in drawing the
grand jury. Oneof the cases tried was against Mark Scott, pub
lisher of the Sioux Palls Journal, for crirainal libel. This case was
tried on both sides with great zeal and vigor, but the jurv returned

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 103

a verdict of guilty, and Scott was fined $100. Twenty-two civil cases
were tried to a jury, resulting in eleven verdicts for the plaintiffs
and ten for the defendants, and in one case the jury disagreed. The
most important civil cases tried at this terra were Kirby vs Howie,
and Wra. Plankinton, assignee, vs M. Grigsby, the verdict in the
last case being nearly $9,000. Two cases, in which the plaintiffs
asked for damages against the City of Sioux Palls for changing the
street grade in front of their property, were tried; in the case of
W. P. Carr, there was a verdict for the city, and in the case of
Frank Gillett the jury disagreed. The grand jurv was discharged
May 13, and court adjourned June 25.
Twelfth term, 1895. Court convened November 19. E. G.
Smith, judge; Peter J. Rogde, state's attorney; C. W. Hubbard,
sheriff; Harry B. Carleton, clerk; George M. Higby, stenographer.
Judge Sraith presided at the trial of a few cases that could not be
tried by Judge Jones. On the 2d day of December Judge Jones as
sumed the duties of judge. The grand jury reported to the court in
twenty cases, finding seven indictraents, and discharging thirteen
persons who had been bound over and was discharged Deceraber 18.
Two crirainal cases were tried to a jury, resulting in convictions.
Forty-three civil cases were tried to a jury. The court directed six
verdicts for the plaintiffs and four for the defendants. Seventeen
verdicts were returned for the plaintiffs and thirteen for the defend
ants, and the jury disagreed in three cases. The petit jury was dis
charged Januar\' 24, 1896. This was a business terra of court, and
more cases were tried than at any forraer term of court in the county,
and although there were sorae quite iraportant trials to the litigants
there was none of public interest. Court adjourned on the 8th day
of February, 1896.
Thirteenth term, 1896. The first day of the term was Tuesday,
April 28, but Judge Jones being necessarily absent. Clerk Carleton,
under direction of the judge, adjourned court until three o'clock
p. M., April 30, at which tirae court convened. J. W. Jones, judge;
Peter J. Rogde, state's attorney; C. W. Hubbard, sheriff; Harry B.
Carleton, clerk; George M. Higby, stenographer. The legislature
of 1895 abolished the grand jury, except when petitioned for and
ordered by the court, and this was the first terra of court without a
grand jury in attendance. The state's attorney filed three inform
ations. One crirainal and twenty civil cases were tried to a jury.
The court directed one verdict for plaintiff, and three for defend
ants, and the jury returned nine verdicts for the plaintiffs and six
for defendants and disagreed in one case. The criminal case re
sulted in a verdict of not guilty. The jury was discharged Ma}^ 29,
and the court adjourned June 12, 1896.
Fourteenth term, 1896. November 17th, the first day of the
term. Judge Jones was absent, and the clerk adjourned the court
until the 18th, and then until the 19th, for the same reason. On the
20th, Judge Jones returned, and the court convened on that day.
The following officers of the court were present: P. J. Rogde,
state's attorney; C. W. Hubbard, sheriff; H. B. Carleton, clerk;
George M. Higby, stenographer. Twenty-one civil cas^ were tried

104 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

to a jury. Eleven verdicts were returned for the plaintiffs, nine for
the defendants, and in one case the jury disagreed. The case of A.
S. Sherwood vs the City of Sioux Falls, for injuries received through
a defective sidewalk, was tried at this term, and a verdict rendered
for the plaintiff in the sum of $2,500. Joseph Kirby was fined $300
for conterapt of court. Alraost any other member of the Minnehaha
county bar, if fined this amount, would have been compelled to board
with the sheriff, for a tirae at least, but Joe drew his check and
smiled as though nothing unusual had occurred. There were only a
few criminal cases tried during the terra. Two persons pleaded
guilty to the charge of burglary and were sent to the penitentiary.
The jury was discharg-ed Deceraber 24, and the court adjourned Jan
uary 7, 1897.
Fifteenth terra, 1897. Court convened April 27. J. W. Jones,
judge; C. P. Bates, state's attorney; Den Donahoe, sheriff; W. J.
Crisp, Jr., clerk; G. M. Higby, stenographer. Owing to the fact
that crirainal charg-es of a peculiar character had been made against
certain persons. State's Attorney Bates asked the court to order a
grand jury to be sumraoned, which request the court complied with.
The grand jury returned eight indictments, one of them being
against the Rev. Richards of Dell Rapids. This case was continued,
and the defendant afterwards left the state and a disgusting trial was
avoided. The grand jury was discharged May 10. Two persons
pleaded guilty to petit larceny and were fined $10 each. One person
was found guilty of setting a prairie fire contrary to law, and fined
$10. The only other criminal case tried was the State vs Wemple,
who was charged with erabezzleraent. The jury found hira not
guilty. Every ex-states attorney of Minnehaha county will endorse
the statement that it is impossible to convict a person of the crime of
embezzlement in this county; the greater the embezzlement and
clearer the proof on the part of the prosecution, the greater the
nuraber of jurymen who will vote for acquittal. Twenty-one civil
cases were tried to a jury. Fifteen verdicts were rendered for the
plaintiffs, and five for the defendants, and in one case the jury dis
agreed. The jury was discharged June 9, and the court adjourned
June 24.
Special term. A special terra was called July 12, for the purpose
of considering the raatter of the disbarment of Joe Kirbv. The
hearing occupied one day only, and the court ordered that he be sus
pended frora the practice of law in all the courts of the state for the
terra of two years.
Sixteenth term, 1897. Court convened Deceraber 7. J. W. Jones,
judge; C. P. Bates, state's attorney; Den Donahoe, sheriff; Walter J.
Crisp, Jr., clerk; G. M. Higby, stenographer. There were twenty-
five civil cases tried to a jury. Fourteen verdicts were rendered for
the plaintiffs, and eleven verdicts for the defendants. This term of
court IS remarkable for the fact that two homicides occurred during
the term, and the persons charged with coramitting the offenses
were tried during the term. James Garrington was tried on the
charge of murder of one Alfred Erickson, and the jury found him
guilty and fixed the penalty of death; but the case was appealed to

JuDCiE Homer J. Whipple.

history op MINNEHAHA COUNTY 107

the supreme court and a new trial granted. The other was the case
of an affray between Gilbert Gilraan and John McDonald, shortly
after which affray McDonald suddenly expired. Gilraan was tried
for raanslaughter, but the jury found him not guilty. A brief ac
count of both these cases will be found elsewhere in this work. The
jury was discharged February 9, and the court adjourned Feb
ruary 14.
Seventeenth terra, 1898. Court convened May 24. Joseph W.
Jones, judge; C. P. Bates, state's attorney; Den Donahoe, sheriff; W.
J. Crisp, Jr., clerk; G. M. Higby, stenographer. Thirty-one civil
cases were tried to a jury. Eighteen verdicts were rendered for the
plaintiffs, and thirteen for the defendants. Six informations were
filed by the state's attorney. One person was sent to the peniten-
tiarj', and two found not guilty. Since the grand jury has been dis
pensed with, the state's attorney finds it a delicate matter to deter
mine what to do with a great raany of the cases where parties charged
with crirainal offenses have been held by justices of the peace to
answer to informations which may be filed against thera in the cir
cuit court. In most of the cases he has no opportunity of hearing
the testimony against them, and it naturally follows that more ver
dicts of not guilty will be rendered in criminal cases than there
would be if the cases were examined by a grand jury. The jury was
excused June 27, subject to the call of the clerk of the court, and the
court adjourned July 2.
Two terras of court have been held since the May terra, 1898, but
as the officers of the court were the sarae and nothing out of the usual
routine transpired and no trials took place of public interest, except
the retrial of James Garrington, we bring this chapter to a close with
the statement that the legislature in 1899, authorized the county cora
raissioners to petition the court for the drawing of a grand jury, and
that upon the petition of State's Attorney Bates the court ordered a
grand jury for the May terra, 1899.

PROBATE COURT.
Ole B. Iverson was the first probate judge in this county. He
.was elected treasurer and judge of probate in 1871, and qualified, but
there is no record of any business done by him during his term of
office. In 1872, H. J. Whipple was elected, and remained judge of
probate until January, 1875. On the first page of the record appears
a copy of the bond of W. R. McLaury as administrator of the estate
of Julius Heubschman, dated July 12, 1873, although a little further
on is the record of business having been transacted on the 5th of that
month. C. K. Howard was probate judge in 1875-6. During the first
five years after the probate court had been established, its business
was merely nominal, the records down to June, 1876, occupying only
twenty-five pages. This is readily accounted for by the scant popu
lation within its jurisdiction, the sraall nuraber of deaths occurring.

108 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

and the still sraaller nuraber of those dying who had enough prop
erty to adrainister upon. In 1877-8, C. W. McDonald held the office
of probate judge, and he was succeeded by R. C. Hawkins, who re
tained the sarae from January 1, 1879, until January, 1890, when
Edwin Parliman, who had been elected county judge with probate
jurisdiction, took charge of the office, and by re-elections frora time
to tirae held the office until January 1, 1897. The first will probated
was executed June 19, 1874, by Sylvia Herrick, and witnessed by
Wra. Van Eps and T. H. Brown. She died June 25, 1874. Previous
to 1890, there had been one hundred and fifty-eight estates and about
seventy cases of guardianship considered by the probate court. Dur
ing the first five years of Judge Parliman's administration there were
not less than four hundred and thirty estates and about one hundred
cases of guardianship acted upon. The estate of Dr. J. L. Phillips,
one of the pioneers of Sioux Palls, is the largest that has come under
the jurisdiction of this court to settle, except a few estates of people
who have died outside of the state having property in Minnehaha
county requiring adrainistration.

COUNTY COURT.
Sections nineteen, twenty and twenty-one of article five of the
constitution of South Dakota read as follows:
Sec. 19. There shall be elected in each organized county, a county judge who shall be
judge of the county court of said county, whose term of office shall be two years until otherwise
provided by law.
Sec. 20. County courts shall be courts of record and shall have original jurisdiction in all
matters of probate, guardianship and settlement of estates of' deceased persons, and such other
civil and criminal jurisdiction as may be conferred by law; provided, that such courts shall not
have jurisdiction in any case where the debt, damage, claim or value of property involved shall
exceed one thousand dollars except in matters of probate, guardianship and the estates of deceased
persons. Writs of error and appeal may be allowed from county to circuit courts, or to the su
preme court, in such cases and in such manner as may be prescribed by law; provided, that no
appeal or writ of error shall be allowed to the circuit court from any judgment rendered upon an
appeal from a justice of the peace or police magistrate for cities or towns.
Sec. 21. The county court shall not have jurisdiction in cases of felony, nor shall criminal
cases therein be prosecuted by indictinent; but they may have such jurisdiction in criminal
matters, not of the grade of felony, as the legislature m^y prescribe, and the prosecutions there
in may be by information or otherwise as the legislature may provide.
The legislature at its first session in 1890, enacted a law which
defined the jurisdiction of the county courts, provided for the prac
tice therein, and fixed the terms and salary of the judg-es.
This law provides that county judges be elected once in two
years, at the general election; that the county courts have jurisdic
tion in all raatters pertaining to the naturalization of citizens, the
probate of wills, the adrainistration and settleraent of estates of de
ceased persons, the guardianship of minors, insane and incompetent
persons, and the sale of real estate by executors, administrators and

Judge Robert C. Hawkins.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. Ill

guardians; that they have concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit
courts in cases wherein justices of the peace have jurisdiction, being
limited in amount according to the population of the counties, as fol
lows; in counties of ten thousand the county courts have jurisdiction
of cases involving not to exceed one thousand dollars, with a less
population not to exceed five hundred dollars, and a concurrent
jurisdiction with the circuit courts in all criminal offenses where the
punishraent is not imprisonnient iA the penitentiary, or death, or the
judgment raight be the reraoval frora office.
This law also provides that for the transaction of other business
than raatters relating to probate jurisdiction, county courts shall
hold two terras of court annually, naraely, on the first Tuesdays of
Januar}' and July, provided, that the terras of the circuit courts in
the respective counties do not interfere, in which case the county
judge may order a terra of court to be held at any tirae within three
raonths after the time fixed by law.
The legislature, in 1893, enacted a law that took away all juris
diction frora the county courts in counties having a population of
less than twenty thousand, except "exclusive original jurisdiction in
all matters of probate, guardianship and settlement of estates of de
ceased persons." Minnehaha and Lawrence are the only counties in
the state that have a population of twenty thousand, and conse
quently are the only counties in which these courts retain the juris
diction as conferred in the act of 1890.
Under the provisions of the constitution, Edwin Parliraan was
elected judge of the county court of Minnehaha county in Noveraber,
1889; Judge R. C. Hawkins was also a candidate. In 1890 Judge
Parliman was re-elected and again in 1892 and 1894.
At the tirae fixed for the first terra of the county court, the
circuit court was in session, and Judge Parliraan, on the 18th day of
August, 1890, ordered a general law term of the county court to be
held September 23, and the jurors were drawn and summoned to
serve at that time. On the 23d day of September, court convened.
D. R. Bailey, district attorney; John Sundback, sheriff; W. D.
Stites, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. The first jury trial was
that of John Johnson vs George Burnside, but the jury could not
agree upon a verdict, and was discharged. U. S. G. Cherry was
attorney for the plaintiff and Winsor & Kittredge for defendant.
One other case was tried to the jury, that of George Proctor vs M.
Grigsby, and verdict rendered for the plaintiff. The jury was dis
charged September 30. Some crirainal business was done at this
term of court, but nothing of iraportance. The court adjourned
November 1, 1890.
Second term, March, 1891. Court convened March 10. E. Par
liman, judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; John Sundback, sheriff;
Albion Thorne, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. For the same
reason as at the last term, court could not be held in January. At
this term there were ten jury trials — five civil and five criminal cases.
In the criminal cases three were convicted, one acquitted, and in one
case the jury disagreed. There were fifty cases upon the calendar.
The jury was discharged March 27.

112 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Third terra, July, 1891. Court convened July 7. E. Parliraan,
judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; John Sundback, sheriff; Albion
Thorne, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. No jury trials were had
at this terra.
Fourth term, March, 1892. Court convened March 16. E. Par
liman, judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; John Sundback, sheriff;
Albion Thorne, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. There were only
two criminal cases tried, one resulting in a verdict of guilty, and the
other of not guilty, it being a liquor prosecution in which the evi
dence was conclusive on the part of the prosecution, and when the
jury went out to consider the case, the defendant's attorney said:
"There will be a verdict of guilty returned within ten minutes."
Fourteen civil cases were tried to a jury, resulting in eleven verdicts
for the plaintiffs and two for the defendants, and one special verdict.
The last case was tried on the 30th day of March.
Fifth term, July, 1892. Court convened July 5. E. Parliman,
judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; John Sundback, sheriff; Albion
Thorne, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. This was a short, unim
portant term, with only three cases tried to a jury, resulting in ver
dicts for the plaintiffs. The last case was tried on the 18th day
of July. Sixth term, January, 1893. Court convened Januarv 3. E. Par
liman, judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; George A. Knott, sher
iff; Albion Thorne, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. There were
nineteen jury trials, resulting in sixteen verdicts for the plaintiffs,
two for the defendants and one disagreement of the jury. The last
case was tried January 21.
Seventh term, July, 1893. Court convened July 5. E. Parli
raan, judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; George A". Knott, sheriff;
Albion Thorne, clerk; E. P. White, stenographer. Twenty-three
civil cases were tried to a jury; nineteen verdicts were returned for
the plaintiffs and four for the defendants. The jury was discharged
July 17. J - ^
Eighth terra, March, 1894. Court convened March 12. E. Par
liraan, judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; George A. Knott, sheriff;
Albion Thorne, clerk; George M. Higby, stenographer. There were
five jury trials— one crirainal, with a verdict of guilty, and four civil,
with three verdicts for the plaintiffs, and one disagreement of the
jury. The last case was tried March 17.
Ninth term, July, 1894. Court convened July 31. E. Parliman,
•judge; D. R. Bailey, state's attorney; George" A. Knott, sheriff;
Albion Thorne, clerk; G. M. Higby, stenographer. There were no
jury trials at this term of court.
Tenth term, February, 1895. Court convened February 12. E.
Parliman judge; P. J. Rogde, state's attorney; C. W. Hubbard,
sheriff; Harry B. Carleton, clerk; G. M. Higby, stenographer.
Ihere were six jury trials at this terra of court, with three verdicts
tor the plaintiffs, two for the defendants and one disagreement of
the jury. *
Eleventh terra, July, 1895. Court convened July 2. E. Parli
man, judge; P. J. Rogde, state's attorney; C. W. Hubbard, sheriff;

Judge Edwin Parliman.

Judge William A. Wilkes.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 117

Harry B. Carleton, clerk; G. M. Higby, stenog-rapher. There were
seven civil cases tried to a jury. The jury was discharged on Tues
day, the 9th day of July.
Twelfth term, March, 1896. Court convened March 3. E. Par
liraan, judge; P. J. Rogde, state's attorney; C. W. Hubbard, sheriff;
Harry B. Carleton, clerk; T. G. Brown, stenographer. There were
eight civil cases tried to a jury, and seven verdicts rendered for the
plaintiffs, and one for the defendant. The jury was discharged
March 16.
Thirteenth terra, July, 1896. Court convened July 7. E. Par
liraan, judge; P. J. Rog-de, state's attorney; C. W. Hubbard, sheriff;
H. B. Carleton, clerk; T. G. Brown, stenog-rapher. One civil case
was tried to a jury, and verdict rendered for the plaintiff. The case
of State vs Sexton was tried at this terra, and verdict rendered
ag-ainst the defendant. Court adjourned July 17.
Fourteenth terra, February, 1897. Court convened February
2. W. A. Wilkes, judge; C. P. Bates, state's attorney; Den Dona
hoe, sheriff; Walter J. Crisp, Jr., clerk; T. G. Brown, stenog-rapher.
Eleven civil cases were tried to a jury. Five verdicts were rendered
for the plaintiffs and five for the defendants, and in one case the
jury disagreed. On the 10th day of Pebruarv the jury was dis
charged. Fifteenth term, July, 1891. Court convened July 13. W. A.
Wilkes, judg-e; C. P. Bates, state's attorney; Den Donahoe, sheriff;
W. J. Crisp, Jr., clerk; Thoraas Wilkes, stenographer. Five civil
cases were tried to a jury. Three verdicts were rendered for the
plaintiffs, one for the defendant, and in one case the jury disagreed.
The jury was discharg-ed July 23.
Sixteenth terra, February, 1898. Court convened February 28.
W. A. Wilkes, judg-e; C. P. Bates, state's attorney; Den Donahoe,
sheriff; W. J. Crisp, Jr., clerk; Ernest Wilkes, stenog-rapher. Seven
cases were tried to a jury. Two verdicts were rendered for the
plaintiffs, and five for the defendants. Court adjourned March 11.
Seventeenth terra, July, 1898. Court convened July 19. W. A.
Wilkes, judge; C. P. Bates, state's attorney; Den Donahoe, sheriff;
W. J. Crisp, Jr., clerk; Miss Alice Bassett, stenographer. Only
two cases were tried, and court adjourned Jul}^ 25.
Eighteenth terra, February, 1899. Court convened February
14. W. A. Wilkes, judge; C. P. Bates, state's attorney; Den Dona
hoe, sheriff; W. J. Crisp, Jr., clerk. This was a short tenn, with
only a few cases.
Nineteenth term, July, 1899. Court convened July 11, and ad
journed July 15. The judge and other officers of the court were the
same as the term preceding. A few jury trials were had.

CHAPTER IV.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS — TERRITORIAL AND
STATE OFFICERS.
Three conventions have raet at different tiraes in the city of
Sioux Falls, each of which drafted a state constitution which was
subraitted to the vote of the people within the present liraits of the
State of South Dakota. The instrument prepared by the last conven
tion is the constitution under which the state was adraitted into
the Union. To this result the citizens of this county contributed
their full proportion of labor and thought. It is fitting therefore,
that a brief history of what was known at the tirae as "the struggle
for statehood" should appear in this volume.
During the session of the territorial legislature in 1883, a bill
passed both Houses providing- for a constitutional convention to be
held at the capital in October of that year for the purpose of framing
a constitution for a state to comprise all that portion of the Terri
tory of Dakota south of the forty-sixth parallel. This measure did
not becorae a law, owing to the fact that Governor Ordway would not
approve it, and did not return it to the legislature with his objections.
At the same session of the leg-islature the seat of government
was removed from Yankton, and a commission of nine were appointed
to locate and establish it elsewhere on or before the first day of July,
1883. The course of the governor and his supposed hostility to the
southern portion of the territory, and the fact that the seat of gov
ernment was on wheels and would probably be located at some place
without regard to the convenience of that portion of the territory
south of the forty-sixth parallel, aroused the representative men in
this section, and disregarding all former affiliations, they determined
to ptit in operation the machinery to secure statehood as quickly as
possible. A delegate convention of the people was called to be held at
Huron June 1'), to devise a plan of action. Prior to the raeeting of
the convention sorae strong articles were published in the news
papers, advocating the right of the people south of the forty-sixth
parallel to proceed at once to organize a state. The division of the
territory having been refused by Congress, and the usual method
of adopting a constitution and asking for adraission into the Union
having been prevented by the adverse action of Governor Ordway,

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 119

it was urged that the people could exercise their reserved and ex
traordinary rig-hts vested in thera by the constitution of the United
States, and in their sovereign capacity create a state.
The convention assembled. It was coraposed of the strongest
and most capable men then residing in the territory represented.
It was a great convention in every respect, and did its work with a
calm deliberation and sagacity that encouraged the friends of the
raoveraent. The address to the people, setting forth the causes
leading to the deraand of division and adraission, rose to the highest
plane of assertion of political rights. A great metropolitan news
paper at the time, in commenting- upon this address, said: "There
must be a copy of the Declaration of Independence somewhere in the
southern part of Dakota territory." E. W. Caldwell of Sioux Falls
was chairraan of the coraraittee which prepared the address.
The ordinance adopted by this convention presented a full and
concise stateraent of the facts as they existed, and resolved
and ordained "that for the purpose of enabling- the people of that
part of Dakota south of the forty-sixth parallel to organize and forra
a state governraent and raake application for adraission into the
Union of the States, a delegate convention is hereby called to raeet
at Sioux Palls on Tuesday the 4th day of Septeraber, 1883, for the
purpose of fraraing- a state constitution republican in forra, and
doing and perforraing all other things essential to the preparation of
the territory for raaking application to the general government for
the admission of such part of Dakota into the Union of the States,
and that said convention shall be composed of one hundred and fifty
raerabers." This ordinance also provided that the election of the
raerabers to this convention should be held on August 1, and provided
for the canvass of the returns and issuing of certificates to the per
sons elected.
In selecting the place for holding the constitutional convention,
the final vote stood, Sioux Palls 212, Deadwood 92.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, 1883.
On the day appointed, 120 delegates elected to this convention
raet at Germania hall in Sioux Falls and the remainder of the dele
gates were all present before the close of the convention.
The late Hon. John R. Gamble called the convention to order,
and J. W. Taylor of Canton, acted as secretary. The roll of the
delegates was called, and then, upon the request of the chairman,
the Rev. J. N. McLoney, pastor of the Congregational church at
Sioux Falls, offered prayer. Hon. Jefferson P. Kidder, associate
justice of the suprerae court, adrainistered the oath to all of the del
egates present. A. C. Mellette was called to the chair. On the
second day, the perraanent organization of the convention was
effected by the election of the Hon. Bartlett Tripp, president; C. H.
Winsor, secretary; H. M. Avery, first assistant secretary; and T. A.
Kingsbury, second assistant secretary; Joseph M. Dickson, sergeant-

120 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

at-arms; Lynn Parmley, William McCormack, Sioux Grigsby and
George Dickson were appointed pages.
The executive committee appointed at the Huron convention re
ported as soon as the convention was organized, that it had received
$.590.50, and expended $413.50, leaving a balance of $177.00, which
was turned over to the convention.
On the third day of the convention Mrs. Marietta Bones, of Day
count}-, obtained permission to address the convention for five rain
utes in support of a petition, which she presented frora the citizens
of Day county, asking that "a section providing for feraale suffrage
be incorporated in the constitution." Perraission was granted, and she
addressed the convention for four rainutes only. In justice to Mrs.
Bones, we ought perhaps to say, she has since then been converted
and is now opposed to female suffrage. After the appropriate com
mittees had been appointed, the convention went to work with a will,
and during the g-reater part of the tirae held three sessions daily.
It corapleted its work and adjourned on the 19th day of September.
No abler body of men ever assembled within the boundaries of
the State of South Dakota for any purpose whatever. To enumerate
all those in the convention who were strong- representative men,
qualified and equipped for the work they had to do, would result in
alraost a coraplete roll call of its members.
The members from Minnehaha county were R. P. Pettigrew,
M. Grigsby, W. W. Brookings, B. P. Campbell, John Bippus, Albion
Thorne, G. D. Bannister and W. C. Lovering.
The constitution adopted was an admirable document, and by
comparison with the organic law of the State of South Dakota at the
present time, it will be seen that this convention did not labor in
vain. The incorporation of prohibition was strenuously advocated,
but the convention wisely concluded that it was inexpedient to burden
its adoption at the polls with such an issue. But to allay all opposi
tion to it for this reason, the constitution provided that amendments
should be submitted to the vote of the people whenever a majority of
the members elected to the legislature should vote to do so, "and also
any amendment asked for by a petition to the legislature of five
thousand legal voters, should' be submitted to a vote of the people
within six months after the adjournment of the legislature. The
vote upon the adoption of this constitution was 12,336 for, and 6,814
against. The vote in Minnehaha county was sraall, but there was an
even five hundred raajority against its adoption.
The following coraraittee was appointed by the convention to
wait upon Congress with the constitution in the interest of admission
to statehood: Bartlett Tripp of Yankton, A. G. Kellam of Chamber-
t""'.' ??''?> ^- ^ hiteside of Vermillion, M. H. Dav of Springfield,
John M. Peas;e of Mt. Vernon, W. H. Bravton of Ree Heights, S. H.
Bronson of Howard, James A. Ward of Pierre, John Cain of Huron,
y S; Hager of Mitchell, O. S. Gifford of Canton, George Freeman
of Elk Point, James Baynes of Alexandria, P. M. Goody koontz of
Chamberlain Robert Dollard of Scotland, C. H. Winsor and W. W.
Brookings of Sioux Falls, Newton Edmunds of Yankton, A. C. Mel
lette of Watertown, B. G. Caulfield and G. C. Moody of Deadwood,

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY 121

H. J. Campbell of Yankton, E. W. Poster of Frankfort, Thomas
Sterling of Northville, A. Boynton of Lennox, R. W.Welch of Plank
inton, and R. C. Lake and C. L. Wood of Rapid City.
The convention also appointed an executive committee and
clothed them with power to advance the cause of statehood, but as
there was a restrictive clause in the schedule declaring- "that noth
ing- in this constitution and schedule contained shall be so construed
as to authorize any officer elected under the provisions of this con
stitution to undertake the exercise or discharg-e of his official duties,
until this constitution shall take effect by the admission of the state
into the Union," no effective work was done by them.
After the Huron convention, but before the adoption of this con
stitution, the seat of governinent was located at Bismarck. This act
on the part of the coraraissioners only intensified the feeling in
southern Dakota for division and adraission.
A great effort was raade in the northern part of Dakota to create
a sentiraent throughout the territory in favor of "One Great State"
and it had its advocates south of the forty-sixth parallel; but the
southern people could not be converted to this view, and dav by day
g-rew raore and more deterrained that a division of the territory
should be raade, and statehood accoraplished.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, 1885.
Early in the suraraer of 1884, an active carapaign was inaugurated
in South Dakota to secure the election of members to the legislature
to convene at Bismarck in Januar}^ 1885, who were favorable to the
division of the territory, and statehood for that part south of the
fortj-sixth parallel.
The object of this was to obtain the passage of a law authoriz
ing the holding- of a constitutional convention to draft a constitution
for southern Dakota, and to provide the means for defraying- the ex
penses of such convention.
It was a successful campaign. The "Band Wagon" labeled "For
Division and Adraission" was driven all over southern Dakota, and its
approach was a source of great rejoicing and enthusiasm by all the
candidates for legislative honors.
The legislature convened and a bill was promptly introduced
and passed, authorizing- the holding of a constitutional convention at
Sioux Falls, September 8, 1885.
Preceding- the enacting clause in this law, there was a preamble
setting forth that the welfare of the people would be promoted by
the establishraent of a permanent government, sovereign in char
acter, republican in form; that the territorial system of governraent
had no stability, was teraporary in character, possessed no sovereign
power, did not raeet the requirements of the people; that it had al
ways been the wise policy of the uresent governraent to foster and
encourage the developraent and settlement of the territories until
such time as their population should be sufficiently numerous to en-

122 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

title them to be admitted into and become a part of the United
States, and that that part of the Territory of Dakota south of the
forty-sixth parallel, contained a population sufficient to entitle it to
adraission, and that Congress had so declared by its action upon
the bill for the adraission of such part of Dakota into the Union; that
it had all the other necessary qualifications, and that the people were
desirous of being enfranchised and enjoy all the privileges of Araer
ican citizenship.
At the time of the enactment of this law, Gilbert A. Pierce was
governor, and he approved it March 9, 1885.
This law provided for the election of three delegates on the 30th
day of June, 1885, apportioned among the several counties of south
ern Dakota; and that each county that should be organized before
the date of the election, should be entitled to one delegate in the con
vention. The compensation of the members of the convention was fixed
at $2.50 for each day's attendance, and five cents a mile for each mile
necessarily traveled in going to and returning from such convention.
This act directed the convention when assembled, to draft a
constitution for that portion of Dakota south of the forty-sixth par
allel, and to provide for an election by the people of the proposed
state, at which election the constitution should be subraitted to the
people for ratification; that the state officers, raerabers of Congress,
raerabers of the legislature and all other officers provided for in the
constitution should be elected, and that the convention should have
power to provide all necessary means for holding- such election, and
for assembling such legislature when elected, and for carrying into
effect all the purposes of such constitution.
It also conferred the power on the convention to provide the
manner of presenting the constitution to the Congress of the United
States, and to do and ordain all things necessary to be done for the
purpose of carrying into effect the government of the state as soon
as it should be admitted to the Union.
It also appropriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses
of the convention the sum of twenty thousand dollars; but provided
that the members should not receive pay for a session of more than
thirty days.
The convention asserabled at noon on the 8th day of September,
1885, at Germania hall, in the city of Sioux Falls, and was called to
order by the Hon. John H. Teller, secretary of the territory, and
prayer was offered by the Rev. A. Jaraieson, pastor of the Methodist
church at Sioux Falls. The roll of the delegates elected was then
called by Secretary Teller, and the oath adrainistered by hira to all
those who were present. The Hon. A. J. Edgerton was unaniraously
elected president; John Cam of Huron, secretary, and H. M. Avery
of Sioux Palls, assistant secretary.
Upon the organization being perfected, Henry Neil of Grant
offered a resolution that the convention adjourn sine die This
resolution was prefaced by a preamble declaring that it was not the
desire of the people of the territory that the southern portion should
be adraitted separately to statehood; but that they desired admission
of the whole territory as one state. A raotion was raade that the

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.. 123

resolution be laid on the table, and upon the yeas and nays being
called for, it resulted in 59 votes A>;- and 12 against, whereupon a mo
tion was made to reconsider the motion to lav on the table, and
that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, which rao
tion prevailed without division. The necessary committees were
then appointed and the rules and order of business adopted, and the
convention, in imitation of its predecessor of 1883, went at the work
before it with commendable proraptitude and energy. This conven
tion had araong its members a large number of the "old war horses"
in the interest of statehood for southern Dakota, quite a number of
them having been prominent leaders in the convention of 1883. It
was a distinguished, representative body of raen. The delegates
frora Minnehaha county were: E. P. Beebe, A. J. Berdahl, W. W.
Brooking-s, C. S. Gifford and J. B. Goddard.
The convention concluded its labors on the 22d day of Septem
ber, having- been in session the sarae number of days as the one two
years previous.
The constitution fraraed by this convention is the Org-anic Law
of the State of South Dakota.
As independent propositions, the convention submitted the
questions of prohibition and minority representation.
On Tuesday, the 3d day of Noveraber, an election was held to
deterraine whether the constitution should be ratified or rejected,
and also to determine whether prohibition and minority representa
tion should beeorae a part of the constitution in the event of its rati
fication. The election resulted in the ratification of the constitution by a
vote of 2S,12>2 for and 6,522 against.
The vote on prohibition was V~>,SS2 for and 15,218 against.
The vote on rainority representation was 11,256 for and 16,640
against. The question of temporary seat of government resulted in the
following vote: Huron, 12,695"; Pierre, 10,574; Sioux Palls, 3,338;
Chamberlain, 3,170; Alexandria, 1,374; scattering, 602.
The official returns of the election in Minnehaha county were as
follows: for the constitution 1,298, against 515; for prohibition 901,
against 886; for seat of government, Sioux Palls 1,842, Pierre 29,
Huron 5.
The following state officers were elected: A. C. Mellette, gover
nor; A. E. Frank, lieutenant governor; Hugh S. Murphy, secretary
of state; Frank Alexander, auditor; D. W. Diggs, treasurer; Robert
Dollard, attorney general; A. S. Jones, superintendent of instruction;
W. H. H. Beadle, land coraraissioner. Judges of the suprerae court,
A. G. Kellara, Dighton Corson, and John E. Bennett. Circuit judge,
H. H. Keith. Representatives to Congress, O. S. Gifford, T. D.
Kanouse. State senators, C. E. McKinney, G. H. Johnson. Repre
sentatives frora Minnehaha county, Lewis Lyman, J. R. Manning,
E. P. Beebe, and Lemuel Shaw. There was only one ticket in the
field in this county.
Before closing its work the convention appointed an executive
committee, and empowered it, in the event of the ratification of the
constitution in November, to call the senators and representatives

124 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

elected together at such place as should be selected as the temporary
seat of government, to organize as the legislature of Dakota, and to
exercise and perform the duties devolving upon them as such legis
lature under the constitution. The chairman of the comraittee was
Hugh J. Campbell, and immediately after the canvass of the vote on
the 25th day of November, the committee directed the raerabers elect
to meet at Huron on the 14th day of December.
A brief statement of what was done by this legislature may not
be out of place here. Almost the entire number elected presented
themselves at Huron at the appointed tirae, and the oath of office was
administered to thera by Hugh J. Campbell. Both Houses proceeded
at once to elect the usual officers of such bodies. Imraediately there
after the two Houses raet in joint session, and Mr. Campbell adrain
istered the oath of office to the state officers, including the judges of
the supreme court. This completed the first day's work.
The next day Governor Mellette delivered his message to both
Houses assembled in joint session. The most remarkable feature of
this messag-e was, in substance, the declaration that the State of
Dakota a politic, created by the people, was a State not only de facto,
but de jure. Of course he did not mean to encourag-e rebellion
against the United States governraent, but did raean to be eraphatic
enoug'h in regard to the clairas of the people, to attract the attention
of Congress. During- the same day the senate and house proceeded
to vote for United States senators. In the senate G. C. Moody re
ceived 31 votes, being the entire nuraber of senators present. A. J.
Edgerton and Hug-h J. Campbell were then placed in noraination, and
Edgerton received 27 votes and Carapbell 3 votes. In the house the
first ballot resulted in 52 votes for Edgerton and 36 for Carapbell.
The second ballot stood 70 for Moody and 60 for Carapbell.
The third day the senate and house met in joint session, when
A. J. Edg-erton and G. C. Moody were declared elected United
States senators.
A memorial to Congress supplementary to those that had been
made by and under the authority of the convention passed, and on
the 17th day of December, 1885, the leg-islature adjourned.
Prom this time on during the years 1886-7-8, the attention of
Congress was called to the condition of affairs in southern Dakota,
and urg-ed to enact such legislation as would result in the division of
the territory, and the admission of southern Dakota as a state. O. S.
Gifford, was territorial delegate to Congress during all this time, and
raade great effort to obtain the necessary legislation, but nothing
was accomplished until the Springer enabling act was approved by
PresidentClevelandonthe22ddayof February, 1889. This act divided
the Territory of Dakotaonthe seventh standard parallel, and fixed the
tirae when and the place where each should raeet to frarae a constitu
tion, how the constitutions should be subraitted to the vote of the
people, and if ratified and republican in form and in compliance with
all requirements of the Constitution of the United States, they
should become the States of North Dakota and South Dakota.
The time fixed for the constitutional convention for South Da
kota was July 4, 1889, and Sioux Falls was selected as the place where
the convention should meet.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 125

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, 1889.
At the hour of 12 o'clock meridian, the members elect of the con
stitutional convention asserabled in Germania hall in Sioux Falls, and
were called to order by Dighton Corson, one of the members. Prayer
was offered by the Rev. L. N. Stratton, and when the roll was called,
nearly all the delegates responded to their names. Chief Justice
Tripp then administered the oath, which was taken and subscribed
by the members. A. J. Edgerton and S. B. VanBuskirk were nom
inated for president of the convention, but no ballot was taken. Van
Buskirk withdrawing- his name, and A. J. Edgerton was unaniraously
elected by acclamation. E. W. Caldwell was elected clerk pro tera.
On the 5th day of Jul\ , the organization was corapleted by the
election of subordinate officers. P. A. Burdick of Vermillion was
elected chief clerk; Dr. A. W. Hyde of Brookings, enrolling and en
grossing clerk; James Carney of Deadwood, serg-eant-at-arms; Rev.
J. A. Wakefield of Brooking-s, chaplain; Albert J. Keith, Charles C.
Walts and Prank E. Clough, pages.
Although the work of this convention was brought into a liraited
field, it did not conclude its labors and adjourn until the Sth day oi
Aug-ust. The enabling act or "Omnibus Bill" as it was called, proxided,
that at the election of delegates to the South Dakota constitutional
convention of 1889, the constitution of 1885, and also the articles and
propositions separately submitted, should be submitted to the \c)te
of the people, and if it should again be ratified, then that constitution
should onlv be amended or added to in such matters "as relate to
the name and boundary of the proposed state, to the reapportionment
of the judicial and legislative districts, and such araendraents as may
be necessary in order to comply with the provisions of this act; and
if a majority of the votes cast on the ratification or rejection of the
constitution shall be for the constitution irrespective of the articles
separately submitted, the State of South Dakota shall be admitted as
a State in the Union under said constitution, as hereinafter provided."
At the time of the election of delegates. May 14, 1889, the ques
tion of the ratification of the Sioux Palls constitution was submitted,
and it was ratified by a vote of more than ten to one.
The members from Minnehaha countv to this convention were:
Wm. Van Eps, E. W. Caldwell and Clark G. Coats.
The enabling act required that if the constitution of 1885 should
be ratified at the election in May, it should be the duty of the consti
tutional convention of 1889 to provide by ordinance for re-submitting-
it to a vote of the people on the first Tuesday in October. This re
quirement the convention complied with, and the constitution was
ratified at the election by an alraost unaniraous vote, there being only
3,247 votes against it.
The vote on the prohibition clause was 39,509 for, and 33,45*)
against. There was a raajority of 21,588 against rainority repre
sentation. The vote for temporary seat of government was as follows:
Pierre, 27,096; Huron, 14,944; Watertown, 11,970; Sioux Palls, 11,763;
Mitchell, 7,506; Chamberlain, 2,414; scattering, 44.

126 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

TERRITORIAL AND STATE OFFICERS.

TERRITORIAL OFFICERS, 1861-1889.
Governors. — William Jayne, 1861-3; Newton Edmunds, 1863-6;
A. J. Faulk, 1866-9; John A. Burbank, 1869-74; John L. Pennington,
1874-8; Wm. A. Howard, 1878-80 (died in office April 10, 1880); N. G.
Ordway, 1880-4; Gilbert A. Pierce, 1884-7; Louis K. Church, 1887-9.
Secretaries. — John Hutchinson, 1861-5; S. L. Spink, 1865-9;
T. M. Wilkins, 1869-70; G. A. Bachelder, 1870-2; E. S. McCook,
1872-3 (assassinated September, 1873, by Peter P. Wintermute);
Oscar Whitney, 1873-4; Geo. H. Hand, 1874-83; J. M. Teller, 1883-6;
Michael L. McCorraack, 1886-9.
Chief Justices. — Philemon Bliss, 1861-4; Ara Bartlett, 1865-9;
George W. French, 1869-73; Peter S. Shannon, 1873-81; A. J. Edger
ton, f881-5; Bartlett Tripp, 1885-9.
Associate Justices. — S. P. Williston, 1861-5; J. S. Williams,
1861-4; Ara Bartlett, 1864-5; W. E. (ileason, 1865-6; J. P. Kidder,
1865-75; J. W. Boyle, 1864-69; W. W. Brookings, 1869-73; A. H.
Barnes, 1873-81; G. G. Bennett, 1875-9; G. C. Moodv, 1878-83; J. P.
Kidder, 1878-83 (died in office); C. S. Palmer, 1883-7"; S. A. Hudson,
1881-5; Wm. E. Church, 1883-() (resignedj; L. K. Church, 1885-7;
Seward Sraith, 1884; W. H. P\-ancis, 1884-8; John E. Garland, 1887-');
William B. McConnell, 1885-9; Charles M. Thomas, 1886-9; James
Spencer, 1887-9; Roderick Rose, 1888-9; Charles P. Templeton, 1888-9;
Louis W. Crofoot, 1888-9; Frank R. Aikens, 1889.
United States District Attorneys. — Wm.E.Gleason, 1861-4;
(ieorge H. Hand, 1866-9; Warren Coles, 1869-73 (died in officej; Wil
liam Pound, 1873-7 (died in office); Hug-h J. Campbell, 1877-85; John
E. Garland, 1885-8; William E. Purcell, 1888-9; John C. Murphy, 1889.
Surveyors-General. — George D. Hill, 1861-5; Wra. "Tripp,
1865-9; W. H. H. Beadle, 1869-73; Wm. P. Dewey, 1873-7; Henrv
Esperson, 1877-81; Cortez Fessenden, 1881-5; Maris T^iylor, 1885-9.
United States Marshals.— William P. Shaffer, 18()1; George
M. Pinney, 1861-5; L. H. Litchfield, 1865-72; J. H. Burdick, 1872-7;
John B. Raymond, 1877-81; Harrison Allen, 1881-5; Daniel W.Maratta,
1885-9. Delegates to Congress.— In 1861, J. B. S. Todd, Democrat,
the first candidate for delegate to Congress, was elected over A. J.
Bell and H. O. Booge, Republicans, Todd receiving 397 votes; Bell,
78; Booge, 110. In 1862, Governor Jayne and J. B. S. Todd were
opposing candidates, Jayne receiving 237 votes and Todd, 221. Todd
contested Jayne's seat and was successful. The succeeding dele
gates m Congress were as follows: W. A. Burleigh, in 1864, de
feated his opponent Todd, for a third term. In 1866, Burleigh was
again successful, despite the opposition of W. W. Brookings, also a
Republican. In 1868, there was a lively campaign, Burleigh being a
candidate on an Independent ticket for a third term, opposed bv
S. L. Spink, Republican, J. P. Kidder and J. W. -Tohey, Independ"-

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 127

ents, and J. B. S. Todd, Democrat. Spink, the Republican nomi
nee, was successful, and in 1870 was again a candidate, as was also
Dr. Burleigh, against M. K. Armstrong-, Democrat. The latter was
successful, however, and in 1872, was re-elected after a bitter cam
paign, in which G. C. Moody and Judge Brookings were the op
posing- candidates. In 1874, J. P. Kidder was the Republican nomi
nee, opposed by Armstrong, who wanted a third terra. Kidder was
successful, and in 1876, was re-elected over his opponent, Spink,
who in this carapaign had been norainated by the Democrats. In
1878, Judge G. G. Bennett, Republican, was the successful candi
date against Bartlett Tripp, and in 1880, R. P. Pettigrew, Republi
can, defeated Capt. M. L. McCormack, Democrat. In 1882, John B.
Raymond, Republican, was elected over Judge Brookings, and in
1884 was a candidate for re-nomination, but after one of the hottest
political contests in the history of the territory, was defeated for
re-nomination by O. S. Gifford, who was elected, and in 1886, re
elected and served four years. In 1884, Judge Gifford was opposed
by J. R. Wilson, Democrat, of the Black Hills, and in 1886 by M. H.
Day. In 1888, George A. Matthews was nominated by the Republi
cans and elected, but by reason of the territory being organized
into the States of North Dakota and South Dakota in 1889, Matthews
never had a seat in Congress.
Number of Votes Cast for Delegates, 1861-88.

1861

585

1870

3,227

1880

28,474

1862

458

1872

3,733

1882

47,185

1864

607

1874

6,788

1884

86,937

1866

743

1876

8,614

1886

104,802

1868

3,878

1878

17,653

1888

114,130

here is

no recoi

rd of the Red River Valley vote

for 1866.

FEDERAL AND STATE OFFIC ERS,
1889-1899.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT.
Soon after South Dakota had become a state, A. J. Edgerton was
appointed United States district judge for the district of South Da
kota, and held this office until his death, which occurred on the 9th
day of August, 1896, and on the 31st day of the sarae month he was
succeeded by John E. Garland, who is the present judge. W. B.
Sterling was United States district attorney from 1889 to 1893, E. W.
Miller from 1893 to April, 1897, when J. D. Elliott was appointed.
Cyrus Fry was marshal frora 1889 to 1893, Otto Peemiller frora 1893
to 1897, when Edward G. Kennedy was appointed. Oliver S. Pendar
was appointed clerk of the district court June 30, 1890, and of the

128 history op MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

circuit court June 17, 1890, and has held this last naraed position
since then. Charles E. Mellette was appointed clerk of the district
court October 29, 1891, and held this office until Deceraber 26, 1896,
when Mr. Pendar was again appointed. W. H. Lyon was appointed
United States commissioner April 7, 1890, and held this office until
July 1, 1897, when D. J. Conway was appointed.
United States Senators. — R. P. Pettigrew, 1889, re-elected
in 1895; G. C. Moody, 1889 to 1891; J. H. Kyle, 1891, re-elected in
1897. Members of Congress.— J. A. Pickler, 1889-97; O. S. Gifford,
1889-91; J. R. Gamble, 1891, died, and J. L. JoUey was elected to fill
out the term 1891-3; W. V. Lucas, 1893-5; Robert J. Gamble, 1895-7;
Freeman Knowles and J. P. Kelley, 1897-9; Robert J. Gamble and
C. H. Burke present incumbents.
Governors.— A. C. Mellette, 1889-93; Charles H. Sheldon,
1893-7; Andrew E. Lee, 1897-9, re-elected in 1898.
Secretaries.— A. O. Ringsrud, 1889-93; Thomas Thorson,
1893-7; W.H.Roddle, 1897-9, re-elected in 1898.
Auditors.— L. C. Taylor, 1889-93; J. E. Hippie, 1893-7; Henry
E. Mayhew, 1897-9; Jaines D. Reeves elected in 1898.
Treasurers.— W. P. Smith, 1889-91; W. W. Tavlor, 1891-5;
Kirk G. Phillips, 1895-9; John Schamber elected in 1898.'
Attorneys General.— Robert Dollard, 1889-93; Coe I. Craw
ford, 1893-7; Melvin Grigsby, 1897-9; John L. Pyle elected in 1898.
Supreme Court Judges.— Alphonso G. Kellara, 1889, resigned
in January, 1895, and Dick Haney was appointed to fill out the term
and is the present incurabent; Dighton Corson, 1889, present incum
bent; John E. Bennett, 1889 to 1893, when he was re-elected, but
died Deceraber 31, 1893, before taking the oath of office, and was suc
ceeded by H. G. Puller by appointraent January 14, 1894, who is the
present incurabent.

CHAPTER V.

PLATS AND STATISTICS.

BENTON CEMETERY— 5-102-50.
Blocks 1-22 and outlets i and 2 and lots A, B, C, D, E, F. Platted by the Swedish Evangel
ical Lutheran Congregation of Benton, and recorded on December 23, 1893, in book 4 of plats, on
page 9. BRANDON— 34-102-48.
Blocks i-S. Platted by the Worthington & Sioux Falls R. R. Co., and recorded on Septem
ber 18, 1878, in book i of plats, on page 7.
BEN CLARE— 33-101-47.
Blocks 1-7. Platted by Benjamin B. Richards, and recorded on September 24, 18S8, on page
47, in plat book No. i. BOOGE— I0-I02-47.I
Blocks 1-9. Platted by John R. Manning and Sarah E. Manning, and recorded on January
21, 1S91, in book 3 of plats, on page 22. BALTIC— S-103-49.
Blocks 1-4. Platted by John O. Langness and Annie E. Langness, and recorded October 21,
1S89, in book 3 of plats, on page 3. CORSON— 22-102-48.
Blocks i-io. Platted by E. A. Sherman, and recorded May 18, 1SS8, in book i of plats, on
page 42. DELL RAPIDS— Parts of 9, 10 and 16-104-49.
Blocks 1-22. Platted by J. E. Ervin, Clara Ervin, E. A. Ervin and Lida M. Ervin, and re
corded on November 12, 1872, in book i of plats, on page 2.
Blocks 23-^2. Platted by J. E. Ervin, Clara E. Ervin, Robert S. Alexander and Esther M.
Alexander, and recorded in book i of plats, on page 3, October 5, 1875.
Blocks 43-46. Platted by Peter Morse and Phoebe Morse, and recorded on page 3 in plat
book No. I, July 31, 1882.
Blocks 47-81. Platted by Peter Morse, Phoebe S. Morse, John A. McAlmon, Bessie McAl-
mon. Gust Anderson, Christine Anderson, Peter Morse, Julia I. Morse, T. P. Sorkilmo, Martha
S. Rice, Dennis Rice, H. S. Osterkill, Ingrid Osterkill and the Dell Rapids Bank, and recorded
August 8, 1888, in book i of plats on page 44.
Blocks 1-18. Platted by Byron D. Graves, Lydia L. Graves, C. H. McFarlin, Mrs. C. H. Mc-
Farlin, Sophia W. Sibbison, W. J. Sibbison, S. G. Averill, Delia E. Averill, W. A. Eppard, F. M.
Eppard, George H. Johnson, Etta E. Johnson, George Rae, Ann Rae, John Reid, Catharine Reid,
John H. Davis, Margaret Davis, J. E. Fargo, Mrs. J. E. Fargo, Mrs. C. A. Kenefick, M. R. Ken
efick, Nellie M. Way, B. T. Way, Thos. G. Hawley, Mrs. C. S. Gifford, C. S. Gifford, J. C. Nisbet,
Eli A. Richardson, Aner Richardson, O. H. Smith, Jacobine Smith, Samantha Pryde, Mariam E
Merrill, Walter Crisp, Lottie Crisp, P. W . Howland, Mattie L. Howland, and recorded September
24, 188S, in book i of plats, on page 47.

130 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Block "M", lots 1-8. Platted by Robert S.Alexander and Esther M. Alexander, and re
corded July I, 1887, in book i of plats, on page 31.
People's Apdition, blocks 1-4. Platted by M. R. Kenefick, C. A. Kenefick, Benjamin T.
Way, Nellie M. Way, B. R. Bentson, Olivia Benison, Will S. Metcalf, Eda M. Metcalf, J. C. Pe
dersen, Karen Pedersen, Jens Sorensen, M. W. Garrigan, Mary Garrigan, Gunder Olson, Bergith
Olson, S. J. Eggen, Annie Eggen, R. W. Howland, N. S. Nelson, Mary Nelson, Daniel F. Jones
Alice L. Jones, John Orr, O. F. Bowles, Agnes On-, Andreas G, Holton, Pauline Holton, N. Tyk-
son, Mary N. Tykson, John McDonald, Margaret McDonald, John Holmgren, Fredrik Holm
gren, The Dell Rapids Bank, Augusta Green Lindquist, Gust Lindquist, John Hess, Magdalene
Hess, A. N. Johnson, Minnie Johnson, George Peterson, Peter Peterson, Harry Noble, Adeline C.
Noble, Henry A. Cadd, Annie R. D. Cadd, Eliza A. Spensley, and recorded March 13, 1890, in
book 3 of plats, on page 11.
Cemetery, blocks 1-6. Platted by the Dell Rapids Cemetery Association, and recorded on
October 2, 18S5, in book i of olats, on page 23.
CEMETERY AND GROUNDS OF THE STORDAL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
CHURCH— 21-104-49.
Blocks 1-5. Platted by Ole Thompson, Olof O. Lyng and Ole H. Bratsberg, trustees, and
recorded June i, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 22.
FcmEST HOME CEMETERY— W >^, S E X, S W X, 23-101.-50.
Blocks 1-8. Platted by the Forest Home Cemetery Association, and recorded August 30
1892, in book 4 of plats, on page 4. » j 1
EAST SIOUX FALLS— 29-T01-4S.
O'Hanlo'ns Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Kate O'Hanlon and James P. O'Hanlon.
Recorded September 7, 1S89, in book 2 of plats, on page 32.
GRANITE EAST SIOU.X FALLS— 28-101-4S.
Blocks 1-17. Platted by the Cherokee and Western Town Lot and Land Co., August 30,
1888, in book i of plats, on page 45. GARRETSON— 20-103-47.
Blocks 1-20. Platted by the Northern Land Co., of Sioux City, and recorded October 18,
1889, '" book 3 of plats, on page 2.
RoYCE IST Addition, blocks 1-6. Platted by Orlen Royce and Mary M. Royce, and re
corded October 15, 1889, in book 3 of plats, on page i.
Royce 2d Addition, blocks 1-2. Platted by Orlen Royce and Marv M, Royce, and re
corded October 15, 1889, in book 3 of plats, on page i.
RoYCE's 3D Addition, blocks 1-7. Platted by Orlen Royce and Marv M. Royce, and re
corded December 2, 1889, in book 3 of plats, on page 7.
RoYCE's 4TH Addition, blocks 9-20. Platted by Orlen Royce and Mary M. Royce, and re
corded December 2, 1888, in book 3 of plats, on page 8.
HARTFORD— 22-102-51.
Blocks 1.5 and 8-12. Platted by the Worthington and Sioux Falls R. R. Co., June 29, .88.,
in book I of plats, on page 10.
South Addition, blocks 1-8. Platted by the No,-thwestern Town Lot Co., and .-ecorded
May 2, 1894, 1" book 4 of plats, on page 10.
Cemetery blocks 1-6. Platted by the Hartford Cemete.y Association, and .-ecorded April
25, 1884, in book I of plats, on page 25.
Drake's Addition, blocks 1-9. Platted by Har.-y T. Drake, Alexander M. Drake and

rake and

W.lham H. L.ghtner December 18, .893, and .-ecorded in book 4 of plats, on page 7.
Wm H T'ht n :' \'°'^ '¦'¦ "''''''" ^^ ""'"-y T- Drake, Alexander k D
oJJa ' T7 "' "^^' '"' ""'°'^''' °" ''°°'^ 4 of plats, on page 8.
Oakes' Addition, bocks 1-4 PlattpH hv n w rv 1 j , , 5. r. ,
book 4 of plats, on pag; 2. ^' ^ ^^ °'^^'' '"'^ "''"'^"^ °'='°''='- ¦3- ^^9h m

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 131

Oakes' 2D Addition, blocks 5-6 and 7. Platted by D. W. Oakes, and recorded in book 4 of
plats, on page 5, November 10, 1892.
Oakes' 3D Addition, blocks 8-12. Platted by D. W. Oakes, and .ecorded November 10,
1892, in book 4 of plats, on page 5.
Oakes' Sub., of block 4, Oakes' Addition, lots i-io. Subdivided by D. W. Oakes, and re-
co.-ded October 20, 1893, in book 4 of plats, on page 7.
HUMBOLDT— 9-102-52.
Blocks 1-4. Platted by Jaines E. Maloney, and recorded August 26, 1891, in book 4 of plats,
on page 2. KEYES— 32-104-49.
Blocks 1-7. Platted by J. A. Pettigrew, and recorded November 30, 1885, in book i of plats,
on page 24.
First Addition, Blocks 3 and 4. Platted by R. F. Pettigrew, and recorded April 14, 1891,
in book 3 of plats, on page 27.
LYONS W. C. T. U. CEMETERY— 29-103-50.
Lots 1-64. Platted by the Lyons W. C. T. U. Cemetery Association, and recorded May 12,
1S91, in book 3 of plats, on page 28. PALISADE— 30 103-47.
Blocks 1-13. Plaited by the Wilmar and Sioux Falls R. R., and recorded May 12, 1888, in
book I of plats, on page 39. ROWENA— 26-101-48.
Blocks 1-43. Platted by Thomas J. Ryan, and recorded October 10, 1888, on book i of plats,
on page 48. RILEY'S EAST SIOUX FALLS-Parl 20 and 28-101-48.
Blocks I-II. Platted by the Sioux Falls Granite Co., and recorded August 23, 1889, in book
2 of plats, on page 31. SHERMAN CEMETERY— 4-103-47.
Blocks I and 2. Plaited by the Sherman Cemeteiy Association, and .-eco.ded October 7,
1.889, in book 2 of plats, on page 34. SHERMAN— 4-103-47.
Blocks I-II. Platted by E. A. Sherman, Harriet I. Zeliff and Melvin J. Zeliff, and recorded
May 12, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 40.
SUMMIT HILL CEMETERY, S. E. corner N. E. %, S. E. %, 24-103-48.
Blocks 1-4. Plaited by the Summit Hill Cemetery Association, and reco.-ded Mai-ch 24, 1892,
in book 4 of plats, on page 3. VALLEY SPRINGS— 3-101-47.
Blocks 1-25. Platted by the Worthington & Sioux Falls R. R., and recorded May 12, 1879, in
book I of plats, on page 8.
Dunham's Addition, 26-31. Platted by Jonathan Dunham and Emily Dunham, and .-e-
corded June 28, 1886, in book i of plats, on page 26.
ADDITIONS IN AND ABOUT THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS.
Adkin's Subdivision of lots 2 and 3, block 27 of Bennett's 2d Addition to Sioux Falls, lots
1-13. Platted by George Adkins and Mary E. Adkins, and recorded February 24, 1886, in book
I of plats, on page 24.
Bean's Subdivision of block 4 of Rowland's 2d Addition lo Sioux Falls, lots 1-16. Platted
by Mrs. Sarah E. Bean, and recorded December 5, 1888, in book 2 of plats, on page 2.
Beardsley's Addition, blocks i and 2. Platted by James Beardsley, and recorded Novem
ber 2, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 49.
Beardsley's Subdivision of lots i, 2, 3 a'nd 4 of block 24, Folsom's ad Addition to Sioux
Falls. Lots 1-5 subdivision by Jane Biai-dsley, and recorded November 8, 1888, in book i of
plats, on page 49.

132 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
Belleview Park Addition, blocks 1-32. Platted by Clement L. Coleman, and recorded
January 9, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 36.
Bennett's ist Addition, blocks 1-24. Platted by Russell H. Bennett, and recorded May 26
1S76, in book I of plats, on page 4.
Bennett's 2d Addition, blocks 25, 26, 27, 34, 35 and 36. Platted by R. P. Pettigrew, and
recorded March 24, 1880, in book i of plats, on page 9.
Berwick Addition, blocks 1-22, 24-25, 27-32 and block A. Platted by John N.Weston and
Addison E. Haley, and recorded May 21, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 20.
Blackman's subdivision, of S. % block 16, Hayes' Addition, lots 1-6. Subdivided by
George T. Blackman and recorded June 3, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 22.
Blackman's Subdivision of block 18, Park Addition, lots 1-16. Subdivided by Frank L.
Blackman, Jennie E.Blackman and John H. Fernyhough, and recorded April 20, 1888, in book i of
plats, on page 31.
Boulevard Addition, blocks 7-21. Platted by Melvin Grigsby and Helen G. McKennon,
and recorded August 14, 1883, in book i of plats, on page 18.
Boyce's subdivision of Block 15, of Folsom's Addition, lots 1-7. Platted by F. L. Boyce,
Maud W. Boyce, Jesse W. Boyce, John H. Fernyhough. Recorded October 4, 1887, in book i,
of plats, on page 32.
Boyce's Addition, Blocks 1-6. Platted by Frank L. Boyce, Maud W. Boyce, Harry B.
Carleton, George W. Pike, and recorded April 21, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 30.
Brooking's Addition, blocks 1-14. Platted by Clara A. Brookings, and recorded October
26, 1S81, in book i of plats on page 1 1.
Bristol's Addition, block i. Platted by J. C. Bristol, and Melissa M. Bristol, and recorded
July 14, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 11.
Burlington Subdivision of lots 10, 11, 12 and 13 of block 26 of Phillip's Addition, lots 1-7.
Subdivided by J. G. Eddy and H. J. Davenport, and recorded fune 27, 1888, in book i of plats, on
page 20.
Bushnell's Addition, blocks 1 and 2. Platted by Albeit Bushnell and .-ecorded April 24,
I SSS, in book i of plats, on page 28.
Buxton's Subdivision of block "B" in Haywa.d's Addition, blocks 1-4. Subdivided by N.
B. Buxton, and recorded Api-il 19, 18SS, in book i of plats, on page 31.
Buchanan & Gray's Subdivision of blocks 3 and 7, Haywaid's Addition. Subdivided
by Robert Buchanan and James H. G.ay, and recorded June 4, iSSS, in book i of plats, on page 43.
Buchanan .S: Gray's Addition, blocks i and 2. Platted by R. Buchanan and J. H. Giay,
and .eco.-ded in book 2 of plats, on page 4, January 26, 1S89.
Bunker Addition, blocks i and 2. Platted by Edgar Bunker and Mattie E. Bunker, and
recorded July 25, 1S89, '" book 2 of plats, on page 30.
BuRD.cK's Subdivision of the N. 5 acres of tract n, Mason's Addilion, blocks i and 2. Sub-
d.v.ded by P. A. Burdick and Ella C. Burdick, and reco.ded Ma.-ch 11, 18S9, in book 2 of plats,
on page 11.
Brooking's 2d Addition, block i. Platted by Wilmot W. B.-ookings and Clara A.
Brook.ngs, and recorded November 10, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on pa^e 19
,,¦ ¦/¦. u ¦ fti''"''' ¦^''" S^^i^ivisioN of lots I, 2 and 3, block 4 of J. L. Phillip's Addition. Sub-
d.v.ded by J. M. Bailey, Jr., and .-eco,-ded February 5, 1S91, in book 3 of plats, on page 24.
Brook s Addition, block i. Platted by Julia F. Brooks and Wm. J. McCormick, and re-
co.-ded April 7, 1S91, in book 3 of plats, on page 27.
A ^<T¦T ","'' ^^°'"°^' "^'"^^^ '-6. 9-^2, 27-64. Platted by Herbe.-t C. Ald,-ich and Eunice
A. Aldnch, and recorded Ap.-il 26, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 17
r. l^fA™"" ^S^^^'CATE Addition, blocks 1-14. Platted by W,n. T. Love, trustee, and re
corded August 3, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 30
22 T88T"°h T'T", ADDITION, blocks 1-32. Platted by O. C. P. Pie.-son, and reco.-ded July
22, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 29. > j .'
recoiSd Sent?\'' """"'Vr. "°''' "^- '''""'^ '^' ^"''^'^ Carpenter and Louisa Carpenter, and
recoidedSeptemberi5, 1887, inbookiofplats, onpage32
bv wTci^'L' ^"""Tr^r °' '''°'''' ' '''"'' 3 '" Emerson's Addition, lots 1-18. Subdivided
by W. P. Carr, and reco.-ded May 15, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 41

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 133

Capps' Subdivision of tracts 9, 10 and 1 1 of Mason's Addition, four blocks. Subdivided by
C. H. Capps and Hattie Capps, and recorded June 26, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 28.
Carpenter's, C. C, Addition, lots 1-23. Platted by R. F. Pettigrew, and recorded Novem
ber 25, 1S89, in book 3 of plats, on page 7.
Carr Subdivision of W. J^ of block 5 and all of 6, in Park Addition, eight lots in each
half block. Subdivided by W. P. Carr, and recorded Ap.-il 8, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on page 12.
Cashman's Subdivision of block 8, Arlington Heights Addition, lots 1-12. Subdivided by
Nettie I. Cashman, and recorded March 7, 1S91, in book 3 of plats, on page 25.
Central Park Addition, blocks 1-32. Platted by Geo. H. Brace, James Jameson, Charles C.
Carpenter, Charles A. Greeley, Heibert L.Greene and Malcolm Jameson, and recoi-ded February
7, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 7.
Blocks 37-44 and 53-60. Platted by Geo. H. Brace and James Jameson, trustees, and recoided
July to, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 29.
Blocks 33-36, 45-52, 61-64. Platted by Geo. H. Bi-ace, Ja.Des Jameson, H. L. Greene, C. C.
Carpenter, Charles A. Greeley and Malcjlm Jameson, and recorded May 25, 1889, in book 2 of
plats, on page 20.
Central Addition, blocks 3-6, 11 -14, 19-22, 27-30, 37-39, 42-44, 53.55. Platted by the Na
tional Realty Co., and recorded November 12, 1S90, in book 3 of plats, on page 20.
City Garden Addition, blocks i and 2. Platted by L. A. Marshall, J. G. Eddy, Charles
II. Wynn and James H. Gray, and recorded Februai-y i, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 6.
City View Addition, blocks 1-4. Platted by Wilmot W. Brookings, Thomas H. Fairfax,
George H. Boynton and Harriet T. French, and recorded June 23, 1883, in book i of plats, on
page 18.
Clark & Wherry's Addition, block i. Platted by W. J. Clark and Mattie I,. Wherry,
and recorded May 11, 1888, in book 1 of plats, on page 38.
Clark's Addition, lots 1-14 and i outlet. Platted by R. W. Clark and M. J. Sullivan
and recorded May 17, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page ig.
College Addition, blocks 37, 40, 41, 44 and 53-60. Platted by Edwin E. Sage, Annie M.
Sage, E. B. Meredith, Edward Ellis, Mary A. Ellis, Edward Ellis, pres. D. C. I.; and E. B. Mere
dith, sec. D. C. I.; and recorded July 31, 1883, in book i of plats, on page 17.
College Heights ist Addition, blocks 1-48. Platted by Evan B. Meredith, trustee, and
recorded March 31, 1891, in book 3 of plats, on page 26.
Second Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Evan B. Meredith, trustee, and recorded March
31, 1891, in book 3 of plats, on page 25.
Third Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Evan B. Meredith, trustee, and recorded February
7, 1893, in book 4 of plats, on page 6.
College Subdivision of Wayne Heights Addition, blocks 1-16. Subdivided by Evan B.
Meredith, trustee, and recorded February 7, 1S93, in book 4 of plats, on page 6.
Cooper's Addition, blocks 1-6. Platted by Edward Cooper, and recorded May 29, 1882, in
book I of plats, on page 12.
CoMO Park Addition, blocks 1-4. Platted by Katie Schaetzel and Jacob Schaetzel, Jr., and
recorded May 17, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 41.
Covell's 1ST Addition, blocks 1-15. Platted by Millard F. Covell and Mary C. Coveil, and
recorded October 16, 1882, in book i of plats, on page 13.
Second Addition, blocks 17-32. Platted by Alice J. Watson and Edward Watson, and re
corded June 17, 1884, in book i of plats, on page 2i.
Cooke's Subdivision of block 12 of Hayward's Addition, lots 1-16. Subdivided by Mrs. I.
M. Hartsough, and recorded January 12, 18S9, in book 2 of plats, on page 3.
Curtis' Subdivision of the N. 5 acres of tract 10, Mason's Addition. Subdivided by H. S.
Curtis, and recorded July 14, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 8.
Dakota Improvement Company's Addition, blocks 1-9. Platted by lhe Dakota Improve
ment Company, and recorded August 24, 1882, in book i of plats, on page 13.
Daniel's Addition, blocks 1-13. Platted by Charles II. Wynn, J. G. Eddy, E.J. Daniels
and Anna Mary Enlzminger, and recorded April 22, 1889, in book 2 of pl.tts, on page 16.
Dennis' Subdivision of tract 8 in Mason's Addition, blocks i and 2. Subdivided by True
Dennis, and recorded April 20, 1S89, in book 2 of plats, on page 16.

134 HISTORY OF- MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Dow's Subdivision of tract 7 in Mason's Addition, blocks i and 2. Subdivided by H. Dow
and L. Dow, and recorded June 4, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 22.
Drake's Subdivision of tract 3, block 25, in Bennett's 2d Addilion, lots 25-32. Platted by
John D. Taylor and Melvin F. Drake, recorded June 22, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 27.
Dunning & Wagner's Addition, blocks 1-14. Platted by Addison Wagnei-, R. F. Petti
grew and L. T. Dunning, and recorded December 12, 1887, in book i of plats, on page 35.
Dunning & Hyde's Subdivision of block 20, Hunter's Addilion, lots 1-24. Subdivided by
E. C. Dunning and Charles L. Hyde, and recorded April 5, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 36.
Eastwood Addition, blocks 3-i6,and oullot i. Platted by H. H. Keith and J. H. Gray, and
recorded January 26, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 4.
Edgewood Addition, blocks 1-20. Plaited by Heni-y R. Hunter, John C. Farley and John
H. Chapman, and recorded February 5, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 7.
Ellis' Subdivision, block 54, in College Addilion, lots 1-16. Subdivided by Edward Ellis
and Mary A. Ellis, and recorded November 28, 1888, in book 2 of plats, on page 2.
Emerson's Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Isaac Emerson and F. S. Emerson, and re
corded June 8, 1878, in book i of "plats, on page 5.
Emerson & Sherman Addition, blocks 17-24 and 26-31. Platted by Isaac Emerson and
Edwin A. Sherman, and recorded May 5, 1882, in book i of plats, on page 11.
Emerson's Subdivision of lots i and 4 of block 27, Bennett's 2d Addition, lots 1-4, Subdi
vided by Frank S. Emerson, and recorded in book i of plats, on page 15, May 18, 1883.
Emerson's Addition to Sioux Falls. Plat of subdivision of block 9, lots i - 1 6. Subdivided by
Andrew Beveridge, and recorded May 7, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 37.
Plat of subdivision of the N. >^ of block 10, lots 1-4 and 9-13. Subdivided by Charles D.
Knapp, and recorded May 9, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 38.
Plat of subdivision of the S. J^ of block 10, lots 5-8 and 14-18. Subdivided by S. McCormack
and Eliza McCormack, and recorded May 9, 1888, in book 1 of plats on page 38.
Englewood Addition, blocks 1-32. Platted by Fi-ed A. Miller, C. H. Wynn, Melvin
Grigsby, Marcus Russell and Jas. H. Gray, recorded March 13, 1889, in book i of plats, on page 11.
Fairfax & Rowland's Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Thomas H. Fairfax, A. J. Row
land, E. G. Fairfax and C. D. Rowland. Recorded July 9, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 14.
Fernyhough's Subdivision of block 46, Park Addilion, lots 1-16. Subdivided by Jesse W.
Boyce, W. C. Hollister, John H. Fernyhough and Carrie C. Hollister. Recorded June 2, 1888, in
book I of plats, on page 42.
Fleetwood's Subdivision of lots 9-12 in block 31 of Folsom's 2d Addition, lots (-5. Sub
divided by Charles H. Fleetwood, and recorded January 21, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 4.
Follett's Park Audition, blocks 1-31. Platted by Wm. Van Eps, Inez C. Van Eps, C. E.
McKinney, Alice A. McKinney, Luther S. Sanborn, Judson L. FoUelt, Mary K. Sanborn and
Viola A. FoUett. Recorded April 15, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 14.
Folsom's Addition, block 1-16. Platted by Peter Folsom, and recorded March 29, 1879, in
book I of plats, on page 6.
Forest Hill Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Cornelia S. Kingsbury and C. C. Painte.-.
Recorded September 1, 1887, in book i of plats, on page 31.
Forest Park Addition, block 1-4. Platted by James H. Mooers and Ellen C. Mooers.
Recorded May 5, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 37.
Folsom's 2d Addition, blocks 17-35. Platted by Peter Folsom, and recorded May 11, 1S83,
in book i of plats, on page 14.
Gale's Sioux Falls, blocks 1-21. Platted by Artemas Gale and Louisa E. Gale, and re
corded August 16, 1871, in book i of plats, on page i.
Gale's Addition, blocks 22-27. Platted by Artemas Gale and Louisa E. Gale. Recorded
July 22, 1873, in book i of plats, on page 3.
Gale's 30 Addition, blocks 28-30. Platted by Artemas Gale and Louisa E. Gale. Recorded
in book 1 of plats, on page 5, May 20, 1878.
Gale's 4TH Addition, blocks 32 and 33. Platted by Artemas Gale and Louisa E. Gale.
Recorded May i, 1879, in book i of plats, on page 7.
Gale's 5TH Addition, blocks 34-36. Platted by A.temas Gale, and recorded July .1, .S82,
in book I of plats, on page 12.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 135

Gale's 6th Addition, blocks 37-42, Si-53. Platted by Artemas Gale June 8, 1883, and re
corded in book i of plats, on page 16.
Gerin & Young's Subdivision of blocks 6 and 7, Emerson's Addition, lots 1-24. Platted
by Michael Gerin, Sutton E. Young and Emma S. Young. Recorded July 28, 1S84, in book i of
plats, on page 22.
Gale's 7th Addition, blocks A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Platted by Artemas Gale, and recorded
May 20, 1S92, in book 4 of plats, on page 4.
Gerin & Johnson's Addition, blocks i, 3-16 and outlots 1-3. Platted by Michael Gerin,
Charles E. Johnson and Alice M. Johnson. Recorded July 23, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on page 15.
Gerrish tV Lord's Addition, blocks 1-28. Platted by Joseph H. Lord, and reco.ded June
iS, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 24.
Gibboney's, R. R., Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Austin L. Smith, Daniel 1^. Scott,
E. C. Dunning, R. Rush Gibboney. Recorded February 9, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 8.
Glendale Addition, blocks 1-18. Platted by Solomon Kuh, and recorded May 6, 1S89, in
book 2 of plats, on page 1 7.
Glenwood Park Addition, blocks 1-12. Platted by James H. Mooers and Ellen C. Mooers.
Recorded June 6, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 23.
Griffin & Stringham's Addition, blocks 1-24. Platted by Ira Griffin and A.J. String
ham. Recorded February i6, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 9.
Gray's Subdivision, of block 8, in Hayward's Addition, lots 1-16. Subdivided by James H.
Gray, and recorded August 23, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 7.
Grigsby's Addition, blocks i-ior. Platted by Melvin Grigsby and Fanny L. Grigsby. Re
corded July 23, 1873, in book i of plats, on page 3.
Grigsby, Fannie L., Subdivision of lots 7, 8 and 9, block 9, J. L. Phillips' Addition, lots
1-8. Subdivided by Fannie L. Grigsby, and recorded October 29, 1887, in book i of plats, on
page 33-
Harrison Addition, blocks 1-32. Platted hy The Security iV Guaranty Co., and recorded
June 2., 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 26.
Hayward's 2d Addition, block 1-16. Platted by Daniel Hayward and Sarah A. Hayward.
Recorded January 26, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 5.
Hayward & Rowland's Subdivision of blocks C and D, Hayward's Addition, blocks 19-
22, 27-30. Subdivided by Daniel Hayward and Sarah A. Hayward. Recorded October 10, 1888
in book i of plats, on page 48.
Hayes' Addition, blocks i-i6. Platted by John Hayes and Martha Hayes. Recorded May
13, 1886, in book i of plats, on page 25.
Hazlett's 2D Addition, blocks 1 and -. Platted by John B. Hazlett, and recorded March
10, 1892, in book 4 of plats, on page 3.
Highland Addition^ blocks i-io. Platted by Melvin Grigsby and recorded May 13, 1884,
in book i of plats, on page 20.
Highland Place, 14-101-50, blocks 1-32. Platted by Ira GriflSn and Claramond Griffin.
Recorded August 10, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 15.
Hollister, Buchanan & Gray's Subdivision of block 15, in J. L. Phillips' Addition,
lots 1-16. Subdivided by H. L. Hollister, Robert Buchanan and James H. Gray. Recoided
March 2, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 10.
HoskiN's Addition, blocks i and 2. Platted by F. D. Hoskins, and .-eco.-ded June 11, 1889,
in book 2 of plats, on page 24.
Hyde's 2D Addition, blocks 1-8. Platted by Charles L. Hyde, and reco.-ded February 5,
1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 6.
Hyde's Subdivision of block 14, Folsom's Addilion, lots 1-6. Subdivided by Charles L.
Hyde, and recorded March 9, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page lO.
Hunter's Addition, blocks ;-23. Platted by John W. Hutchinson, Ella Hutchinson, Dan
Scott, Augusta H. Scott, Henry R. Hunter, Mary H. Hunter, John Hornick and Jennie Hornick.
Recorded June 7, 1887, in book i of plals, on page 30.
Hovey's isl Addition to S. S. P., blocks 1-16. Platted by E. B. Hooper, trustee. Re
corded June 30, 1890, in book 3 of plals, on page 13.
Hovey's 2D Addition to South Sioux Falls, blocks i, 2 and 7-24. Platted by E. B. Hooper,
trustee, and recorded June 30, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on page 14.

136 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Huff's Syndicate ist Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by C. H. Huff, and recorded
September 16, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on page 17.
Harrison's Addition, plat of subdivision of blocks 3-8, 18 lots in a block. Subdivided by
the Security and Guaranty Co., and recorded May 14, 1S91, in book 3 of plals, on page 28.
I.-viMOGENE Park Addition, blocks 23-26. Platted by Sarauel W. Helson, and recorded
June 24, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 27.
Jabush Addition, blocks i and 2. Platted by Mrs. Sarah Jabush and recorded June 9,
1888, in book i of plats, on page 43.
Jackson Park Addition, blocks i and 2. Platted by Evan B. Meredith, and recorded Sep
tember 4, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 32.
Jameson's Subdivision of block 47, Park Addition, lots 1-12. Subdivided by James Jame
son, Malcolm Jameson, and recorded November 23, 1889, in book 3 of plats, on page 6.
Kelley's Addition, lots i-S. Platted by Emmett DeBell and Chas. L. Hyde, and recorded
May 12, 18SS, in book i of plats, on page 38.
Kingsbury's Subdivision of blocks 5, 12 and 13, Emerson's Addilion, blocks 5, 12 and 13.
Subdivided by Lucy A. Kingsbury and Lucius Kingsbury. Recorded May 14, 1888, in book i
of plats, on page 39.
Kingsbury's Subdivision of tracts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1214, the N. 4J4 a. of 9. and that portion of
tracts 15-22 not granted to the Wilmar and Sioux Falls Railroad of Mason's Addition. Subdi
vided by Luther M. Strong, Mary M. Strong, Ole L. Swenson, Eliza S. Swenson, W. S. Williams,
Walter R. Kingsbury, Cornelia S. Kingsbury and Erastus M. Young. Recorded August 12,
1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 15.
Kuh's Addition, blocks i and 2. Platted by Solomon Kuh, and recorded July 5, 1888, in
book I of plats, on page 16.
Kuh's 2d Addition, blocks 17, 18, 31 and 32. Platted by Solomon Kuh, and recorded
July 12, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 13.
Lakeside Addition, blocks 1-5. Platted by the Security & Guaranty Co., and recorded
June 21, 1S89, in book 2 of plats, on page 25.
Lakeview Addition, blocks 1-13. Platted by H. H. Keith and Mary S. Keith, and re
corded October 4, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 34.
Lawler's Addition, blocks 1-7. Platted by J. D. Lawler, and recorded May 29, 1884, in
book I of plats, on page 20.
Lewis Addition, blocks 1-12. Platted by David B. Knickerbocker, Sarah M. Knicker
bocker, Charles H. Plummer and H. Frances Plummer. Recorded May 12, 1883, in book I of
plats, on page 15.
Lewis Heights, blocks 1-12. Platted by Clara Lewis, and recorded January 31, 1889, in
book 2 of plats, on page 5.
Lincoln Park Addition, blocks 1-20. Platted by the Secu.-ity and Guaranty Company, and
recorded June 21, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 25.
LiNwooD Park, blocks 1-64. Platted by Joseph T. Little, Jr., and recorded May 15, 1889, in
book 2 of plals, on page iS.
Lowell Hill Addition, blocks i-i2. Platted by Thomas Thoi-son, John Bippus and Ida M.
Ledyard, and recorded May 24, 1887, in book i of plats, on page 29.
Lewis Heights, blocks 13-28. Platted by Clara Lewis, and reco.-ded October 13, 1890, in
book 3 of plats, on page 18.
Manitoba Addition, lots i-io. Platted by E. A. Sherman, and recorded October 6, 1888, in
book 1 of plats, on page 47.
Mason's Addition, tracts 1-22. Platted by Andrew Beveridge, M. E. Beveridge, Sutton E.
Young, Emma S. Young, Will S. Williams and Henry Price, and recorded July 5, 1884, in book
I of plats, on page' 21.
McClellan's Addition to W. S. F., blocks 4.9 and 16-24. Platted bv John McClellan and
recorded June 6, 1881, in book i of plats, on page 10.
McClellan's 2d Addition to W. S. P, blocks 25-30. Platted by John McClellan, and
recorded May 9, 1883, in book i of plats, on page 17.
McDonald's Subdixision of tract 6, in Mason's Addition, blocks i and 2. Subdivided by
Walter R. Kingsbury and R.J. Wells, and recorded February ii. 1889, in book 2 of plats, on
page 8.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 137

McDonald's Addition, block i. Platted by J. D. McDonald, and recorded January 21, 1891,
in book 3 of plats, on page 23
McGarraugh's Park Additon, blocks 1-16. Platted by J. T. McGarraugh and Nancy
McGarraugh, and recorded Februa.-y 20, 1889, in book 2 of plats on page 9.
Meredith's ist Addition, blocks 1-32. Platted by the Security and Guaranty Company, and
recorded March 20, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 13.
Meredith's 2d Addition, blocks 33-S2. Platted by the Security and Guaranty Com
pany, and recorded March 20, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 13.
Meredith's Subdivision of block 26, lots 1-12, Park Addition, subdivided by Evan B. Mer
edith, and recorded September 10, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on page 17.
Midland Addition, blocks 5-12, 21-28, 37-44, 53-60, 65-160. Platted by the No.-thwestern
Investment Company, and recorded January 22, 1S90, in book 3 of plats, on page 10.
Millard Park Addition, blocks 1-44. Platted by the Security and Guaranty Compan)',
and recorded June 21, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 26.
Millspaugh's Addition, blocks 4-28. Platted by Henry C. Millspaugh, and .ecorded
April 4, 1879, in book i of plats, on page 6.
Minnehaha Trust Company's Subdivision of block 3, Carpenter's Addition, lots 1-12.
Subdivided by the Minnehaha Trust Company, and recorded October 16, 1889, in book 3 of plats,
on page 2.
Mooers & Sherman's Subdivision of block E, Hayward's Addition, lots 1-4. Subdivided
by James H. Mooers, Ellen C. Mooers and W. H. Sherman, and i-eco.-ded November 9, 1887, in
book I of plats, on page 33.
Mooers & Gardner's Subdivision of block 59, College Addilion, lots 1-12. Subdivided
by James A. Mooers, Ellen C. Mooers and Florence M. Gardner, and recorded November 9, 1887,
in book i of plats, on page 34.
Mooers' ist Addition; blocks 1-4. Platted by A. J. Rowland and C. O. Rowland, and re
corded November 9, 1887, in book i of plals, on page 34.
Morse's Addition lo Sioux Falls, blocks 1-3, 34-35. Platted by Marshall Morse, R. F. Pet
tigrew, L. E. Gale and Artemas Gale. Recorded July i, 1879, in book 1 of plals, on page 9.
Morstad's Addition to Sioux Falls, blocks 1-4. Platted by P. J. Morstad, O. S. Swenson
and A. Christopherson. Recorded May 8, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 37.
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, blocks 1-48. Platted by the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Asso
ciation, and recorded October 11, 1877, in book i of plats, on page 23.
Monroe's Subdivision of lots 16-18, block 6, Lewis Addition, lots 1-4. Subdivided by Geo.
W. Monroe, and recorded May 28, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 21.
Morningside Addition, blocks 1-28. Platted by J. E. Riley and C. W. Hubbard. Re
corded September 7, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 33.
National Realty Company's Addition, blocks 1-32. Platted by the National Realty Co.
and recorded July 25, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on page 16.
Nearpass Addition, blocks 1-4. Platted by C. H. Nearpass, and recorded December 2b,
1893, in book 4 of plals, on page 8.
Nelson's Addition, blocks 1-3. Platted by Andiew Nelson and Andrea Nelson. Recorded
June 27, i888, in book 1 of plats, on page 17.
North Park 2d Addition, blocks 1-24. Platted by James A. Ward, James Beattie
and William H. Frick. Recorded June 3, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 23.
North Park Addition, blocks 1-12. Platted by J. B. Flynn, and recorded June 14, 1888, in
book I of plats, on page 43.
North Boulevard Addition, blocks 1-4, 13-20, 29-32. Platted by Percival H. Edmison and
Geo. H. Brace, and recorded November 19, 1889, in book 3 of plats, on page 4.
North Boulevard Addition, blocks 33-36, 45-52, 61-64. Platted by Percival H. Edmison
and Geo. H. Brace, and recorded November 19, 1889, in book 3 of plals, on page 5.
Blocks 5-12, 21-28. Platted by Percival Edmison and George H. Brace. Recorded Nove.n-
ber 19, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 5.
Blocks 53, 54, 37-44, 59-60. Platted by Percival H. Edmison and Geo. H. Brace, and re
corded November 19, 1889, in book 3 of plals, on page 5.
Northwestern Subdivsion of blocks 6, 7, 12, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 37, 39, 41, 43, 44, 53, 55, 56,

138 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

57, 58 and 60, of Midland Addition, 12 lots in a block. Subdivided by the Northwestern Invest
ment Co., and recorded January 3, 1891, in book 3 of plats, on page 22.
Oakwood Park Addition, blocks 1-64. Platted by the Northwestern Investment Co., and
recorded April 5, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 14.
Obert & McKinnon's Subdivision of block 30, Park Addilion, lots 116. Subdivided by
Wendell Obert and Jean McKinnon. Recorded June 22, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 20.
Obert's Addition, blocks i and 2. Platted by Wendell Obert, and recorded September
1 1, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 46.
Obert's Subdivision of the W. >^, block 3, Sherman's Addition, lots i-8. Subdivided by
Wendell Obert, and recorded July 26, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on page 16.
Orient Addition, blocks 1-4, 13-16, 17-20, 29-32, 33-36, 45-48, 49-52, 6i-6.|. Plaited by the
Northwestern Investment Co., and reco.-ded November i, 1889, in book 3 of plats, on page 3.
Park Addition, blocks 1-36, 45-52, 61-64. Platted by Edwin E. Sage and Annie M. Sage.
Recorded April 24, 1882, in book i, page 14.
Parker's Subdivision, of parts of blocks i and 8, in Emerson's Addition, lots 1-16. Sub
divided by Evan B. Meredith and James W. Parker. Recorded Februiry 11, 1891, in bjok 3 of
plats, on page 25.
Pettigrew's Addition, blocks 28-33, 4°. 4' and 42. Platted by R. F. Pettigrew, and .-e-
corded December 9, 1878, in book l of plats, on page 6.
Pettigrew & Grigsby's Subdivision, of lots-3, 16-18 of block 7, of the Dakota Improve
ment Co.'s Addition, lots 1-12. Subdivided by R. F. Pettigrew and Melvin Grigsby. Recorded
May 3, 1884, in book i of plats, on page 19.
Pettigrew &: Tate's 6th Addition, blocks 1-8. Plaited by R. P. Pettigrew, and recorded
November 20, 1888, in book 2 of plals, on page i.
Pettigrew & Tate's 9TH Addition, blocks 1-8. Platted by R. F. Pettigrew and S. L.
Tate. Recorded June 21, 18S9, in book 2 of plats, on page 25.
Pettigrew & Tate's 7th Addition, blocks 1-12. Platted by R. F. Pettigrew and S. L.
Tate. Recorded November 24, 1888, in book 2 of plats, on page 2.
Pettigrew & Dunning's Addition, blocks i-i6. Platted by R. F. Pettigrew and L. T.
Dunning. Recorded January 19, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 3.
Pettengill & Steadman's Addition, blocks 1-21. Platted by R. F. Pettigrew, and re.
corded November 20, 1888, in book 2 of plats, on page i.
Pettengill c& Steadman's 2D Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Ephraim M. Steadman
and recorded June 28, 1SS9, in book 2 of plats, on page 28.
Pier.son's Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Ole P. Pierson, and recorded May 17, 1889, in
book 2 of plats, on page 19.
Pettigrew, R. F., Subdivision of part of Bennett's 2d Addition, blocks 2527, 34-36. Sub
divided by R. F. Pettigrew, and recorded May 15, 1885, in book i of plals, on page 22.
Pettigrew & Tate's 4TH Addition, blocks 1-24. Platted by Richard P. Pettigrew, Bessie
V. Pettigrew, Samuel L. Tate and Belle F. Tate. Recorded November 28, 1887, in book 1 of
plats, on page 32.
Pettigrew & T'ate's 5th Addition, block 1-8. Platted by R. P. Pettigrew, S. L. Tate and
Belle F. Tate, and recorded May 5, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 37.
Pettengill's Addition to South Sioux Falls, blocks 1-16. Platted by Andrew J. Petten
gill, and recorded June 3, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on page 13.
Pettengill's 2d Addition, blocks 1-80. Platted by Andrew J. Pettengill and Octavia C.
Pettengill, and recorded December 20, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on page 21.
Pacific Place Addition, blocks 1-4. Platted by J. G. Park and Lida J. Park,, and re
corded November 29, 1889, in book 3 of plats, on page 8.
Phillips Addition to E. S. F., blocks 1-8, 11-14. Platted by R. F. Pettigrew, and recorded
February 18, 1878, in book i of plats, on p.ige 5.
Prospect Hill Addition, blocks 1-12. Platted by Walter R. Kingsbury, Cornelia S.
Kingsbury, John G. Park and Lida J. Park. Recorded April 2, 1S87, in book i of plats, on
page 28.
PUDDINGTON SUBDIVISION of block 8, Midland Addition, lots 1-12. Subdivided by Thomas
E. Puddington, and recorded in book 3 of plats, on page 14.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 139

Plainview Addition, blocks 1-9. Platted by Nellie Ford, and recorded September 20, 1890,
in book 3 of plats, on page .8.
Pine Tree Syndicate ist Addition, blocks 1-80. Platted by J. L. H. Cobb, N. F. Wood
bury, A. B. Latham, George D. Lindsay and M. P. C. Withe.-s, trustees. Recorded July 21, 1891,
in book 4 of plats, on page i.
Queen City Syndicate, blocks 1-56. Platted by M. G. Pal.-ner, pres., Moses W. Farr, sec,
David W. LeLacheur, Joseph E. Briggs and Franklin W. Hazelton, trustees. Recorded Decem
ber 12, 1889, in book 3 of plats, on page 9.
Queen City Syndicate 2d Addition, blocks 1-56. Platted by M. G. Palmer, Pres.; Moses
W. Farr, Sec; David W. LeLacheur, Joseph E. Briggs and Fi-anklin W. Hazleton, trustees, and
recorded December 12, 1889, in book 3 of plats, on page 9.
Richardson Subdivision of block 36, Park Addition, lots 1-12. Subdivided by Mary C.
Richardson and Ora N. Willits, and recorded April 10, 1888, in baok i of plats, on page 36.
Richardson Subdivision of block 4, Park Addition, lots 1-12. Subdivided by Mary C.
Richardson, and recorded April 10, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 36.
Riverside Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Hen.-y M. Avery and Lucina A. Avery, and
recorded November 12, 1887, in book i of plats, on page 34.
Ross Addition, blocks i and 2. Platted by Sarah A. Ross, and recorded July 1, 1889, in
book 2 of plats, on page 29.
Rowland & Ward's Subdivision of block 6, Sherman's Addition, lots 1-16. Subdivided by
Caroline D. Rowland, Emma C. Ward and Mary E. Stickney, and recorded August 29, 1889, in
book 3 of pU'.ts, on page 32.
Rowland's Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Andrew J. Rowland, and recorded June 7,
1883, in book i of plals, on page 16.
Rowland's 2d Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Andrew J. Rowland and C. D. Rowland,
and recorded May 21, 1887, in book i of plats, on page 29.
Russell's Subdivision of block i, Hayes' Addition, lots 1-16. Subdivided by M. Russell,
and recorded May 29, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 21.
Rowland's 4TH Addition, blocks 49-56. Platted by A. T. Rowlaid and Cai-oline D. Row
land, and recorded November 22, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on page 21.
Richard's Subdivision of block 7, Carpenter's Addition, lots 1-24. .Subdivided by H. K.
Richards. Recorded November 10, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on page 19.
Robert's Addition, blocks i and 2. Platted by Thomas H. Roberts and Emma B. Roberts.
Recorded September 3, 1891, in book 4 of plats, on page 2.
Sage's Subdivision of blocks 7, 10 and 23 of Park's Addition. Subdivided by Ingalls Carle
ton, Eva J. Stickney, Annie M. Sage, Geo. F. Hyde and G. H. Pulford. Reco.-ded May 22, 1888,
in book i of plats, on page 42.
Scott's ist Addition, blocks 1-28. Platted by Augusta H. Scott and Dan Scott. Re
corded March 11, 1887, in book i of plats, on page 27.
Scott's 2D Addition, blocks 1-4. Platted by Daniel Scott, and recorded April 19, 18S9, in
book 2 of plats, on page 16.
Schiller's Park Addition, blocks i and 2. Platted by Carl Kleinpell, Henrietta Klein-
pell, Phillip Goehring and Lizzie Goehring. Recorded April 29, 1SS9, in bjok 2 of plats, on
page 17.
Scott & Dunning's Addition, blocks 1-19. Platted by Austin L. Smith, Daniel Scoll,
E. C. Dunning, R. Rush Gibboney, and recorded February 12, 18S9, in book 2 of plats, on page 8.
Sherman's Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Isaac Emerson, and recorded July 23, 1878,
in book i of plats, on page 5.
Sherman's North ALDnioN, blocks 5-12,21-28. Platted by E. A. Sherman, and recorded
May 26, 1883, in book i of plats, on page 15.
Sherman's Subdivision of lots 10 and 11, block 9, J. L. Phillips' Addition, lots 1-7. Sub
divided by E. A. Sherman, and recorded June 14, 1887, in book i of plats, on page 30.
Sheridan, Phil, Addition, blocks 1 and 2. Platted by W. II. Holt, F. W. Hirrington and
John B. .Cloudas. Recorded June 13, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 24.
Sioux Heights 2d Addition, blocks 1-8. Platted by W. H. Holt, J. B Cloudas and F. W.
Harrington. Recorded August 3, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 30.

140 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
South Boulevard Addition, blocks 1-5. Platted by Jennie Hornick, John Hornick, Daniel
Scott, Augusta H. Scott, Henry R. Hunter and Ma.-y H. Hunter. Recorded September 22, 1888,
in book i of plals, on page 46.
South Sioux Falls, blocks 1-2S. Platted by Richard F. Pettigrew and Samuel L. Tate.
Recorded Miiy 13, 1889, in book 2 of plals, on page z8.
South Sioux Falls, blocks 29-60. Platted by Richard F. Pettigrew and Samuel L. Tate.
Recorded May 15, 1891, in book 3 of plats, on page 29.
Sioux Falls Map of blocks 1-3, 10-15. Platted by Josiah L. Phillips, and recorded August
10, 1871, in book i of plats, on page i.
Sioux Falls West, blocks 1-3, 10-15. Platted by John McClellan, and recorded January 5,
1872, in book i of plats, on page i.
Sioux Falls, Shaw's, blocks 37-59, 43-51, 58-60, Platted by Amos F. Shaw, and recorded
September 20, 1872, in book i of plals, on page 2.
Sioux Falls, blocks 19-36. Platted by W. W. Brookings, Clara A. Brookings and Newton
Edmunds, and .ecorded April 30, 1872, in book i of plats, on page i.
Sioux Falls c^: Phillips' Addition, blocks 1, 28. Platted by Josiah L. Phillips, and re
corded .September 10, 1872, in book i of plals, on page 2.
South Park Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Andrew J. Pettengill, trustee, and recorded
June 6, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 23.
South Lawn Addition, blocks 1-8. Platted by Clement L. Coleman, and recorded August
29, 1891, in book 2 of plats, on page 31.
Spicer's Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by the Union Trust Company, and recorded May
18, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 41.
Spicer's 2d Addition, blocks 1-12. Platted by the Union Trust Company and The Wilmar
& Sioux Falls Townsite Company, and recorded May 15, 1889, in book 2 of plats on page 19.
Springbrook Additon, blocks i-8. Platted by Samuel W. Hurst, John B. Hazlell and
Ma.-y A. T. Force, and recorded February 26, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 10.
Smith, A. L., Additio.n, blocks 1-8. Platted by Austin L. Smith, and recorded February i,
1S89, in book 2 of plats, on page 6.
Smith, A. L., 20 Addition, blocks 1-20. Platted by Austin L. Smith, R. R. Gibboney, Dan
iel Scott and E. C. Dunning, and .-ecorded February 21, 1889, in book 2 of plals, on page 9. '
Summit Addition, blocks 1-18. Platted by Ellen Bennett and Russell M. Bennett, and re
corded April 2, 1887, in book i of plats, on page 28.
SuNNYSiDE Addition, clocks 1-16. Platted by Rollin J. Wells, Waller R. Kingsbury, J. T.
McGan-augh and Nancy McGarraugh, and recorded June 22, 1888, in book i of plals, on page 22.
SuNNYSiDE Addition, No. 2, blocks 17 and 18. PlaUed by Rollin J. Wells and Walter R.
Kingsbury, and recorded January 3, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 3.
Syndicate Addition, blocks 1-27. Platted by The Minnehaha Trust Company, and re
corded March 20, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 12.
Smith, A. L., Subdivision of block 8, Daniel's Addition, lots 1-18. Subdivided bv Austin
L. Smith, and recorded March 10, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on page 11.
Smith, P. A., Addition, blocks i-i6. Platted by Frances A. Smith, G. P. H. Jewett C C
Libby and John S. Hamilton, and recorded April 4, 1890, in book 3 of plals, on page I2
Sioux Falls Improvement Co. Additon, blocks 1-8, 41-56, 81-96, 121-128. Platted by the
Sioux Falls Improvement Company, and recorded February 4, 189 1, in book 3 of plats, on
page 23.
Sioux Falls Improvemet Co. Addition, blocks 57-60, 77-80, 97-100, 117-120, ,29-140, 157-
180 197-208. Platted by the Sioux Falls Improvement Company, and recorded February 4, 1891,
in book 3 of plals, on page 24.
Smith, A. L., Subdivision of block ,, Daniels' Addilion, lots 1-.6. Platted by Austin
L. Smith, and recorded April 11, 1891, in book 3 of plats, on page 27
TiBBETTs' Additon, blocks i and 2. Platted by James P. Tibbetts and Mary E. Tibbetts.
Recorded May 25, 1886, in book i of plals, on page 26.
Tower Park Addition, blocks 1-6. Platted by Kate Schaetzel and Jacob Schaetzel. Re
corded May 17, 1888, in book 1 of plats, on page 41.
Tufts' Subdivision of block 4, Emerson's Addition. Platted by W. H. Cobb and Harriet
D. I ufts. Recorded June 29, ,888, in book 1 of plats, on page 16.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 141

Tufts Bros. Addition to Sioux Falls, blocks 1-64. Platted by Edward W. Tufts, and re
corded June 15, 18S9, in book 2 of plats, on page 24.
University Subdivision of blocks 37 and 44, College Addition. Subdivided by the Sioux
Falls University, and recorded September 27, 1889, in book 2 of plals, on page 33.
University Addition, blocks 1-24. Platted by Richard P. Pettigrew and Samuel L. Tale.
Recorded November 17, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 49.
Union Trust Co. Subdivision of lots 10-12, block 3 of J. L. Phillips' Addition, lots 1-7.
Subdivided by The Union Trust Co., and recorded May 22, 1S88, in book i of plats, on page 42.
Van Eps' Addition, blocks 1-19. Platted by William Van Eps and Inez Van Eps. Re
corded November lo, 1886, in book i of plats, on page 27.
Van Eps' 2D Addition, blocks 19-48. Platted by William Van Eps and Inez C. Van Eps.
Recorded May 14, 1888, in book i of plals, on page 40.
Victoria Addition, blocks 50-63. Platted by Eugene Coughran, Minnie B. Coughran,
Cyrus Walts and Mary A. Walts. Recorded November 14, 1890, in book 3 of plats, on page 20.
Ward's J. A., Subdivision of lots 4 and 5 of block 16, Folsom's Addition, lots 1-4. Sub
divided by Joseph A. Ward, and recorded August 14, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 44.
Waters' Subdivision of lots 21-24, block 27, Folsom's Addition, lots 1-4. Subdivided by
Jane Beardsley, and recorded May 28, 1889, in book i of plats, on page 21.
Wayne Heights Addition, blocks 1-16. Platted by Lydia E. Jackson and Joseph R. Jack
son. Recorded June 22, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 27.
West Lawn Addition, blocks 1-21. Platted by Frank Forde and Melvin Grigsby. Re
corded January 29, 1889, in book 2 of plats, on page 5.
West Point Addition, lots 1-15. Platted by Emmett De Bell, and recorded April i6, 1888,
in book i of plats, on page 33.
West Park Addition, blocks 1-4. Platted by O. S. Swenson and R. J. Wells. Recorded
April 2, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 36.
Weston's ist Addition, blocks 1-6. Platted by John N. Weston, and recorded August 30,
1888, in book i of plats, on page 46.
Waldron's Subdivision of block 20, Park Addition, lots 1-16. Subdivided by E. A. Wal
dron and D. W. Hogg. Recorded November 73, 1889, in book 3 of plals, on page 4.
Ward & Folsom's Addition, blocks 1-64. Platted by George W. Ward, and recorded No
vember 23, 1889, in book 3 of plals, on page 6.
Ward's ist Addition, blocks 1-8. Platted by George W. Ward. Recorded April 2, 1891,
in book 3 of plats, on page 26.
Young's Subdivision of block 11, Emerson's Addition, lots 1-18. Subdivided by Sutton E.
Young and Emma S. Young. Recorded June 2, 1888, in book i of plats, on page 43.

STATISTICS.
The following table of statistics has been prepared from the United States census reports from
i860 to 1890 inclusive, and from the census report for 1895 of Minnehaha counly, laken in accord
ance with the laws of South Dakota :
This table includes many things not strictly within the scope of a work of this kind, but in the
writer's opinion are of such general interest that their insertion is justified.
The first census laken in Dakota territory was in i860, when the population was 4,837.
1870     --   14,181
1880    -  -     135.177
South Dakota, 1890    328,808
North Dakota, 1890        182,719
MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
Population of Minnehaha county, 1870    355
Population of Minnehaha county, 1880    8,251
Population of Minnehaha county, 1890  -  -  - 21,879

142 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

POPULATION OF SUBDIVISIONS OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 1890.
Benton, 408; B.-andon, 507; Buffalo, 299; Burk, 452; Clear Like, 286; Dell Rapids, including the
city, i,488;(in 1880, the village of Dell Rapids had a population of 260, and in i8yo, then a city, 993;)
Edison, 434; G.-and Meadow, 336; Hartford, 535; Highland, 321; Humbolt, 324; Logan, 407;
Lyons, 514; Palisades, including Garretson, Palisade and Sherman villages, 707; (Garretson vil
lage, 341); Red Rock, 294; Sioux Falls, including Sioux Falls city, 10,438; (Sioux Falls city in
1880, 2,164; in 1890, 10,177); Split Rock, including East Sioux Falls and Rowena villages, 1,136;
(East Sioux Falls, 577; Rowena, 126); Sverdrup, 528; Taopi, 398; Valley Springs, including Valley
Springs village, 661 ; (Valley Springs village in 18S0, 96; in 1890, 308); Wall Lake, 425; Wayne,
287; Wellington, 335.
NATIVE AND FOREIGN BORN IN MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
Native born, in 1870, 200; 18S0, 5,502; 1890, 15,389; foreign born, 1870, 155; 1880, 2,749; 1S90,
6,490.
MALE AND FEMALE, NATIVE AND FOREIGN BORN.
The population of Dakota in 1S60 consisted of 2,797 males and 2,040 females; 1870, 8,878
males and 5,303 females; 1880, 82,296 males and 52,881 feiDales; 1890, South Dakota, 180,250 inales
and 148,558 females. Native born in South Dakota in 1890, 127,415 males and 110,338 females;
foreign born, 52,835 males and 38,220 females; native white, native parents, 69,334 .r.ales and 57,-
898 females; native white, foreign parents, 57,349 males and 51,866 females; foreign white, 52,648
males and 38,195 feinales; of African descent, 541 ; blacks, 310; mulattoes, 164; quadroons, 44; oc
toroons, 23; Chinese, 195; civilized Indians, 782.
Native born in Minnehaha county in 1890, 8,276 males and 7,113 feinales; fo.-eign born, 3,808
males and 2,682 females ; native white, native parents, 4,309 males and 3,600 females ; native white,
foreign parents, 3,937 males and 3,484 females; foreign white, 3,805 .nales and 2,682 females; col
ored, 33 males and 29 females.
The population of the city of Sioux Falls in 1890 consisted of 5,595 males and 4,582 females;
native born, 4,197 males and 3,567 females; foreign born, 1,398 males and 1,015 females; native
white, native parents, 2,664 males and 2,180 females; native white, foreign parents, 1,508 males
and 1,365 fe.Tiales; foreign white, 1,395 males and 1,015 females; colo.-ed, 44; Chinese 2; civilized
Indians, 4.
NATIONALITY, STATE AND COUNTY.
The foreign population in South Dakota in 1890, consisted of a total number of 9i,oi;5, di
vided into nationalities as follows: Canada and Newfoundl.ind, 9,493; Mexico, 19; Central America
I ; South America, 10; Cuba and the West Indies, 15; England, 5,111 ; Scotland, 1,579; Wales, 695
Great Britain (not specified), 2; I,-eland, 4,774; Germany, i8,iS8; Aust.-ia, 675; Holland, 1,428; Bel
gium, iS3;Luxenburg, .28; Switzerland, 571; Sweden, 7,746; No,-way, 19,257; Denmark, 4,369
Russia, 12,398; Hungary, 321 ; Bohemia, 2,488; Poland, 276; F.-ance, 350; Italy, 269; Spain, 7; Port
ugal, 11; Greece, I ; Asia (not specified), 19; China, 202; India, 9; Africa, 5; Atlantic Islands, 6
Australia, 38; Europe (not specified), 123; Pacific Islands, 203; Sandwich Islands, 3; Turkey, 2
Born at sea, 79; other countries, i.
Minnehaha county, total, 6,490; Canada and Newfoundland, 408; Ireland, 366; England, 44.;
Scotland, 14.; Wales, 52; Germany, S45; Holland, 7; Sweden, 1,0.7; Norway, 2,953; Denmark,
140; Russia, 21 ; Bohemia, 2; other countries, 91.
NATIVITY, AGE AND COLOR, MINNEHAHA COUNTV AND CITY OF
SIOUX FALLS IN 1890.
Native white in Minnehaha county, from 5 to 20 yea.-s of age: 3,093 males and 3,1.4 females;
foreign white, 555 males and 501 females. Native white males from 18 to 44 years of age, 3,396;
co3d '29 '°'" '°'°"'' ''^' ""'"'' ^''''" ""'' "' ^'^''^ """^ °^^^' 3'6?' f°^-ig"' 3 396; total
Native whites in the city of Sioux Falls from 5 to 20 yea.-s of age: 1,239 males and i,373 fe
males; foreign wh.te 149 males and 190 females; total colored, 3 males and 6 females. Males
from 18 to 44 years of age: native white, 2,195; foreign white, 1,043; total colored, 24. Males 21
yea.-s and over: native white, 2,362; foreign white, .,238; total colored, 25.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 143

NUMBER OF DWELLINGS, FAMILIES, AVERAGE NUMBER OF PERSONS IN
EACH DWELLING IN DAKOTA, FROM 1850 TO 1890— ALSO NUMBER OF
SAME IN MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
Number of dwellings in Dakota in 1850, none; in i860, 1,361; in 1S70, 3,231 ; 1880, 29,324;
1890, South Dakota, 68,894. Persons to a dwelling i860, 3.55; 1870,4.39; 1880, 4.61 ; 1890, South
Dakota, 4.77. Number of families in Dakota in 1850, none; i860, 1,241 ; 1870, 3,090; 1880, 31,202;
1890, South Dakota, 72,250. Persons toafamily, i860, 3.90; 1870, 4 59; 1880,4.33; 1890, South
Dakota, 4.68.
Number of dwellings in Minnehaha county in 1890, 3,801 ; number of families, 3,979; persons
to a dwelling, 5.76; persons to a family, 5.50.
Number of dwellings in the city of Sioux Falls in 1890, 1,690; number of families, i,8i6; per
sons to a dwelling, 6.02; persons to a family, 5.60.
Number of persons to a dwelling in South Dakota in 1890, in detail: i person, 6,759; 2 persons,
8,080; 3 persons, 10,120; 4 persons, 10,792; 5 persons, 9,733; 6 persons, 7,793; 7 persons, 5,819; 8
persons, 3,969; 9 persons, 2,508; 10 persons, 1,802; 11 to 15 persons, 1,233; 16 to 20 persons, 135;
21 persons and over, 130.
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT, SOUTH DAKOTA, 1890.
Total number of pupils, 82,919; 43,517 males, 39,397 females and 5 colored females. Total
number of teachers, 4,692; 1,437 males and 3,255 females.
Pupils in the public schools, total, 77,943; males, 41,008; females, 36,932; and colored 3.
Teachers, total, 4,420; males, 1,294 and females, 3,126.
Pupils in public schools additional to common schools, total, 1,228; males, 661 and fcnales,
567. Teachers, total, 58; males, 39 and females, 19.
Pupils in private schools, total, 1,430; males, 663 and females, 767. Teachers, total, 133;
males, 48 and females, 85.
Pupils in parochial schools, total, 2,316; males, 1,185 and females, 1,131. Teachers, total, 81 ;
males, 56 and females, 25.
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS IN SOUTH DAKOTA, 1890.
Total number of organization, 1,589. Edifices, 774, with approximate seating capacity of
149,728; value of church property, $1,761,277; communicants or members, 85,490.
Adventists, 38 bodies ; Regular Baptist (north), 83; Free Will Baptist, 5; other Baptist, 2;
Roman Catholic, 177; Congregationalists, 138; Disciples of Christ, 15; Dunka.-ds, 4; Evangelical
Association, 74; Friends, 4; Latter-day Saints,4; Lutheran, 432; Mennonites, 16; Methodist Episco
pal, 254; other Methodist, 52; Presbyterian, 134; Protestant Episcopal, 83; Reformed, 35; Salva
tion Army, 2; United Brethren, 33; Unitarians, 2.
MORTALITY STATISTICS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, MINNEHAHA COUNTY AND
CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, IN 1890.
Number of deaths in South Dakota in 1890, 3,448. Native born, 1,868; foreign born, 733;
birthplace unknown, 92; colored, 754. Under five years of age: White, i,ooi; colored, 309.
In Minnehaha county, total 86. Native born, 56; foreign born, 30. Under five years of age,
white, 30.
In City of Sioux Falls, total 68. Native born, 50, foreign born, 17, birthplace unknown, i.
Under five years of age, white, 30.
Causes of deaths in Minnehaha county and City of Sioux Falls: Scarlet fever, county 3, city
4; measles, city i ; diphtheria and croup, county 10, city 3; enteric fever, county 7, city 2; mala
rial fever, couQly i; diarrheal diseases, county 11, city 5; cancer and tumors, county 2; consump
tion, county 4, city 7; pneumonia, county 9, city 4; childbirth and puerperal diseases, county 3,
city I.
INFIRM PERSONS IN STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA AND COUNTY OF MIN
NEHAHA IN 1890.
Insane, stale 310, counly 25; feeble-minded, state 285, county 18; deaf, state 332, county 23;
deaf and dumb, state 177, county 21 ; blind in one eye, state 506, county 30; blind in both eyes,
state 177, county 14.

144

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

PRISONERS, NATIVE AND FOREIGN BORN, IN SOUTH DAKOTA, 1890.
Aggregate number of prisoners, 178. Parents native, 68; one parent foreign, ii; both par
ents foreign, 37; one or both parents unknown, 3; foreign born, 44; nativity unknown, 4; negroes,
2 ; Chinese, none ; Indians, 9. There we.e two female prisone.-s, one with one pai-ent foreign, and
the other with both parents foreign. Of these prisoners, 97 were confined in the state peniten
tiary; 72 in the county jails; military prisoners, 8; insane, i.
INDEBTEDNESS OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
The total debt of Minnehaha county in 1880 was $5,650; in 1890, $.553,453; divided into
county, $114,420, municipal, $357,802, school district, $81,231. Debt (less sinking fund) per
capita, in 18S0, 68 cents; in 1890, $25.30.
CENSUS OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 1895.

Benton township 
Brandon township.. 
Buffalo township  _.
Burk township 
Clear Lake township 
Dell Rapids township 
Edison township 
Grand Meadow township
Hartford township 
Humboldt township 
Lyons township 
Logan township 
Highland township 
Palisade, township 
Red Rock township 
Sioux Falls township 
Split Rock township 
Sve.-drup township 
Taopi township 
Valley Springs township
Wall Lake township 
Wayne township 
Wellington township 
Mapleton township 
City of Sioux Falls 
East Sioux Falls 
South Sioux Falls 
City of Dell Rapids 
City of Garretson 
Town of Valley Springs

Total
Popula tion.

421 526314
465 246
470
479 3S1
648 366
564 3Sa
357 32930825s
446610435 307
409 259
322338
8,991 156 85
937 398273
20,455

Native Born.

293321254
332207
282321302
523 277
337232209235222
207 288
319310

278
210 251212
7.340 9864
724310 257
15.215

Foreign Born.

128
205 60
133 39
1881 5879
125 89
227 126
148 94 86
48
158
291I25

131 49 71
126
1,651 5821
213 88 16
5.240

Male.

207285 173
261 131
262268
212357200
306202 183
184 165
149252
331 248 168
230 140172182
4.540 8141
454 218 139
10,757

Fei-nale.

204
241 141
204 ii.'i
2082.1169
291 166
2SS 156 164
145
143106194
279 187139
179119150 ¦56
4.4.'; I
75
44
483 180134
9,698

CHAPTER VI.

RAILROADS AND MOTOR LINES.
Railroad Meetings — Worthington and Sioux Palls R. R. —
Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul R.R. — Burlington, Cedar
Rapids and Northern R. R. — Illinois Central R. R. —
WiLLMAR AND SlOUX FaLLS R.R. — SoUTH SlOUX PaLLS
Railroad and Rapid Transit — South Dakota
Rapid Transit and Railway Co. — Sioux Palls,
Yankton and Southwestern Railway —
Schedule of Distances from Sioux
Falls to Railroad Stations in
THIS County and Other
Important Points —
Altitudes.
Early in the history of the settlement of Minnehaha, county, her
enterprising citizens, especially those residing at Sioux Palls, were
engaged in projects to obtain railroad connections with the outside
world. The people of the little villag-e of Sioux Palls recognized the ad
vantages of its location and were filled with great expectations that
at some time in the near future a prosperous city would rapidly
spring up on the banks of the Sioux. To hasten the time when this
should be accomplished, nothing promised greater results than se
curing railroad connections.
On Monday evening, August 20, 1874, with only a few hours
notice, a large assembly convened at Allen's hall in Sioux Palls to
consider the question of offering some inducement for the building
of a railroad into town. Right here, at the first railroad meeting
ever held within the boundaries of Minnehaha county the people were
told that if Sioux Palls was ever to be anything- but a village, railroad
facilities must be secured; and this statement has been made with
great earnestness at every railroad meeting held since then, when
ever steps were being taken to secure a new line of road. Meetings
of this character usually result in passing a resolution at least, and
this meeting resolved as follows: "That the town of Sioux Palls and
Minnehaha county will donate to the first railroad that is completed

146 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

to this place fiftj' thousand dollars, provided said road reaches Sioux
Palls by the first dav of November, 1876." Prom information re
ceived in reference to this meeting we know that some of those pres
ent thought that November 1, 1876, was the latest day Sioux Palls
could g-et along without a railroad, and others thought that it was as
early a date as the funds could be secured.
Prom this time on, the people never let the railroad question
rest, and all sorts of projects and schemes were devised to get a
railroad; and the town was exceedingly fortunate in having among- its
early settlers some of the most energ-etic, enterprising and capable
men that ever settled in a new country.
On the 2d day of November, 187.^, a larg-e and enthusiastic crowd
of people gathered at Allen's hall to consider an offer that had been
made to the people of Minnehaha count\' Ijv the Sioux City and Pem
bina railroad company to build a railroad to Sioux Falls and have it
in operation by the 1st dav of November, 1876, upon the condition
that Minnehaha county would raise S100,0U0 in aid of the project.
Resolutions were passed to the effect that the interest of Minne
haha county deraanded a railroad, and that the citizens would do all
in their power to aid any company to build a road to Sioux Palls; also
that immediate steps be taken to organize a local company, survey a
route, open stock books and solicit subscriptions along the line of
survey. A committee was appointed to institute the necessary pro
ceedings to this end, consisting of M. L. Wood, E. A. Sherman, Jo
seph Roberts, Newton Clark, R. P. Pettigrew, J. D. Cameron and
Melvin Grigsby. The committee met the day following, and after
reviewing- the situation it was decided "to organize a railroad com
pany to be known as the Sioux Palls Railroad Company," having for
its object the building of a railroad, with one of its termini at Yank
ton and the pther at a point on the eastern boundary of Dakota in the
town of Valley Springs. M. Grigsby was appointed to draft the
articles of incorporation, and on November 10, the organization was
perfected. The company consisted of M. Grigsby, E. A. Sherman,
R. P. Pettigrew, A. P. Shaw, Joseph Roberts, M. L. Wood and J. D.
Caraeron, who at once caused a survey to be made of the line.
Another railroad raeeting of the citizens of Minnehaha county
was held in Sioux Palls on the 22d day of January, 1876, and although
the expression was unanimous in favor of aiding any railroad com
pany in building into Sioux Falls, still, the general opinion was that
S50,000 would be as much as the county could afford to donate. Dur
ing the month of March, 187(), the Worthington and Sioux Falls railroad
company was organized at St. Paul, with the view of making a con
nection with the road to be built by the Sioux Falls company, and
this corapany proceeded to build a railroad from Worthington in the
direction of Sioux Falls, completing its line to Luverne during the
tall of 1877.
At a citizen's meeting held September 5, 1877, in Sioux Palls,
some of the officials of the Sioux Citv and St. Paul and St. Paul and
Sioux City Railroad company made the following proposition: "If
*-or f'*^^'^"'^ °^ Minnehaha countv will vote us aid to the amount of
^25,000, and the village of Sioux Falls will vote us an additional

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 147

amount of SlO.ODl), we will build and equip a railroad to Sioux Palls
on or before Octol)er 1, 1878." On the 28th day of September, 1877,
Horace Thompson of St. Paul, president of the Worthington and
Sioux Palls Railroad Co., addressed a letter to the commissioners
of Minnehaha county, proposing to build that line of road into Sioux
Palls by the first day of October, 1878, if certain conditions contained
in the letter were complied with. He required that the County of
Minnehaha should raise S25,(>00 in aid of the road, and said in this
communication that he raade this proposition with the expectation
that Sioux Falls would raise an additional sum of S10,(JOO, and that
the company controlling- the charter to the Minnesota line would turn
over to the Worthing-ton and Sioux Falls company its charters, sur
veys, rig-ht of way, deeds, or releases of the whole line, including
land at terminus in Sioux Palls for depot and side tracks, free from
all expense. This communication was received by the county board
on October 1, and on that day the board decided to submit to the
election of the county the question of bonding the county in the sum
of 525,000 in aid of the road, as proposed, the bonds to run twenty
years, with interest at ten per cent., and not to be issued by the
board until Sioux Palls had raised 510,000 for the same purpose. The
question was submitted at the general election in November, and re
sulted adversely to the issuance of the bonds, the vote standing 3u4
for, and 4')2 against.
After this defeat, the proposition made by the Worthington and
Sioux Palls company was modified, and a proposition was submitted
to the people of Sioux Falls, offering- to build a road into Sioux Falls
before the 1st day of November, 1878, provided they would raise 520,-
UOO in aid of the road, and coraply with the conditions first proposed
in reference to the right of way and depot grounds. The citizens of
Sioux Falls by this tirae were determined thatthe road being built west
from Worthington and then completed and in operation to Luverne,
should be extended with the greatest possible dispatch to Sioux
Falls. Pifty-two citizens of Sioux Falls petitioned the board of
trustees of the village to subrait the question of bonding the villag-e
for this purpose, in the sum of 520,000, to the electors of the village,
and a meeting of the village council was called for December 15, to
ccjnsider the propriety of so doing.
When the meeting convened, President Howard and Trustees
Sherman, VanEps and Phillips were present. Trustee Callender ab
sent. A motion was made to grant the request of the petitioners,
which received an unanimous vote, and the election was called for
January 15, 1878. The result of this election was 102 votes for and
three against bonding.
At a special raeeting of the village board held March 2'», 1878,
the bonds voted by the corporation were signed by C. K. Howard,
president, and C. O. Natesta, clerk, and put into the hands of the
village treasurer to be turned over to the Sioux Falls Railroad com
pany at the proper time. The bonds having been issued, the Sioux
Falls company was merged into the Worthington and Sioux Falls
Railroad company, and the extension of its line secured.
Sioux Palls was now sure of a railroad, and her people watched

148

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

the approach of the iron rail with great pleasure, and every issue of
the local newspapers announced the progress that was being made.
It reached Valley Springs the first of June, and on Monday, the 4th
day of June, the company opened its office at that place for business.
Brandon, the next station, was reached on the 15th day of July, al
though considerable grading had been done on the line west of that
place. On Thursday, August 1, 1878, the first train with passengers
in charge of Peter Becker, conductor, reached Sioux Palls between
twelve and 1 o'clock in the afternoon, to be accurate, 12:40. A few
gentlemen from Sioux Falls met this train at Brandon and decorated
the engine with flags and streamers, and when the train reached its
destination it was g-reeted by a band of music, led by T. H. Brown,
and the cheers and shouts of a large assemblage of people.

Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Passenger Depot.
It is easy to imagine something of the feeling pervading the peo
ple on this occasion, after haying so long and so diligently labored
for railroad facilities to find at last the work had been accomplished,
and their ears could hear the whistle of a locomotive, and their eyes
see a train of cars in Sioux Falls.
The writer was in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on the llth day of
September, 1870, when the first railroad train came into that citv.
It was a great day, and the people for miles around decided to make

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 149

the most of it. Thousands of people were in attendance, and when
the train approached bands of music played, cannons boomed, and
the crowd set up a mig-hty shout. A few rods from the depot a large,
well-dressed woman sat in a two-seated carriage with a driver in
front, and the spirited horses attached to her carriage became
frightened and commenced to run, when she shouted "let them run,
let them run, I have been in the west sixteen years, and this is the
first time I have seen the cars."
The first passenger fare established to St. Paul was 59.75, to
Sioux City via Worthington, 5().20. Freight rates to St. Paul were
as follows:
First-class   51.00 per hundred pounds
Second-class   90 per hundred pounds
Third-class   70 per hundred pounds
Fourth-class    (.0 per hundred pounds
Lumber    560 per car
Wheat  30 cents per bushel
Trains from St. Paul arrived at 11:45 A. m., and departed at 1:15
P. M. During- Aug-ust and Septeraber following, the company erected
depot buildings, engine house, and an elevator with a capacity of
60,000 bushels.
The Worthing-ton and Sioux Falls line was extended to Salem
in McCook county during the fall of 1879, and was eventually ab
sorbed by the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railroad
Company.THE CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE AND ST. PAUL RAILROAD.
Having secured one railroad, the enterprising business men of
Sioux Palls set about the securing of other lines into the city.
During the latter part of the year 1878, the Sioux City and Pem
bina railroad had completed its line to Beloit, and, like all railroad
corporations, wanted a donation from the people residing along the
line as it proceeded to build. It proposed to build to Sioux Palls
during the year 1879, provided an appropriation should be made by
her people for that purpose. At this time the Chicago, Milwaukee
and St. Paul company was building west from McGregor, and was
getting its line within hailing distance, and although the proposed
route entered Dakota south of Minnehaha county, it was thought ad
visable to make the attempt to divert it from its course and secure
its extension to Sioux Palls.
A railroad company was org-anized at Sioux Falls called the
Sioux Palls and Red Ri\er corapany, and had for its initial object the
securing of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul line of road. This
corporation consisted of B. P. Carapbell, M. Grigsby, Wm. VanEps,
C. K. Howard, J. M. Washburn, A. Gale, E. W. Caldwell, H. Cal
lender, N. E. Phillips and T. H. Brown of Sioux Palls, and W. J.
Sibbison and R. S. Alexander of Dell Rapids.
As soon as incorporated, the company conferred with the
management of the C, M. and St. P. R. R. Co.,in reference to secur
ing that line of road, but after brief negotiations it was found impos-

150

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

sible to divert it from its proposed route, or to sectire any assurance
that it would build a branch line to Sioux Falls.
During the earlv part of 1879, the Pembina company manifested
a disposition to build to Sioux Falls, but at the same time it wanted
a donation, and submitted to the people at different times, proposi
tions for extending- its line to Sioux Falls, and promised to ha\e the
road in operation before January 1, 1880.
On the 26th day of July, it finally proposed that it would do
so if Sioux Palls would donate depot grounds and secure the right of
way from Canton. This offer was promptly accepted and the right
of way secured, and on the 18th day of December, 1879, the first
train over this jroad arrived in Sioux Falls. During the month of
October, 1879, the Sioux City and Pembina, and Dakota Southern
railroad companies consolidated, and on the first day of April, 1880,
the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul company absorbed it into its
railroad system.

Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Passenger Depot.
Another road, the Southern Minnesota, during 1879 was rapidlv
coming west through southern Minnesota and it was thought desir
able that this road should build down the valley of the Sioux to Sioux
Palls. It was not very greedy in its demand for a donation for
buildingto Sioux Palls, butaskedthatdei)otgrounds in the village and
the right of way for ten miles north of the corporation limits be
given. This proposition was accepted, and the road secured and
completed into Sioux Falls in 1881, and was soon absorbed bv the
Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Company.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 151

BURLINGTON, CEDAR RAPIDS AND NORTHERN
RAILROAD.
As early as the 13th day of August, 1884, P. P. Peck, then one
of the aldermen of Sioux Palls, asked the city council, "to appro
priate 5500 to make a permanent survey of a line of railroad from
Sioux Falls east to a point in Osceola or Lyon counties, Iowa, to inter
sect with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern railroad."
This was done by an unanimous vote, and a warrant ordered drawn
in the sum of 5100, "to pay the incidental expenses of such survey."
A few months later a warrant was drawn for 5400 to defray the "ex
penses of the survey that had been made.
The foreg-oing is the first record the writer has been able to find
of any attempt made to g-et the Burlington line of road into Sioux
Falls. During- 1885 the subject was discussed, but no definite action
taken. At a railroad meeting held in Sioux Palls January 2, 1886, the
Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad Company raade a
proposition to extend its line to Sioux Palls during the year 1886.
To do this it required that a fund of 580,000 be raised by the
people residing along the proposed route frora Ellsworth to Sioux
Falls, and that the right of way and depot grounds be donated. Pre
vious to this, the Sioux Falls, Iowa and Northern Railroad Company
had been formed, and the final result of this meeting- was to pass a
resolution as follows: "Resolved, that it is taken to be the sense of
the meeting that the officers of the Sioux Palls, Iowa and Northern
railroad be requested to draw a guarantee of the proposition here
submitted by President Ives, and present the same to the people of
Sioux Falls for their signature, and that the chairman of this
meeting appoint a comraittee of five for that purpose." This raeeting
was well attended and those present were in a mood to promise al
most anything to secure this road, in fact, sorae of them said, "Sioux
Palls could not prosper without it." An agreement was drawn up
and signed bythe committee on the part of Sioux Falls, and by Presi
dent Ives on the part of the railroad company to carry into effect the
proposition as first made. It was estimated that Sioux Palls would
have to raise 550,000 of the 580,000 asked for, and the contract was
made accordingly.
On the llth day of January, 1886, the city council convened in
special session to consider a petition that had been circulated and
largely signed, asking the council to levy a tax on all the taxable
property in the city, sufficiently large to raise 550,000, or else sub
mit to the people the question of bonding the city in that sum to
secure the building of this road to Sioux Palls.
The council referred the petition to the finance committee, with
instruction to report at the next meeting, and then adjourned until
the next day. On the 12th day of January the committee reported,
recomraending the council to submit the question of bonding the city
in the sum of 550,000 in aid of the road, to the electors of Sioux
Palls, and that the election be held on the 9th of February, 1886.

152

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

The council at once passed a resolution calling the election, as
recommended by the committee. Within a day or two after this
-action had been taken, it was discovered that 550,000 would not be
sufficient to meet the obligations assumed by the citizens committee,
and a public meeting was held to take the subject into consideration.
At this meeting- it was thought advisable to raise 560,000, as it
would require at least 510,000 to get the right of way and depot
grounds in Minnehaha county. A resolution was passed, requesting
the city council to submit the question of bonding the city in the
sum of 560,000 to a vote of the people. In a called session on the
20th day of January, the city council rescinded its former action in
the matter, and ordered the question submitted to a vote of the peo
ple on the 16th day -of February, 1886, in accordance with the terms
of the resolution adopted at the citizens' meeting.
The election was held and resulted in there being 709 votes cast,
of which 671 were in favor of issuing bonds, and 38 against.
On the 26th day of February the vote was canvassed and the
bonds ordered issued — 120 in number, of $500 each, at 7 per cent, in
terest, to become due in twenty years. On the 12th day of Mav the
city council directed the mayor and clerk to sign the bonds and de
posit them in the Minnehaha National Bank. This issue of bonds
was at a later date destroyed, owing to some informalities, and on
the 9th day of March, 1887, a new issue of bonds was made in the
same amount, to run for twenty years from date.

Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Passenger Depot.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY,. 153

The road was completed into Sioux Falls on the 26th day of Oc
tober, 1886, J. W. Boyce driving the last spike at 11 o'clock A. M.,
and the ring-ing- of church bells and blowing of steam whistles
announced to the people that the B., C. R & N. railroad was cora
pleted. A freig-ht train arrived that day over the road, and the fol
lowing day, at 3 o'clock p. M.,a passenger train left for Ellsworth, to
connect with the through train from Watertown, and on the 1st day
of Noveraber, 1886, regular passenger trains commenced running-.
In securing- the right of way throug-h the county, and in getting
the other towns along the line to Ellsworth to donate their propor
tionate share, required not a little work on the part of Sioux Falls.
Thomas H. Brown did a good deal of this work, and is entitled to a
large share of the credit in obtaining this line of road.
ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD.
On the 26th day of April, 1887, a public meeting was held at
Cherokee, Iowa, to take action in the matter of inducing the Illinois
Central Railroad Company to build a branch to Sioux Palls. It was
a well-attended raeeting- of the business raen of Cherokee, and they
were alive to the advantages the city would secure by the building of
this road. A coraraittee was appointed to confer with the officials of
the road, and to set before them the advantag-es that Cherokee had
over all other towns on the line as a terminus of a branch road to
Sioux Palls. The committee had also instruction to confer with the
people of Sioux Falls, and get them interested in the enterprise.
This may be said to be the initial step that culminated in secur
ing to Sioux Falls a connection with the Illinois Central, althoug-h
the citizens of Sioux Palls had before this taken some action in the
same direction.
About four o'clock in the afternoon of Thursday, May 12, 1887,
a delegation of twenty-two g-entlemen arrived in Sioux Falls in the
interest of the proposed railroad from Cherokee. This delegation
was made up of business men from Cherokee, Primgar, Sheldon and
Rock Rapids. They were expected to arrive the next day, but the
citizens were ready for them, and dodgers were at once circulated,
calling the business men to assemble at the Cataract house that even
ing to confer with the delegation regarding the projected railroad
connection. Representatives of all the various interests in the city responded
to the call, and the visitors were assured that nothing would please
the people of Sioux Falls more, than to secure the railroad connec
tion they desired.
Just prior to this time, it had l)een intimated in railro.id circles
that the Illinois Central had a project to extend its road from Fort
Dodge to Sioux Palls, and from whatever point this road commenced
to build through northwestern Iowa, the people of Sioux Falls were
determined to offer such inducements as to secure the connection.
R. P. Pettigrew, A. Beveridge, C. E. McKinney, E. A. Sherman and
Major E. G. Smith were appointed on the part of Sioux Palls to act
with the delegations present from the several localities, with in
structions to do everything possible to secure the road.

154 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

The delegations returned home the next day, and reported they
had been enthusiastically received all along the line, and that the
people were alive to the importance of energetic, concerted action, if
they were to secure the road from Cherokee to Sioux Falls.
Sioux Falls had been fixed upon by the Central, as the ultimate
terminus of the proposed branch, and whether it was to commence
at Fort Dodge, Tara, Manson, or Cherokee, (although her citizens
preferred it should be at Cherokee) she was reasonably certain of
the connection. On the 22d day of May, 1887, the officials of the Illinois Central
visited Cherokee, and the advantag-es and feasibility of the route
from Cherokee to Sioux Palls were so strongly presented to them by
the people of that enterprising- city, that they secured an order di
recting Division Su])erintendent Gilleas to make a survey of the
route at once.
On Wednesday, June 1, 1887, D. C. Rice of Sioux Palls, who had
been stimraoned to Cherokee, returned home and reported that the
route had been divided into three surveying districts — one from
Cherokee to Sheldon, one from Sheldon west, and one from Sioux
Palls east; that he had charge of the one from Sioux Palls, and had
received instructions to push his work with all possible vigor, and
that he would commence the next day.
June 2, 1887, Superintendent Gilleas was in Sioux Palls, and he
said the survey would be completed over the entire route within two
weeks. On Wednesday, July 11, he again visited Sioux Falls, ac-
:orapanied by Wm. J. Knight, attorney of the Illinois Central rail
road, and it was soon known that they came with authority to con
tract for the building of the road from Cherokee to Sioux Palls
before January 1, 1888. As usual on occasions like this, a meeting
was held at the Cataract house in the evening. It was largely at
tended by representative business raen, and without any dela\- Mr.
Knight made the following proposition: ''The Illinois Central will
at once commence g-rading- and have its line from Cherokee to Sioux
Falls in operation by Januarj^ 1, 1888, if the citv of Sioux Palls will
secure it depot grounds and the right of way thereto from the cor
poration limits." The proposition was accompanied with a state
raent that the depot grounds wanted by the company was a strip of
land 300 feet wide and about 2,000 feet" long, on the east side of the
river north of Eighth street, between the river bank and the Omaha
track, and that the company desired the right of way to the packing
house, polishing works and quarries, and sufficient ground for stock
yard and roundhouse purposes.
Before this, the people of Sioux Falls had agreed with the towns
east, through which the road was to be built, that Sioux Falls would
secure the right of way in Minnehaha county. After the proposition
had been submitted by Mr. Knight, it was discussed fully by those
present and finally submitted to a vote, and it was unanimously de
cided to accept the proposition. A committee was then appointed,
consisting of R. P. Pettigrew, C. E. McKinnev, E. G. Smith, E. A.
Sherman and C. O. Bailey, to obtain a guaranty that the agreement
would be carried out, and to arrange with the company in reference
to all matters contained in its proposition.

c

HISTORY OK jV^iiMNEHAHA COUNTY. l55

Although this project of building the road from Cherokee to
Sioux Falls was being carried on h\- the Illinois Central company,
still it could not do it directiv, as its charter obtained from the State
of Illinois did not permit it to construct any railroad lines outside of
the state, but it could actjuire possession of railroads 1)\' purchase or
consolidation. To avoid this inhibition, the Cherokee and Dakota, a
construction company, was incorporated, composed of prominent of
ficials of the Illinois Central.
On Tuesday, July 12, 1887, a larg-e delegation carae over frora
Rock Rapids for the purpose of seeing what could be done in refer
ence to the rig-ht of wav nine miles in leng-fh, in Minnesota. This
delegation wanted Sioux Palls to take care of it, as thev had all thev
could do at Rock Rapids, having to procure thirtj'-two miles of rig-ht
of wav in Lyon county besides depot g-rounds. The result of this
conference was an ag-reement that Sioux Palls should obtain tin-
right of way in Minnesota.
The following- Thursday prominent officials of the Illinois Cen
tral carae to Sioux Palls and informed the people just what was
wanted to settle the question whether the road would be built or not.
Some of the requirements it was impossible to perforra, and soon af
ter, E. A. Sherman and R. P. Pettigrew went to Dubuque to confer
further with the railroad officials, and obtain, if possible, such modi
fications of the contract as would enable the people of Sioux Falls to
enter into it, feeling assured that thev could perform the oblig-ations
assumed. In this mission they were successful, and Mr. Sherman returned
to Sioux Palls. On Tuesday, July 26, 1887, he started out with a
contract of guaranty to obtain the signatures of the business men of
the citv, and the amount thev would be individually responsible for
if the road was built in 1887. The city had bonded for 560,000 in
building the B., C. R. and N. railroad, and had promised the Willmar
and Sioux Palls company 560,000 more, and it looked like a big job to
secure 540,000 for this road, and it was probable that it could not be
obtained for a less sum.
Mr. Sherman put in a good day's work, and at night had 530,000
subscribed. Thirteen men had subscribed $1,000 each, and thirty-
four men 5500 each. The next day he increased the guaranty to 542,-
250, and then telegraphed the officials of the Illinois Central that the
guaranty was completed in accordance with the Dubuque agreement.
Thursday evening a public meeting was held, but it was only neces
sary as a ratification meeting, and it is safe to say that a Sioux Palls
audience was never in a happier mood. A committee was appointed
to secure the right of way, consisting of E. A. Sherman, R. P. Petti
grew, C. E. McKinney, H. M. Avery and R. G. Parmley.
On Saturday, July 30, 1887, the guaranty was accepted by the
railroad officials', and "the grading of the road let, to be completed
within sixty days, and the people of Sioux Falls retired that night
assured of another connection with a great railroad system.
E. A. Sherman, R. P. Pettigrew and R. G. Parmley went into
Minnesota to secure the right of way, in fact, all along the line as
far as Sioux Palls was to obtain it, and one of the committee re-

156

HISTORY OF jy^iiNNEHAHA COUNTY.

ported that when they were all together they could always secure
it. Pettigrew and Sherman would get the men into their barns and
Parmley would go into their houses and by his bland smiles, winning
deportment and entertaining- songs would so please the ladies that
when they carae to the point of contracting for the amount that
should be paid, thev alwavs found the wives more liberal than the
husbands. On the 12th "day of August, 1887, this commitee re-
])orted that they had secured the right of way through Minnesota,
except for a short distance over the property of two nonresidents,
and that in so doing-, had contracted to pay 56,400.
The first iron rail laid on this road was on Monday, Septeraber
26, 1887, at Cherokee, Iowa.
Mondav, Deceraber 19, 1887, was a cold day, but nearly five
hundred raen with two hundred teams were approaching the ter
minus of the Illinois Central in the city of Sioux Palls, laying the
iron railas they advanced, and the whole city was ready for a burst of
enthusiasm when the last spike should be driven. At just 11:30
o'clock, P. M., everything was ready, when Mayor Norton, wielding
the sledge with with a few well directed blows, sent the last spike
home, and the whole city was soon raade aware by the great com
raotion that followed that Sioux Palls had an air line railroad con
nection with'Chicap-o.

Illinois Central Passenger Depot.
It had been previously arranged that a banquet should be given
the officials of the Illinois Central when the road was completed, and
the evening of the 19th day of December had been fixed upon as the
time, and as Governor L. K. Church was to be in the city on that day,
it was made a dual affair in honor of the officials and his excellency.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 157

At midnig-ht Mayor Norton appeared at the banquet room with the
railroad officials, and as the governor and other in\ ited guests were
present all sat down to one of the most elegant spreads Sioux Palls
had ever g-iven. E. W. Caldwell was toastmaster, and called on
(xovernor Church to welcome the Central to Dakota, which he did in
a splendid speech. This was followed by speeches from D.R.Bailey
and Major E.G.Smith on the part of Sioux Palls. General Manager
Jeffries then made the speech of the occasion, and eloquently as
serted that notwithstanding- a majority of the stock and bonds of his
company was held by foreigners it was American to the core.
Speeches frora P. R. "Aikens, C. H. Winsor and E. G. Wright fol
lowed, and the gathering dispersed after having given three cheers
and a tiger for the Queen City.
On Thursday, December 22, $30,000 was paid out in Sioux Palls
to the laborers on the new line of road.
Freight trains commenced running on this road in January, 1888.
A Cherokee accommodation train -^.'as put on April 2, and a regular
passenger train June 3, 1888.
It only remains to add that Sioux Palls fulfilled all the obliga
tions entered into by her citizens to secure this road, and that the
citv council issued the warrants of the city in the sum of 543,329.52,
to pay for the rig-ht of way and depot g-rounds.
WILLMAR AND SIOUX FALLS RAILROAD.
On the 18th dav of February, 1886, several business men ol Pipe
stone visited Sioux Falls to work up the interest araong her [)eople
in building a railroad to be known as the Willmar and Sioux Falls
railroad. They registered at the Cataract House and then called
upon some of the raost prominent business men in the city, extolling
the enterprise thev had in hand as only raen can do who want a rail
road. In the evening a meeting was held in one of the sam]>le rooms
at the Cataract House and the project discussed in all its phases.
E. A. Sherman was chairman of the meeting, and before it adjourned
it was decided unanimously to make a move to obtain the road, and
Andrew Beveridge, C. L. Norton and Cyrus Walts were appointed a
committee to act for the city. A day or two after this meeting a
local company was organized as the Willmar and Sioux Falls Rail
road Company, with 52,000,000 capital to build the line, and araong
the directors elected were E. A. Sherman and H. T. Corson of Sioux
Palls. On March 11, 1886, articles of incorporation were filed with
the secretary of state of Minnesota, and on April 6, the local com
pany ordered a preliminary survey to be made.
On Tuesday, Julv 20, 1886," a mass meeting was held in Sioux
Palls to get an "expression of the citizens and to see what could be
done to secure the road. The meeting was quite largely attended,
and resulted in passing a resolution guaranteeing 550,000 and the
right of way for the line in Minnehaha county to the Manitoba Rail
way Company, if the company w^ould build the road into Sioux Falls.
After this time, during the year 1886, conferences were held in
St. Paul with the Manitoba management by prominent citizens of
Sioux Palls for the purpose of obtaining, if possible, the assurance

158 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

that the road would come to Sioux Palls. Nothing of a definite char
acter was accomplished, although the people at this end of the line
were doing- everything- they could to aid in the project.
On the 8th day of January, 1887, it was reported that the survey
ing- party was west of Willraar, and coraing west, and on the 7th day
of March, that the survey had been completed to Pipestone. March
24, the surveyors arrived in Sioux Falls, having completed the survey
of the entire line.
April 28, 1887, a raeeting- was held in the court house by the citi
zens of Sioux Palls, for the purpose of considering- a proposition that
had been raade by President J. M. Spicer, which contemplated the
building of the road to Sioux Falls. It was largely attended, and the
utraost enthusiasra prevailed; and when it was known that the condi
tions of securing the road were a donation of 550,000, and the right
of way in Minnehaha county, itwas so good a thing- that no discussion
took place and the proposition was accepted by a unanimous vote.
A petition to the city council was then and there signed by upwards
of fifty taxpayers, asking the council to levy a direct tax in aid of the
road, and pledging the signers to use their best endeavors to secure
the name of every taxpayer in the city. William Van Eps, W. H.
Corson, P. P. Peck, N. E. Phillips and John Sundback were ap
pointed a committee to Avait upon the county commissioners at once,
and urge them to call a special election, and submit the question of
levying a direct tax in aid of the road to the electors of the county.
A committee, consisting of M. Grigsby, C. E. McKinney, R. P. Pet
tigrew, M. Gerin and J. T. Gilbert, "was appointed todraw up and
circulate for signatures a guaranty to the company in sufficient
amount to secure the iraraediate commencement of work on the line.
May 8, 1887, this committee reported that there had been secured
548,000 upon the guaranty. A meeting was held in Palisade town
ship on the same day, which was largely attended, and W. W. Coon,
E. Millard and Ezra Royce were appointed a committee to aid in se
curing the right of way through the township.
June 18, 1887, President Spicer came to Sioux Palls, and upon
his arrival a meeting of the citizens was called for the evening. It
was a representative gathering of the people, and when convened
E. A. Sherman stated that the people had corae together to hear a
report of the raeeting of the directors of the Willraar and Sioux Falls
Railroad Company held at Pipestone the da\' before. He said it had
been determined at that meeting that the road could not be built to
SlOUX Falls during the year 1887, as it was impossible to secure the
necessary ties, but that the management of the road through its
president was ready to submit a proposition to the people, which
would, if accepted, secure the road. President Spicer then came
forward and submitted the following proposition:
The Willmar and Sioux Falls Railway Company being desii-ous of obtaining fi-om the City of
Sioux Falls, County of Minnehaha, Territory of Dakota, a bonus from said citv in aid of the con
struction of the line of .-ailway of said company from Willma.-, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, to
Sioux Falls, Dakota, hereby makes lo said City of Sioux Falls, the following definite proposition
as heretofore .nutually agreed upon :

Fi.-st. The amount of such aid is $50,000, and the light of way through Minnehaha county,
Dakota, tothe City of Sioux Falls,

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 159

Second. The said amount of aid to be paid as follows: At the time of the acceptance of this
proposition the citizens of Sioux Falls shall execute an indemnity bond to said lailway company
in the amount of $50,000. Said bond lo be app.-oved by the p.-esident of said railway company
and conditioned upon the construction of said railway line as herein proposed and the payment of
the said aid as follows: At the lime of the completion of said line of .-ailway to Sioux Falls,
$50,000 in cash, with the option on the pa.-t of the city to .iiake said payment as follows: $20,000
January i, 1889; $15,000 January 1, 1890, and $15,000 January i, 1891, with interest thereon at
the rate of 6 per cent, per annum froin the lime when said railway company shall have cars run
ning to the said City of Sioux Falls. Said right of way through Minnehaha county to the City
of Sioux Falls lo be obtained at the expense of the citizens of Sioux Falls, or of Minnehaha
county, Dakota, and deeds to be placed in the hands of the said railway company on or befoi-e
September 1, 1887, and it is he.-eby undeistood and agreed that the citizens of Sioux Falls shall
fully protect and indemnify said railway coinpany against any cost or expense in obtaining the
.-ight of way through Minnehaha county, Dakota, to the City of Sioux Falls.
Third. The said .-ailway co.npany p.-oposes and ag.-ees, in conside.-ation of said bonus, to
cause to be constructed its line of railway from Willinar, Kandiyohi county', Minnesota, to Sioux
Falls, Minnehaha counly, Dakota, and to complete its line of lailway and have ca.-s running
thereon to Sioux Falls, Dakota, on or before the ist day of January, 1889, and to grade said rail
way through Minnehaha county to Sioux Falls on or before January i, 1S88.
In witness whereof said Willmar and Sioux Falls Railway Company has on this 18th day of
June, 1887, caused this proposition to be signed by John M. Spice.-, its p.esident, and Charles C.
Goodnow, its secretary, and sealed with its corporate seal.
The Willmar and Sioux Fall.s Railway Comi'Axy.
(Seal.) By John M. Si-iciiit, President.
Charles C. Goouxow, Secrelary.
He said that all the counties along the proposed route in Minne
sota had voted a tax and secured the right of way, except Pij.estone
county, and that the people of that count)' would vote on the question
the following Monday. He urged the people to take prompt action
in the matter, as Sioux City on the one side, and towns west of Sioux
Falls would pay liberal bonuses to divert the road from Sioux Falls,
and that Sioux" City had already offered 5300,000 for the road. Other
remarks were made, when R. F. Pettigrew made a motion that the
proposition submitted be accepted and the bond given. It received
a unanimo-is vote. A committee to secure the guaranty was ap
pointed, composed of John Norton, Andrew Beveridge, C. E. Mc
Kinney, M. Gerin and J. T. Gilbert.
During the summer a good deal of speculation was engaged in, in
reference to the commencement of the work here, the location of the
depot and other matters pertaining to the road.
August 1, 1887, a large crew of men and several hundred teams
camped on the Willmar and Sioux Falls line at a point about equi
distant from Willmar and Granite Falls, and by the 5th of Septem
ber there were about one hundred camps of graders between Will
mar and Sioux Falls. September 12 itwas learned that a large force
of graders had been laid off, and that there was trouble somewhere.
E. A. Sherman and R. P. Pettigrew visited St. Paul at once and saw
James J. Hill, and were hot long in finding the cause of the trouble.
The Manitoba wanted depot grounds near the Omaha depot south of
Eighth street, but expected to get what land the company wanted for
525,000, but had been asked $50,000, which sura was considered ex
orbitant. The result of the interview was an order by Mr. Hill that

160 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

the g-rading should go on, and that the matter of depot grounds
should rest until the spring of 1888, when, if necessary, condemna
tion proceedings would be instituted to obtain them, At the conclu
sion of the interview Mr. Hill said: "I have agreed to put my line
through to Sioux Falls, and it is going there." This statement was
a great relief to the people of Minnehaha county, for it must be ad
mitted that the boomers at Sioux City had not only kept them guess
ing-, but had given them a great amount of hard work, and sharp
work to thwart their schemes to divert the road from its original
destination. September 20, 1887, a meeting of the directors of the Willmar
and Sioux Palls Railway Company was called at St. Paul. At this
meeting all the directors resig-ned and an election was held for a new
board. Itwas the intention to elect a director from each of the prin
cipal towns along the road, but it resulted in retaining only Presi
dent Spicer and Vice President Sherman, the balance being made up
of prominent officials of the Manitoba.
Mr. Sherman arrived home on the 22d of September, and the
next day it was known that the road had secured depot grounds in
the southwestern part of the city, but at the same tirae it was known
that the management still desired to obtain land near the Omaha de
pot for depot grounds, if it could be obtained at a reasonable price.
This it was impossible to do, and on the 9th day of October, 1887, the
depot was located where it now is.
The work of grading the road commenced early in the spring of
1888, but was delayed by heavy rains during- the "latter part of the
spring and early sumraer, but on the first day of August a large
force was put on, and from that tirae the work was pushed with
great vigor. The approach of the force eng-aged in corapleting the
road to Sioux Palls about October 20, 1888, astonished the people. It
looked like a small, well equipped armv. Some of the boarding cars
were three stories high; and when the "people saw seven hundred feet
of track laid in just eight minutes, they were all ready to vote for
"Jim Hill" for president of the United" States. The line was com
pleted to Sioux Falls at 4:30 o'clock, in the afternoon of October
25, 1888. The first regular passenger train on the Willmar and Sioux Palls
railroad pulled out of the city of Sioux Palls at 8:30 A. M., November
1, 1888. The bridge not being completed over the Big Sioux river
near the company's depot, temporary quarters had been provided on
Eighth street, east of the Omaha depot.
E. A. Sherman secured the right of way and depot grounds for
this road in Minnehaha county, and in doing so, labored hard to have
it cost the city as little as possible, but having done the best he could
the city was corapelled to pay 577,403.65.
After the corapletion of the road, it was considered the right
thing by the citizens of Sioux Falls, to formally express to James J.
Hill its appreciation of what he had done for the city in giving her a
connection with the great combination lines of railroads under his
raanageraent, and a time had been fixed for so doing, but had been
changed, and finally Tuesday, December 11, was settled upon for the

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 161

occasion. At first the intention was to give a reception to the rail
road officials, btit as time wore on the original plan was enlarg-ed and
the business men of St. Paul, Minneapolis and towns along the line
were invited to the hospitalities of the city.
On Monday night, December 10, 1888, a train of nine sleepers
and day coaches started from St. Paul for Sioux Falls. At different
points along- the line delegations g-ot aboard the train, and when it
arrived at its destination there were 185 passeng-ers. A few persons
from adjoining- towns had also been invited, so that the guests of the
citv numbered more than two hundred. It was a great disappoint
ment to every one that James J. Hill could not be present, but a law
suit involving about two raillion dollars detained him.
Prom the arrival of the train until its departure ten hours later,
nothing was left undone by the people of Sioux Palls to make the oc
casion enjoyable for her guests and meraorable in the annals of the
Queen City. The arrangements were simply perfect, the banquet
elegant, and the whole affair terminating- in sorae admirable speeches
in harmony with the occasion.
SOUTH SIOUX PALLS RAILROAD AND RAPID TRANSIT.
The South Sioux Falls Railroad and Rapid Transit coinpany
was incorporated in December, 1888.
The incorporators were R. P. Pettigrew, S. L. Tate, P. H. Ger
rish, C. G. Ferguson and P. W. Pettigrew. It was supposed at
first that the company intended to build a belt motor line around the
citv, the central station to be located at South Sioux Falls.
January 4, 1889, the city council of Sioux Palls passed an ordi
nance giving this company the right to build and operate a motor line
within the citv limits, and the exclusive right to certain streets in
the citv, commencing at the intersection of Eleventh street and
Phillips avenue.
During the spring and early summer the road was graded and
ironed to South Sioux Palls. Two new passenger cars for this road
arrived in the citv about the 10th day of May, 1889. The 18th day
of June, 1889, the first business was done on this road, over one
thousand people being conveyed from Eleventh street to Coats' race
track. A trial trip was made Tuesday, June 25, 1889, to South
Sioux Falls, and all the city officials were invited to honor the oc
casion with their presence.
During the summer of that year all sort of surmises were made
as to where the western terminus would be located, but the idea pre
vailed quite generally that it was the eastern end of the Midland
Pacific, and would ultimately be built to Puget Sound.
In March, 1890, the name of this company was changed to the
Sioux Palls Terminal Railroad Company.
A portion of this line between the city of Sioux Palls and South
Sioux Palls is now operated by the Great Northern Railroad
Company.

162 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
SOUTH DAKOTA RAPID TRANSIT AND RAILROAD
COMPANY.
In June, 1889, it was known in Sioux Palls that there was a pro
ject on foot to construct a motor line from Sioux Falls to East Sioux
Palls. The organization was perfected about the 1st of July of that
year under the name of South Dakota Rapid Transit and Railway
Company. W. R. Kingsbury, R. J. Wells, C. C. Crandall, C. E.
Johnson, A. M. Crosby, J. T. Little, Jr., and S. C. French were
elected directors, and they elected King-sbury, president, French,
vice president, Johnson, treasurer and W. S. Welliver, secretary.
An ordinance was passed by the city council of the- city of Sioux
Falls on the 1st day of July, 1889, granting the right of way for this
corapany to build and operate a single track of its railway along and
upon certain streets in the city, commencing at the foot of Ninth
street crossing the Sioux river and thence east to the city limits.
But before anything was done at the west end of the line, the com
pany and the owners of property on Tenth street arranged for the
building of a viaduct on that street, east of the bridge over the tracks
of the Milwaukee, Omaha and Great Northern railroads, and the
ordinance granting the right of way, was afterwards araended so as
to begin the line at the intersection of Tenth street and Phillips
avenue. About this time the Tenth street bridge was condemned, and
owing to the fact that this line was to cross the river on Tenth
street, the bridge was rebuilt in a most substantial manner.
As soon as the right of way through the citv had been secured
the company proceeded to survey the route, and when it was com
pleted on the 1st of August, Eng-ineer Jackson reported that the line
was just six miles in length. The building of the bridges on the
line, seven in all, was completed in November and track laving com
menced on January 27, 1890.
About February 20, 1890, the contract was let for the equipment
of the road, all except the cars, for the sura of 535,000.
The raotors for the electric cars arrived April 8, and were taken
to the engine house on block one in East Park addition. The engine
arrived on April 12, and the boiler— weighing 13,000 lbs.— on April
17, 1890. About this time in the history of the electric motor line, a dis
agreement arose between the city council and the company, and
durmg the afternoon of May 14, a special meeting of the committee
on rules and ordinances met to consider the matter.
At the tirae of the passage of the original ordinance number 81,
the company thought it possible that they might want to cross the
river on lenth street, although by the terms of the ordinance it was
to cross at Ninth street. Afterwards ordinance number 102 was
passed amending ordinance 81, giving the company the right to
enter the city by way of Tenth street across the viaduct, and the
laying of a double track on the bridge, the company to keep up the
repair ot the bridge roadway between the rails. At the time this
ordinance was passed, Col. J. H. Drake appeared in opposition to it.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 163

The meeting of the committee was called to consider an ordi
nance amending ordinance number 81. Col. Drake and Wm. Van
Eps were present and discussed at length the question at issue,
while the company was represented by J. W. Jones and its president
W. R. Kingsbury. This proposed amendment declared the rights
and privileg-es g-ranted under ordinance 81 forfeited, unless the line
of railway should be wholly built and equipped for business and in
full operation within the limits of the city of Sioux Falls on or before
the 15th day of July, 1890, or within fifteen days after the Tenth
street bridg-e and viaduct should be completed and open to travel.
The hearing in this case ended with the promise of President
Kingsbury that the company would lay only one track over the
bridge and viaduct, and that it should be laid upon one of the side
walks supported by brackets if found practicable.
The committee reported this ordinance to the city council on
May 17, with a recommendation that it be referred to the city attor
ney, which was accordingly done.
About this time one of those little affairs occurred in the city
that usually follow in building motor and street car lines where
there are, or are supposed to be, conflicting- interests. Sunday
morning, May 25, just after midnight, there appeared to be an un
usual activity in the vicinity of Tenth street and Phillips avenue. It
so happened that, owing to some public gatherings in the city that
were just breaking up, a good many people were on the streets, and,
as it was only a step out of the way to visit Tenth street, they did so
to verify the rumor that something unusual was taking place at that
point. A crowd soon gathered, and to their surprise found about
fifty persons on Tenth street engaged in laying a street car track.
Mayor Peck soon arrived, and was horrified at finding so many men
breaking the Sabbath, and expostulated with thera, using some of the
most approved scriptural quotations "in accents wild," but all to no
effect. The tall form of George Arneson was to be seen everywhere
among the Sabbath breakers urging them on. Fred Pettigrew and
C. G. Ferguson appeared to be associated with Arneson in command,
and this gave the whole scheme away, for who was there but Judge
Tate, that could induce such men to work on the Sabbath. The
mayor and City Attorney Brockway took a hack for Judge Tate's
home. They found him asleep, or apparently so, but they aroused
him, and then commenced one of the most remarkable disquisitions
upon the desecration of the Sabbath that was ever delivered to a
wicked man. Peck told him that the example he was setting was
not in keeping with his Presbyterian pretensions, and Brockway re
minded him that there would be a hereafter that was fearful to con
template for such men as would induce unreflecting persons like
Arneson, Pettigrew and Ferguson to break the Sabbath. The judge
was awed, if not convinced, and with a trembling hand he wrote a
note and handed it to the mayor, which read as follows: "To George
Arneson, P. W. Pettigrew and Mr. Hyde:— Please to stop work on
Tenth street and level up the ground so that the work can be re
newed Monday morning. S. L. Tate." This note was recognized
as authority by the street car force. Of course, this movement, was

164 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

for the purpose of occupying the street in advance of the motor line,
and the mayor, after having stopped the street car scherae, turned
his attention to the managers of the motor line, and they agreed to
do nothing on Sunday. All day Sunday the air was full of rumors
as to what would happen on Tenth street at the beginning of the
next secular day, and a good many people took an afternoon nap on
Sunday, so as to be present when the exercises commenced. About
eleven o'clock Sunday night two hundred men appeared on Tenth
street between Phillips and First avenues, armed with spokes.
They were there in the interest of the motor line. The mayor was
also there with the police force augmented by thirty specials sworn
in for the occasion. The street car managers were also present and
tried to induce the raayor to disarm their opponents, but the mayor
had enlisted in the interest of peace, and Avhile he would not disarm
any one, still, he declared he was there to see that no weapons were
used by either party in the attempt to occupy Tenth street. It was
evident, however, that he was pleased with the extensive prepara
tions that the motor line had raade to give the public the advantage
of their line upon Tenth street at as early a date as possible. Dur
ing Sunday evening- the street car people had been engaged in spik
ing rails onto ties and had them in readiness for laying. Just before
midnight a crowd of men started from the street car barn on Eleventh
street, with rails spiked to ties. At this deraonstration large wagons
of the motor company carae from Phillips avenue into Tenth street;
the first was loaded with ties, the second with rails, and the last with
spikes, which were dropped as they proceeded east on Tenth street.
The motor force occupying the line, went at the work in earnest, and
in four minutes had the iron laid to First avenue, in fifteen minutes
more they had the rails spiked in place, and at 12:20 o'clock Monday
raorning, the motor line was running a handcar over the line. The
horse car people carried three lengths of rails spiked to ties to First
avenue, but in attempting to lay one of them in the middle of Tenth
street, it resulted in its being dropped in the gutter on one side of
the street. The collision was not much of an affair, as the force of
the motor line was so much stronger that they had only to place
themselves in the path of the street car peopleto pre\ent them ac
complishing anything. After the motor people had the track laid
they proceeded to perfect the line and put it in as good condition as
possible. The street car people after being repulsed, drew several
loads of ties and rails into Tenth street between Phillips and Main
avenues, but the motor people were prepared to prevent any further
attempt on the part of the company in laying its track.
During Sunday the motor people had prepared injunction papers
against any mterference by the car coinpany in laying its track on
Tenth street, and during Sunday evening W. R. Kingsbury, J. W.
Jones, W. A. Wilkes and C. E. Johnson took an engine, went to
Canton and induced Judge Aikens to return with them, and they ar
rived m the city at midnight. Judge Aikens signed the papers, and
within thirty mmutes they were served on Judge Tate and the fore
man of the car company— and the war for the occupation of Tenth
street was transferred to the courts.

HISTORY QF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 165

The cause of this little scrimmag-e, of course, w^as the desire on
the part of the street car company to prevent the motor from occu
pying any of the principal streets of the city. The company had an
exclusive franchise for twenty years, and had been operating its
street cars at a loss, and the managers felt that the motor was tres
passing- upon its rig-hts, and that the building of the motor line
would lessen the value of the street car property.
It is only necessary to add, that in the end the matter was ami
cably adjusted.
We left the ordinance limiting- the time for the completion of the
motor line, when we turned aside to chronicle the Sunday war be
tween the two companies, in the hands of City Attorney Brockway,
who reported to the city council on May 27, that in his opinion the
ordinance ought not to pass — and the council defeated the passage of
the ordinance. On Friday, June 13, 1890, at five o'clock in the afternoon, the
first trip over the electric motor line was made. Three trips in all
were made during the evening of that day, and as this was the first
electric train that had ever been run in the state, it was quite an
event. Everything worked smoothly, and to the entire satisfaction
of the management.
On Saturday, June 21, 1890, the motor line commenced running
regular trains to East Sioux Falls.
Por two or three years there was considerable traffic over this
line, and during the summers it was largely patronized by picnic
parties and pleasure seekers, who invariably enjoyed the seven-mile
trip between the two cities. But the enterprise did not prove a good
investment, and after considerable struggling- against adverse cir
cumstances, it went into the hands of a receiver, and during the sum
raer of 1898 the rails were taken up, and we regret to state, there is
now nothing- left but the bare roadbed to remind the people that there
was at one tirae a rapid transit railway line between the cities of
Sioux Falls and East Sioux Falls.
SIOUX FALLS, YANKTON AND SOUTHWESTERN
RAILWAY.
This railroad, the last one to enter Sioux Palls, was opened to
the traveling public October 19, 1893. No railroad project ever con
ceived of by a citizen of Sioux Falls, had been so constantly before
the public, "as a railroad from Sioux Falls to Yankton. The files of
the newspapers in Sioux Falls for fifteen years, disclose the fact,
that this project, though dormant at times, was ready to come to the
front whenever the slightest interest in railroad building- was mani
fest araong her citizens. At times its construction seemed assured,
and then again, it would for raonths appear as remote as aerial
navigation. A bill was passed by the last territorial legislature, 1889, in aid
of the construction of railroads, that was introduced and pushed
through, with nothing behind it but this project of Sioux Palls to
build a road to Yankton. The writer was sent to Bismarck by the

166 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Commercial Club of Sioux Falls, and spent thirty days in getting
this raeasure (with others of less importance) through, and while
there reported to R. P. Pettigrew, then president of the club, that it
seemed irapossible to get the law enacted, and received in reply a
telegram which directed the writer to "stick, " that it must be done,
and strongly intimated that the writer's residence in Sioux Falls
would not be desirable if this measure did not become a law. The
law was enacted, and before the constitution of the state was adopted,
the citizens of Sioux Palls went at this project with a determination
that it should be accomplished. E. A. Sherman in particular, de
voted a good deal of time to the raatter, organizing a company and en
deavoring to enlist capital in the East, and at one time it seemed as
though he would be successful. But it was decreed otherwise, and
all hope of aid through any legislation after the adoption of the con
stitution was at an end. On the 27th day of September, 1892, some
of the foremost citizens of Sioux Falls met at the request of Senator
Pettigrew, "to consider a matter of public interest," and when the
meeting was organized, he stated that the time had come when a rail
road could be built to Yankton upon certain conditions. The con
ditions were stated, and the meeting promptly decided that the re
quirements were reasonable, and proceeded at once to pledge that
the city of Sioux Palls should perform all that was required of her
people. This much having been accomplished, the Sioux Falls,
Yankton, and Southwestern Railway company was organized, with
Senator Pettigrew as president. On the 31st day of October, the
Argus-Leader announced that the grading contracts had been let by
Senator Pettigrew. From this time on, the work progressed rapidly.
On August 15, 1893, the first passengers came from Lennox to Sioiix
Palls on a construction train. As the road approached completion,
the Jobbers and Manufacturers Association of Sioux Palls decided
that the road should be opened in due form, and proceeded to ar
range for an excursion to the Queen City from all points on the line,
and Monday, October 19, 1893, was the day fixed upon.
The train left Yankton at 8:20 A. m., consisting of six coaches,
and arrived in Sioux Palls at 11 o'clock sharp, having raade the run
of sixty-two railes in two hours and forty minutes. The train was
m charge of Conductor August Burr and Engineer C. N. Oram.
Upon the arrival of the train at the corner of Eleventh street and
Phillips avenue, nearly 700 people disembarked from the cars, and a
procession, headed by the Sioux Falls band, the city council and re
ception committee, was soon formed, and all falling in line marched
down Phillips avenue to Eighth street and thence up Main avenue to
the council chamber, where the visitors were received and welcomed
by C. A. Jewett, president of the Jobbers Association. Mayor Peck
followed in a speech of welcorae on the part of the city. The Yank
ton fire- department, accorapanied by the K. P. band of Yankton,
were among the excursionists, having received an invitation from the
fire department of Sioux Falls to honor the occasion with their
presence.
n^i. T^^ banquet in the evening was the finest ever given in the city.
lhe 1 ress of the 20th of October said: "Germania hall shone re-

&

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 167

splendent last night. The banquet hall with its decorations, its
lights, its beauty and the attending brains, made a gem that scintil
lated in the breast of the metropolis of the Dakotas never before
equalled, and long to be remembered. The management of the cele
bration had turned over the entire management and arrangement of
the spread to the Ladies' Industrial Society and the St. Agnes Guild
of the Episcopal church. Royally the ladies did their duty. The
two societies had for assistants thirty-five young ladies of this city,
who, under the supervision of captains, did the service at the tables
in a manner to do credit to Delmonico's finest. Stout's orchestra
occupied the stage and furnished music throughout the entire pro
gramme. Seven tables were tastefully arranged wdth palms and
flowers. Banquet lamps and boundary ribbons of colors to match
were used to divide the tables in sections. Over each section a bevy
of young ladies, costumed in the same colors as the decorations, gave
the guests constant attention. Everything- was the perfection of
order. Every section had distinctive arrangement of plate and dec
oration. Two hundred and seventy-five covers were laid. The ser
vice was solid silver, and at each cover was a rose boutenniere."
E. W. Caldwell was toastmaster, and Captain W. H. Stoddard,
Williara Blatt, Esq., of Yankton, W. H. Wait of Lennox, Melvin
Grigsby, E. A. Sherman, J. Tomlinson, Jr., Herbert L. Greene,
H. H. Keith of Sioux Palls and Judge George W. Roberts, Otto
Peemiller and W. B. Wilcox of Yankton responded to the toasts.
The speeches were all adrairable, but the gem of the evening was the
address of Mr. Wilcox. Mr. Tomlinson in closing his response to the
toast "Sioux Palls and Her Business as a Jobbing and Manufactur
ing Center" said: "And further, I want to pay my respects to one
man who more than any other has made possible the occasion tonight.
A man, who day and night, can always be found pushing, working
and accomplishing for Sioux Palls, a man who differed with hira in
politics, but who every man in Sioux Falls should be ready and is
ready to honor as her most energetic and worthy citizen, the Honor
able R. P. Pettigrew." During the construction of the road, Jacob
Schaetzel, Jr., acted as disbursing agent, and furnished for publica
tion the following list of the stations and their distance from Sioux
Palls: Byron, 10 miles; Lennox, 17 miles; Davis, 26 miles; Viborg,
33>^ miles; Irene, 41 miles; Volin, 50 miles; Yankton, 62 miles. On
Monday, October 23, regular trains, both passenger and freight,
commenced running over this line under the management of the
Great Northern.
Right here the subject of railroads is dismissed, and although
nothing is expected in a work like this but a record of the past, the
writer cannot forego the pleasure of predicting that in the near
future other railroad enterprises will originate in Sioux Palls, be
come accomplished facts, and bring additional prosperity to the city
and the country tributary thereto.

168 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
SCHEDULE OF DISTANCES PROM SIOUX PALLS TO
RAILROAD STATIONS IN THIS COUNTY AND
OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS.
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha.
From Sioux Palls, going east, to Brandon 8.6 miles, to Valley
Springs 15.1 miles, to St. Paul 240 miles; going west, to Ellis 6.6
miles, to Hartford 14.2 miles, to Humboldt 20.9 miles.
Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul.
Prom Sioux Falls, going north, to Renner 6 miles, Baltic 13.6
miles, Dell Rapids 20 miles, Egan 34.2 miles, Plandreau 40.6 miles;
going south, to Harrisburg 9 miles, Canton 20 miles. Elk Point 69.7
miles, Sioux City 91.5 miles. Illinois Central.
Prom Sioux Palls to East Sioux Palls 6.7 miles, Rowena 9.3
miles, Ben Clare 13.4 miles, Chicago 547 miles.
Great Northern.
Prom Sioux Falls, going north, to Corson 11 miles, Garretson
19 miles, Sherman 22 miles, St. Paul 249 miles; going south, to
Yankton 63 miles.
Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern.
Prom Sioux Palls to Chicago 554 miles.
Elevation of Stations.
r Omaha depot  1,397 feet
Sioux Palls.-. J ^il™k,^^^«Po;  ^'^^5J^^*
I Burhngton depot  1,400 feet

I (Treat Northern depot-   1,420 feet
Brandon   1,319 feet
Corson    1,362 feet
Garretson   1,457 feet
Sherman -  --      1,396 feet
DellRapids    1,485 feet
Hartford   ..1,564 feet
Valley Springs    ,...  1,392 feet
Elevation of the Big Sioux River.
Low water mark near Dell Rapids -  . .  1,485 feet
Low water mark above the falls, Sioux Palls   1,380 feet
Low water mark near Brandon   1,281 feet
Low water mark Sioux City ...  .  1,098 feet

CHAPTER VII.

SOUTH DAKOTA PENITENTIARY COUNTY POOR-FARM
—CHILDREN'S HOME.
On the 8th day of February, 1881, a bill that had passed the four
teenth session of the territorial legislative assembly, providing- for
the location and g-overnment of a territorial penitentiary, was ap
proved by the governor. The law provided that it should be located
on a tract of land not less than eighty acres in extent, to be selected
by the directors therein mentioned, -within the corporate limits of
the village of Sioux Falls, Minnehaha county, D. T. ; and if a suitable
tract of land could not be obtained within the corporate limits of said
village, then the said penitentiary should be located on such tract of
land as said directors should select within a radius of one mile of the
corporate limits of said village. The law also provided that the pen
itentiary should be "erected and constructed under the direction
and g-overnment of three directors" who were to be appointed by the
governor, with the advice and consent of the council, and that they
should immediately proceed to contract for the erection of a suitable
building for a penitentiary of such dimensions as would accomodate
one hundred and tvventy-five to one hundred and fifty persons, at a
cost of land and buildings not to exceed fifty thousand dollars. In
accordance with section 2 of the act, Thomas H. Brown and Richard
H. Booth of Sioux Falls, and Wallace L. Dow of Pierre were ap
pointed directors.
The following is a summary of the facts contained in the direct
ors' report to Governor Ordway, December 23, 1882: That owing to
the impassable condition of the roads during the spring of 1881 the
board was unable to meet until June, at which time it organized by
electing W. L. Dow chairman and T. H. Brown secretary. That two
sites, one located on the Omaha and the other on the Milwaukee line
of railroad, were found suitable. That the sum of five hundred dol
lars appropriated to pay for the required amount of land for a site
was insufficient. That the financial difficulty was finally removed by
the offer of the company securing- the site to pay any deficiency;
and resulted in the selection of the site located on the C, M. and
St. P. railroad. That the United States government had made an
appropriation of 530,000, for a territorial penitentiary at Sioux Falls,
and by the provisions of chapter 23 of the session laws of 1881, (an
act passed to provide for raising funds to build the penitentiary) it

170 history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

gave the directors the right to receive this sum from the government,
and they were to place it to the credit of the penitentiary fund, and
if they did receive it, then they were to raise the balance only, in all
sufficient to make 550,000.
That the board soon learned after its organization, that the
530,000 appropriated by the United States government, could not be
used in the cjnstruction of the conteraplated buildings, but upon
consultation with the proper officials, eighty-five acres were pur
chased, of which eighty-one acres were deeded to the Territory of
Dakota, and four acres to the United States government. That it
was agreed that the government should erect one wing of the pro
posed building and pay for the four acres five hundred dollars, this
being the amount the directors were permitted to pay for the site.
The location having been settled and the plans and specifications
made, sealed proposals for the construction of the buildings were
advertised for, and on August 30, 1881, the masonry and carpenter
work was let to R. D. Silver of Lincoln, Nebraska, for the sura of
534,813.80. R. H. Booth was appointed superintendent of construc
tion. October 27, the contract for the iron work complete was let to
Messrs. Martin & Anderson of Yankton for the sum of 56,550.00.
Septeraber 30, 1882, a final settlement was made with R. D. Silver,
and on November 22, with Martin & Anderson, their work being
corapleted. On the 13th day of December following, twenty-nine prisoners
were transferred to the building from Detroit, Michigan, and placed
in charge of C. M. Koehler as warden. Territorial bonds in the sum
of 550,000 were issued, running for a period of twenty years, and
payable at the option of the territory after a term of five years, bear
ing interest at the rate of 6 per cent per annura, payable semi-annu
ally, and were sold at a premiura of one thousand five hundred and
twenty-two dollars and fifty cents. The appropriation raade in 1881,
for directors and warden, and subsistence of prisoners, was eighteen
thousand dollars. The cost of the land, buildings, water supply,
heating and cooking apparatus, pay of directors, and numerous mis
cellaneous items, was in all the sum of fifty-nine thousand six hun
dred and twelve dollars and ninety cents.
In 1883, W. L. Dow and R. H. Booth of Sioux Falls and George
P. Harvey of Minto, were appointed directors. The legislature
made an appropriation of seventy-seven thousand six hundred and
fifteen dollars to defray the ordinary expenses of the institution for
two years ensuing; and at the same session directed the territorial
treasurer to issue bonds in the sum of thirty thousand dollars to
provide funds to pay the cost of constructing a boiler house, laundry,
hospital, a prison for females, residence for warden, steam heating,
machinery and tools, finishing main building, and purchasing or
leasing stone quarry. The bonds were to run twenty years, with
the same rate of interest and upon the same conditions as the first
issue of bonds for the penitentiary. From the directors' report,
bringing the affairs of the penitentiary down to December 1, 1884, it
would appear that all the improvements contemplated had been com
pleted, and that nearly all the common labor and carpenter work had

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 171

been performed by the prisoners. Prom the warden's report it ap
pears that on December 1, 1883, there were in confinement seventy-
five prisoners, and on December 1, 1884, one hundred. From Janu
ary 1, 1883, to December 1, 1884, fifty-nine prisoners had been re
ceived — two sentenced for life, and the remaining fifty-seven for such
terms as made the average two years and six months.
On the 20th day of February, 1885, by an act of the legislature,
the g-overnment of the penitentiary was placed in the hands of five
directors, to be appointed by the governor with the advice and con
sent of the council. Jacob Schaetzel, Jr., B. P. Campbell, Williara
McBain, H. S. Hills of Sioux Palls, and Gust A. Uline of Dell Rap
ids, were appointed as directors. Amos P. Shaw was elected warden
and Andrew J. Mills deputy. Mr. Koehler 's connection with the in
stitution terminated in June, 1885. On the 19th day of October,
1886, Mr. Hills died, and Henry T. Corson was elected by the board
to fill the unexpired term. In 1887, W. H. Corson, Porter P. Peck,
E. P. Beebe and John Murray of Sioux Palls, and Phil Runkle of Sa
lem were appointed directors; Daniel S. Glidden warden and Den
Donahoe deputy warden; John J. Patton clerk.
In 1889 the territorial legislature enacted a law by which the
public institutions of Dakota were each to be governed by a Board of
Trustees, to consist of five members, two of them to hold their office
for the period of two years, and three for a period of three years.
The trustees for the penitentiary were Roy Williams president.
Gust A. Uline secretary, J. P. Ferguson, O. S. Pendar and B. S.
Williams. Theodore Kanouse was elected warden, and C. T. Jeffers
deputy warden; John J. Patton clerk.
At thefirstsessioninl890, of the legislature of the State of South
Dakota, a law was enacted, by which the penitentiary and the school
for deaf and durab, located at Sioux Palls, the hospital for insane at
Yankton and the reform school at Plankinton, were placed under the
control of five commissioners, who constituted a State Board of
Charities and Corrections. By the provisions of this law, one of the
commissioners held the office for one year, two for the term of three
years, and two for five years. Governor A. C. Mellette appointed
J. M. Talcott of Elk Point for one year, G. A. Uline and Z. Richey
for three years, C. M. Howe and Robert W. Haire for five years. The
board organized March 28, 1890, and elected G. A. Uline president,
and Z. Richey secretary. Two important laws were enacted at this
session of the legislature, bearing upon the term of imprisonment of
persons confined in the South Dakota penitentiary. One of them re
lated to the parole of prisoners, and the other, good time to be earned
by them. The law relating to the parole of prisoners, in substance
provided, that the board should have power to establish rules and
regulations under which any prisoner who was then or thereafter
might be imprisoned under sentence other than for raurder in the
first or second degree, who had served thfe minimum term provided
by law for the crime for which he was convicted, and who had not
previously been convicted of a felony and served a term in a. penal
institution, might be allowed to go upon parole outside the buildings
and enclosures, but while on parole to remain in the legal custody
and under the control of the board.

172 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

The other law in relation to good time provided, that "every
convict sentenced for any term less than life, who shall have no in
fraction of the rules and regulations of the penitentiary or laws of
the state recorded against hira, shall be entitled to a deduction of his
sentence for one year, and pro rata for any part of a year when the
sentence is for more or less than one year, as follows: Prom and in
cluding the first year up to the third, a deduction of two raonths for
each year; from and including the third year up to the fifth year,
a deduction of seventj^-five days for each year; from and including
the fifth year up to the seventh year, a deduction of three months for
each year; from and including the seventh year up to the tenth year,
a deduction of one hundred and five days for each year; from and in
cluding- the tenth year up to the fifteenth year, a deduction of four
months for each year; from and including- the fifteenth year up to
the twentieth year, a deduction of five months for each year; from
and including the twentieth year up to the period fixed for the ex
piration of the sentence, six months for each year."
These laws took effect ninety days after the adjournment of the
legislature. By virtue of the power conferred, the board established rules
for paroling prisoners, which were in substance as follows:
1. That the warden should not recommend prisoners for parole,
except upon request of the board, and then his recoramendation
should be limited "to a statement of good tirae earned by the prisoner
and his conduct during confinement."
2. No prisoner should be paroled until satisfactory evidence
had been furnished the board in writing, stating that employment
had been secured for the prisoner "from responsible persons."
3. No prisoner should be paroled who had not been obedient to
the rules of the penitentiary for at least six months preceding his
application for parole.
4. No prisoner should be paroled until the board was satisfied
that he would conform to the rules of the parole.
5. Every paroled prisoner should be liable to be retaken and
again confined, for any reason that should be satisfactory to the
board. 6. It should require the affirmative vote of at least four mem
bers of the board to grant a parole.
The last rule (the seventh) prescribed the form of the parole to
be issued to the prisoner, in which was clearly set forth what the pa
roled prisoner must do to keep his parole in force.
During the time the law was in force the board paroled eightv-
two prisoners and such was the character of some of the prisoners
paroled, and the great length of tirae they had to serve when paroled,
that the people of the state became alarmed, and on the 27th day of
February, 1893, repealed the law of 1890. By the report of the board
it appears that thirty-eight prisoners had been paroled during the
first six months after the law went into operation, and that from De
cember 1, 1890, to June 30, 1892, twenty-seven were paroled, and
sixteen more after this date and prior to February 27, 1893.
Upon examination of the records at the penitentiary, it appeared

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 173

that the twenty-seven prisoners paroled between Deceraber 1. 1890,
and June 30, 1892, had received sentences amounting- in the aggre-
g-ate to seventv-nine vears and three months, and that the ag-g-reg-ate
O ./ ^ ' _ oo o
time they had served when paroled amounted to onlv thirtv-one years,
nine months and seven days. With such a record it is unnecessary
to add, that the repealing law had an emerg-ency clause.
Mr. Kanouse was warden until June 1, 1892, when he resigned,
and was succeeded by I. R. Spooner, who held the position until
April 3, 1893. At that time, N. E. Phillips assuraed the wardenship,
and remained in charge until May, 1899, when he was succeeded by
the present incumbent, John A. Bowler of Sioux Palls.
This institution has been very fortunate in the selection of war
dens, all of them having proved to be competent and faithful officials.
Shaw, Glidden and Phillips, all residents of the city of Sioux Falls,
were in charge ten years.
During the administration of Mr. Phillips, the convicts were set
to work upon the construction of a stone wall enclosing- about two
acres of ground. Before the wall was commenced it was estiraated
that it would cost 536,000, but Mr. Phillips so conducted the enter
prise that it cost the State less than 512,000. The wall is 1,182 feet
in length, about 30 feet in height, and 11 feet in thickness at the
base, and has a guard walk near the top the entire length.
July 1, 1899, there were one hundred and twenty-nine prisoners
confined in this institution.
MINNEHAHA COUNTY POOR-FARM.
At a session of the board of county commissioners on February,
11, 1880, the proposition of N. E. Phillips to sell to the county the
southeast quarter of section twenty-seven in Mapleton township for
a county poor-farm was accepted. The price paid w^as 515,000. For
several years after the occupation of this farm by the county, very
few improvements were made, but at asession ofthe county commis
sioners in April, 1889, a contract for building a county ])oorhouse
thereon was awarded to A. S. Leonard for the sum of 56,720, and on
the 24th of September following, the building, having been completed,
was turned over to the county and accepted by the commissioners.
Since that time other improvements have been made, but as they ap
pear in the illustration, no further description is given. The farm
is gradually being raade self-supporting, and its management and the
care of the inmates of the poorhouse ha\'e for the greater portion of
the time been under the supervision of corapetent superintendents.
The present superintendent is Joseph Hostetter, and the poor-farm
has been under his able management since July 1, 1895.

Minnehaha County Poor-Farm.

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY 175

CHILDREN'S HOME.
The first work done in South Dakota in behalf of homeless and
neglected children was commenced in October, 1891, by the Rev.
I. R. McConneghey in connection with a similar work in North Da
kota, with headquarters at Fargo, and under the manageraent of the
Minnesota department of the Children's Home society.
The society soon realized that the territory was too large for one
man to thoroughly care for, and decided to open another Home in
this state. With this end in view, the Rev. E. P. Savage of St. Paul,
Rev. J. R. McConneghey and W. B. Sherrard visited Sioux Palls in
December, 1892, and laid their plans before the pastors and Christian
workers of the city. They were cordially received; and it was
agreed that the Woman's Benevolent Association should take charge
of the local work. They also agreed to assume the responsibility of
paying the rent, furnishing the house and providing it with fuel.
Committees were appointed, and the work received such hearty sup
port of the business men, that in a few days there had been over four
hundred dollars subscribed, besides donations of furniture and other
useful articles. The general expenses of the work such as board,
clothing and transportation, were to be provided for by the super
intendent. The first children were received February 16, 1893, and up to
June 1, 1895, there had been received two hundred and two children,
forty-three of them from Minnehaha county. All of these children
had been placed in homes, except seventeen, who still remained at
that time.
The Home is located a short distance south of the Baptist col
lege, and although not pretentious in appearance, ser\es its purpose
in making a temporary home for homeless and neglected children.
When a child has been received at the Horae, the first work of the
superintendent is to find a clean. Christian home for the child. The
society requires great care to be exercised in so doing, and when the
child has been placed in a home, it does not for this reason cease to
watch over it.
This institution is supported wholly by voluntary contributions.
Until May 1, 1895, the work had been carried on under the su
pervision of the department of Minnesota. During the session of
the legislature of South Dakota in 1895, an act was passed providing-
for the incorporation of associations to provide homes for destitute
children. Under this law, the South Dakota Children's Home So
ciety became incorporated Angust 20, 1895, with the following board
of directors: Por three years. Bishop W. H. Hare, C. E. Baker,
W. B. Sherrard, Mrs. Hattie C. Phillips of Sioux Palls, A. S. Dis-
brow of Alcester, N. C. Mallory of Aberdeen, Mrs. J. K. Woods of
Rapid City, Coe I. Crawford of Pierre. Por two years, W. H. Stiffler,
J. N. Hutchinson, C. E. McKinney, Mrs. A. Beveridge of Sioux
Palls, Joseph Stone of Tyndall, S. R. Thrall of Huron, E. M. Will
iams of Yankton, Geo. G. Ware of Deadwood. For one year, J. O.
Dobson, D. B. Scott, C. S. Palmer, P. P. Peck, Amund Mikkelson,
Mrs. S. G. Tuthill of Sioux Palls, Mrs. Alice Gossage of Rapid City,
W. P. T. Bushnell of Aberdeen.

176 history op MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

The object and scope of this association as now incorporated is
"to take charge of and place in family homes any children surren
dered to them by parents or guardians, or delivered to them upon the
order of any court of record of this state, or by any board of county
commissioners or other body having the care of the poor."
W. B. Sherrard has been superintendent and in charge of the
Children's Home ever since it was first located at Sioux Palls. He
has labored industriously and conscientiously, with his whole heart
in the work, and is entitled to the hearty support of all in his effort
to find Christian horaes for the poor little waifs of humanity. Since
May 1, 1895, Miss Allie Jewell of the Iowa Children's Home Society,
has been engag-ed as assistant superintendent of the South Dakota
society, and has active charge of the Children's Home at Sioux Palls,
and is well adapted for the work.
Mr, Sherrard, in speaking- of the Home, said that the committee
of charities and corrections of the Congregational convention held in
Sioux Palls in 1892, called attention to the fact, that before the state
recognized a child it had to become a truant, vagrant or crirainal; and
put the following inquiry to the convention: "Is it well to take a
young criminal and try and keep him from becoming an old criminal;
is it not better to keep hira from becoming a criminal at all?"
One of the objects of the Children's Home, in the language of
Mr. Sherrard, is to prevent the child frora becoming a criminal at all.
The great good this society is doing, commends it to the consid-
e^ration of all, and it hardly seems possible that the good people of
South Dakota will permit an institution of this character to lack in
material support.

CHAPTER VIII.

ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS — SOUTH
DAKOTA SCHOOL FOR DEAF-MUTES — SIOUX
FALLS COLLEGE>-ALL SAINTS SCHOOL-
LUTHERAN NORMAL SCHOOL.
At the second meeting of the county- commissioners of Minne
haha county, held April 3, 1871, at the store of W. S. Bloora, in the
village of Sioux Palls, Jaraes A. Hand was appointed superintendent
of schools. At a special raeeting of the board on April 12, this a].-
pointment was rescinded for the purpose of appointing Mr. Hand
county attorney, and John Bippus was appointed county superin
tendent of schools. The first official act of Mr. Bippus under this
appointment was to divide the county of Minnehaha into school dis
tricts, and a report of the division he made was subraitted to the
board of count}- commissioners at their next meeting-, July 3, 1871.
This report Avas adopted by the board, and seven school districts
were created.
School district No. 1, comprised the entire township of Sioux
Palls; No. 2, nearly the entire township of Mapleton; No. 3, sections
one, and part of twelve in Benton, three sections in the northwest
corner of Mapleton, four sections on the east side of Lyons, and
twelve sections in Sverdrup; No. 4, ten and one-half sections in the
north and west part of Sverdrup, and eight sections in the south and
west part of Dell Rapids township; No. 5, the township of Wayne;
No. 6, the township of Split Rock, and No. -7, the township of
Brandon. These original districts were subsequently divided and subdi
vided and other districts organized as the population of the county
increased. There have been as many as one hundred and thirty dis
tricts, but through consolidations the nuraber has been reduced, and
at this writing (1899) there are one hundred and twenty-two school
districts in Minnehaha county ,in which schools are taught. The
number of persons of school age (6-21 years; in the county is 7,100,
and the average attendance during the last school year was 3,619.

178 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL POR DEAF-MUTES.
The South Dakota School for Deaf-Mutes was established in the
fall of 1880 under the name of Dakota School for Deaf-Mutes, andwas
located at the City of Sioux Palls.
Mrs. D. P. Mingus, nee Miss Jennie Wright, now a resident of
San Diego, Cal., took the first steps toward the establishment of the
school, which has grown to such proportions during the past eighteen
years. Upon her arrival here, Mrs. Mingus secured the co-operation of
Rev. Thomas B. Berry, an Episcopal minister, who had been in
structor in the New York and Maryland schools for the deaf.
There were at this time four deaf children in Sioux Palls — Hester
Black, Willie Hanley, and two brothers, Lewis and Harry Garrison.
These children Mrs. Mingus and Mr. Berry took into their care, and
soon added a fifth, Andrew Sieverson, from the vicinity of Sioux
Palls. The work of educating these children was carried on in a private
dwelling, and the expenses were paid by private donations. In the lat
ter part of the suraraer following. Professor James Simpson, for three
years a teacher in the Iowa institute for the education of the deaf, and
"brother-in-law of Mrs. D. P. Mingus, came to Sioux Falls and as
sumed the management of the school. A fund of 51,000 was donated
by the City of Sioux Palls, besides an appropriation of 52,000 from
the territory, and a site of ten acres, which was the gift of E. A.
Sherman, R. P. Pettigrew and L. T. Dunning, all of Sioux Palls, and
Isaac Emerson of Melrose, Mass.
A frame structure 36x40 feet and a wing 16x24 feet, containing
fourteen rooms, was at once erected upon the site donated. This
building was ready for occupancy October 21, 1881, on which date
the pupils were removed to it. There were then seven pupils, Sarah
Collins of Sioux Palls and Willie Richmond of Bon Homme county
having been added to the previous inmates.
The first board of directors was made up ofthe following gentle
men: E. A. Sherman president; Amos P. Shaw treasurer; E. G.
Wright secretary and C. K. Howard, all of Sioux Falls, J. O'Brien
Scobey of Brookings, Rev. G. C. Pennell of Deadwood, C. A. Louns-
bury of Bismarck, V. P. Thielman of Parker and O. S. Gifford of
Canton. During its session of 1883 the territorial legislature appropriated
the sum of $12,000 for the erection of a new building. At the begin
ning of the term of 1884-5, the frarae structure was vacated, and the
raam building occupied.
Shortly after, more roora was needed, and two years after secur
ing the appropriation for the raain building, another appropriation
irom the territory, this tirae 516,000, was obtained. The erection of
the boy's dormitory was then coraraenced, and was completed in the
spring of 1886. Both buildings were made of Sioux Palls granite,
the first being trimmed with with red bricks and the last with red
pipestone from the famous quarries in Minnesota.
The next appropriation secured for buildings and improvements

MAIN BUILDING.

IT'

-'i*'

J

boy's dormitory.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 181

was the sum of $56,000, obtained in February, 1887. A shop building-
was erected, also a barn, both built of Sioux Falls granite. A water
tank holding 525 barrels, and a wind mill were put up, and twenty
acres of land adjoining the orig-inal site were purchased.
Up to the summer of 1887, the superintendent and his wife, with
an assistant part of the time, were the only teachers, but the school
had increased to such proportions that additional teachers were
needed. '^^
The opening- of the school in the fall of 1887 saw three teachers,
appointed during- the summer ready to take up the work. These
were Miss Emma Von Behren, Miss M. Frances Walker and Mr. H.
McP. Hofsteater. After a year of teaching. Miss Walker resigned
her position and was succeeded by Mr. Prank R. Wright. After an
other year Miss Von Behren resigned her position as teacher and ac
cepted that of matron of the school, which position had been held for
five years by Miss Ida E. Wright. Previous to the appointraent of
Miss Wright as matron. Miss Kate Harrington held this position
for a short tirae. Mrs. M. L. Simpson was appointed to fill the va
cancy caused by Miss Von Behren's resig-nation. Mrs. Simpson had
been for several years a teacher in the St. Louis day school for the
deaf. Miss Von Behren held her position as matron until 1891, when
she resigned and was succeeded by Miss M. Frances Walker, form
erly a teacher in the school. Mr. Wrig-ht also resig-ned in 1891, and
Miss Von Behren again became a teacher. In 1892, Mr. Hofsteater
resig-ned and Phil L. Axling, one of the first g-raduates of the
school, was appointed to fill the vacancy.
An art department was created in the latter part of 1889, and
Charles A. Locke, a graduate of the Iowa school for the deaf, was
appointed instructor. Failure to obtain sufficient provision for the
maintenance of this department, caused it to be discontinued, and
Mr. Locke left the school in the spring of 1892.
In August, 1887, a boys' supervisor and a night watchman were
appointed, W. E. Dobson and H. J. Harlow filling these positions.
Two years later both of them resigned, and C. R. Hemstreet and A.
T. Richardson were appointed. Mr. Hemstreet resig-ned in July,
1892, and was succeeded by John Griffiths.
In the fall of 1889 the territory was divided and the states of
North and South Dakota were created. The following winter the
North Dakota legislature established a school for her deaf children.
As a result of a conference between Governor Mellette of South Da
kota and Governor Miller of North Dakota, the children of the last
mentioned state attending school at Sioux Palls were sent horae in
April, 1890. Prior to that time the pupils in the South Dakota
school numbered forty-seven. Thirteen belonged to North Dakota,
and before the close of the term one or two others had left the school,
leaving thirty-two pupils. Within three years after, the number of
pupils had increased to forty-eight, while at the same time ten or
twelve had graduated, or left never to return as pupils.
During the year 1892, a ninety-ton round silo was built, and the
same year it was filled with corn ensilage, raised on the twenty acres
of land belonging to the school. This ensilage constituted almost

182 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

the sole feed for ten cows and some fifty head of sheep. For the lat
ter a frame addition to the barn was built in the fall of 1892, the boys
of the school doing the work with the assistance of a carpenter.
One of the first trades taught in the school was printing, a small
outfit being purchased in May, 1887, and the publication of a small
paper was commenced in December of the same year. About a year
after, carpentry and the tinner's trade were introduced. Farming-
operations have been carried on more or less from lhe first, and to
day the results of the labor in this direction stand out very conspic
uously. Several of the older boys are instructed as thoroughly as possi
ble in practical farming and dairying. After one term the tinner's
trade had to be abandoned by reason of lack of funds to pay for the
services of a competent foreman. Printing continued to be taught.
The boys received their first lessons in the art from H. McP. Hof
steater, one of the teachers, and in December, 1887, started a small
leaflet called The Advocate. The paper circulated first at home, but
in January following it was enlarged and sent out as a fortnightly,
under the title of The Dakota Advocate, and later it became a
weekh'. A steam-heating apparatus was placed in the main building as
early as 1885, and about two years after the completion of the boys'
dormitory the building was heated by steam. In January, 1891, elec
tric lights were placed in all the building-s, including the barn.
The school term begins on the second Wednesday in September
in each year, and closes on the second Wednesday in June following.
All pupils return to their homes for a sviramer vacation of twelve
weeks. The course of study pursued in the school consists of the
English language, composition, history, arithmetic, geography,
grarnmar, physiology, penmanship, drawing- and bookkeeping.
During the whole period since the school was opened, the health
of the pupils has been good. Every pupil has recourse to the bath
apartments at least once a week. They are always furnished with
good, serviceable clothing, well-cooked and wholesome food, and com
fortable beds. In study, labor, and recreation, constant watchful
ness is exercised over their health, as well as their intellectual and
raoral training.
In Professor Sirapson's report covering the time from November
30, 1890, to June 30, 1892, he stated that they had obtained through
the United States census office the names of over one hundred and
twenty deaf persons between the age of six and twenty-one years re
siding in South Dakota. Of this but fifty-six had availed themselves
of the benefits of this school, wdiile the remainder were growing up
to manhood and womanhood in total darkness. He thinks it is an
outrage on civilization, and a disgrace, and an exhibition of rank
ignorance on the part of the parents and guardians who refuse to
allow the afflicted children the benefits of the school. "Education is
necessary for every child, but more so for the deaf, for obvious
reasons." The proper age at which deaf-mutes should be sent to
school is between six and ten, according to health and growth.
The method of instruction in this school is known as the "com-

aJ
0
a m
<P
0
r/3

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 185

bined system," that is, sig-ns and the manuel alphabet are used in
teaching- all, and articulation is taught to those only whose vocal
organs have not been sufficientlj' impaired to render them incapable
of utterance. The number of pupils during- the school year of 1893 was forty-
eight, and during the school years of 1894 and 1895, there were in at
tendance each year forty-seven pupils. At the close of the school in
June, 1895, the following- persons were in charge of the school: Pro
fessor James Simpson, superintendent; Miss Hester E. Bridges,
matron; Phil L. Axling, Mrs. M. L.Simpson and Miss M.F.Walker,
teachers. The school has been under the care of a board of directors, a
board of trustees and finally a board of charities and corrections.
This last mentioned board consists of five members, who have in
their charge besides the school for deaf-mutes, the state reform
school, the South Dakota hospital for insane, and the South Dakota
penitentiary. Governor Lee in his annual message in January, 1899, said of
this school that " no state institution is conducted in a more ener
getic and conscientious manner than the deaf-mute school under the
able management of Professor Simpson and his wife."
SIOUX FALLS COLLEGE.
In July, 1881, a mass meeting of Baptists in' the southern half of
Dakota Territory was held in Madison, and during this meeting a
committee was appointed to secure offers from different localities
for the establishment of an institution of learning to be under the
guidance and control of the Baptist denomination. Edward Ellis,
A. W. Hilton, A. S. Orcutt, M. J. Lewis and B. Morse were ap
pointed such committee. The citizens of Sioux Palls made an offer
of $6,000 in cash and land, for the location of the institution in the
City of Sioux Palls, which offer was accepted. A board of trustees
was elected, and the institution named Dakota Colleg-iate Institute.
The school opened September 18, 1883, in the basement of the Bap
tist church, where it was held for two years. Professor Hardy C.
Stone was in charge of the work until his death February 11, 1885.
During that year the school was reorganized and then became known
as the Sioux Palls University, and the Rev. E. B. Meredith was
elected president. He held this position until January 1, 1895, when
he was succeeded by Professor E. A. Ufford, who resigned after
having been in charge one year, and Professor E. B. McKay took his
place and reraained its president until his death, when Professor
A. B. Price, the present incumbent, was appointed.
The first class graduated in 1886, and each succeeding year a
class has graduated from the academic department. President
Meredith and P. J. Walsh (who was a professor in this school for
seven years), placed all the friends of the institution under great
obligations for their un-tiring, self-sacrificing devotion to its inter
ests. The faculty has been composed of an able corps of teachers,
and it is not too much to predict that notA,'ithstanding the financial
embarrassment under which it has hitherto labored, it will soon take

186 HISTORY OP- -MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

a prominent position among the leading institutions of learning in
the Northwest. The board of trustees have quite recently changed the name of
this institution, and it is now known as the Sioux Palls College.
The accompanying illustration of the school building makes it unnec
essary to describe it, except that it is seventy-six feet long and forty
feet wide. It is beautifully located southwest of the business por
tion of the city, with ample grounds for college purposes; and one of
the most adrairable features of its location is, that it is far enough
frora the citj' to secure the tranquility so desirable for a school,
while at the same tirae it is near enough to make it pleasantly acces
sible from the citv. ALL SAINTS SCHOOL.
Bishop Hare, on the 7th day of April, 1884, met by appointment
a few of the most influential citizens of Sioux Palls in the parlors of
the Cataract house, to lay before them a project he had in view of lo
cating somewhere within his diocese an institution for the education
of young ladies. When they had all assembled, the Bishop made a
statement of what he wished to do, and said that he did not come to
get a bid and then go elsewhere to see if he could get more favorable
terms, but that he had come to the conclusion that Sioux Falls, tak
ing all things into consideration, was the most appropriate place for
the institution he was about to establish, and that he would locate it
at Sioux Palls upon certain conditions. He then proceeded to say
that he had a certain sum of money at his disposal for that purpose,
and that his proposition was one of business. That he should re
quire, if his proposition was accepted, the most unqualified assur
ance that it would be fulfilled on t.he part of the citizens of Sioux
Palls, and that he was willing to give an ample bond that he would
faithfully perforra all that he proposed on his part. He then laid be
fore them the plans of the main building as it now stands, and said
he would proceed at once to erect it, and have it ready for occupancy
as a school for young ladies in September the following year; But
before agreeing to do so he must have a donation of $10,000 in land
and cash. His estimate of the cost of the structure was in excess of
$40,000. After having made this proposition he left the room. The
citizens present, at once determined that the proposition was one
which the people of Sioux Palls could not afford to reject. A vote
was taken, and all present voted to accept the proposition, and ap
pointed a committee to see that the land was obtained, and the bal
ance of cash raised. The committee engaged in the work assigned
them with great zeal, and only a few days elapsed before they had
secured the site for the buildings, and the necessary amount of
money. ,
During the summer of 1884, the foundations were built, and on
the llth day of September, the corner stone was laid, with such ec
clesiastical and masonic ceremonies as were appropriate to the
formal beginning of such a great educational enterprise. A proces
sion was formed at the Masonic Temple, composed of the Knights
Templar, Sioux Palls Chapter No. 2, the Blue Lodge and members
of the Grand Lodge, m the order named, numbering 140. This pro-

All Saints Sch(.)ol.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 189

cession, at the head of which was the Canton band, proceeded to
Main avenue, then south on Main avenue. Between Fourteenth
street and the railroad track it halted to receive the ecclesiastical
body, composed of sixteen clerg-yman and several lay members,
headed by Bishop Hare, w^hich was approaching from the site of the
building-. The Knights Templars formed in open ranks and the ec
clesiastical body passed through and took a position between the
Knig-hts and the Chapter, after which the united procession marched
to the place of the final exercises. The initiatory ceremonies of lay
ing the corner stone were conducted by Bishop Hare. Psalm 145
was read responsively by the Bishop and the clergy, the Apostle's
Creed was recited and other exercises engaged in, after which the
Bishop deposited in a copper box in the cavity the articles that had
been prepared for that purpose. The box was then sealed, and the
laying of the corner stone was committed by the Bishop to the Ma
sonic fraternity. The Grand Lodge took charge of putting the stone
in place. Wm. Blatt of Yankton, Grand Master, had charge of the
ceremonies, which were those prescribed by the ritual for such oc
casions. At the conclusion of the ceremonies several addresses were
made. Bishop Hare gave the history of the enterprise, and addressed
the raultitude present in a very feeling manner; and all who heard
him were convinced, that the enterprise so auspiciously begun, would
under his direction and care not only become in due time an educa
tional institution of great advantage to Sioux Palls, but also a grand
memorial of the good Bishop's labors in behalf of the people under
his charge. The Rev. W. J. Harris, D. D., followed the Bishop in an ad
dress on behalf of the clergy, D. R. Bailey on behalf of the city of
Sioux Falls, the Rev. S. G. Updyke of Watertown on behalf of the
Masonic fraternity, and Judge C. S. Palmer and Governor Gilbert
A. Pierce made eloquent addresses, congratulating the Bishop, the
city of Sioux Palls and the people who would be able to avail them
selves of the educational advantages of such an institution of learning.
The building was completed during the summer of 1885, and on
the 17th day of September of that year it was dedicated with appro
priate exercises to the purpose for which it had been erected. Since
that time the building has been materially enlarged, and its capacity
as a young ladies' boarding school greatly increased.
In 1896, an endowment fund for All Saints School of 510,000 was
presented to Bishop Hare by some of his Philadelphia friends, to
mark the completion of his twenty-two years' work as Missionary
Bishop. Since the opening of the school in September, 1885, it has been
in charge of Bishop Hare as president and Miss Helen Peabody as
principal, assisted bv an able corps of teachers, and its patrons have
been more than pleased with its work and progress, as their mes
sages of good will and confidence to the management will verify.
The buildings are pleasantly located, with ample, well kept
grounds, and the arrangements are such as to insure the health and
comfort of teachers and pupils. The course of instruction is com
plete, andthe young ladies attending this school enjoy all the ad
vantages of a refined home life.

190 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

LUTHERAN NORMAL SCHOOL.
In the southern part of the city near the South Sioux Palls
street car line this school, more generally known as the "Norwegian
College," is located. It is a handsome stone structure, erected in
1889 at a cost of $25,000. The citizens of Sioux Palls offered a bonus
of $8,000, Pettigrew & Tate donated four acres of land, and the re
maining expenses were paid by subscription and by the Lutheran
Synod. The school is supported in part by fees paid by the pupils
for tuition, the balance of the expenses being provided for by the
Synod. During the fall of 1894 a three-story granite-veneered dor
mitory was constructed, which has proved a grea.t advantage to the
college. Its interior arrangements are very complete, comfortable
and pleasant, with all modern conveniences. It was dedicated with
appropriate exercises on the 3d day of January, 1895.
The school commenced in the fall of 1889, with fifty pupils and the
following faculty: Prof. A. Mikkelsen, teacher of the Norwegian
language and theology; Prof. Munson, science and mathematics;
.Miss S. Mikkelson, instrumental music, and Mr. O. Otterson, vocal
music. Prof. Mikkelsen resigned his position in the fall of 1891,
when Prof. L. Aga was appointed to fill the vacancy to the end of the
school year. In 1892-3 the Rev. C. N. Peterson was principal of the
school, and he was succeeded by Prof. H. B. Hustvedt.
In 1894, Prof. H. B. Hustvedt was principal and teacher of the
German language; Prof. Hougan, bookkeeping, writing, geography
and arithmetic; Prof. Christianson, sciences; Miss K. Johnson, pre
ceptress and teacher in English literature and history; Miss S. Mik
kelsen, instrumental music; Miss M. Larson, vocal music; Prof.
Langseth, Norwegian language, literature and church history; Prof.
A. Mikkelsen, New Testament exegesis, catechetics and pneumatics.
In 1895, the 'teachers were the same as the year previous, with
the exception of Miss Larson, teacher of vocal music, who was suc
ceeded by Carl Mannerud.
In 1896, the faculty consisted of Prof. A. Mikkelsen, principal;
Miss Karen Johnson, preceptress; Prof. P. Langseth, Prof. C.
Christianson, and Miss M. Galby, a graduate of the Boston Conserv
atory of Music.
The course of study is four years, and is open to both sexes for
the purpose of training young people to become teachers in comraon
and parochial schools. No pupils are admitted under fourteen vears
of age. This school has become deservedly popular, and its patrons are
not limited to the County of Minnehaha or its immediate vicinity.
The graduating class in 1899 numbered seventeen, and the number
of pupils has been as high as one hundred. It is one of the institu
tions of learning of which the people of Sioux Palls are justly proud.

'Jl

"A X

CHAPTER IX.

AGRICULTURAL PAIRS— CARNIVAL— RACES AND RACE
HORSES.

COUNTY PAIRS.
The first ag-ricultural fair held in the County of Minnehaha oc
cupied two days, the Sth and 9th of October, 1874. There is only a
brief record in existence as to its doings, but it is possible it raay be
coraplete though it is brief. It is important, however, as being- the
first fair held in the county.
The society was called the Minnehaha County Agricultural
Sijciety. Artemas Gale was president, G. J. Skinner secretary and
C. K. Howard treasurer. Porter P. Peck was chief marshal, and
there was quite a number of persons scattered about the county who
were vice presidents of this society.
There were 112 premiums advertised to be paid to the exhibitors,
amounting in all to 577.25. Althoug-h the weather was fine and the
attendance good, and all the officials looking- carefully after their re
spective departments, still the raeritorious exhibits were so liraited
that only twentv-eig-ht preraiuras were awarded, araounting- in all to
521.75. "
It has been so long since this fair delighted the residents of the
county that it has passed frora the meraory of the participants
whether the premiums were paid in full or not.
In 1882, after the matter of fairs had reraained dorraant for
years, the people of Sioux Palls awakened to the fact that an exposi
tion was desirable, and an org-anization was perfected called the
Sioux Palls Exposition. Great preparations were raade for the
event. Grounds were secured south of the city and a race track
made in a corn field. Four halls and an amphitheatre were erected,
stalls for horses and cattle, and sheds for sheep and hogs were con
structed, over 275,000 feet of lumber being used. The fair was held
September 13, 14 and 15, the exhibits were quite large, and there
was a good attendance, but a high wind made it very uncomfortable.
It was not a financial success, and the premiums could not be paid in
full. W. C. Boyce was the most active person in this movement,
and became the' secretary of the association; R. P. Pettigrew was
elected president, but not being able to give his attention to the
enterprise R. M. Crawford of Brookings was elected to the place.

194 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

In 1883 the second annual fair of the Sioux Falls Exposition was
held in Sioux Falls September 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. In order to
make this fair a success the people of Minnehaha county worked with
great vigor not onh' to secure a large attendance but also large ex
hibits, and to give the people who should attend, full compensation
for their time and money. Six thousand dollars was offered in prizes
and purses, one thousand dollars being for one race. New buildings
were erected, the amphitheatre enlarged, the stalls and sheds for
stock were increased in number, the race track put in good condition,
and excursion rates procured over the railroads for passengers, and
special freight rates for stock and other articles for exhibition. The
weather was favorable and the attendance at the fair, although not
what was expected, was reasonably good. It was during this fair
that a raan by the name of Clark appeared on the grounds with what
looked to be an ordinary farm horse, and entered him in a running
race, making a good deal of boast about how fast the horse was, and
that he would back the horse for a small amount to win the race.
He was accommodated, and after the race the sports handed over to
the owner of "Ben Lee" about $600. Bob Kneebs was on the wrong
side of the betting in this race. This fair was not a financial success,
the management being about 52,000 behind.
In February, 1884, several farmers of Minnehaha countv met in
the office of G. J. Skinner in Sioux Palls to take the initiatory steps
towards the organization of the Sioux Valley Farmers' and Dairy
men's Association. This association was finally organized with
M. T. Hogaboom as president. During the summer the management
determined to have an exposition on September 24, 25 and 26, at the
driving park in Sioux Palls.
Quite extensive preparations were raade to make this fair a suc
cess. The weather on the first day was all that could be desired,
but the attendance was small. The second day the wind blew a gale
and was one of the most disagreeable days ever experienced in Sioux
Palls. The third day it began raining in the morning and it poured
all day. Further comments would be superfluous.
The next fair in the county was held on September 15, 16, 17 and
18, 1885, at the driving park in Sioux Palls. During the winter pre
ceding an agricultural society had been organized in Sioux Palls
called the Southeastern Dakota Agricultural Society, and its first
exposition was held as above. The weather was favorable, the ex
hibits good, the races satisfactory, and the management, after having
paid all the expenses and premiums, had 529.99 left in the treasury.
On September 22, 23 and 24, 1886, the Southeastern Dakota
Agricultural Society held its second annual fair at the base ball park
on Duluth avenue between Ninth and Tenth streets. Teraporary
buildings had been erected, but there was no race track. The ex- .
hibits were quite large and the attendance good. A novel feature of
this fair was the great nuraber of brief addresses made by prominent
gentlemen of Sioux Palls. Judge J. P. Kelley of Ohio also delivered
an address on the last day.
r~l Since 1886, three State fairs, in 1891-2-5, and the Tri-state fair
in'1896, have been held in Sioux Palls, but there has been no County
fair organization attempted.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 195

STATE PAIRS.
The legislative assembly of the Territory of Dakota in 1885, cre
ated a department of agriculture for the promotion of agriculture,
horticulture, manufactures and domestic arts.
The management of this department was entrusted to a board
styled the Territorial Board of Agriculture, to consist of one presi
dent and a vice president from each leg-islative district of the terri
tory, to be elected at Mitchell on the 17th day of June, 1885, and
thereafter on the fair grounds on Wednesday of the week of the
annual fair, b\' the delegates chosen by the several agricultural
societies in counties where they existed, and in counties where there
were no such societies, the delegates were to be appointed by the
county commissioners of such counties. By the provisions of this
law each county was entitled to three delegates. The officers of the
board were to serve without pay, except the secretary and treasurer,
but were to receive raileag-e one way between their horaes and the
place of the meeting-. •
In 1887, the territorial legislature amended the law of 1885, cre
ating two districts, which were to be managed by two boards styled
District Boards of Agriculture. District number one comprised all
that part of the Territory of Dakota lying south of the seventh
standard parallel, and district number two all that portion lying-
north of said parallel. The only change made in reference to the
officers of the boards, their election and compensation, was to pay
the members of the boards, in addition to raileage, their actual ex
penses when in attendance upon the meetings.
In 1889, the territorial legislature appropriated 510,000, to be
paid in equal moieties to the district boards, to be used only in the
payment of premiums and expenses contingent upon the holding of
annual fairs.
The first legislature of the State of South Dakota in 1890, made
no amendments to the law, and made no appropriation to the state
board of agriculture.
In 1891, the legislature appropriated to the state board of ag-ri-
culture the annual sura of $2,000 for the payraent of preraiuras and
contingent expenses for holding annual fairs for the vears 1891 and
1892. The legislature of 1893 made no appropriation to the state board
of agriculture for that year, but appropriated 52,500 for the year
1894. In 1895, the legislature raade no appropriation whatever, and de
feated a bill providing for the payment of the indebtedness of the
board, amounting to a little over $5,000. At this session of the legis
lature a bill was passed authorizing the board of agriculture to lo
cate the state annual fair at such place as the board might think best,
for a term of not less than five nor more than ten years.
At a meeting of the state board of agriculture on the 19th day of
March, 1895, at Huron, it was decided to locate the state annual fair
at Sioux Palls for the term of six years, and on the 22d day of March
the board entered into a contract wnth Clark G. Coats for the old

196 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

fair grounds near his residence, and with certain citizens of Sioux
Palls for the annual payment of certain sums to the board, in consid
eration of holding the state fairs at Sioux Palls.
The officers of the state board of agriculture in 1895 were Oscar
P. Kemp of Watertown, president; J. E. Platt of Clark, treasurer;
Morris H. Kelly of Aberdeen, secretary.
The fairs have been held at the following places: At Huron in
1885 and 1886; at Mitchell in 1887 and 1888; at Aberdeen in 1889 and
1890; at Sioux Palls in 1891 and 1892; at Aberdeen in 1893 and 1894.
The annual state fair for 1895 commenced at Sioux Falls on Sep
tember 30, and was an interesting fair in many respects, and we can
not forego the pleasure of placing before our readers some of its
most salient features. ^
Owing to sorae acts of coraraission and omission that occurred
between the board and the other parties to the contract of March,
1895, matters were greatly delayed in making the necessary prepa
rations for the exposition, and when the real work coraraenced it had
to be done in a hurry.
So far as Secretary Kelly is concerned, the writer wishes to
place upon record that he acted as promptly as circumstances would
perrait, and carae to Sioux Palls several weeks before the fair and
remained there most of the time attending to the duties of his office
to the best of his ability.
If the management were unfortunate in getting the fair adver
tised, a comraittee composed of Sioux Palls business men raade up
for the defect by putting in operation such plans as inforraed all the
people who would naturally visit the exposition that there was to be
a fair held in Sioux Palls, and that it would be a fair such as had
never before been seen in South Dakota.
The weather was siraply perfect, and the exhibits surpassed
anything ever brought together in South Dakota. It was not a horse-
racing affair, but a grand exhibit of the products of the state. Some
of the county exhibits were exceedingly fine, and it would have been
creditable to any county in the United States to have made an equally
fine display of its products.
The art hall was tastily decorated bv a committee composed of
Mrs. W. G. George, Miss Belle Beveridge and Miss Alice Phillips,
and was filled with such a fine display of pictures and textile fabrics
that made Dakotians proud of their state. The business raen of
Sioux Palls had erected an arcade on the fair grounds, forty feet
wide and two hundred feet long, which was filled with a raagnificent
display of goods. It was elegantly decorated, and rauch credit is
due to a committee of ladies of Sioux Falls, of which Mrs. T. J.
Foley was chairraan, for its artistic arrangement.
At five o'clock in the afternoons of Wednesday, Thursday and
Priday during the fair week, balloon ascensions were made from the
grounds in front of the grand stand by Professor W. Z. Love of
Indianapolis, Ind., which were declared "by all who witnessed thera
to be the finest ever seen in this locality. "The Brookings band, the
best in the state, the attractive Juvenile band of Mitchell and the
Santee Indian band, composed of Sioux Indians in costume, fur
nished as fine music as any state fair could wish for.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 297

What the fair manag-ement failed to procure in the way of special
attractions the citizens of Sioux Palls supplied through the efforts of
a special committee, with J. Tomlinson, Jr., as chairman. A ban
quet to the editors of the state; a barbeque for the farmers, on the
island; a bicycle tournament; parades of the traveling men, the
Knights of Pythias, the Shriners and other secret societies, and
illumination of the streets of the city during fair week, were some of
the principal attractions provided by the city of Sioux Palls for her
guests. The attendance was large, btit the fair was not a financial suc
cess, and the board was severely criticised by the people and news
papers for not paying the premiums in full.
The writer was in this boat, being one of the members of the
board, and has nothing to say by way of extenuation or vindication
of himself, except that he never labored more faithfully for the suc
cess of any enterprise and never received so small compensation for
services performed.
The last state fair has been held at Sioux Palls under the exist
ing laws governing the state agricultural board.
THE TRI-STATE PAIR.
The attendance during the state fair at Sioux Palls in 1895 was
so large, and the benefits resulting therefrom so apparent to the
business men in the city that early in the spring of _ 1896 a public
meeting was called to consider the expediency of organizing an asso
ciation for the purpose of having a fair in Sioux Falls during the fall
of that year. The sentiraent was nearly unaniraous in favor of the
plan, and after several meetings an organization was perfected which
was called the Tri-State Fair Association. J. Tomlinson, Jr., was
elected president, and had associated with him the best business
men in the city. From the outset it was voted that the fair should
be a success financially, and to secure this beyond question a cash
deposit of five thousand dollars was demanded by the management
from the citizens of vSioux Falls to secure the payment of the pre
miums offered and expenses incurred by the association. The
amount was raised, and the association went to work with great
energy and enthusiasm to give the people the best fair ever held in
the state. In the matter of premiums a new departure was decided
upon. No individual premiums were offered by the association for
the exhibit of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, grain, seed and
vegetables, in fact for anything, except county agricultural exhibits
as such, and one hundred and fiftv dollars for butter and cheese.
Private individuals in the city offered special premiums, but they
were limited to a small class of exhibits. In place of the usual ex
hibits and premiums for the same, the management determined upon
presenting sorae rare attractions to secure the attendance necessary
to insure success.
The first day Buffalo Bill with his Wild West Show appeared on
the grounds There was a large crowd in attendance, and when he
left he took with him a large per cent of the people's half dollars that

198 HISTORY OF' • MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

might otherwise have been exchanged for tickets upon the subse
quent days of the fair.
High-diving men and horses, balloon ascensions, bicycle contests,
horse racing, elk trotting, and shooting exhibitions were the princi
pal specialities on the grounds, and the city at night was grandly il
luminated and the people entertained at banquets and by political
speakers of national reputation. The exhibits were fair and in some
respects admirable, especially in the art department which was un
der the management of Arthur C. Phillips, who had labored indus
triously for several weeks to make it attractive. Nothing was left
undone to secure a large attendance of the people, but notwithstand
ing the mighty efforts put forth it was not a financial success.
SIOUX FALLS CARNIVAL.
During the year 1897, the people of Sioux Palls took a much
needed rest, and no effort was made in the countv to have an agri
cultural fair or exposition of any kind whatever. But during the
spring and early summer of 1898, under the inspiration of the Busi
ness Men's Leag-ue, the business raen of Sioux Palls decided to have
a carnival during the fall. An organization was perfected, and those
who had the project in charge worked industriously to raake it a suc
cess. Wednesday, the 12th day of October was fixed upon as the
opening day. Various attractions had been secured, and the carni
val was well advertised. But the 12th of October proved to be any
thing but an ideal day for carnival sports, in fact, the rain prevented
the carrying out of the program. The next day, Thursday, there
was an improvement in the weather and during the evening the har
vest parade (postponed from the evening before) and the bicycle pa
rade were merged, and made a splendid display. Friday, Gerraan
day, was a success, and although the outside attendance was not as
large as expected, there were at least four or five thousand strangers
in the city. Football games, balloon ascensions, professional bicycle
races, cake walks, and, best of all, an industrial parade Priday eve
ning, brought Sioux Palls' first carnival to such a successful con
clusion that for a few years at least, an annual carnival will be one of
the events looked forward to by the residents of the Queen City and
vicinity. ~
RACING AND RACE HORSES.
Late in the seventies there was a half-mile race track on section
seven, in Wayne township, owned by Prank Forde. The people of
Sioux Palls would occasionally go out there and have a few hours'
sport. At that time there were no fast horses in the county, com
paratively speaking, but it was on this track that the grading-up pro
cess commenced. In 1882, when the Sioux Palls Exposition was
formed, one of the features of this enterprise was the making of a
half-mile race track, and during the fairs of that year and 1883 some
good racing, both trotting and running, was had on this track.
These races undoubtedly inspired some of the lovers of good horses
in Sioux Falls to secure a better class of race horses. In any event,

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 199

it was about this time that several parties in the city began to pur
chase high-bred trotting horses, and some of them have attracted
more than local attention, particularly Moody, Panchon and Little
Mike. Prairie Lily, a young pacing filly that secured a national rep
utation in 1895, was bred in Sioux Palls by J. W. Boyce, and M.
Grigsby's Pinta, a pacing colt, also won distinction in fast classes
the same season.
But to go back a little and consecutively follow the different
schemes which have materialized in Sioux Palls for the training of
race horses. The exposition in 1883 having proved a financial fail
ure, the horsemen secured the holding of a turfmen's congress at the
Cataract House on the 5th day of March, 1884, and organized the
"Sioux City and Dakota Circuit." On the 14th day of the same
month the Sioux Falls Driving Park association was organized with
a capital of $20,000, and the old grounds were fitted up for the use of
the circuit. On the llth and 12th days of June following, a race
meeting was held on these grounds. The attendance was fair, and
the entertainment good, although no fast time was made. The next
meeting was held June 17, 18 and 19, 1885, and like the one the year
before, it afforded the public a great amount of pleasure, but was not
a financial success, and the grounds were finally disposed of. The
fastest time made during- these races was 2.26}4.
In the summer of 1888 C. G. Coats decided to build a half-mile
track on his farm south of the city, and on the 21st day of September
he had it completed and ready for use. Some pretty good races
were had on this track. In 1891 the location of the state fair was se
cured by Sioux Palls, and Mr. Coats, at great expense, built a kite
track upon 'vvhich races were had during the fair of that year and the
year following.
Early in 1893 a few enterprising gentlemen in Sioux Palls organ
ized the Sioux Palls Driving association, and rented the fair grounds
— tracks and buildings — of Mr. Coats for a term of years, and pro
ceeded at once to make arrangements for a great trotting meeting to
be held July 18, 19 and 20 following. Quite large purses were offered,
but at the a'ppointed time the attendance was not as large as was ex
pected, considering the inducements offered by the association, some
of the fastest horses in the Northwest being on the grounds.
The following year the association made great efforts for a suc
cessful trotting meeting. It was well advertised, good purses of
fered, fast horses secured, the time opportune and the weather fine,
but it was not a financial success. This meeting was held on July
10, 11, 12 and 13, and the best time made was by the pacer Ontonion,
2:09^. The loss to the association was so large that no further
attempts have since been made to give the people of Sioux Palls an
opportunity of seeing good races at home.

CHAPTER X.

MINNEHAHA COUNTY AID SOCIETY— FARMERS GRANGE
-FARMERS ALLIANCE-FARMERS MUTUAL FIRE
INSURANCE ASSOCIATION— EARLY SET
TLERS ASSOCIATION.

MINNEHAHA COUNTY AID SOCIETY.
On the 26th day of January, 1874, the Minnehaha County Aid
Society was organized in Sioux Palls. It was known as the "Grass
hopper Beggars."
The summer before, the grasshoppers had destroyed everything
in this section of the country, and the pioneer settlers had nothing
left upon which they could subsist, and in order to relieve such
destitution this society was organized. Col. T. H. Brown was sent
East to secure money, food and clothing. Over 5500 in cash was con
tributed, and he also obtained a large amount of food and clothing,
which was sent to Sioux Palls and distributed among the sufferers
through the agency of this society. It was the first as well as the
last society organized in this county to solicit outside aid to relieve
the suffering of her citizens. FARMERS GRANGE.
The farmers in Minnehaha county, although few in number,
organized a Farmers Grange the last week in August, 1873, and
adopted the name of Minnehaha Grange, with W. Robertson as
Master. Scarcely any raention of this organization appeared in the
local newspapers after this date.
FARMERS ALLIANCE.
Several Farmers Alliances had been started in Minnehaha
county and were in a more or less prosperous condition in 1886. On
December 4, of that year, a meeting of several prominent farmers al
liance men was held in Sioux Falls for the purpose of organizing a
County Alliance. At this meeting it was decided to form such an
organization, and a call was formulated for alliances in the countv to

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 201

send delegates to a meeting to be held February 16, 1887. The al
liances responded to the call, and the Minnehaha County Farmers
Alliance w^as organized. H. W. Smith was elected president, L. S.
Gage vice president, P. P. Sherman secretary and John T. Lee
treasurer. At first considerable interest was manifested by the
members of this organization, but it soon becarae inoculated with
politics and is now one of the by-gones.
FARMERS MUTUAL PIRE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION.
This company was org-anized March 23, 1885, its members being-
composed of farmers in the central portion of the county. It has
been well managed and ver}- satisfactory to its members. At its an
nual meeting- January 17, 1895, the secretary's report showed that
there had been policies issued in the amount of $767,632 since its
organization, with a total membership of 533. During the year 1894
it issued 138 policies and the amount in the treasury was $5,288.69.
The officers elected at that time were John Thompson president,
E. J. Berdahl vice president, Ole J. Aasen treasurer, and John R.
Bj organ secretary. At the close of the year 1895 there was a balance
on hand of $4,709.91. During 1896 it received in preraiuras $1,373.31,
paid in losses $816.25, and expenses $334.89, leaving a balance on
hand at the close of the vear of $4,932.08. The araount of property
insured during 1896 was 5184,360, making the total amount insured
at the close of the year 5851,887. There were 148 policies issued, 44
of them to new members. At the annual meeting- January 5, 1897,
the following were elected members of the board of directors: John
Thompson, Ole Thompson, Gust. Grant, A. G. Risty, Charles N.
Searl, John G. Tyler, W. A. Crooks, S. O. Henjum, Tom Hanson,
C. T. Austin, E. J. Berdahl, Ole J. Aasen and John R. Bjorgan.
John Thompson was elected president, C. T. Austin vice president,
Ole J. Aasen treasurer and J. R. Bjorgan secretary.
At the annual meeting held January 28, 1899, John Thorapson
was elected president, E. J. Berdahl vice president, Ole J. Aasen
treasurer, and John R. Bjorgan secretary. The amount paid in
losses during 1898 was 51,755.55, expenses during the year $365.95,
balance on hand $4,870.65, amount of risks outstanding $976,355,
policies issued 185, new members 43.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION.
Early in June, 1892, it was announced in the newspapers that
there would be a picnic in Foster's grove in the northwestern part
of Grand Meadow on Wednesday, June 29, at which time it was pro
posed to organize an early settlers association for the western part
of Minnehaha county.
When the time arrived there was a large attendance, and during
the afternoon several speeches were made in favor of such an organ
ization. Finally a temporary organization was made and Samuel
Huckins was elected president. A comraittee was appointed to
frame a constitution and by-laws and present the same at a meeting
to be called the following year.

202 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

In the latter part of June, 1893, the officers of the temporary
organization announced that there would be a meeting of the associa
tion in J. B. Goddard 's grove in Taopi, on Wednesday, July 19. It
was a beautiful day, and before noon there were several hundred
people present. The tables arranged for the occasion were loaded
with good things, and although they were 159 feet in length, the
people stood about two deep around them w^hen the time for refresh
ments arrived. After dinner a general good tirae was had, and sing--
ing and speeches delighted the audience, after which the meeting-
was called to order and a permanent organization of the association
perfected. J. J. Poster was elected president, J. E. Colton secre
tary, and C. P. Parrell treasurer. The membership of the associa
tion was limited to such persons who had been residents of the
county west of the Sioux river prior to 1880, and it was decided to
hold annual raeetings of the association at such times and places as
the officers should decide upon.
The third annual meeting was held in Warner's grove at Hart
ford, Wednesday, June 27, 1894. Before dinner there were recita
tions and short addresses by pioneer settlers from all over the
county. At noon the Ladies' Aid Society of Hartford served re
freshments, and the Grand Meadow band entertained the people
with good music during the day. At the business meeting the first
article in the constitution was amended so as to include all persons
who settled in Minnehaha county prior to 1880. J. J. Poster was
elected president; P. E. Van De Mark vice president; J. E. Colton
secretary; C. P. Parrell treasurer; directors, J. B. Goddard, J. J.
Poster, C. J. Parrell; Mrs. J. J. Poster, Mrs. L. L. Willard and
Mrs. E. E. Gage were also elected to look after the affairs of the
association. The fourth annual meeting of this association was held in John
Thompson's grove in the town of Sverdrup on Friday the 14th day
June, 1895. During the preceding night there had been a heavy
rainfall, which undoubtedly deterred a good many from going, but as
it was, it was estimated that at least 1,000 persons visited the
grounds during the day. A stand for the speakers and bands had
been erected and seats provided for the audience. Three brass
bands and the Baltic Mandskor w-ere present and furnished music
and singing for the occasion. The morning exercises consisted of a
grand march by the old settlers, instrumental and vocal music and a
few short speeches. After dinner quite a number of the early set
tlers related their experience when they first settled in Minnehaha
county, which proved to be highly interesting. Recitations by Miss
Willard, Miss Kingsbury, Mrs. Woody and Mrs. J. G. Tjder added
very much to the enjoyment of those participating in the annual fes
tival of the early settlers. The officers elected for the ensuing year
were J. J. Poster president; Sever Wilkinson vice president; J. E.
Colton secretary; D. W. Oaks treasurer; board of directors, John
Thompson, Luther Gage, L. Lyman, Mrs. E. S. Gage, Mrs. L. L.
Willard, Silas E. Blauvelt and Nels Simons.
The fifth annual meeting was held June 25 and 26, 1896, at the
same place as the year before. On the first day there were about

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 203

twelve hundred people present and on the second day about two
thousand. Addresses were made by prominent citizens of the
county; the New Hope and Benton bands furnished the music, and a
quartette of fine sing-ers helped to entertain the people^ a merry-go-
round and games added to the pleasure of the occasion, and taken as
a whole, it was the most successful meeting of the association. J. J.
Poster was elected president; Sever Wilkinson vice president; and
Geo. O. Goddard secretary; and it was decided to hold the next
annual meeting in the same place for one day only.
The sixth annual meeting was held at the John Thompson grove
in Sverdrup, Priday, June 11, 1897. It was estiraated that thare
were at least three thousand people present during the day, and was
the most successful event in the history of the society. It was a
pleasant day, and all enjoyed the well-arranged programme of enter
tainments. The New Hope band furnished the music, and the Sioux
Palls Glee Club rendered some enjoyable selections, and several fine
songs and recitations added greatly to the pleasure of the day. A
ball game between Hartford and Sioux Palls resulted in favor of the
Hartford boys.
The following officers were elected: President, J. J. Poster;
vice president, S. E. Blauvelt; secretary, J. G. Tvler; treasurer, D.
W. Oaks; directors, J. R. Griffith, W. P. Kelly, P. E. Van De
Mark, L. Lyman, Mrs. Eugene Hale, W. J. Hunt and C. T. Austin.
The seventh annual meeting was held at the John Thompson
grove June 16, 1898. There was a great crowd in attendance and the
weather was propitious. The Rev. Dr. Scott of Sioux Palls deliv
ered a fine address, and several short speeches were made by promi
nent citizens. A good literary programrae and good rausic helped
to raake the day an enjoyable one. J. J. Foster was again elected
president; S. E. Blauvelt vice president; J. G. Tyler secretary; D.
W. Oaks treasurer; directors, F. E. Van De Mark, E. S. Gage, Wm.
P. Kelly, D. O. Crooks, Mrs. John Lott, John Thompson and Axel
Scott. The eighth annual meeting was held at John Thompson's grove
July 4, 1899. It was a fine day, and there were not less than 5,000
people present. Professor Binks delivered the customary address,
and he was at his best. Several short speeches were made by resi
dents of the county, and a highly entertaining literary programme
was one of the important features of the occasion. Good music and
games were also on the programme. S. E. Blauvelt was elected
president, J. G. Tyler secretary, and John Thompson treasurer;
directors, P. E. Van De Mark, L. Lyman, J. J. Poster, John Powers,
D. O. Crooks, W. P. Kelly and Axel Scott.

CHAPTER XI.

WATER SUPPLY— SNOW AND RAIN PALL— FLOOD OP
APRIL, 1881— CLOUD-BURST IN HIGHLAND, 1876—
EXTREMES OP HEAT AND COLD— BLIZZARDS-
CYCLONES— ELECTRIC STORMS.
WATER SUPPLY.
In October, 1895, quite a lengthy and well considered editorial
appeared in the Dell Rapids Tribune in reference to the drying up of
the sraaller lakes in the Northwest, and mention was made of the fact
that in Minnehaha county nuraerous lakes, which only a few years
ago contained quite large bodies of water, were entirely dried up and
their bottoms turned into cultivated fields. The editor had seen an
extended article in the Pioneer Press, upon the subject of the dry
ing- up of the lakes in the Northwest, and took occasion to express
the opinion that we would ag-ain see the forraer lake beds in Minne
haha county filled, though probably not as full as they were when
the surrounding country was an unbroken prairie, and Avas drained
into them. The opinion was expressed in the Pioneer Press, that we
would never again see water in a vast number of the dry lake beds,
and that the drying up of the lakes and sraaller streams was not only
due to the dry period of the past few years, but that the cultivation
of the adjacent country had absorbed the rainfall to such an extent
that it had materially lessened the quantity of water flowing into the
lakes, and was a more iraportant factor still in the drying up of the
sraaller streams.
While adraitting to a certain extent that the cultivation of the
land adjacent to the lakes would result in a g-reater absorption of the
rainfall, the editor of the Tribune was of the opinion that too rauch
iraportance had been given to this fact as a cause for the drying up
of the lakes and smaller streams of water.
Since the publication of this article in the Tribune, in an inter
view at Washington, Hydrographer F. H. Newell of the Geological
Survey, went over this whole subject from a scientific standpoint,
and many interesting facts were referred to, and important deduc
tions raade therefrora, which can not fail to interest the people of

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 205

Minnehaha county, who have witnessed the gradual diminution of the
water suppl}- in the county from all sources during the last decade.
Only a summar}- of this interview can be presented here, and it is
gratifying- to note the fact that Mr. Nisbet's views were more in ac
cord with these of the distinguished scientist than those of the
Pioneer Press.
Mr. Newell, when questioned as to the cause of the shrinkage of
the water supply in the Northwest, in substance replied, that the
shrinkage of water supply was not local to the Northwest, for there
has been during the past few years a raaterial shrinkag-e in the
water supply in the Ohio valley region and in several of the eastern
states. This condition of things in the Northwest is not new, for at
various times within the historic period lakes in which there is now
considerable water have been completely dried up. The larger shal
low lakes have retreated in many instances to mere pools, while the
wide surface of the larger bodies with well defined shores has fallen
so considerably that navigation has been injured or destroyed. The
records of almost any water body demonstrate a similar behavior of
the lakes in the Northwest.
There has been an unbroken record of the height of Lake Michi
gan since 1859, and while it shows considerable fluctuations there is
a certain rythm or regularity about it. The causes of the fluctua
tions in the lakes and streams are mainly climatic. By an exaraina
tion of tables of rainfall and temperature it will be seen that these
have a certain range of fluctuation up and down, going down gradual
ly for several years and then coraing up again with great irregularity,
too great for prediction. The increase or dirainution of water sur
face is the resultant of not only the greater or less rainfall, but also
of the changes of temperature, of averag-e humidity and of wind
movement. The irregular fluctuations in the intensity of the force
of nature are sufficient to account for all the variations we find in the
water supply. The cultivation of the soil and the increase of settle
ment have an influence, but in comparison to the forces of nature
they are exceedingly small. In 1890 the census figures show that
one-seventh of the land in South Dakota was improved, and it is to be
doubted, even if no water ran off from the cultivated land, whether
the effect would be noticeable.
Many other minor considerations were discussed in this inter
view, but in concluding he said: "As to the future prospect, it will
probably be as in the past. The larger lakes will undoubtedly fill to
a height equal to that of the average of high waters in the past, and
the smaller lakes, where not permanently drained, will probably re
appear and for a series of years increase and again shrink. As to
when this increase in water will begin to take place, or how long it
will last is impossible to predict, for these fluctuations, as shown by
the oldest records, sometimes are short and sharp, at other times
long continued and apparently regular. It is fairly safe to assurae,
however, that what has happened many tiraes before will probably
recur again, except in so far as the works of man raay have to a sraall
extent, modified the effect of nature's forces."
That the annual rainfall, one of the raain sources of water sup-

206 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

ply in South Dakota, for the past ten years has been considerably
below the normal, is known to every resident of the state, and if Mr.
Newell is correct in his stateraent that there is to a certain extent a
regular succession in the fluctuations of the annual rainfall above
and below the normal for a series of years, then we may reasonably
expect to again see in the near future many of the now dry lake beds
in Minnehaha county filled with water.
Since writing- the foregoing in 1896, the annual rainfall has been
gradually increasing, and it would seem as though the predictions of
Mr. Newell are likely to be fulfilled.
SNOW AND RAIN PALL.
The amount of snowfall in Minnehaha county is usually very
light, but there have been several winters since inhabited by the
white raan during which there was a great amount of snow. During
the winter of 1856-7, there was an immense snowfall, and during the
entire winter the cold was intense, accompanied by a penetrating
northwest wind. It is reported that in some of the deep ravines the
snow did not melt until the July following. One of the old settlers
says that during the winter of 1869, more snow fell in this section
than during any year since then, not excepting the winter of 1880-1.
Mr. Clark Coats says, that in the spring of 1870 he came from Plan
dreau to Sioux Palls at the time of the high water, and that never
since then has he seen such high water in the Sioux river as he
saw at that time. He also says, that where the brewery now^ stands
in the City of Sioux Falls, there was an iramense snow drift, and
that from the brow of the hill for fifty rods south there was so much
snow that it looked as though the ground was level. From this time
until the winter of 1880-1 there were no remarkable snowfalls, except
during the winter of 1872-3. On October 14, 1880, the first snow fell,
and it did not disappear until the following- spring. For a long tirae
traveling was practically impossible, and the Village of Sioux Palls
was as effectually isolated from the outside world as it would have
been if surrounded by a hostile army. During the winter the
railroads were blockaded, and it was only at rare intervals and with
great difficulty that raails were obtained. Fuel became so scarce
that farailies not only had to economize, but colonize, in order to de
lay, and if possible prevent, the exhaustion of the supply. Whe^t,
the lumber in the lumber yards, and railroad ties piled up in the city
for the extension of the Worthington and Sioux Palls railroad, were
all burned; in fact, everything available was used for fuel. A great
many privations had to be endured. Sugar was sugar about the first
of March, and a good many of the ordinary comforts of life w^ere dis
pensed with for the time being. The nearest railroad connection
was Canton, and for the greater part of the winter the only means
by which Canton could be reached from Sioux Palls was bymen on
snowshoes, it being impossible for a horse to get through the snow.
A train reached Luverne April 9, containing a quantity of provisions
for Sioux Falls, which was transported by teams to its destination,
and by this means the most pressing wants of the people were sup
plied, althoug-h it proved inadequate to meet the demand. The trans-

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

20-5

portation was accompanied with great difficulties, as twelve inches of
snow fell on the 7th and 8th of April, and four inches on the 10th and
a like amount on the llth during the same month. During this mem
orable winter the people were in the best of spirits. Social distinc
tions were abolished for the time being, although at this early date
in the history of Sioux Falls there was but little to abolish. The
newspapers were published, but aside from guessing at what was go
ing on in the outside world, the columns were filled with local mat
ter. On the 12th day of April, the Sioux Palls Times was printed
on a single sheet of blue paper, and the next day the Dakota Panta
graph appeared on pink muslin. Such, in part, is the history of one
of the most remarkable experiences that the people of Sioux Falls
have been compelled to pass through, all this resulting from an ex
cessive fall of "the beautiful snow".
As there has been no unusual fall of snow in this section of the
country since that time, a short description of the
FLOOD OF APRIL, 1881,
w^hich followed will appropriately come in here. As spring advanced,
the people in Sioux Palls realized the danger they would be in from
high water when this great quantity of snow melted. Some of the
old settlers predicted a destruction of the village, but when the flood
came they seemed as much surprised as those who drifted along ap
prehending no danger.
On Sunday, April 17, the first signs of the breaking up of the
ice in the river were observed, but not until 2 or 3 o'clock in the
morning of the 20th did
it go out, and the work
of destruction com
mence. The Pembina
railroad bridge (now
Milwaukee), the Eighth
and Tenth street
bridges, the Webber
restaurant, the Henjum
and Olson blacksmith
shop, the Badger lum
ber office, the McKin
non and Ross planing
mill and sash factory,
the Cascade mill offices,
the Cochran stable, the
Gilbert ice house and
theQueen Bee mill office
went out with the ice.
Then the river fell
about a foot, and the
people feltassured that
the worst was over, but the next day the water began rising and
kept it up steadily until the middle of the forenoon Saturday, when
the highest point was reached, which was fifteen feet and six inches
above its ordinary level.

HIGH WATER SIOUX PALLS, 1881.

208 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

At 2 o'clock Saturday morning, the Riverside hotel went down
streara, followed about 7 o'clock A. M., by the Sioux Palls mill at the
foot of the falls. The miller, C. K. Weir, was on the point of step
ping into the mill to dress the stones during the enforced stoppage.
He stooped to pick up a board, and when he looked up, the mill had
taken its departure.
The eastern portion of the wrecked Tenth street bridge was dis
lodged, and floating- down stream struck a building on the east
side of the river. The two steered across Eighth street in the di
rection of the Cascade mill and elevator, but in some unaccountable
way they chang-ed course and passed these structures without doing
any damage. It seemed almost a miracle to the on-lookers that the
Cascade raill was not destroyed, as it stood directly in the current
and was in constant danger from the numerous buildings that were
coraing down stream from above. The stock of the lumber yards
was strewn along the bank for miles below the falls, the boom which
had been constructed for the purpose of saving it having broke.
During- the day the Wisconsin hotel, D. Z. Clark's dwelling and
laundry, Phillip Plaster's saloon, the calaboose (frora which the*
prisoners had been reraoved), nuraerous ice houses and a stable suc
cumbed to the pressure of the water and went down stream. Saturday
raorning, while the water was rising higher and higher, the citizens
commenced to take precautionary measures. The St. Paul railroad
bridge was uncoupled in the middle and at both ends and anchored to
the piling with hawsers. Donahoe's house at his brick yard south of
the bridge, stood in the middle of the flood, but loaded on the first
floor with 10,000 bricks, maintained its place. Numerous small build
ings were anchored with ropes. The building-s on the east side of
Phillips avenue, north of the Gilbert block, were emptied of their
contents, and the merchants on the west side got their goods readv
for removal, but these precautions happily proved unnecessar\'.
Fortunately no lives were lost, although there were a number of
narrow escapes. The damage to the railroads was great, and the
total daraage to property in Sioux Palls was estimated at $140,300.00.
At Dell Rapids the daraage was proportionately the sarae as at
Sioux Falls. Lumber yards, buildings and bridges were washed
away and property damaged, but no lives were lost. As has already
been said, this flood was occasioned by the melting of the heavy snow
which had fallen during the winter preceding, but owing- to the con
tour of the county nothing of a similar nature can ever happen ex
cept from a similar cause. There have been several heavy falls of
rain since the county was settled, but no damage worthy of mention
has resulted. The terra "rainy season" will never be used to describe
the rainfall in this county, but the New England term of "rainy
spell" could at times be very appropriately made use of, and at no
time more so than during the spring of 1888. On the 26th day of
April it began to rain, and for twenty-nine consecutive days rain fell
at sorae tirae during the twenty-four hours. It w^as a " rainy spell"
and probably the longest the inhabitants of the county ever exper
ienced, but even this long continuous rainfall did not raise the water
in the strearas to a dangerous height.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY 209

CLOUD-BURST IN HIGHLAND, 1876.
Mr. Ole O. Graves, one of the earliest settlers of Highland town
ship, has furnished us with the following- account of a cloud-burst a
few miles north of his farm:
"About the first day of May, 1876, there w^as a cloud-burst a few
miles north of my place on the upper Split Rock. The water came
rolling- down over the bottom from eight to twelve feet in depth.
One of my neig-hbors, a Mr. Lee, saw something moving quite a dis
tance north of us and thought it was an iraraense flock of geese, and
took his gun and started for the place. He discovered his mistake
just in time to escape with his life. A pair of oxen were picketed
out on the bottom below^ rav place, and the water was so deep that it
took thera off their feet, and for a while the picket stakes held them
fast so that they floated. A raan on horseback attempted to rescue
the oxen, but was throwai from his horse. He could not swim, but
was fortunate in getting hold of the horse's tail, and the horse took
him to the shore. When the stakes finally became loosened the oxen
saved themselves by swimming ashore."
EXTREMES OP HEAT AND COLD.
This section of the country is not reraarkable for extreraes of
heat and cold, but at the same time it must be admitted that when a
thermometer reg-isters 35° below zero and within six months reg
isters 100° above, it has traveled over a wide field. Reliable ther
mometers have done this in Minnehaha county, but these extremes
are seldom reached, the temperature being rarely 30° degrees below
zero. The first winter the writer spent in Minnehaha county the
coldest day was 26° below zero. Of course, there are cold winters
and raild winters, hot suraraers and those of moderate heat. The
extreme cold spells are usually longer here than in the same latitude
in the eastern states, and the same is also true of the extreme warra
spells of weather, and it must also be admitted that there are few
places where there are raore sudden changes in temperature than in
South Dakota. But taken as a whole, the climate is invigorating and
healthful, notwithstanding these occasional extremes of cold and
heat, and the statistics show that the, death rate in South Dakota, in
proportion to the total population, is lower than in any other country
in the world. As appears elsewhere, the sumraer of 1871 was un
usually warm, and the summer of 1886 was called a hot one, and dur
ing the summer of 1889 there was a long spell of excessively hot
weather. But the summer of 1894 was both hot and dry, and the
Daily Press in its issue of August 9, said: "Skunk creek is dried up
and the prairie chickens have left the country along that stream be
cause of the lack of water."
The coldest winters during the last fifteen years were the win
ters of 1884-5-6-7, especially during the two last years there were
long spells of extreme cold weather. But one of the coldest days
during this period was February 4, 1883, when reliable thermometers
registered 37° below zero. Occasionally in midsummer the heat is
100°, but it is an unusually hot dav in Minnehaha county when it is

210

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

above 90°. The 17th day of September, 1895, was one of the hottest
days experienced in this vicinit}'. A thermometer at the Cataract
house, at 3:30 in the afternoon of that day marked 104° in the shade,
and other thermometers in the city indorsed these figures as being
about right.
Dr. Levi S. Carter, Volunteer Meteorological Observer at Sioux
Palls for the United States Department of Agriculture Weather
Bureau, kindly loaned us the record of his observations for the last
few years. We have summarized the average monthly raaxiraura,
minimum and raean temperature, also the average percipitation and
the number of clear days for the years 1893 4-5-6, a table of which
will be found below:

January ..
February .
March 
April 
May-

June 
July  -
August 
September -
October ...
November .
December .

MAXI

MINI

MUM

MUM

43

-24

.S3

-23

70

9

So

19

89

30

95

36

101

44

99

36

96

24

77

15

62

- S

47

-12

1 1
.6
39
4S6.6S 7-71
62
4.S 272.

PREC.PI- TATION

20 .St
6.So34
63 3S 71
33 3770

CLEAR DAYS

17
17
1715 iS
.9
'4
2. 2121 I.S18

Coldest day, February 2i, 1893, 35 deg.-ees below zeio.
Warmest day, July 25, 1S94, '°7 degrees.
Precipitation 1893  2671 inches
Pi-ecipitation 1894  10.44 inches
Precipitation 1895  20.33 inches
P.-ecipitation 1896      27.97 inches
Since writing the foregoing, there has been such extreme cold
weather, remarkable also for its great duration, that we should al
most feel like stopping the press to record it, if this work was being-
printed. If extreme cold weather should be encountered in the future, it
would be well to exaraine the record of the cold spell which the whole
country experienced in January and February, 1899. Hicks pre
dicted mild, pleasant weather for the week commencing- January 22,
but notwithstanding Hicks, it comraenced growing cold Wednesday
evening January 25. The next day it was colder still, and so on, un
til Sunday night when there was a snowfall of about four inches.
Monday it was cold, and it continued growing colder until Wednes
day the Sth day of February. During that day, the therraoraeter at
no tirae indicated less than twenty-three degrees below zero, and at
eight o'clock the following raorning it was forty-two degrees below,
and some ambitious thermoraeters indicated one or two degrees
colder still. This kind of weather, with little variation continued un
til Sunday night, February 12, when it grew wanner.
It was one cold wave after another for eighteen days, or one cold

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY 211

wave coming down from the northwest in sections, with but little in
terraediate space between them. It was a record breaker, not only
in this locality, but all over the country east of the Rocky Mountains.
Following is the miniraum record of Dr. L. S. Carter for the first
thirteen days in February, 1899: 9, 19, 14, 29, 28, 30, 29, 38, 42, 22,
40, 32, 13 deg-rees below zero.
CLIMATIC DISTURBANCES.
BLIZZARDS.
Although Minnehaha county is not reraarkable for severe storras,
still there have been some that are worthy of raention. It is un
doubtedly true that during the early settlement of southeastern Da
kota, the class of storms known as "blizzards" were more frequent
and severe than during the past decade. In the biographical sketch
of C. K. Howard will be found some incidents in connection with the
blizzards of thirty years ago, and other early settlers have informed
the writer that scarcely a winter passed without two or three bliz
zards of more or less severity. Perhaps the most notable one that
occurred since white people commenced to inhabit this county was
the January blizzard of 1873. It extended throughout Dakota, Min
nesota, a portion of Iowa and the northern half of Wisconsin. Up
wards of seventy people perished in Minnesota. In Minnehaha
county the storm commenced in the forenoon of the 7th, and con
tinued with but little abatement for nearly three days; four persons
lost their lives and several others met with narrow escapes. Robert
Foster, who lived with his family in a sod-shanty in the northwest
part of section 33 in Benton, lost two children. On the morning of
the storm his son Robert, fourteen years old, and his daughter
Sarah, twelve years old, started out to go a little over a half a mile
north, where some bait had been put out for foxes, when the storm
overtook thera. They walked about a mile and a half south anda half
a mile east, and finally stopped in a roofless sod-shanty, where they
were found on the I5th day of March following, the girl still stand
ing, and it was evident that the boy had died standing by his sister,
but had fallen over as the snow melted away. The other persons
who perished in the storm were A. M. Abbott and a Scandinavian,
whose name the writer has been unable to learn. On the I5th day of
October, 1880, there was a heavy snow storm, and it would seem that
it was worthy of being classed as a blizzard. The last g-enuine bliz
zard visited this section of the country on the 12th of January, 1888.
It struck Sioux Falls about the middle of the afternoon. At 2 o'clock
the sun was shining brightly, and the weather was delightfully mild
and pleasant, but before four o'clock it was several degrees be
low zero, and the wind was blowing a gale from the north
west. This storm was quite extensive, and coraing as it did just
about the time of the closing of the district schools, many a sad dis
aster happened. At Baltic a Miss Jacobson was teaching school,
and about the time the storm commenced she started to walk to the
house of John O. Langness, in corapany with one of her pupils about
fourteen years of age by the name of Josephine Grinde, daughter of

212 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Andrew^ Grinde, then living in Brandon. They were blinded by the
snow and frozen to death. Another distressing case during this
blizzard was the death of a Mrs. Kennedy and her son Joseph. The
home of the Kennedy's was four or five miles west of the City of
Sioux Palls. About dark Mr. Kennedy started to go to a well a few
rods from the house, and not returning Mrs. Kennedy and son went
out to look for hira. When the blizzard had subsided she was found
only a short distance from the house frozen to death, but the boy was
not found until about the 20th of March following. He had traveled
about two miles and a half in the direction the wind was blowing.
Mr. Kennedy finding he could not return to the house crawled into a
straw stack and reraained during the night. Three other persons in
the county lost their lives during- this storra.
Mr. Zeliff of Sherraan has furnished us with the following inter
esting description of his experience in a blizzard: "Since coming to
Dakota I have seen but two blizzards. The first one was in the win
ter of 1880-1, an the second one in January, 1888. On the raorning of
January 12, during the last-raentioned year, I left Sioux Palls to
drive to ray home, a distance of twenty-five miles. The sno\\- was
drifted, and ray horses got down several times, and I progressed so
slowly that at four o'clock in the afternoon I was still six miles from
home. I had just got ray horses out of a snow drift and was letting
them rest. The sun was shining and it was so warra that I had
taken off my coat. The first I knew I w^as covered with a cloud of
snow, accompanied with a sharp wind. I looked at my watch; it was
four o'clock. I started at once to get to a house, but soon found I
was traveling in a circle, and was getting cold. I stopped and unhar
nessed my horses, cut the ice off their nostrils, and let thera loose. I
thought I would give them a chance for their lives. I then turned
the sleigh-box over and got under it and wrapped myself up in my
buffalo coat and blankets. I had hard work to keep awake. My
horses did not leave, and occasionally I would kick the box and one
of them would neigh in response. At eight o'clock the next morning
I pried the sleigh-box up with the neck-yoke I had taken under with
me. When I got out I could not stand, and I crawled around on mv
hands and knees until I found a landmark by which I knew the way
to Mr. Royce's house, and raanaged to g-et there, but I was so nearly
frozen that I could not speak or stand. Through the kind attentions
of Mrs. Royce, I was able late in the afternoon to go for ray horses,
and found thera leaning against each other by the sleigh. They had
atterapted to follow rae in the morning, but owing to a great bank of
snow had been unable to do so. They were quite warra when the
blizzard struck us, and they were soon covered with a sheet of ice,
and I think this protected thera."
As an illustration of the raental condition of sorae persons caught
in a blizzard, we give below the wanderings of Peter E. Oien, a
young man in the employ of Ole Gunderson of Mapleton, who was
frozen to death during this blizzard. He took a load of manure
about seventy rods frora Gunderson 's barn and unloaded it, and as
he started back the storra struck hira. After it was time for him to
return, and not doing so, Mr. Gunderson started out to pilot him in.

History of minneHaHa County. 213

He soon found that instead of coming in the direction of his build
ings, Oien had gone south. Following the track he found that he
had driven into a deep snow drift in a ravine. Here he had unhitched
the horses and left the sled. After this he could find no trace of
him, although he continued the search until after dark. The next
morning he resumed the search and traced him in his wanderings
several miles. He finally was found dead within six rods of Joe Nie-
son's house, six miles south of Mr. Gunderson's place. In one place
he had followed a fence quite a long distance, and when coming to
the end of it had turned and followed it back nearly its entire length,
and if he had continued a few rods further would have come to a
barn. At another place he had gone straight through a grove and
had passed near to a house. Three times he was within three or
four rods of a dwelling house, but did not seem to realize his sur
roundings. He kept both horses with him. Once he got into a
snow drift. He first got one of the horses out, and then went back
for the other. He drove thera raost of the way, but at last walked
beside thera. When his body was found one of the horses stood
near by it.
At the time of this blizzard there was a g-ood deal of discussion
in the newspapers as to what causes the singular conduct most peo
ple manifest when caught out in a blizzard, and in one thing- they all
agreed, that a majority of those people lose all power of reasoning-
and do not seem to recognize the most familiar surroundings.
CYCLONES.
There has never been a real, genuine cyclone in Minnehaha
county, but there has been some violent windstorms sweeping through
this section at different times which in a few instances have almost
reached the dignity of a cyclone, and have been termed by the news
papers "Baby Cyclones."
During the suraraer of 1883 a strong wind accorapanied by a
thunderstorm swept over the northwestern portion of the City of
Sioux Falls, and two or three houses in process of construction were
destroyed, a few small buildings tipped over and a dozen chimneys
blown down. During the afternoon of Monday, July 21, 1884, a heavy
thunder storra swep over the entire county, resulting- in the loss of
several lives and causing the destruction of considerable property.
The wind was terrific, but did not have the cyclonic twist. The storra
was most destructive in the northern portion of the county. At Dell
Rapids the Congregational church, a school house and three store
buildings were blown down, and considerable damage was done to
other buildings. Another school house a few miles out from Dell
Rapids was also blown down, and two children killed. A store build
ing was demolished at Baltic, and several buildings at Valley Springs
were seriously damaged. The most curious incident in connection
with this great storm occurred in the southeastern portion of High
land. A school house, occupied by the teacher, a Miss Chase, and
twenty-one scholars, was driven before the wind a half a mile. Miss
Chase, in relating the incident, said: "The first I noticed was a
violent rocking- of the building, and the overturning of the stove, and
then the building- began to move; at times it would seem to bound over

214 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

the ground, and then to slip along smoothly." She called on the
children to pray for deliverance, but a little daughter of Ransom
Walter replied: "Let us get out first!" Strange as it may seem no
one was seriously injured, and the building but slightly damaged; and
the people in the school district acquiesced in the new location of the
school house. The house of Peter Digre in Highland was blown down,
one child killed and Mrs. Digre seriously injured. A daughter of
Samuel Dukken of Burk was blown some distance and killed. But
the destructive feature of this storm was not confined to the wind
alone; the lightning was a fearful accessory. Mrs. John Hill, of
Highland, was struck bv lightning and instantly killed; the house of
Axel Scott in Lyons was also struck, killing Mrs. Scott and pros
trating five others. Several other buildings were struck, and con
siderable stock was killed.
The nearest approach in this county to a real twister occurred
on the afternoon of May 3, 1895. During a heavy shower in the vicin
ity of Sioux Palls, a little coraraotion was noticed on south Minne
sota avenue in the citv, and it was soon evident that arrangements
were being raade for a cyclonic display. After everything was in
readiness, it started out in a northwesterly direction, and as it ad
vanced its track widened, regardless of the obstacles in its way. At
first it only overturned sraall buildings in a playful way, but it soon
increased in fury, and after giving the Summit avenue viaduct a
sharp blow it turned west and commenced business in earnest. The
trees in Pettigrew's grove were blown down, some barns destroyed,
and it at last focused on the Willowdale mansion and the bridge
across the Sioux river; the house was unroofed and the bridge de
molished. The chain mortising works were visited, and the upper
story of this "castle in the air" was scattered about the prairie.
But the most serious damage was done to the carriage works standing-
near the river. One building containing nearly 100 carriages was
blown down, and some of the carriages corapletely ruined and all of
thera more or less damaged. Prom this point it went up the river
about half a mile, and then as quietly disappeared as a real estate boom.
The western portion of the county has not been entirely exempt
from CA'clonic manifestations. About four o'clock in the morning of
June 21, 1892, the people in the southwestern part of Clear Lake
township becarae suddenly aware that a " baby cyclone " was play
ing about their preraises. It originated a few miles west of this
county. In Montrose, McCook county, it destroyed the house of
Wm. Olin, and his wife was killed. As it came east it destroyed sev
eral barns and granaries, but became soraewhat moderated in force
when it entered this county. When it reached the residence of John
S. Lacy in section thirty in Clear Lake, it picked up his barn and
hen-house and carried them away, but it did not move a buggy top
that stood on the ground facing the wind not more than three feet
from the barn. It spent its force by the time it reached Hartford,
but while traveling through Clear Lake it did considerable damage,
breaking a woman's arm, shaking up E. C. Kibbe's buildings, de
stroying sraall buildings and reraoving others from their foundations.
In one instance where a building was destroyed the windows were
found a half a mile away with the glass unbroken.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 215

ELECTRIC STORMS.
In addition to the usual electric display during thunder storms,
there have been occasional storms in Minnehaha county which could
be only characterized as electric storms. During the summer of
1871, there were quite a number of them. It was hot and dry all
summer, and although every few days it looked like rain, it all ended
in electrical displays without a drop of rain. Prom time to time
since then the old settlers of the county have reported similar occur
rences. But the electric storm of all others of which any account
has come to the knowledge of the writer occurred during the summer
of 1886. About two o'clock one morning, if there was a person living-
within the limits of Sioux Falls who was not suddenly awakened,
then there can be but little hope for such a person at the resurrec
tion. Upon looking out to see the cause of all the commotion going
on, a cloud could be seen hanging over the northwestern portion of
the city, from which lightning and peals of thunder were emitted at
the rate of forty-five per minute. The cloud was moving in a south
easterly direction, and passed over the city, without shedding a drop
of rain, and was succeeded by bright starlight. In the centre of its
path the electric fluid seemed to be in a hurry to take the shortest
line and make the quickest time possible to the earth. Although,
while passing over the city several buildings were struck by light
ning, the storm did not seem to have any particular object in view
and did no serious damage. To those who were not too much fright
ened to appreciate it, it was a grand display, but such an one that no
person could possibly wish to see repeated. During the time the
cloud was passing over the city the atmosphere was in such a pecu
liar condition that ordinary conversation could be distinctly heard
and understood two blocks away. Taking it altogether it was the
finest free exhibition ever given in Sioux Palls.
Very frequently our newspapers publish articles with the head
line "What a stranger thinks of Sioux Palls" and a little incident
which occurred in connection with this pyrotechnical display would
probably have found its way into the columns of the local newspapers
if it had not been for fear of destroying the reputation of the place.
A gentleman had come in from the east on the Omaha train the even
ing before, with a view of making some investraents in city property.
He was fatigued after his long journey, and retired early to his room
at the Commercial hotel, and was soon sound asleep. At two o'clock
in the morning he awoke very suddenly, and. as he said, for a long
time could not imagine where he was. He felt certain he was not on
the earth or in any other place he had ever heard of, and for awhile
thouo-ht that he was being transferred soraewhere in chariots of
fire. '^ As soon as the storra was over, and he had regained his
strength, he got up, dressed, and carae into the hotel office. He asked
the clerk what had happened, and when he was told that nothing un
usual had transpired as he knew of, he inquired when the first train
would leave Sioux Palls; he returned east that morning. But before
leaving, he told a gentleman in the city that he would not remain
another night in this region of the country for all the gold there was
on the continent.

CHAPTER XII.

SALE OP INTOXICATING LIQUORS— SANTA FE SCRIP
AND ITS BOGUS ISSUE BY JOHN D. CAMERON-
IMPEACHMENT OF ALDERMAN SAMP
SON—POLITICS.
The history of the sale of intoxicating liquors in Minnehaha
county, although not differing widely from what it has been in other
places with about the sarae population where local option and prohi
bition have been tried, yet it would seem to be of sufficient impor
tance to occupy a little space in a work of this kind.
Prior to 1862 about the only restriction upon the sale grew out
a scarcity of exchange for the coramodity.
The first territorial legislature passed an act to regulate the
sale of spirituous liquors to the extent that it became necessary to
procure a license from the county commissioners or the town council
of incorporated towns to lawfully sell in less quantities than one
pint. The sum to be paid for a license was not to exceed one hun
dred dollars, nor be less than ten dollars, and in fixing the amount in
each individual case the coraraissioners and council were charg-ed to
have "proper regard to the apparent advantages of the applicant's
situation for business."
Any person disobeying this restrictive measure, upon conviction
was liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars nor less than
thirty dollars, and in case the fine should not be paid, to confinement
in the county jail one day for every five dollars of fine. This law
took effect May 13, 1862, and from that time there has been trouble
in the traffic in quantities of less than a pint.
At the next session of the territorial legislature it was made un
lawful for any person to sell or expose for sale any intoxicating liq
uors within two railes of any carap or grove raeeting, convened for the
purpose of religious worship.
At the third session of the territorial legislature an act was
passed "concerning licenses," also an act prohibiting- the sale of in
toxicating liquors to minors or to any person on Sunday. These acts
took effect January 9, 1864.
By the provisions of the act concerning- licenses, the board of
county commissioners and the president and board of trustees of in
corporated towns were given authority to grant licenses to keep sa
loons, hotels, public houses and g-roceries, the applicant paying- into
the treasury for the privilege a sum not exceeding- three hundred

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 2l7

dollars, nor less than twenty-five dollars, in the discretion of the
board, and giving a l^ond in the sum of five hundred dollars, condi
tioned that he would "keep an orderly house and not perrait any un
lawful gaming- or riotous conduct in his house." Applications for
keeping- saloons or groceries mig-ht be rejected, and whenever the
board should be satisfied that the privilege had been abused, they
had the power to revoke the license.
The penal code, approved January 11, 1865, provided for punish
ing persons guilty of selling intoxicating liquors to Indians, habitual
drunkards, persons under eighteen years of age and paupers. It also
provided that any person found intoxicated in a public place, should
be punished by a fine of ten dollars and costs.
The next leg-islation upon this subject was an act approved Jan
uarv 8, 1868, by which a license to run for a period of not less than
six months was required for the sale of intoxicating liquors in any
quantity less than a quart. It was also raade the duty of the county
board, at each terra of the district court, to deliver to the g-rand jury
a list of all licensed persons, and the grand jury were directed to in
dict all persons engaged in selling intoxicating- liquors without a
license. An important feature of this act was the repeal of that por
tion of the law of 1864 by which groceries were classified with
saloons. The legislature on the 10th day of January, 1873, passed "An act
to provide against the evils resulting from the sale of intoxicating
liquors in the Territory of Dakota," which went into effect in July of
the same year. The first section of this act declared it to be unlaw
ful for any person without having first obtained a license, to sell in
any quantit;} intoxicating liquors, to be drank in, upon or about the
premises where sold, and that no person should be granted a license
without first giving a bond in the sum of three thousand dollars, with
two good sureties, conditioned that he would pay all damages to any
person or persons, which might be inflicted upon them, either in per
son or property, or means of support, by reason of the person so ob
taining a license, selling or giving away intoxicating liquors.
By this act it was made unlawful to sell to minors, or to cause
the intoxication of any person; and all the property of the person
selling intoxicating liquors, real and personal, was raade liable to
seizure and sale to pay any fine or judgraent against the person, for
the violation of the law. At the same session of the legislature, it
was made unlawful to sell or give away any intoxicating liquors on
the day of any general or special election.
On the 15th day of January, 1875, the legislature passed an act
amending the laws enacted in 1868 and 1873. Under this law, one of
the conditions of the bond to be given by the person obtaining- a li
cense was, that he would keep a quiet and orderly house, and that
the bond given could be sued and recovered upon in a civil action for
the use of any person injured by reason of the selling of intoxicating
liquors by the person obtaining- a license. It was also provided, that
before the license should be granted, payraent should be raade in ad
vance. But the most important change was the provision making it
competent and lawful for both the county commissioners of any

218 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

county and also the raayor and city council of any town or city situ
ated therein, to require the payraent of a license. Upon the adjourn
raent of the legislature of 1877, all the laws in reference to the sale of
intoxicating liquors were in the revised political code.
By this code the amount of the bond required for the sale of
intoxicating liquors, was reduced from three thousand to five hun
dred dollars, and one of the conditions of the bond in addition to
those before required was, that the place of business should "be
closed at the hour of eleven-thirty o'clock P. M. every night." An
other new feature of this law was that after notice by any person to
a county commissioner or mayor, that a relative was in the habit of
getting intoxicated, and of whom he was in the habit of obtaining his
liquor, it becarae the duty of the commissioner or mayor to notify
such person not to furnish liquor to such habitual drunkard, and in
case he did so, he was liable to a heavy fine, and also to pay the per
son causing- the notice to be given, the sura of five hundred dollars
for each offense. The araount to be paid for a license was left in the
discretion of the county and city authorities, not to exceed three
hundred dollars, nor less than thirty dollars, and both county and
city license could be required and a city license could not be taken
out without first taking a countv license.
The territorial legislature in 1879, revised the whole law bj^ the
enactment of chapter 26, comprising- 23 sections. The first section
required a license to sell in quantities less than five gallons, and the
amount to be paid for a license per year was left in the discretion of
the authorities granting licenses, not to exceed five hundred dollars
nor less than two hundred dollars. A bond was required iij the sura
of five hundred dollars, conditioned to keep a quiet, orderly house,
not to perrait gambling-, and to close at eleven o'clock p. M. every
night. The liabilities imposed for selling to an habitual drunkard
by forraer acts were retained. Every person causing the intoxica
tion of another person by the sale or giving away of intoxicating- li
quors was raade liable to pay for his care while intoxicated, and the
person who becarae intoxicated was liable to a fine of not less than
five nor raore than twenty-five dollars.
Coraraissioners were raade liable to fine for taking insufficient
bonds, and every person selling in violation of the law was made
liable to both fine and iraprisoninent.
Druggists were perraitted to sell without license upon a physi
cian's prescription. It was not lawful to sell to minors, and the
grand juries were enjoined to indict all persons violating- the law.
The legislature of 1881 and 1883 made no chang-e in the law, and
the legislature of 1885 only prohibited the sale within one-half mile
of any agricultural, horticultural or mechanical fair being- held under
the auspices of the territorial board of agriculture; within three
miles of the University of Dakota; and within one mile of that part of
the village of Iroquois and Denver, lying in the county of Kingsbury,
during the time no license should be granted in Kingsbury countv.
The legislature of 1887 made no changes in the law of any ac
count, except to raise the raaxiraura fee for a license from three to
eig-ht hundred dollars.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 219

The first innovation upon the practice of regulating the sale of
liquors by license, except in isolated cases, was the enactment of the
law March 11, 1887, providing for prohibition by local option.
This act provided for prohibition by counties. By its terms,
whenever one-third of the legal voters petitioned the county board to
submit the question of prohibition to the voters of the county, it be
came the duty of the board to do so at the next general election after
the filing of the petition. Chapter 70 of the session laws of 1887,
had no more than become the law of the territory, than the prohibi
tionists in Minnehaha county comraenced to make the "wheels go
round" under its provisions. The petition was obtained and sub
mitted to the board at its July session, 1887, and by the board very
deliberately examined, resulting finally in an election being ordered
to determine the question in November.
After the question had been settled that the people of Minnehaha
county would have an opportunity to vote upon the question, the next
thing in order of course came about — a campaign for and ag-ainst the
measure. It was a campaign with sorae new features in it. Women
for the first time in the history of the county went to the polls and
labored industriously to obtain votes for the measure. When the
canvassers were through with their labors, it was known that Minne
haha county was prohibition by a vote of 1,676 /"or, and 1,288 against.
The City of Sioux Palls cast 745 for, and 453 against the raeasure.
Prohibition had been established by law, and the next question was:
What would it avail? It must be said that the prohibitionists, real
izing that a good many persons would be corapelled to stop business
at a loss not only of a daily revenue but upon their fixtures, very
kindly and generously intimated by both acts and words, that those
who would make a beginning towards closing the business of selling
intoxicating liquors would not be unduly accelerated in their move
ments. This disposition was indorsed by a good many of the good
people, but it was only a short time before it was evident that the
lions were eating the lambs, and that closing up the business in this
way would be a lingering experiment, to say the least. Active
operations were commenced by way of injunctions. The forces
rallied on both sides, and it was for a while a sort of rough and
tumble fight. One case went to the supreme court and the state pre
vailed. After the law had been in operation a few months, the vio
lators became enboldened, and when it was decided by the county
commissioners in July, 1889, to resubmit the question to a vote in
November, all restraint seemed to be removed, and the law had a
standing place only upon the statute book. The vote cast at the No
vember election was for the sale 2,314, against the sale 1,314, and
this was the end of prohibition in Minnehaha county under the pro
visions of the local option law.
On the 22d day of Pebruar)^ 1889, the President signed the act
providing for the admission of South Dakota as a state. This was
no sooner done than the prohibitionists began to work for constitu
tional prohibition, and when the delegates to the constitutional con
vention assembled, it was soon evident that the question would be
submitted to a vote of the people in some form.

220 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

So desirous were the members of the convention that there
should be a strong vote in favor of the constitution to be submitted
by thera, that the question of constitutional prohibition was submit
ted to a separate vote. The vote in the county upon this question
was 2,244 in favor a.\id. 1,442 against. The vote in the state was 40,-
234 /or and 34,510 against.
Article 24 of the constitution is as follows: "No person or cor
poration shall manufacture or aid in the manufacture for sale, any
intoxicating liquor; no person shall keep for sale, as a beverage, any
intoxicating- liquor. The legislature shall by law prescribe regula
tions for the enforcement of the provisions of this section and pro
vide suitable and adequate penalties for the violation thereof."
The first session of the legislature of the State of South Dakota
for the enactment of laws, convened January 7, 1890, and adjourned
the 7th day of March following. One of the most important matters
considered by that body was the framing of a law to enforce prohi
bition, and as a result of their labors we have chapter 101 of the ses
sion laws of 1890, comprising 36 sections, which took effect the first
day of May following. It was unskillfuUy arranged and its ineaning
obscure, and it would seem that its authors, whenever in doubt just
what to do, adopted the plan of covering the subject with blanket
provisions, hoping that, in some way, a construction would be put
upon thera, calculated to destroy the traffic in intoxicating liquors.
Of course, it could not be expected, that the law would be a wise
one in all respects, but there was no excuse for its unintelligible pro
visions in reference to jurisdictional matters, that must naturally
arise in its attempted execution. While criticising it, it is but just
to say, that its provisions were strong enough to make it a terror to
evil doers, provided public sentiment had favored its enforcement.
It is one thing to enact a law, and quite another to enforce it, and no
intelligent person will have the courage to say that there is any other
subject upon which penal legislation, here" or elsewhere, has ever
been enacted that is so dependent upon public sentiment for its exe
cution. The large interests involved, the desire for strong drink,
the dislike by persons and comraunities to be dictated to in ^matters
of this kind, all conspire to raake the enforcement of prohibitory
laws alraost an utter iraposibility in certain localities. Minnehaha
county, and especially Sioux Falls, is one of those localities.
Soon after the first of May in 1890, proceedings were commenced
in Sioux Palls with the view of closing the saloons. C. O. Bailey,
then state's attorney, proceeded to take testimony in reference to the
sale of iiitoxicating liquors, but in his innocence failed to subpoena
before him such persons as had the required knowledo-e. It is in
teresting to know the different phases the defense has tliken as time
has progressed. At first the witnesses had drank in several places,
but their recollection was dim as to when it was, possibly it was be
fore the first of May; it was whiskey and beer, but when it was, thev
could not remember.
The next attempt vvas made in September, 1890. Testimony was
procured and injunctions brought against the Sioux Palls Brewery
and about thirty saloons in the countv before the first day of Tan
uary, 1891.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 221

Three or four informations were filed ag-ainst persons, charging
them with selling intoxicating liquors as a beverage, at the Septem
ber term of the county court in 1890. In all these proceedings, W.
A. Wilkes, Esq., was associated with the writer in the prosecution,
having been employed by the Sioux Palls Committee of One Hun
dred. In March, 1891, several informations were filed in the county
court and jury trials had. In May following about a dozen indict
ments were found by the grand jury, charging persons with selling
and keeping- for sale intoxicating liquors. Prom that tirae until 1895,
a few violations of the law were brought to the attention of the grand
jury, and indictments found, and occasionally an effort would be
made to close the saloons not only in Valley Springs, Garretson,
Hartford, Baltic and Dell Rapids, but in Sioux Palls.
Right here we will devote a little space to the history of the Law
and Order leagues that have been organized in Minnehaha county,
especially those which were organized after statehood.
As soon as the prohibitory law had been enacted, both its friends
and enemies looked upon Sioux Palls as the place where its efficiency
would be determined. At a very early date the friends of the law in
Sioux Palls organized a local league, a branch of the state league,
which had been organized for the enforcement of the law, and every
thing was put on a war footing. Notwithstanding this organization,
eighty-three citizens of Sioux Palls signed a call for a mass raeeting,
to be held on the 7th day of March, 1890, for the purpose of consid
ering the advisability of a still further local organization in aid of
enforcement. This meeting was well attended, and the subject of
the enforcement of the law was discussed in all its bearing-s. After
a long session, a committee of five was appointed to draft a constitu
tion for the government of an independent local Law and Order
league. The meeting adjourned until the llth day of March, and on
that day the committee presented the draft of a constitution to gov
ern a local Law and Order association "to aid in the enforcement of
the laws of the state and the ordinances of the city." The work of
the committee was unanimously adopted, and the association organ
ized with a full corps of officers.
It was about this time that a new feature was injected into the
prohibition arena. The "original package decision," rendered by
the United States supreme court, gave the liquor dealers power to
practically evade the law, and they put on a bold front. The Val
Blatz brewing company of Milwaukee put on the streets of Sioux
Palls, for the delivery of beer in "original packages," a very fine red
wagon, drawn by a very attractive pair of horses "togged out" in
great shape. But the prohibitionists of the country went to the
fountain head, and secured the passage by Congress of an act that
took the "original package" feature off the field of battle.
But it is hardly within the scope of this work, and we will rest
content with saying that in our opinion it is inexpedient and unwise
to attempt by such organizations to aid in the enforcement of law,
whether it be for the suppression of the sale of intoxicating liquors,
the whipping of immoral persons, or the lynching of horse-thieves.
Efforts of this character, when purely in aid of the local officials, are

222 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

at best ephemeral in character, and when they subside and their
stimulating influence is a thing of the past, it is impossible that the
lawfully constituted authorities should not be carried back from
their outposts with the subsiding- wave.
But to return to the history of the enforcement of the law in
Minnehaha county.
The trials to a jury upon informations and indictments were
anything but satisfactory. In some cases where the testimony was
overwhelmingly conclusive as to the guilt of the persons charged,
and no attempt raade to contradict the testimony, the jury acquitted
or failed to agree. If the crime charged had been burglary, robbery
or other crimes of like character, the testimony would have been am
ple, and a conviction would have resulted. However much such a
state of facts was to be deplored, the fact remained that such was the
condition of affairs in Minnehaha county during the attempted en
forcement of prohibition. In fact, the violation of the prohibitory
law was not looked upon by the public like the violation of any other
law, and the verdicts of jurors will not rise above public sentiraent,
and no one but an unreasoning enthusiast will ever expect to enforce
a prohibitory law without the aid of a strong, healthy public senti
ment in favor of it. The adverse public sentiment not onh' affects
jurors, but it deters public prosecutors in the performance of their
duties, and our judges are raore or less influenced and intimidated in
their actions by it. It was impossible to convict anyone charged
with selling intoxicating liquors, unless he was friendless. In some
cases where the defendant was known to be guilty of about ever)-
thing else, and his character was known to the trial jury, a convic
tion was obtained and the minimum punishraent inflicted, but in no
other case was there a conviction, with one exception. The testi
mony upon the trials was usually given by either witnesses who were
employed to get the testiraony, or by those who testified unwilling-ly,
and after four years of experience with them it is still an open ques
tion with the writer which class is the most available. It would be a
hard raatter to get together twelve jurymen who would believe the
first class. There is a widespread prejudice against spotter testi
raony, as it is called, and verdicts of guilty upon the testimony of
"spotters" are not returned.
But how is it with the other class? They coraraence by knowing
nothing, and the longer you interrogate them the less they know.
Drive them into a corner and you will find that their eyesight is dim
— their hearing hard — their sense of sraell impaired, and as to their
sense of taste, why, it never had been educated to discern liquids.
Call their attention to buttermilk and molasses, and a ray of intel
ligence will brighten up their countenances for a raoment, but name
beer or whiskey, and they will becorae as expressionless as a graven
image. And this is what public sentiment will do to a witness.
The nuisance feature of the law, was at first supposed to be an
insurmountable obstacle in the way of maintaining a place of business
forthe sale of intoxicating liquors. An injunction upon the business
and closing the doors, would at first blush seem to be a pretty ef
fectual remedy. But it did not prove to be very damaging to the

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 223

liquor interests. Before proceeding-s could be commenced, testi
mony had to be procured, and it had to be clear and unequivocal that
the premises sought to be closed were used for the sale of intoxi
cating liquors contrary to law. This would appear to be an easy
matter, but instead of receiving assistance in obtaining- testimony,
every conceivable obstacle was thrown in the way of the prosecutor.
An unwilling- witness, as a rule, never tells the whole truth, and the
portion left untold is just what is wanted. If a "spotter" is era
ployed, he requires constant attention, and if his wants are not
looked after by his original employer, he g-ets nourishment from the
other side, and when you are ready to use him he is generally to be
found in the camp of the enemy. Por awhile, all the places closed
belonged to innocent parties, and under the statute they proceeded
at once to give bonds, that the premises should not be used for a
year in the liquor business, and got them released and the action
abated. Some of the places enjoined would not sell at auction for
ten dollars — the parties occupying them worthless — and when you
closed one shanty, they would slide into another hen-house and set
up business. One of the circuit judges in the state held that a person en
gaged in the business of selling intoxicating liquors himself in his
own building, could repent, pay the costs, give bonds for one year and
be absolved. In short, have the injunction dissolved and the pro
ceedings abated. The platter had been pretty cleanly licked before,
but this "lapped out the spoon."
Again, it was somewhat troublesome at times to get the neces
sary and legitimate costs paid. The county board, or rather a ma
jority of the members believing that nothing- could come of atterapted
enforcement, were for the first two years adverse to expense being
incurred in liquor prosecutions, and this made it unpleasant for the
officials engaged in the work.
In 1893, the following request, signed by 256 citizens of Sioux
Palls, was sent to the writer, then state's attorney:
"Hon. D. R. Bailey, State's Attorney of Minnehaha county:
"Dear sir: — We the undersigned, citizens and taxpayers of the
City of Sioux Palls, Minnehaha county, do respectfully request that
in the future you desist from suing out of court any writ or writs of
injunction restraining the sale of liquors in this city, or taking any
steps toward enforcing the present prohibitory law. We respect
fully suggest that your own experience in seeking to enforce such
law must have convinced you of the utter futility of such effort, and
call your attention to the 'Fine System' so called, that is in opera
tion in this city, and venture the opinion that it is productive of far
better results than the ' Hole in the Wall ' system which prevailed
prior to the institution of such Fine system. We call your attention
to the large sums of money that have been expended in the atterapt
to enforce the prohibitory law, and request that no further burdens
of this nature be iraposed upon the citizens and taxpayers of this
county." The county commissioners on the 10th day of August, 1893,
Commissioner Colton absent, passed a resolution (see proceedings of

224 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

commissioners of that date) requesting the state's attorney to desist
and refrain from bringing any action either civil or criminal under
the prohibition act, unless fully satisfied that a conviction could be
had; and also gave a little advice to the court in the matter. We do
not refer to this for any other purpose than to show that there was
an "irrepressible conflict" always being waged, whenever the ques
tion of prohibition was brought into the courts in l^^innehaha county,
and that the impression prevailed that it was impossible to enforce the
law. That the utility of any law can be determined best by its en
forcement is conceded; that unwise or odious laws had better be re
pealed than evaded, will be conceded by all good citizens, and that it
is not within the province of those appointed to enforce the laws to
so raanage as to raake them a dead letter, will also be admitted; but
notwithstanding all this, it is a fact that can not be controverted,
that it is the laws, and only the laws, that meet with the approbation
of the public, that are heartily and successfully enforced.
The legislature of 1895, subraitted the question to a vote of the
electors at the general election in 1896, whether article twentv-four
of the constitution should be repealed. The prohibitionists at once
began active work to defeat the proposed araendraent, and, on the
other hand, those in favor of the license systera were not idle. It w^as
a well fought campaign throughout the state. The result was a vote
31,901 /'or, and 24,910 against the repeal. At the next session of the
legislature (1897) a high license law was passed. It is evident that
the law makers intended to cover the whole field of licensing-, re
stricting and regulating the sale of intoxicating liquors in such a
manner as to remove some of the most objectionable features that
usually attend the retailing of intoxicating liquors as a beverage. It
has several prohibitive clauses, naraely:
No one who has served a terra of iraprisoninent in the peniten
tiary can obtain a license, and no one convicted of keeping a dis
orderly house after the enactment of the law will be permitted to
receive a license. No person under twenty-one years of age can ob
tain a license for selling intoxicating liquors, and no person without
first obtaining a certificate signed by twenty-five legal voters residing
in the precinct where he proposes to engage in business; "that he is
a person of good moral character, and one who can be safely trusted
to engage in the business or calling- of selling intoxicating liquors at
retail," and no person under twenty-one years of age can become a
bartender in a saloon. It is raade the duty of all venders of intoxi
cating liquors to keep the windows or doors of their respective places
of 'business unobstructed by screens, blinds, paint, or other articles,
and to have the windows so located that there raay be an unobstructed
view from the main street into the entire room, and no partitions,
tables, chairs or seats are perraitted in the place of business, and no
garaes are allowed. All places where intoxicating- liquors are sold
are required to be closed on Sunday, and on all election days frora six
o'clock in the raorning until six o'clock in the evening, and on each
week day night frora and after the hour of eleven o'clock until five
o'clock the succeeding- raorning. It is raade unlawful for any person
to sell, furnish or give away any intoxicating liquors to any rainor,

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 225

or intoxicated person, or to any person in the habit of getting intoxi
cated, or to any person when forbidden in writing so to do by the
husband, wife, parent, child, guardian or employer of such person,
or the supervisor of the township, or the president or trustee of a
town, mayor of a city, or the board of county commissioners of the
county where such person shall reside or temporarily remain.
Again there is a local option feature. At the annual municipal
election held in an}- township, town or city, the question of granting-
permits to sell intoxicating- liquors at retail, must be submitted to
the legal voters upon the petition of twenty-five legal voters of such
township, town or city, and if a majority vote against the granting
of permits then the granting- of permits is prohibited.
Upon the business of manufacturing or selling spiritous or in
toxicating liquors at wholesale an annual license of one thousand
dollars is required to be paid; upon the business of selling brewed
and malt liquors at wholesale, six hundred dollars; and upon the
raanufacture of same, four hundred; and upon the business of retail
ing- intoxicating liquors, the sum of four hundred dollars must be
paid to the county treasurer, and such further sum not less than two
hundred dollars, nor more than six hundred dollars to the township,
town or city where the business is to be eng-aged in, as such town
ship, town or city may by ordinance require.
All persons before engaging in the sale of intoxicating liquors
are required to give a bond in the sura of two thousand dollars, with
two good sureties, conditioned, that they will conform to all the re
quirements of the law and pav all judgments for daraages or fines
iraposed for the violation of any of its provisions.
The foregoing, although not a full summary, comprises the raain
features of the law under which the manufacture and traffic in intox
icating liquors is now being conducted in South Dakota.
But the legislature of 1897 did not stop with the enactment of a
high license law, but passed the following joint resolution:
"Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives
concurring therein: That the following amendment to the constitu
tion of the State of South Dakota is hereby agreed to, and which
amendment, when approved and ratified, shall become part of the
constitution as Article twenty-seven thereof.
"The manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors shall be under
exclusive state control and shall be conducted by duly authorized
agents of the state who shall be paid by salary and not by com
missions. All liquors sold shall be first exarained by a state chem
ist and the purity thereof established.
"The legislature shall by law prescribe regulations for the en
forcement of the provisions of this article and provide suitable and
adequate penalties for the violation thereof."
This amendment was submitted to the electors at the general
election in November, 1898, and was ratified by them by a majority
of 1,613. The vote in the county was 1,340 for, and 1,097 against
its ratification. This raatter was scarcely alluded to during the cam
paign, and was not made a party measure. The vote itself is evi
dence' of the fact that a large proportion of the people did not take
enough interest in the measure to register their votes.
15

226 HISTORY OF- • MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

We say "it is the law under which the manufacture and sale of
intoxicating liquors is now being conducted" that is, if it can be law
fully conducted at all. As seen above, it was incumbent upon the
legislature of 1899 to enact a law for its enforcement, but when it as
sembled there proved to be such a contrariety of views entertained
by the members that no measure proposed could obtain the neces
sary votes to secure its passage, and the legislature adjourned with
out enacting any law upon the subject.
One thing is certain, the State of South Dakota has a remarkable
record upon the liquor question; license, local option, prohibition,
and high license, and now, although the constitution of the State pre
scribes that "the raanufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors shall
be conducted by duly authorized agents of the State, who shall be
paid a salary" for so doing, the State is not raanufacturing or selling
intoxicating liquors.
It is evident that the people of the State in the near future will
endeavor to rescue the subject frora its present entanglement, but
what the end will be, no one would dare to predict.
SANTA PE SCRIP AND ITS BOGUS ISSUE BY
J. D. CAMERON.
On the 3d day of March, 1879, Congress passed an act which
provided that settlers upon unsurveyed lands could have the same
surveyed by applying to the surveyor general and depositing money
with some assistant treasurer or other designated depository of the
United States to def ray the expenses of the survey. Upon the money
being deposited the depository was instructed by a circular issued
by the commissioner of the general land office to issue triplicate cer
tificates in the sums not less than S200 each, that the settler had de
posited such sums, the original certificate to be sent to the secretary
of the treasurer, the duplicate to surveyor general of the district in
which the land was situated, and the triplicate to the settler. The
triplicate could be used by the settler in payment for public land,
and it was assignable to other parties for the same use. Large sums
of this scrip were issued. At first it sold at a discount, but the de
mand for it had so increased in 1881 that it left but a small raargin.
The certificates were printed upon paper ordinarily used for blanks,
and no raethods were used in their manufacture to" make them diffi
cult to counterfeit.
It was at this stage of affairs that John D. Cameron, then a resi
dent of Sioux Palls, conceived the idea of counterfeiting this scrip.
A large amount of it was manufactured. Of course, at a discount of
eight per cent it was an object for bankers and land agents in locali
ties where parties wished to pay for government land to have scrip
on hand to supply their customers.
To put this into circulation, a bogus firm under the name of
Burt & Miller of St. Louis, Mo., sent circulars to the banks and land
agents all over the Northwest that they could furnish this scrip, de
signated as Santa Fe Scrip, at the discount above named.
The First National Bank of Sioux Palls ordered $5,000 of it, and

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 227

the McKinney & Scougal Bank §1,000. The scrip ordered by the
First National Bank came to John D. Cameron, and he claimed that
he had been appointed agent for the sale of the scrip in Dakota, but
the bank having becorae suspicious, refused to take it. McKinney &
Scougal had expressed the money in payment of the scrip ordered,
but were warned in time to stop its delivery by the express company.
C. H. Winsor of Sioux Falls was sent to St. Louis to look up
Burt & Miller, but he was unable to find the parties comprising the
firm, although an office of Burt & Miller was found furnished with a
table and two chairs with a boy in charge.
But it was a short-lived swindle. The bog-us scrip was an exact
counterfeit of the original. The conspirators — for Caraeron had ac
complices — after procuring- the paper and type sent a printer from
Beloit, la., to Canton, S. D., where he printed the bogus scrip.
P. A. Haverold of Sioux Falls, was employed to fill out the scrip,
but the prospect of getting considerable raoney in a very short tirae
induced him, while in an intoxicated condition, to disclose to an im
portunate creditor his expectations of soon having all the raoney he
wanted. The creditor was Guy Weed, deputy United States mar
shal, and he succeeded in getting from Haverold a pretty full account
of the knavish scheme of the conspirators. Weed reported what he
had learned to the United States authorities, and they promptly in
stituted a thorough investigation which resulted in the arrest of
Cameron on the 3d day of May, 1882, and the seizure of his office
papers which furnished considerable incriminating evidence against
hira. At the next term of the United States court at Yankton,
Cameron, W. D. Russell of Yankton, and E. E. Carpenter of Beloit,
were indicted charged in substance with counterfeiting- this scrip
and conspiring to defraud the government. A large nuraber of wit
nesses were summoned in the case, about forty being frora Sioux
Palls. There was a lengthy trial of the case, but it did not result
favorably to the governinent. On two occasions it was continued
over the term, and finally a change of venue was taken to St. Louis,
Mo. At the first term there the case was continued, although the
usual number of witnesses were in attendance. At the next terra
the case was abandoned by the governraent. It was an expensive
case to all parties concerned, and especially to Mr. Caraeron, who
not only paid out a large sum of money in his defense, but was com
pelled to lie in jail some time, being unable to procure bail. Another
feature of the case was the suspicion in the community that the
escape of Mr. Cameron from punishment was owing- to the fact that
there were other parties than those indicted who were greatly
interested in his acquittal, fearing if he was convicted he raight raake
disclosures that would be unpleasant for thera to raeet.
IMPEACHMENT OF ALDERMAN JOSEPH SAMPSON.
Joseph Sampson, who has been a resident of Sioux Palls for sev
eral years and engaged principally in grading work upon streets^ an'l
railroads, was expelled from the city council on June 7, 1895, and hi
office of alderman from the Sixth ward declared vacant. Mr. Samp
son has been a prominent figure in Sioux Palls. He was active in

s

228 HISTORY OF' 'MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

politics, particularly in everything relating to city affairs. He was
appointed street commissioner in 1889, and again in 1891, and held
the office until November 16, 1892. At the city election in 1893, he
was elected alderman from the Sixth ward, and in 1894, he was
elected president of the council. Mayor Williams, owing to severe
illness, left the city for medical treatment on the 20th day of March,
1895, and thereupon Mr. Sampson became the acting mayor of Sioux
Falls, and so reraained until the 6th day of May, 1895. During the
time he was acting mayor he collected from the disorderly houses in
the city $767.50. This was deposited in the Union National bank to
his credit, and checked out by him on the 27th day of April, as he
said, for the purpose of paying certain persons the amount of their
clairas against the cit}^ This he did not do, but left the city in the
early part of May for Wyoraing, where his wife had gone a short
tirae before. He was elected alderman frora the Sixth ward at the
city election in April, and qualified as such at the proper tirae. Soon
after he left, the question as to what had becorae of the monev be
longing to the city that he had checked out in April, was brought to
the attention of the city officials, and when they were unable to find
that it had been used for any lawful purpose, or that it had been left
with anyone in the city, the matter was taken before the grand jury
and they returned an indictment against him for erabezzleraent. Mr.
Sampson was easily located at Sundance, Wyoming, and the sheriff
at that place took him in charge upon instructions received from the
county officials of Minnehaha county, and Sheriff Hubbard went to
Sundance with a warrant for his arrest and brought hira to Sioux
Palls. Soon after his return to Sioux Falls, he was arraigned upon
the indictment, and when the time arrived for hira to plead, his coun
sel, John E. Carland and Joseph Kirby, raade a motion to quash the
indictment, for the reason that Sheriff Hubbard had assisted in
drawing the grand jury for the April term of the circuit court, hav
ing at the same time suits, in which he was a party, upon the calen
dar for trial. This motion was sustained by the court, and Mr.
Sampson was held in bonds of $1,000, to answer at the next term of
court upon the sarae charge. A good many rumors were in circula
tion in the city as to what had become of the money. But, as Mr.
Sampson had not accounted to the city. Alderman Lien, at the reo-u-
lar monthly meeting of the council on the 3d day of June, offered a
resolution, which was adopted without a dissenting vote, calling upon
Mr. Sampson to appear before the council on June 7, to sho\v' cause
why he should not be expelled frora the council. The preamble to
the resolution set up the facts in reference to his obtainino- the
money, and his official connection with it, and that he was a raeraber
of the city council. On the 7th day of June the council met, and
there was a large attendance to witness what was anticipated would
prove to be a "great moral show." The proceedings were tame. No
dramatic features appeared. The resolution was read, and Mr.
Sampson denied that the city council had any authority to expel hira,
and also denied that the allegations in the charge were true. He ad
mitted drawing the raoney, and said he still had it in his possession,
but that he "would not turn it over until the injunction served on

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY,. 229

him was dissolved, and the criminal proceedings against him
dropped." When through with his defense, the roll was called upon
the resolution, and the vote stood eleven for (Mr. Sampson voting
no), and Mr. Sampson was declared to be no longer a member of the
cit}' council of Sioux Palls. It only remains to add that the charges
were investigated by the next grand jury, but no indictment was
found. POLITICS.
The County of Minnehaha was the most populous county in the
Territory of Dakota for fifteen years prior to its division and admis
sion into the Union as the states of North and South Dakota,
and since that time it has had a larger population than any other
county in the State of South Dakota. Owing to the fact that it has
the largest city in the state within its limits, the politics of the
county has a sort of metropolitan air that is not found elsewhere in
the state. During the early days no county had greater influ
ence in territorial affairs than Minnehaha, and the respective parties
were able to maintain party lines upon territorial issues. Until
1896, the republican party had a good working majority in the
county, but it must be admitted that a good deal of guerrilla warfare
was carried on in respect to county officials, and now and then the
unexpected would happen and a nominee of the weaker party or an
independent candidate be elected. But the great influence of the
county in territorial and state politics has been largely due to the
fact that it has been the home of a large number of leaders not only
in one party organization but in all. It must be conceded that it is
the political center of the state, the Mecca that all aspirants for office
visit, the birthplace of political scheraes for the public welfare.
There is no place in the state that enjoys the reputation of having
discovered so many men qualified to serve the public as Sioux Palls.
At least, the statesmen in Sioux Falls seem to act as a sifting com
mittee, and when an aspirant for office is found wanting in availability
he generally has time to devote to his ordinary pursuits. Yes, Min
nehaha county is a great county for politics, and it bids fair to re
main so for some years to come. During the last decade there has
been but few removals from the ranks of its politicians, by death or
otherwise, while on the other hand new political prodigies have
claimed the attention of the public. The time may come when the
disease known as political death raay invade the political ranks in
Minnehaha county, but so far, although several politicians have been
supposed to be dead, it has turned out in the end that they were only
hibernating for a season. Por political thrift, enterprise and energy,
for earnest, vigorous effort with no ulterior selfish end in view but
the public good, for self-abnegation and subserviency of all personal
ambition, the politicians of Minnehaha county of all degrees, big,
little, and diminutive, war horses, mules and colts, taken collectively,
by pairs or individually, are the peers of any sirailar aggregation on
the continent.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE MURDER OP MARY EGAN— BURNING OP THE EGAN
HOMESTEAD— THE LACEY-BUNKER TRAGEDY—
THE MURDER OP ALFRED ERIKSON— THE
JOHN MCDONALD HOMICIDE— THE
MESSIAH CRAZE AND TRIAL OP
PLENTY HORSES FOR THE
MURDER OP LIEUTEN
ANT CASEY.

THE MURDER OP MARY EGAN.
Thomas Egan, a native of Tipperary, Ireland, on Sunday, Sep
tember 12, 1880, at his home eighteen miles northwest of Sioux Palls,
murdered his wife Mary Egan. The circumstances of the murder
were peculiarly horrible and brutal. Egan was in the habit of beat
ing his wife, and on this day he sent his two boys away from the sod-
shanty in which they lived, and then attacked his wife. He threw a
piece of rope around her neck, and proceeded to strangle her, and
beat her about the head with a hard wood picket until she became
unconscious, and her scalp was laid open to the skull. He then
threw the body through the trap-door into the hole used as a cellar,
where it remained until Tuesday, when it was discovered. A coro
ner's jury was summoned and Egan arrested and lodged in jail. Af
ter unavoidable delays the trial came off in November, 1881, and the
prisoner was convicted of the murder of his wife. A motion for
a new trial was overruled, and he was sentenced to be hung on Pri
day, January 13, 1882. The counsel for the defense was L. S. Swezey
assisted by C. H. Winsor, while the prosecution was conducted by
the district attorney, J. W. Carter, assisted by E. Parliman and A.
M. Plagg. An appeal to the supreme court was perfected January 4, 1882,
which stayed proceedings under the sentence, until May 13, when
the supreme court affirmed the judgment of the district court, and
on May 29, Egan was re-sentenced, the date of the execution being-
fixed for Thursday, July 13, 1882. Through no fault of the officials

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 231

in charge, owing- to the accidental breaking of the noose at the first
drop, and the consequent excitement, it was not until the culprit had
been dropped the third time that the execution was successfully ac
complished, and while the scene was harrowing, it seemed but the
just retribution for so horrible a crime. This was the first execu
tion in Minnehaha county, and the second one in Dakota. Joseph
Dickson was the sheriff.
There are two incidents in connection with this deplorable trag
edy that are worthy of record. One is the changing of the date fixed
upon for Eg-an's execution to accommodate the publisher of a news
paper, and as E. W. Caldwell was the publisher, we will give the de
tails in his own language:
"I went to Judge Kidder and asked him if there was anything in
the law which required that a man should be hung on Priday, and he
said there was not. I then told him that I ran a weekly paper, which
I issued on Thursday, and if Egan was hung on Priday, I would
either have to postpone the issue of my paper, or hold the account of
the hanging a week later, neither of which I wanted to do. He asked
me if I had seen Judge Carter, the prosecuting attorney, and I said
I had not, but I would; so I went to Judge Carter, told him the cir
cumstances, and asked him if it would make any difference to him.
He said it would not; he didn't care when the man was hung, if he
was only hung. I then went back to Judge Kidder, who finally said
that he had intended to appoint Friday, July 7, for the hanging, but
as that was so soon after the Fourth, it might put a damper upon the
celebration, and if it would be any accommodation to me, he would
fix it for Thursday, July 13. I told him that would just suit me, and
so he did. Afterwards I was telling Mr. McLoney of it, and he took
me to task for depriving the poor man of one day of life. I replied
that I did not deprive him of a day, on the contrary I was the means
of prolonging his life six days."
The other event was the burning of the Egan homestead. The
fact of the burning was not so important as the fact that it resulted
in the discovery of a poetess in Minnehaha county, who had hitherto
been unknowm to fame. It was printed at the time in one of the
Sioux Palls newspapers and read as follows:
BURNING OF THE EGAN HOMESTEAD.
POEM BV MRS. CYNTHIA WARREN.
It was a fair and pleasant night, April the third or fourth.
When at a distance we saw a light of a fire in the north.
The lurid fla.nes ran to the east, not minding things of worth
Burning beautiful ti'ees, and leaving bare the earth.
The breeze sprang up, the bi-ight flames leaped toward the shining stars,
With a rushing sound .-esembling the.n of a t.-ain of cars.
The frightened bi.-ds fly hei-e and the.-e, the frogs in the low pond ci-oalt,
While suffocating is the air, filled with ashes, heat and smoke.
Then o'er the hill the fire comes sweeping toward the south.
It has lit in Egan's forsaken home and burned the old sod house.
The .-oof and posts are burned, and all the boards around,
The sodding is all fallen in and lies smouldering on the ground.

232 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

We never will forget the day when first the tale was tol J,
That Mrs. Egan in the cellar lay a sad sight to behold.
By her husband she was killed, to get away she hoped,
And her life-blood there he spilled, and choked her with a rope.
Now nothing marks the place, save a pile of sod burned mellow
And they lay by the place where she was found in the cellar.
Good people, far and near, all had one desi.e,
That a place so drear should be swept away by fire.
THE LACEY-BUNKER TRAGEDY.
Probably the raost awful tragedy in the state, occurred about
five o'clock in the afternoon of Sunday, October 22, 1893, just outside
of the eastern liraits of the City of Sioux Palls.
Harry Lacey, a man known to all the residents of the city, shot
his mother-in-law Mrs. Lydia Bunker, his w'ife Clara, and himself,
all three dying within a few minutes, and before any of the neighbors
arrived at the place where the terrible deeds had been committed.
Harry Lacey came to the City of Sioux Falls in 1882, and com
menced the practice of law. He was quiet and unassuming, but it
was soon known that he was a man of considerable ability. He ob
tained a good standing in the community, and although he soon
abandoned his profession, he was always occupied in some business
enterprise. His mother-in-law, in 1889, sold her farm east of the
city (except a few acres where the tragedy took place) for quite a
large sum of money, and invested fifteen thousand dollars of this
sum in a phonograph enterprise, and lost it all. Mrs. Bunker
charged Lacey with this loss and Lacey denied his responsibility in
the matter. Soon after the sale of the farm, Mrs. Bunker came to
the city and resided with the Laceys. It was known among their
neighbors that family matters were not running smoothly, but not
until the early part of December, 1891, was there an open outbreak.
At this tirae there was a serious disturbance in the family, and all
three of them bore raarks of a personal combat. Mrs. Lacey had
Mr. Lacey arrested for assault and battery, and immediately brought
a bill for divorce. After a few months she told the writer, that she
could not livewithouther husband, and soon after, the divorce proceed
ings were abandoned, and they commenced living together again.
It did not prove a happy re-union, and they lived apart and together,
as they could agree, until the spring of 1893, when Mr. Lacey secured
rooras a short distance from Mrs. Bunker's place. During the sum
mer there were frequent quarrels, and Mr. Lacey grew more and
raore dissatisfied and unhappy, and one thing more than anything-
else that seemed to trouble him was the fact that his little children
were under the influence of Mrs. Bunker.
On Sunday, the day the tragedy occurred, he was in Sioux Falls
and went home late in the afternoon. Shortly after he walked over
to the Bunker house. In less than thirty rainutes after he had been
seen going to Mrs. Bunker's, his two little children, aged four and
seven years, who had witnessed the terrible deed of their father,
carae to a neighbor by the name of Jones, the eldest boy sayino-;
"Papa Jones come over; they are all dead. Papa has shot grandma

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 233

and ma, and went out in the yard and shot himself." Mr. Jones
went immediately to the house, and found them all dead. Mrs.
Bunker and Mrs, Lacey were both shot in the back part of the head,
near the base of the brain, and were lying but a little distance from
each other in the kitchen. Lacey was lying in the yard, a few feet
from the house, where he evidently fell and died without a struggle,
after firing a bullet into his own head. Mr. Lacey was an expert
marksman, and knew where the vital spark could be raost quickly
extinguished, and whether with the coolness of a wicked, desperate
hate, or the frenzy of a raan who thinks that nothing but blood can
atone his wrongs, he brought his skill and knowledge into action, and
coraraitted the fearful tragedy with wonderful precision and fatality
will never be known. He completed his work, and left nothing to be
done but to bury the dead.
The foregoing is sufficient to outline the incidents connected
with one of the most horrible tragedies that ever occurred in a civil
ized community, and one which undoubtedly will never be paralleled
in Minnehaha county.
THE MURDER OF ALFRED ERIKSON.
Sometime during- the early evening of December 7, 1897, Alfred
Erikson, a young man about twenty-two years of age, was most bru
tally murdered. The crime was committed in a sraall one-story
house located near the Mulhall block on Main avenue in the City of
Sioux Falls. He was an eccentric character, and known to be a
little below par in point of intelligence, but strong and robust. The
house in which he was killed, was occupied by Jaraes Garring-ton, a
sraall man about sixty-six years of age, who was at that time in feeble
health. Erikson had the day before returned to Sioux Palls, from
whence he had fled on the 28th day of August, preceding, to escape
arrest upon a coraplaint charging him with having coraraitted a
serious offense upon the person of a girl about eleven years of age,
the daughter of Williara West of Sioux Palls. The girl during
Erikson's absence had been sent to the Reforra school at Plankinton,
and was burned to death at the tirae the Reforra school buildings
were destroyed by fire. Erikson arrived in town Deceraber 6, and
stopped over night with his aunt, Mrs. Langbien. During the fore
noon of the day following, Erikson went to Garrington's place, took
dinner with him, and was out and in during- the day. He was at
Dunning's drug store at 4:45 p. M., where he was last seen alive. A
little past midnight that night, he was found dead in Garrington's
building. As stated above, he had been brutally murdered, there
being no less than thirty-three wounds upon his person. Garring-ton
was immediately arrested, and he then charged Wm. West with hav
ing committed the murder. Two hours later West was arrested.
During the evening of that day, representatives of the Sioux Palls
Daily Press interviewed Garrington and represented to him that ¦
West could prove an alibi, and that the only hope he had was to con
fess that he did it, and to claim that he did it in self-defense. Before
they left they succeeded in getting Garrington to sign such a state
ment. Within an hour thereafter State's Attorney Bates, with two

234 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

or three others, also visited the prisoner, when he raade in substance
the sarae statement to them. The next day West was discharged,
and Garring-ton reraained in prison charged with the murder of
Erikson. On the 13th day of December he plead not guilty and Mon
day the 3d day of January, 1898, was fixed for his trial. Before this
tirae arrived, on motion of the defendant, the tirae of trial was
changed to Monday, January 31. A special venire was issued for
seventy-five juryraen in addition to the regular panel, and the trial
commenced at the tirae appointed. State's Attorney C. P. Bates,
assisted by ex-State's Attorney P. J. Rogde, appeared for the prose
cution, and D. R. Bailey, assisted by A. P. Orr, appeared for the
defendant. The trial lasted until February 9. The jury retired at
11:05 A. M., and at 4:10 p. M. returned a verdict of guilty, fixing the
death penalty. On the 14th day of February, Judge Jones sentenced
Garrington to be hanged on the 14th day of April, 1898. D. R.
Bailey, attorney for Garrington, made a motion for a new trial, based
upon alleged errors occurring at the trial, and upon newly discovered
evidence, which raotion was on the 4th day of April denied bv Judge
Jones. Mr. Bailey, on the 8th day of April, secured a writ of error
from the s-jpreme court, which operated as a stay of the execution
of Garrington, and all further proceedings in the case were trans
ferred to the suprerae court. On the 14th day of June, the case was
argued by C. P. Bates and D. R. Bailey, and the court took the case
under advisement.
The last of August, 1898, the supreme court granted a new-
trial, and at the next term of the circuit court the case was called on
Tuesday, the 3d day of January, 1899, and the trial commenced.
The same attorneys appeared for the prosecution as at the former
trial, and D. R. Bailey, assisted by D. J. Conway and C. C. Gliem,
conducted the defense. On the 12th day of January, at four o'clock
in the afternoon, the case was subraitted to the jury. At nine
¦o'clock the next raorning the jury found Garrington guilix, and fixed
his punishraent imprisonment for life.
The writer having been the leading attorney in the defense, will
refrain frora any coraraent, except to assert that a large percentao-e
of the people in the county feel confident that if the whole facts we're
known other parties would be iraplicated in this brutal murder.
THE JOHN Mcdonald homicide.
During the evening of December 24, 1897, an affray occurred be
tween John McDonald, a printer, and Gilbert Gilraan, a saloon
keeper, both of Sioux Palls, which resulted in the death of Mc
Donald. There were some words between the parties in a saloon on Phil
lips avenue in reference to a bill Gilraan claimed McDonald owed
him. Oilman left the saloon, McDonald followed him and continued
to talk to him about the matter. Just as they turned the corner of
Tenth street, going east, Oilman turned around and struck Mc
Donald a slight blow upon his face, telling him to stop his talkino-,
and then walked away. Shortly after, McDonald was found lyiiro-
on the sidewalk in a dying condition, and was carried back into the

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 235

saloon, where he in a few rainutes expired. Considerable excite
ment prevailed in the community in reference to the affair. Gilraan
was arrested and bound over to the circuit court, which was then in
session. State's Attorney Bates filed an information against Oilman
charging him with manslaughter. There is a statute which declares
that homicide "when perpetrated without a design to effect death by
a person while engaged in the commission of a misdemeanor " is
guilty of manslaughter in the first degree. The trial commenceii on
Thursday, January 6, State's Attorney Bates appearing for the pros
ecution, and H. H. Keith for the defense. After the regular panel
had been exhausted, a special venire was issued for additional jurors.
At 3:30 p. M., the following jurors were accepted: Charles Foss,
Frank Edgington, E. T. Hayes, Fred Witte, P. P. Sherman, Sam
Herbert, Chas. Arndt, W. H. Holt, and Henry Dalton, all of Sioux
Palls, W. J. Page of Dell Rapids, H. A. Poster of Wayne, and I. N.
Griffith of Brandon. The testimony of Doctors Morgan and Olney,
who conducted the post-mortem examination upon the body of Mc
Donald, developed the fact that he came to his death from the ob
struction in the air passage to the lungs by quite a large quantity of
fine cut tobacco and mucus, Avhich they found in the trachea and
bronchial tubes.
The case was vigorously tried by the attorneys. Mr. Bates
claimed that Oilman while in the act of striking McDonald was com
mitting a misdemeanor, and that the blow McDonald received caused
him to swallow the tobacco which resulted in his death, and hence
the jury should find him guilty of manslaug-hter as charged in the
information. Mr. Keith, on the other hand, claimed that the prose
cution had not established the fact beyond a reasonable doubt that
the swallowing of the tobacco by McDonald was the result of the
blow struck by Oilman. The jury retired to consider their verdict
at 2:10 p. M. Saturday, the 8th of January, and after being out about
three hours, returned a verdict of not guilty. On the first ballot the
jury stood three for conviction and nine for acquittal.
The jurv were all of the opinion that Gilraan did not contemplate
doing McDonald any serious harm, and it is greatly to his credit that
since his acquittal he has raaterially assisted in maintaining Mc
Donald's family.
THE MESSIAH CRAZE, AND THE TRIAL OF PLENTY
HORSES, ALIAS TSUNKA WAKA OTTA, POR THE
MURDER OP LIEUTENANT E. W. CASEY.
Plenty Horses was indicted on the 13th day of March, 1891, at a
term of the United States District Court at Deadwood, S. D., charged
with the murder of Lieut. E. W. Casey on the 7th day of January
preceding. During the latter part of the summer of 1890, it first became
known that a remarkable hallucination had taken possession of some
of the tribes of Indians belonging to the Sioux nation. It was known
as the "Messiah Craze." At first it attracted attention outside of
the Indian country by reason of its strange features, both in refer-

236 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

ence to the character of the delusion and the peculiar demonstrations
resulting therefrom. Just how it originated is not well verified, but
that it Avas madly contagious and rapidly spread among the Indians,
completely demoralizing whole tribes, was soon well known. It was
at first thought to be harmless, and it did not seem possible to a sane
person that such a craze could last for any length of time, and the
authorities in charge of the Indians delayed taking any active, ag
gressive measure for its suppression, believing that it would destroy
itself by its own intensity. The Indians professed to believe that
the Messiah was at that time to be found west of Salt Lake, and that
they were to leave the Union Pacific railroad and g-o into the moun
tains, about four day's travel, where they would find him; that he
would talk to those who went to see him in their own language, and
the next spring, or at some stated tirae, he would corae and visit
thera. That the purpose of his coming was to punish the white
people for crucifying hira and for the wrongs they had coramitted
against the Indians, and that they would be restored to their former
mode of living. That another earth would come from the west and
cover up the white people, and that the Indians would mount this
new earth. Dances were organized among them, and were so un
natural and weird that they were called ghost-dances.
This condition of affairs at last became intolerable; but it was
found impossible to control them by peaceful raeasures, and the reg
ular army was called upon for aid. General Miles was in comraand.
The Indians believed that the white man's bullet could not injure
thera, and they were defiant. A battle was fought at Wounded Knee
on the 29th day of December, 1890, in which one hundred and forty-
nine Indians, and forty-nine soldiers were killed. Another battle
took place the next day on White Clay creek.
General Miles, at the time of the killing of Lieutenant Casey,
had the Indians surrounded and was endeavoring to force them to
surrender. Lieutenant Casey, at the head of the Cheyenne scouts,
was with General Brooke, northwest of Pine Ridge, and on the morn
ing of his death, left General Brooke's carap, taking one of his scouts
with hira, for the purpose of obtaining inforraation in regard to the
location of the carap of the hostile Indians. He proceeded without
molestation until he reached the picket line of the hostiles, when he
was told that he was in great danger and had better turn back. He
paid no attention to this, however, but proceeded in the direction of
the camp, when he was again warned by some friendly Indians that
he was in danger and ought not to go any further. He hesitated, but
at the same time expressed a desire to g-o a little further where he
could see the hostile camp. While conversing- with a messeng-er who
had been sent out from the Indian camp by Red Cloud (who had
learned that Lieutenant Casey was approaching- the camp) to inter
cept and warn hira of the danger he was in. Plenty Horses, after
changing his position so as to get behind Lieutenant Casey, deliber
ately shot hira and rode away. Lieutenant Casey died instantl\^
General Miles immediately after the death of Lieutenant Casey
demanded the surrender of Plenty Horses, which demand was com
plied with. After the indictraent was found, the court ordered the

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 237

trial to take place at Sioux Falls, and on the 24th day of April, 1891,
the trial of Plenty Horses commenced in the United States court
room in the Masonic Temple at that place. Judges Shiras and
Edgerton were upon the bench. U. S. District Attorney Sterling,
with his Assistant Howard and Lieutenant J. G. Ballance, appeared
for the prosecution, and George P. Nock and D. E. Powers of Sioux
Palls, appeared for Plenty Horses. The indictment of Plenty
Horses for murder aroused considerable interest throughout the
country. The New York World sent one of its most corapetent raen
to report the trial, and the account of the proceedings in that paper
was raost minutely and graphically given. The trial lasted six
days, and the attorneys for the defense endeavored to secure the ac
quittal of their client upon the theory that actual war existed at the
time of the killing of Lieutenant Casey, and that Plenty Horses was
one of the hostiles; that his act was not murder but excusable as an
act of war. They had, however, but short time for preparation, and
did not succeed in establishing the fact beyond question that there
was actual war, and the Court not feeling justified in directing a ver
dict, the case was submitted to the jury and resulted in a disagree
ment. The Court immediately fixed upon the 25th day of May following-,
for a second trial. At that time the same judges and attorneys were
in charge, and assembled at the place of the forraer trial to deter
raine the position the Indian holds in the tirae of so called war. At
this trial the real character of the acts of war occurring during the
Indian outbreak was clearly shown by the defense, and when the
testimony was all in. Judge Shiras directed the jury to return a
verdict of not guilty ; holding that at the time of the killing of Lieu
tenant Casey there existed in and about Pine Ridge Agency an
actual state of warfare between the army of the United States and
the Indian camp; and that Lieutenant Casey was killed by Plenty
Horses while reconnoitering the camp of the hostile Indians; and,
while condemning the manner in which the act was committed, still,
it was a legitimate act of war. Judge Edgerton did not concur in
the opinion of Judge Shiras.
Plenty Horses was educated at the Indian school at Carlisle,
Pa., going there the 24th day of November, 1883, and reraaining until
July 8, 1888, when he returned to the Rosebud Agency where his
father, Living Bear, was the recognized leader of the Brule tribe of
Indians. He was a dull scholar, although considered quite intelli
gent, but upon the return to his old horae he again adopted the habits
and customs of the Indians.
In the fall of 1890 w^hen the Indians were banding together and
threatening to make trouble, he sympathized with them, and after
the destruction of Big Foot's band he joined the hostile Indians and
became a participator in their warlike demonstrations and undoubt
edly felt justified in killing Lieutenant Casey.
It only remains to mention that the trials were of a more sen
sational and dramatic character than any ever had in South Dakota,
attractino- the attention of the whole country; and were conducted by
the attorneys on both sides with great energy and ability.

CHAPTER XIV.

SIOUX PALLS IN 1862, 1866, 1870— REMINISCENCES OP MRS.
PHILLIPS— JOHN NELSON'S "INDIAN SCARE"—
GILSETH'S AND AASEN'S EXPERIENCE IN
COMING TO THIS COUNTY IN 1860.
SIOUX PALLS IN 1862.
(REMINISCENCES BY JESSE B. WATSON.)
"When Company A, Dakota Cavalry, of which I was a member,
carae to Sioux Falls during the suraraer of 1862, there Avere four
sraall houses along the river bank on the west side. One of them
was occupied by the printing press, the others were erapty. Near
the present site of the Burlington depot was a small house occupied
by J. B. Amidon, and a little east of where the brewery is now, on
the side hill, was another small house occupied by G. P- Waldron,
and between his house and where the Merchants Hotel is now, a man
by the name of B. C. Fowler was living with his family. This habi
tation was built of stone, poles and g-rass. There were also two
young raen by the narae of Allen living a little southeast of Araidon's
place." SIOUX FALLS IN 1866.
Eihardt Pleitz, who carae to Sioux Falls as a member of Com
pany D, 22d U. S. Infantry, in 1866, and has been a resident of
the county since then, has kindly given us a pretty full description
of the buildings and general appearance of things upon his arrival.
He said in part: "I came to Sioux Palls with my company, I think
on the 7th day of June, 1866. It was coraraanded by Colonel Knox.
There were just seventy-three raen in the corapany. Corapany E,
6th Iowa Cavalry left Sioux Falls the day our corapany arrived. The
buildings in Sioux Palls at that tirae were the barracks, round house,
commissary building, laundry, stable, sutler's store, a stone house
at the foot of Ninth street, and another on the east side of the river,
opposite where the Commercial Hotel is now, and a house called the
pipestone factory near where Pankow's foundry is now located.
The two buildings called the barracks were side by side about

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 239

twenty feet apart. The south room in the east building- was occupied
as a hospital, the next room was the office, and in the next room the
soldiers slept in bunks. The south room in the west building was
occupied, after we came, by the orderly sergeant, next to this was
the kitchen, and the balance of the building was a mess room. What
we called the round house was a stone building north of the barracks.
It was called so, owing to its shape, for it was nearly round. It was
built of stone, but had no roof, and the floor was about eight feet
from the ground. It was built to go into in case of attack. I think
it was more than thirty feet in diameter. The commissary building-
was of stone, and stood pretty near where the Commercial Hotel is
now. The laundry was a small log house near the west end of
Eighth street bridge, and the stable was north of this, and was dug
out of the bank for the west wall, and stone and logs next the river,
and covered with poles and hay. The stone house near the foot of
Ninth street was occupied by Dr. Nisley. The sutler's store was a
little shant}^ built of Cottonwood boards in part. I don't know what
the building on the east side was built for, but we used it for an ice
house. During the summer of 1866, we built what was known as the
officer's quarters, where E. J. Daniels now has his store. We also
built a hospital between this building and the sutler's store, south of
the Edmison- Jameson building. It was built of logs, and was one
story high. We also built a pow^der house, and a building to exer
cise in during the winter. Our company fenced in what we called
the parade grounds, putting down posts and a rail on top. There
were thirty-five saddle horses in our company, and a detachment was
occasionally sent out scouting. We had raore snow and rain then
than w^e have now. The highest water I ever saw in Sioux Palls was
in the spring of 1867, and I have seen the flat west and north of the
city covered with water in June. I was discharged May 7, 1869, and
during my service four men of the company died. The first one was
a man known by the name of Boise, he died of fever; the next one, of
consumption; the third w^as drowned, and the fourth was frozen to
death out by Frank Forde's farm. After about a year Colonel Knox
left, and Captain John Duffy was in coramand of our company. In
1868, I think it was, about eight or ten men took up land on the military
reservation along the Sioux river north of town, and coraraenced cut
ting timber and building log houses. A detachment of our company
was sent out (and I was one of the men sent) to arrest them and
bring them in. They were arrested, brought in, and put in the
guard house for two or three days, and then Captain Duffy let them
go, after promising they would keep off the reservation. Sorae of
these men are now living on the same places where we arrested them.
When I came to Sioux Palls there was an old steam boiler lying on
the bank of the river west of the island, but I don't know where it
came from, and whether it was ever in use in Sioux Falls or not.
The men usually had pretty good supplies, sometimes a little short,
but were comfortable and contented."
Since obtaining the foregoing statement from Mr. Pleitz, the
writer met Mr. John H. Holsey of Canton. He was a member of
Company D, and said: "the company marched out of Sioux City

240

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Sunday afternoon, June 3, 1866, camped that night five miles from
Sioux City, on the Dakota side of the Big Sioux river, Monday night
camped on Brule creek, Tuesday night at Nixon's, Wednesday night
at Pattee slough, Thursday night at Canton, and marched into Sioux
Falls Friday, June 8, at two o'clock in the afternoon."

OFFICERS' QUARTERS, 1866.
The cuts for this illustration and the one on page 29 were made
from photographs obtained frora Araos Broughton of Tishoka, N. Y.,
who procured thera while on a visit at Sioux Palls in 1870. It has
been frequently said to the writer by old residents of the city that
the earliest date any photographer visited Sioux Palls was in 1872;
that the pictures of Sioux Falls clairaed to have been taken in 1871
were in fact taken in 1872, and those of 1872 taken in 1873. One thino-
is certain, the soldiers were in Sioux Palls when the picture of the
officers' quarters was taken, and they left here June 18, 1869.
John Holsey, when shown our illustrations said: "I recognize
thera very well. Col. Knox was down to the Missouri river to Yank
ton, I think, and brought a photographer back with him in an ambu
lance. In this picture of the officers' quarters Col. Knox is sittino- in
front of the door, with his orderly standing- behind him. Ed. Brough
ton sits facing the Colonel, and Charley Howard is sitting- with his
back to the building, with his little daughter Mamie standing- by hira.
Mr. Howard at this time was living- in Sioux City and was up on a
visit to his sutlers' store then in charge of Ed. Broughton. The
other illustration represents the barracks as they were at that time,
and the tarpaulin covering the barrels and bags of provisions at the
end of the barracks looks familiar. The photographer took several
pictures at the time, and I feel sure these were taken in the fall of
1866, or in 1867."

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 241

The officers' quarters faced the east, and was located on the
south lot where E. J. Daniels' store now stands, and the photograph
of the same must have been taken from the northeast of the building,
as the whole contour of what is now the city west of Ninth street
appears in the background. When the other picture was taken, the
camera must have been placed southwest of the officers' quarters.
SIOUX PALLS IN 1870.
After having obtained a biographical sketch of Mr. Fowler's life
down to the time he arrived in Sioux Palls, the remark was raade to
hira: "You have seen a great many changes since coraing here in
1870?" His reply to this remark was taken down by a stenog-rapher
and is as follows: "Not many changes, but great many iraprove
raents have been raade in Sioux Falls since I carae here. When I
carae. Colonel Allen had a grocery store in the barracks, the post
office was in his store and he was postmaster. Cyrus Walts clerked
for him and was deputv postmaster. W. S. Bloora had a stock of
hardware and groceries also in the barracks, and C. V. Booth and
John McClellan had each a roora in the sarae building. I worked for
Jeptha Duling in his stag-e barn the first winter. East of the bar
racks on the bank of the river a man by the name of Moulton had a
g-eneral store in an old governinent building; the old g-overnraent
stables w^ere a little east of this building on the bank of the river.
Prank Raymond kept hotel in what was called "Old Steve's House"
it was on the bank of the river east of where the Eraerson block now
stands. In the west tier of barracks Hirara Caldwell (who died a
few years ago at Hartford) lived with his faraily, and Joe Dickson
and his brother Tom lived there too. Duling was running a stage
from Sioux Falls to Yankton. Afterward, when Stevenson had
this line, I drove for him — used to drive through in a day, change
horses and deliver the mail at Turnerville, Swan Lake and Clay
Creek. When I came here, C. K. Howard had a stage line frora
Sioux Palls to Elk Point; there was an express raessenger on this
line. There was also a pony express frora Sioux Palls to Plandreau,
run by Lew Hulitt. Howard had a stock of goods in the old sutler's
store."^ This store was built of logs and fronted east, and was lo
cated east of Phillips Avenue near where the E. L. Smith block is
now. South of the store, Howard kept a hotel in the building which
has been recently used for a butcher shop, and now stands opposite
Dr. Robert's residence on 12th street. Cash Coats and a half-breed
by the narae of Mark Wells, clerked in Howard's store. There was
aplace called "The Dive," it fronted east, and you had to go down
a step or two to get into it; it was built of stones, logs and dirt, and
was the dirtiest place on earth; this hole was north of Howard's
store. In the spring of 1871, True Dennis carae to Sioux Palls and
started a blacksmith shop in the store building Moulton had vacated.
R. P. Pettigrew built a small office that spring about opposite of
where the Commercial House is now; it was just south of the bar
racks There is a little building still standing nearly opposite the
Commercial House which was built about twenty feet south of the
west barracks at that time by a raan naraed Prescott. In 1871 Joe

242 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Dupries built the Central House, which is still standing on the same
spot, but greatly altered and enlarged. Mr. Dupries was a genuine
Frenchman. In the fall of 1871 a Mr. Leonard taught school in a
sod shanty on the side hill near where the brewery is now. He lived
in a shanty on his claim a little west of town. He was partially in
sane, and we boys used to go and stay with him nights for fear he
might commit suicide if left alone. There was an old man we called
"Dutch Charlie." He was an old trapper and had a shanty on his
claim near were the linen mill is now. Everybody was afraid of him.
James Stevenson built a large stone house for a hotel where the
brewery is now, but he never finished it so he could occupy it. He
was the Stevenson who succeeded Duling in running the stage line
to Yankton. In 1872 he had a pony livery stable — not a horse in the
outfit. The same year a man by name of Caster built a butcher shop
east of the Central House. In 1871 a lawyer by the name of McLaury
built an office where the Metropolitan block is now, but moved it off
the next year, when the Episcopal church was built there. In 1872,
McLaury built a residence and an office with a basement where the
Emerson block is now; there was a meat market in the basement and
"Billy Bainbridge" was the butcher and Captain Dick was with him.
They had a good choir in the Episcopal church in those days — I
sung in it myself. Before the church was built the meetings were
held in any place where a room could be had. In 1872, a bakery and
restaurant was started in the barracks by a Mr. Boardman. He
afterwards moved north and put up a building about where the
Merchants Hotel is now. In 1872, a man by name of Dixon, who had
been a clerk in Boston came to Sioux Falls with $8,000 and bought all
the land he could see. He soon had more land than money. He built
the building on the northwest corner of Main avenue and Eighth
street. J. D. Cameron built a bank building a little north of the
Cataract. C. O. Natesta & Brother had a general store just north
of Cameron's bank. Napoleon Boutcher, fresh from Canada, opened
a shoe shop opposite to where Daniels' store is now, and he used
to charge the boys as high as $20 for a pair of boots, but he made the
finest boots I ever saw. In 1870, a Mr. Botsford took up a claim of
40 acres where Meredith's addition is now. He married the cook of
the Cataract Hotel. He was the first miller that came to Sioux Palls,
and he was always planning to build a mill but could not raise the
money. When I first came to Sioux Palls in the fall of 1870, we all
turned in and helped build Covell's two-story sod mansion, and a sod
barn over 100 feet long. They were located south of the street car
track, opposite the present Covell buildings. There was a large
family of Harthorns — the old man and his wife. Prank, Dan, Jim
and Tom, his boys. Harthorn senior lived out near Clark Coats.
Frank had a pre-emption claim south and east of the culvert under
the Illinois Central railroad on the east side of the river, and he had
a shanty in the rocks a few rods northeast of the culvert. I slept
with him one night and I had to crawl in on my hands and knees. In
the winter of 1872 I taught school in the barracks. I still have a
certificate to teach school, dated December 28, 1872, signed by Cyrus
Walts, superintendent. During the winter of 1873, Prank Porde

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 243

John Forde and myself lived in a log shanty on the bank of the river
west of towm. We had no knives or forks, and used to cut our food
with jack knives. I used to g-o over to Fuller's, a half a mile south,
and get about three square meals a week; got there about ineal-
tirae and they would ask rae to eat with them — and I consented.
There was no work to be had that winter, and we used to pull up
maple trees in Puller's g-rove (a natural g-rove) and sell them in town
for what we could get. We ate a good many beavers that winter —
cooked them in the sod as we had no stove. Frank Porde took a
soldier's black blanket, folded it and laid it on a table and cut out a
pair of trousers with a shoe knife and sewed them himself. Dressed
in these, a buckskin shirt and a pair of moccasins he used to attend
the dances in town. He made a cap from a wolfskin, with two tails
attached to it, which he wore on all occasions. I reraeraber a little
experience I had in 1871. There was an odd character known as
"Israel Putnam," who had taken up a claim one mile east of Dell
Rapids in the bend of the river. I went up and stayed with him a
few days. The mosquitos were so bad that we had to sleep under
a wagon box. They stampeded the horses one night and we had to
go about ten miles after them the next day. There was not a house
then where the city of Dell Rapids is now located. Well, in those
days society wasn't graded anywhere in these parts; the Indians
were about as good as anybody, and they used to come frora Plan
dreau to Sioux Palls in droves, and the merchants used to trustagood
many of them for goods. When I hear people now talking about
hard times, I always think of the early seventies in Minnehaha
county." REMINISCENCES OP MRS. HATTIE C. PHILLIPS.
In an interview relative to the early days of Sioux Falls, Mrs.
Phillips informed the writer of many interesting incidents which
occurred at that period, and which are given below in her own lan
guage: "The first sermon I heard in Sioux Palls was preached by a
Methodist minister by the name of Cuthbert. One day I was in my
kitchen and heard some one say "howdy!" I looked around and saw
a tall gentleraan standing in the kitchen door, and he again said
"howdy!" I had lived south, and knew what howdy raeant, so I said
"howdy!" and asked hira in. He then asked rae if he could hold re
ligious services in ray house. I told him my husband would provide
a place for him somewhere in town; but he said he did not want any
other place than my house. He waited until the doctor came home,
who gave him permission to use our rooras. They were neatly car
peted, and the clerical stranger ejected so rauch tobacco juice and so
indiscriminately that at last I spoke to him about it, when he apolo
gized and said he would be more careful. He held meetings Satur
day evening, and Sunday raorning and evening, and Monday I had to
go all over my carpets on my hands and knees and clean thera of
tobacco juice. On Sunday I provided dinner for himself and family,
consisting of eight persons, and, as all our provisions came frora
Sioux City, taking it all together, these meetings were quite a tax

244 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Upon our hospitality. In those early days a Mr. Rig-gs, pastor of a
Presbyterian church in Lockport, Illinois, and the Rev. Dr. Ward
also preached in Sioux Palls. The first church organized was the
Episcopal, and this organization erected the first church building.
Mrs. Clark G. Coats and myself started the first Sunday school.
We had happy times in those days. Every one went to church and
Sunday school, even Charley Howard (in his shirt sleeves).
I reraember the blizzard of 1873, very distinctly. It came with
out warning. The doctor had just taken the pony and started for
the river, and I was taking up dinner in the kitchen. The stove pipe
ran up through the roof in place of a chimney, and all at once some
thing struck that pipe with a crash. It was the blizzard. I looked
out the window, and saw the doctor a little ways from the house
hanging on to the pony. Por some tirae he could not move away from
where he stood. It was a terrible day. I had a servant girl at the
the time by the name of Poster whose brother and sister were lost in
the blizzard in Benton, where the faraily resided.
I reraeraber an amusing incident, which I saw from my window,
in connection with the store building near the barracks. Col. Allen
had purchased it, but the Delaneys occupied it, and he wanted to get
thera out. He tried to persuade thera to give possession, and one
day he became so urgent that Mrs. Delanev, who was a large woman,
picked up a tea kettle of boiling water and started for him, and the
colonel ran away just as fast as he could."
JOHN NELSON'S "INDIAN SCARE."
As will be seen from his biography, Mr. Nelson settled in Ma
pleton during the summer of 1866. At that time his only neighbor
was John Thompson, who lived about two miles up the river on his
claira. Mr. Nelson had erected his cabin in the woods near the Bio-
Sioux river, where he thought himself safely hidden from the pi(>
neer's most dreaded foe, the roaming Indian. Everything was quiet
for a few months, and no unusual sound disturbed the stillness of the
prairie. But one evening during the fall, just about sundown, while
he was chopping wood near the cabin, unearthly yells and howls sud
denly reached his ears. In shorter tirae than it' takes to tell it, he
dropped his ax, ran into the cabin, and gathering up what valuable
papers he had, brought his frightened wife and baby out of the cabin
and around the bend of the river, where they remained until quite
dark. They then crossed a little valley to a "small lake surrounded
by tall grass in which he hid his wife and child. Having placed them
where he thought they would not be discovered, he shouldered his
rifle and started for John Thompson's place. Upon arrivino- there
he was surprised to find the family quietly eating their supper, while
he had expected to find them all butchered by the Indians. After
having briefly told of the approaching danger, he returned for his
wife and child, whora he safely brought to Mr. Thompson's house.
During this trip he heard something moving through the o-rass near
hira. He cocked his rifle and quietly awaited the approach of the
stealthy steps of what he thought to be an Indian, but fortunately

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 245

was found to be only a deer. It was temptingly near for a good shot,
but for fear of attracting the attention of the Indians he did not fire.
The next morning, in company with Mr. Thompson and Ole Gil
seth, he went down the river, and nearly opposite his cabin he dis
covered two Indian tepees. They then got behind a tree and called
to the Indians, which seemed to greatly surprise them, and gather
ing up their belongings, they hastily left the place without further
trouble.EXPERIENCE OP TWO OP THE EARLY SETTLERS IN
THIS COUNTY DURING THEIR WALK PROM RED
WOOD, MINNESOTA, TO THE SIOUX VALLEY,
IN THE FALL OP 1866.
An account of this trip appeared in an issue of the Syd Dakota
Ekko in November, 1895, and thinking it would prove interesting to
the readers of this work, a translation of the same is given below.
Ole O. Gilseth and John J. Aasen, Jr., left Goodhue county,
Minnesota, in the fall of 1866, with the intention of joining their
friends, John Thompson and John Nelson, who had settled in the
Sioux Valley in Dakota during the spring- of that year. Ole J. Aasen,
who then lived in the vicinity of Kenyon, in the same county, drove
them to Faribault. Prom there they took post horses to St. Peter,
where they found a raan who was going to Redwood, and drove with
hira to that place. They then continued their way on foot, each car
rying- a bundle of clothes and a rifle. Thus far they had put up no
provisions for their trip, thinking- they would buy sorae from a family
they knew, who lived on a farm some distance from Redwood. But
evening carae with not a house in sight, and they spent the night on
the open prairie. The next raorning it was cloudy, the sun could not
be seen, and they were unable to tell what direction to follow, but
they decided to try and find the farm they had looked for the day be
fore, and which they believed could not be very far off. Early in the
afternoon a grove came into view, and thinking this must be the
place, they walked briskly on, hopeful of being in plenty tirae for a
good supper. However, the grove was farther away than it at first
appeared, and it was not until late in the evening they reached there,
only to find, instead of friends and shelter, the dreaded wigwams of
an Indian camp, with their still more dreaded occupants. Having
the terrible massacre of 1862 in the western part of Minnesota still
fresh in their minds, even starvation could not induce them to go
near the Indians, but with trembling hearts and careful steps they
succeeded in reaching the other side of the grove, without being no
ticed, and here they spent the night in a large tree, Mr. Gilseth
keeping vigilant watch, with his hand on the rifle until the break of
dawn, when, thankful for their scalps though starving, they con
tinued their wandering westward. That day they could not even find
any water. Towards evening they noticed a storm was approaching,
and it being late in the fall and quite cold, they wrapped all their

246 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

clothes about them and laid down, trying to rest. Soon the storm
broke loose. It was a terrible storm of snow and rain, and con
tinued until towards raorning, when it cleared up and they could see
the sun again. They now took a southwesterly course, thinking they
had gone too far north. That evening they reached a few small
lakes, the shores of which were frozen, but farther out they discov
ered a flock of ducks swimming about in the open water. Mr. Gil
seth sent a shot into the flock, and two big ducks was his reward.
Now, at last, there was to be a feast! Roasted duck! But again
they were doomed to disappointment. The storm had wet them
through to the skin, and their matches w^ere useless. Consequently,
no fire, no steak; and the ducks were eaten raw.
After having rested through the night and breakfasted on an
other piece of duck, they continued their journey. During that day
they discovered a wagon track, which they followed, thinking it must
lead to some settlement. It was very indistinct, and sometiraes even
lost, but it was fortunately found again. Towards evening Mr. Aasen
becarae so weak and tired that he told Mr. Gilseth to continue his
way alone, but after having slept awhile he felt so rauch better that
they resumed their walk, though they were obliged to leave their
bundles of clothes, only carrying their rifles. They walked about
that whole night, and in the morning found themselves by a river
which they supposed to be the Big Sioux river. But now the ques
tion arose whether to follow the river up or down to reach their des
tination. Finally they decided to follow the river on its course down
ward. Soon they came to a hay-stack, and thinking that now they
must surely find some people, they raade a thorough search, but no
one could be found. Later they came to a bend in the river, which
they forded in order to shorten their way, and following the river the
whole day and part of the night finally came across some new-mown
hay raked up in small piles, and near by found a wagon box which
Mr. Gilseth recognized to be the sarae that John Thompson had
taken with him frora Goodhue county.
Encouraged by these discoveries they looked around further,
and soon found a door to a dug-out on the hillside. Here they
knocked, and this time they were not disappointed, as a friendly voice
from within bid thera enter. Opening the door they found a room
occupied by two white men, who, they soon learned, were hunters
stopping there while hunting garae in the vicinity. This was near
where Dell Rapids is now located. The wagon box they had seen
proved to belong to Mr. Thompson, the hunters having on their trip
from Sioux Falls borrowed the same from hira. The starved and tired
wanderers were well received; the hunters abandoned their bed in
their favor, and slept on the floor, and the following raorning drove
them down to John Thompson's, where they received a hearty wel
corae. And thus ended their perilous journey, and two more sturdy
pioneers were added to the young setlement.
Mr. Gilseth took up land in Mapleton township, which he gradu
ally iraproved for a future horae. The first three years he only staid
on his claira long enough to keep his rights under the homestead law,
the other part of his time he worked out. During this time he came

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 247

to the conclusion that "it is not good for a man to be alone," and in
the spring of 1870, returned to Goodhue county, worked there dur
ing the summer, and in the fall, in company with quite a number of
new settlers, came back to Minnehaha county. In this company was
a Miss Anna P. Moe. Shortly after their arrival the first marriage
ceremony in this county was performed by Pastor Christensen; and
Ole Gilseth and Anna P. Moe since then have managed the Gilseth
farm in unity and concord.
Mr. Aasen took up land in sections twenty and twenty-nine in
Sverdrup township, there he still resides and has a good, comfort
able home.

CHAPTER XV.

CEPHAS TALCOTT ANECDOTES — RAISING A CHURCH
DEBT— CHARLES L. NORTON'S BIRD DOGS— AN INCI
DENT AT LONE ROCK— THEY SAW THE GOAT-
CHARLES BARRETT'S NARROW ESCAPE PROM
BEING BURIED ALIVE— BUCH ANAN BROTH
ERS GREAT SHOW— RAINMAKING.

CEPHAS TALCOTT ANECDOTES.
Among the early arrivals in Sioux Palls was one Cephas Talcott.
If he was not an original character he was at least a little peculiar.
While looking for land one day, he was returning- to Sioux Palls and
came by the burial place of Governor Masters, the Amidons and
those of the soldiers who had died during the tirae Sioux Falls w^as a
railitary post. The burial place was located on the resident lots of
the late Justin A. Pettigrew, and the officers in charge of the raili
tary post had enclosed the grounds and put up the following notice:
"Anybody interfering with the government burial ground will be
guilty of and punished for a misdemeanor." Talcott came into the
village wild with delight. He had made a discovery. He had found
a claim unoccupied alraost in the heart of the village. He finally
said: "I will have it understood that no gosh darn Miss D. Meanor
can hold down a claim and live in another place." On one occasion
when out on the prairie looking for land, he found a g-overnment
stake, and being unable to decipher it, pulled it up and brought it to
town. He was inforraed it was a serious offense, and went back to
replace it, but could not find the place from whence he had taken it.
He finally took up some land west of the river, and getting a little
broken and fitted for a crop, came to town to advise what crop to
raise. He fell in with one Robinson, who told hira the best paying-
crop he could raise was nutraegs — that their cultivation was easy —
that they grew rapidly and would mature in a short season — that
they were easily gathered, growing on low bushes, and brought a
good price. Talcott boug-ht all the nutmegs he could get in town,
Robinson instructing hira to plant them shallow and to put a little
stick by every nutmeg- planted, and Cephas followed instructions,
and Robinson followed hira, and stole all the nutmegs. Talcott was
too good for this country, and Robinson went farther west.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 249

RAISING A CHURCH DEBT.
E. W. Caldwell is well known as a g-ood story-teller, and it is
also well known that he considers it a grave offense to allow the color
of a good story to fade out while being told to his hearers. The
writer heard him on several occasions repeat an appeal made by a
professional church-debt-lifter at an early day in one of the churches
in Sioux Palls to liquidate the debt on the church in which he was
speaking. On one occasion the writer had a stenographer take down
the language as it fell from Cal's lips, which was as follows:
"My dear Brethren! I want to impress upon you the great fact
that for every dollar you give in this cause or any other cause in
which the good Lord is interested, He will pay it back to you many
fold. You may rely upon this as a principle to which in all church
history there is not a single exception. As an illustration of it I
will tell you of an incident which carae under ray own observation.
We were undertaking to raise the debt which laid as an incubus upon
the church at Fort Dodge, and I was undertaking to raise a subscrip
tion from the brethren. There was one member of the church, who
was engaged in the grain business, that is, not exactly as you might
say, in the business of buying the real grain, but something that I
believe they call options, and he had a great deal of money invested
in these options; and I went to hira and asked hira to contribute
Sl,500 towards raising this debt. He protested, that his funds were
so closely tied up that he did not feel justified in using any of his
raoney outside of his business. I irapressed upon hira, as I desire to
impress upon you, that the raoney that he might contribute towards
paying this obligation, would result in the Lord's repaying- him.
Finally he was induced to contribute the amount that I requested;
and brethren, I want to say to you, that sooner even than I expected,
the araount was paid to him again. As I was saying, he was engaged
in the grain business, and had bought a great deal at a price, which,
had there been a tremendous crop, would have occasioned him con
siderable loss; but very shortly after he made this contribution,
there came sweeping down over this country tremendous hordes of
those pestilential insects that destroyed the crops and left the harv
est fields a bare ruin. The result was that directly the price of
grain went up so enorraously that this dear brother who had contri
buted so largely towards the Lord's service, was rapaid more than
a hundredfold. And so it is my brethren, that the Almighty pays
particular attention to promoting the interests of those who have
maintained His interests."
CHARLES NORTON'S BIRD DOGS.
Sioux Palls, like all new towns, had its full quota of practical
jokers. It is necessary for all communities to have a certain amount
of arausement, and if it does not come to them through the ordinary
channels, it is supplied in some other way. Theatrical troupes did
not visit Sioux Falls during the first few years of its existence, and
trained bears and hand organs were rarely seen upon its streets. To
make up for the deficiency in the line of amusements, practical jok-

250 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

ing was resorted to, and occasionally resulted in considerable merri
ment, especially to those who were closely allied to the principals.
Strange as it may seem to those who have become acquainted
with Charles L. Norton during the last few years, yet, it is a fact
that during his early residence in Sioux Palls he was a person who
would "bear watching." He seemed to enjoy the discomfiture of
those upon whom he could play a practical joke, and he was alwavs
sure to have a circle of confederates to help him enjoy the fun. To
such an extent had he added to his list of victiras that the w-hole field
was pitted against hira, and here is one of the good things that was
successfully worked upon him.
One day while engaged in work at the station he received a tele
gram frora Conductor Parker, who was coming in charge of a train
from St. Paul, which read as follows: "Two tramps aboard have got
a fine bird dog, will sell for ten dollars. Do you want it?" The
chicken season was just dawning, and Charlie didn't know for cer
tain the tramps had stolen the dog — the dog was cheap — he wanted
a dog, and this appeared to be the dog he was looking for, and so he
telegraphed back: "Buy him." The train came and the dog was
delivered and the money paid to Parker. Charlie noticed that Cap
tain Bourne — a luraber dealer in Sioux Palls — got off from the
train, accompanied by a good looking stranger, who afterwards
proved to be a raan by the name of Poster on a chicken excursion —
but no tramp. Charlie tied the dog in the freight room, but about
an hour after, upon going to see him, found he was gone — rope and
all. He went after that dog, and he found him over town in company
with Parker, Poster, Captain Bourne and several other congenial,
convivial spirits, and they all seemed as happy as though they Avere
spending sorae one's money instead of their oAvn. He soon learned
that Poster had, what is called, a superior title to that dog, and that
Captain Bourne got Parker to telegraph Norton for authority to
purchase the dog for him.
He took the raatter philosophically, didn't complain and did not
try to get his money back — in fact, that had been spend before he
found out all the facts. But he did sit down and give away to resent
ful feelings, and plan for revenge. The mere sight of a bird dog
made him wild. All through that fall and winter he seemed absent
rainded — in a sort of deep study — but when spring carae, and the
chickens began to hatch, his accustoraed cheerfulness returned,
although his friends noticed that there was a "way off look" in his
left eye when he met Captain Bourne.
He discussed all summer with Captain Bourne the pleasure of
chicken hunting, until that gentleman was enthused with the idea
that there was nothing like it. During all this time Charlie was
making friends with an old dog belonging to one of his neighbors.
He petted and fed hira, and taught hira to follow hira.
This dog had one thing in common with a bird dog, and only one,
and that was — he was a dog. His neck and tail were about the
same in circumference, but his size and color were about rio-ht. He
took this dog down to the Milwaukee depot, and by some hypnotic
influence induced the agent to join in his wicked scheme for revenge.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 251

The dog was tied up at the depot, and Charlie went to Captain
Bourne's office and told him the Milwaukee agent had a fine dog left
with him which he proposed to sell at auction. Bourne wanted the
dog, and he and Charlie went down and looked him over, and by the
use of extravagant praise of the dog's good points Bourne paid the
Milwaukee ag-ent fifteen dollars, and took the dog up to his office.
As soon as Bourne Avas gone, Norton got the fifteen dollars and went
up town to see his friends, and sent the owner of the dog after him.
Captain Bourne, although of a sweet raild disposition (so the old
settlers saA') got angry, and wag-ed active war upon the owner of the
dog. But the captain had to yield to what is called "the force of
circurastances" and the dog went with the man who had the superior
title. AN INCIDENT AT LONE ROCK.
Lone Rock was frequently visited by the residents of Sioux Palls,
and it was a favorite spot for fishermen to while away a few hours
catching pickerel. At an early day a man by the name of Dan Harnet
resided in Sioux Falls. He was an excentric character and afforded
the people a great amount of amusement. As a practical joker
his name was first on the list. Another resident at the same time,
was one Honey-Lake Smith. He came from California, and had there
been proprietor of a ranch called Honey-Lake, hence he was known
here in Sioux Palls as Honey-Lake-Smith. He claimed to be a prize
fisherman in California, and his fishing exploits, as told by hiraself,
would not suffer by comparison with the tales of Munchausen. Dan
Harnet was a betting man. He was ready at all tiraes and under all
circumstances to wager any and everything in his possession, and all
the property of his friends and relatives besides, upon any debatable
question that might arise.
He was tired of Honey-Lake's fishing stories, and offered to bet
him S20 that he could catch more pickerel with hook and line out of
the Sioux river in two hours than Honey-Lake could.
The bet was promptly taken, and Harry Corson chosen as ref
eree, and Dan Harnet selected Lone Rock as his position to fish.
Honey-Lake selected a position a little below, where he could see the
top of Lone Rock, and Corson took a position on shore near a small
pool of water, but where Honey-Lake could not see him. Time was
called, and Harnet soon caught a pickerel which was thrown over to
Corson, who announced that he would put the pickerel in the pool.
Harnet threw out his line, and Corson fastened the pickerel already
caught to Harnet's hook, after which Harnet passed the fish over to
Corson again, in fact, this was repeated as often as these heathen
Chinese dared to do it. The same operation was gone through with
in all about fifteen times, and each time the pickerel was given an air
ing, Dan shouted, and Honey-Lake could see the pickerel on its jour
ney from Lone Rock. The California adjectives indulged in by
Honey-Lake were numerous and emphatic.
When the time was up, Harnet had only two fishes and Honey-
Lake the same number. Corson and Harnet started home, telling
Honey-Lake the fish were safe in the pool, but there were so many

252 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

that they would send some one for them. They succeeded in getting
Honey-Lake up town without his looking ih the pool, and the money
was paid over to Harnet. It was not long, however, before Honey-
Lake learned the real facts in the case but as he was invited to the
entertainment given by Harnet in celebrating his victory, he resigned
hiraself pleasantly to his fate.
THEY SAW THE GOAT.
DAKOTA LADIES GET A GLIMPSE OF HIS MASONIC MAJESTY.
Fro... St. Albans, Vt., Weekly Messenger.
The "goat" which is supposed to do active service at all regular
and special coramunications or assemblies of the Masonic, Odd Pel-
lows and other fraternities has for ages past piqued the curiositA' of
raany "outsiders" — and especially has the existence of that mA'ster-
ious animal been a source of anxiety to the portion of the fair sex
whose husbands are on farailiar and friendly terms with the aforesaid
"butter." A private letter frora South Dakota to a St. Albans gen
tleraan relates an instance in Avhich this never-dying curiosity was at
least temporarily satisfied; and as it is too good to keep we give it
away — confidentially of course.
The Grand Army of the state mentioned were holding an annual
meeting in a certain busy town, and, as a proper accompaniment,
came also a gathering- of the Woman's Relief Corps. It so happened
that the latter held their meeting in the Masonic hall, and some wicked
wag decided that he would introduce the ''traditional goat" to the
ladies by way of convincing them that the aliimal was a "stern real
ity." The billy-goat was procured, and during- an intermission he
was shut up in a side room, with a label "Private" on the door. The
scheme worked well. A damsel of inquiring turn of mind tried the
door. So did the billy-goat. He raade a bold rush, pushed through
the opening, and with a bleat bounded into the raidst of the women in
the ante-room, very much to their amazement. Then consternation
set in as the terrible stories of the devastation wrought by the ma
sonic goat Avere recollected by these defenseless females.' Takino-
refuge in chairs and on tables was of no avail, for "Billy" was ao-ile;
and the janitor (Prank Kunerth) had to be called in to take hofd of
both horns of this dilemma and lead him away. It was a case where
the Relief Corps needed relief; and sorae of those woraen are now
ready to believe that "the goat" is no myth, but instead an incon
venient combination of horns, hoofs and "trying" disposition.
CHARLES BARRETT'S NARROW ESCAPE PROM BEING
BURIED ALIVE.
The election of Harrison for President in 1888, was celebrated
in Sioux Palls with a good deal of enthusiasm, both natural and in
spired, and it is owing to this fact, that in gathering- up the frao--
ments, that as little as possible may be lost, we chronicle the follo\v-
ing episode. Every one knows Charles Barrett, and favorably too, for he is a

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 253

good fellow, and is entirely satisfied with a residence in this Avorld of
cloud and sunshine, and would not exchange it for any place he can
possibly hope for in the future.
He had been tempted by some of the "unterrified" to make
sundry little bets, that Harrison would be elected, and in fact had
A'ielded to the temptation (with great reluctance, of course, believing
it AA-as morally wrong to bet upon any event).
Cigars, a little money here and there, parcels of clothing, and
also a very fine silk hat had been Avon by Mr. Barrett. He was feel
ing happy — the country was safe — the little tokens of his good judg
ment were in his possession, in fact, he felt generous to a fault. The
boys had decorated his new silk hat with mottoes, and in doing so, had
made it a very tall hat, and in fastening the decorations had punctured
it full of holes, and all this without any protest being made. He took
his friends, or his friends took him down to the "Mint" and what
happened is best told in his own language:
"I drink beer occasionally, but seldom anything stronger, but
the boys wouldn't take anything but "red bug juice," and of course,
I had to take it with them. We drank several times, and I found I
Avas dizzy and light-headed, but the other fellows seemed to be all right,
and it raade me a little mad. I thought they were trying to get rae
drunk. It occurred to me that my stomach was empty, and if I could
only get a good lunch, I could go back and do them up. So I slipped
out, intending to go across the street to a restaurant and fill up. As
it happened Booth's undertaking establishment was next door to the
restaurant, and I got in there by mistake. Booth was in, and seeing
my condition said to me: "Charlie, come into the back room and lie
doAvn awhile, it Avill do you good." I thought so too, and Avent into
his back room and lay down on a lounge, and Avas asleep in no time.
I don't know how long I slept, but after awhile I w^oke up, and look
ing around found I was in a roora with a lot of coffins. I thought I
was laid out. I couldn't remember of being sick or hurt. I saw that
silk hat, and then I thought I had been run over, taken up for dead,
and delivered over to an undertaker. I felt of my head, arms and
legs and body, to see if I had been smashed, but I could not find any
trouble. I made a little stir, and was trying to get up, when Booth
came in, put his hand on my shoulder, and said: "Charlie lie down."
I thought he was a going to put me in a coffin, and I had got to act at
once to keep from being buried. I coraraenced on Booth, and he shed
his clothes in no time, and I can see him now crawling on his hands
and knees to get away from me. When I had got rid of him, I made
for the back door, Avent over a three foot railing to the ground eight
feet below. I landed all right and ran for assistance, and coraing into
a small company of men, told them Booth was trying to bury me alive.
Of course, I was very soon on my way home in a hack. I paid Booth
$35.00 damages when I got down town, and made up my mind that
"bug juice didn't agree with me."
A little incident connected Avith this affair occurred about the
time Barrett was flying up the back alley. Booth pulled his clothes
together, went to the front door, and seeing Captain Parliraan, said:
"Cap, Charlie Barrett is in here crazy, come in and quiet him down!"

254 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Capt. Parliman looked at Booth and replied: "I don't want any of it
in mine, I am not going in there," and looking Booth over again he
added: "and I don't think you had better go in yourself."
BUCHANAN BROTHERS' GREAT SHOW.
Sometime in the future it is possible that some enterprising citi
zens of this county may organize a show and go on the road with an
ambition to rival the show farae of P. T. Barnura. In order that they
and their friends raay not claira it to be the first enterprise of the
kind originated in this county, we propose to put on record, so far as
it can be done in a work of this kind, the fact that on Thursday,
May 12, 1898, "Buchanan Brothers' Great Show" — "Two shows com
bined in one" exhibited in the city of Sioux Palls. It was a pure and
simple Minnehaha county product, and this was the first time this
great aggregation of Aerialists, Gymnasts, Acrobats, Riders, and
Arenic Specialists exhibited under canvas. The Buchanan Brothers
were citizens of Sioux Palls, and the enterprise and energy displayed
in getting together this combined circus, menagerie and museum,
struck the ordinary citizen as being a prima facia omen of success.
But it was a wet season, and when they left Sioux Palls and went on
the road they had a dampness to encounter, which overpowered their
well laid plans to amass a fortune in the show business. After about
thirty days the aggregation ceased to aggregate, and finally stranded
at Pipestone, Minnesota. Everyone in Sioux Falls, where the Bu
chanan boys are well known, regretted the misfortune that overtook
them; but, nevertheless Minnehaha county can still point to her
Queen Bee mill, and several other monuments of her enterprise.
RAINMAKING.
During the month of May, 1894, there were frequent newspaper
notices of persons traveling about producing rain to order in such
quantities as people wanted. Frora these articles it appeared that
these rain raagicians would go to a drouth stricken country and
contract with the muncipal authorities or other equally intellig-ent
people to produce a certain rainfall, within a certain period, for a
certain consideration. Upon scanning the articles carefully it ap
peared that the consideration paid was the most certain, the period
the next, and the rainfall the least certain event to happen. In some
cases rain fell within the period named, but it was usually where the
people could have consistently clairaed that the Great Ruler had for
gotten his children if rain had not fallen within the time fixed. Of
course, every community has a certain percentage of people who are
ready to believe in any claim put forth which they cannot understand,
and especially if it is opposed to all natural laws, sense and reason.
Minnehaha county had people of this sort, and they carae to the
conclusion after waiting a long time for rauch needed rain, that the
relations were somewhat strained between the Great Arbiter of
earthly events and the inhabitants of the Sioux Valley, and that
something must be done at once to get the much needed moisture.
A few of the citizens of Minnehaha county came before the board of
county commissioners on the 7th day of June, and araong them our

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 255

esteemed friend Estabrook, who was supported bv a petition with
forty signatures, and asked the board to appropriate not to exceed
$800 for the purpose of procuring a certain rainmaker bv the name
of Jewell with his gas tube and box trap to come to Sioux Palls, mix
up his chemicals and wet down Minnehaha county as it should be.
He said "it is no praying scheme — that's failed, but this man is a real
rain producer, and rain seems to follow him, and he seldora can get
in out of the wet, and that the people of Minnehaha county who had
crops which were suffering for water would never be satisfied if this
man and his moisture extractor were not brought to Minnehaha
county and set at work." It was suggested that there were not
more than four or five gallons of moisture in the atmosphere within
fifty miles of Sioux Falls, but this didn't phase him, for he replied
"more or less, we want what there is and the people are entitled to
it." A resolution was introduced in accordance with the prayer of
the petitioners, but it was lost. It did not, however end the matter.
The drouth became more pronounced, and the demand for the rain
maker Mr. Jewell became more clamorous, and in some way he was
induced to come to Sioux Palls about the 18th day of June. On the
19th day of June there was an informal meeting of the county com
missioners, or some of them at least, and negotiations were entered
into between the board and Jewell for producing a rainfall in the
County of Minnehaha. There is no record of the proceedings, and
the writer is compelled to rely upon his memory for what follows.
Jewell knew what he was talking about, and assured the commission
ers that he had conducted fifty-one experiments, and had been
successful fifty-one times. He said, among other things, that he
could produce rain under any circumstances, although it would not
be so copious if high winds prevailed and the temperature was below
fifty degrees, but with both of these obstacles in his way he could
still milk the atmosphere. At Des Moines after the weather bureau
had announced there were no prospects of rain and there was no
moisture in the atmosphere within a circle of 100 miles of the city,
he liberated the gas in the box car he was traveling about in, and it
shot up into the ethereal canopy through his three little tin tubes —
and the parched earth was drenched with water. He assured the
commissioners he had no trouble in making contracts for producing
rain, and that his success had been so uniform and remarkable that
only very religious people objected to rain contracts, and they solely
upon the ground that it was an insult to Providence, who knew best
when to send rain. This seemed to remove the last obstacle in
Commissioner Schaetzel's mind, and they all commenced to talk
business. Commissioner Lee wanted the gas to enter the atmosphere
at the geographical center of the county, and said he should insist
upon it, so that in case the rainfall should not be uniform in quantity
throughout the county the taxpayers couldn't blame the commission
ers. Emerson said he wanted each commissioner district to get the
same quantity of water per acre, and he had taken the liberty to ask
Mr. Jewell when he first met him whether this could be done, and if
he would do it if a contract was made, and Mr. Jewell replied, that
all he wanted was the loan of a county map while he reraained in

256 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Sioux Falls, and he Avould see to it that the rainfall was uniform
throughout the county. Commissioner Colton said: "The northwest
ern part of the county won't kick if they don't get quite so much rain
as they do doAvn nearer the machine — we had quite a shower up
there a few days ag-o, and the crops are not suffering so much as they
are a little further south. I am for letting Mr. Jewell do his work
where he thinks he can do it to the best advantage." Before the
contract was drawn the commissioners tried to induce Mr. Jewell to
make the payment contingent upon his producing a certain araount
of rainfall within a given tirae, but they found that the gentleraan
who was endeavoring to raake his fifty-second contract a very prudent
man and fully alive to the possible result of such a provision in the
contract. But all the details were arranged, and the writer drew the
contract. It was a comproraise affair. A certain araount was to be
paid in advance ($200) so Mr. JeAvell could get his chemicals, and
$400 raore to be paid if a rainfall of one half inch should be produced
within a given tirae, with a provision that, in case at the expiration of
the time one half inch had not been produced and it was raining, Mr.
Jewell should be permitted to finish his shower and get his moneA'.
After the contract was raade Mr. Jewell went to Stite's drug store
and bought about one dollar and fifty cents worth of chemicals and
went to his box car and, to be exact, at 3:30 p. M., on the 19th daA' of
June in the year of pur Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety
four, he let loose to an unsuspecting, unprepared firmament all the
gas he could produce- frora the materials he purchased of Stites.
The next day (Wednesday the 20th) he announced to the people
through the newspapers that there would be a great doAvnpour of
rain before 6 p. m., on the following Thursday, and requested the
daily papers to advise their readers to be prepared for a deluge of
rain. The weather bureau got hold of JeAvell's prog-nostications and
on Wednesday it predicted rain for Thursday in the locality of Sioux
Falls. Hicks, Coats and Thomas J. Mills all climbed onto Jewell's
band wagon, and it did seem as though the mighty eleraents of nature
had been corraled at last, and would soon perform their functions,
refreshing the thirsty soil in Minnehaha countj^ But the elements
were intractable and refused to be milked by Jewell, and Thursday
passed into history in Sioux Palls as one of the raost defiant dry
days of the season. Friday explanations were in order, and Jewell
affirmed that the great altitude of Sioux Palls made it difficult for him
to inject his gas into the atmosphere and bring it down to the dew-
point. It should be mentioned that during the week he Avas in
Sioux Palls there were frequent showers all about Minnehaha
county, but none within its limits until Saturday when there Avas
a moderate shower in the northern portion, and Saturday exen-
ing there was a gentle rain in the city of Sioux Falls and vicinity.
While here, although not successful in producing- rain, he sold "to
Hanson and McCook counties the right to use his, invention in pro
ducing rain in those counties for the sum of $700 for each county.
They had to contract, however, to keep their showers in hand and
not work on such an extensive scale as to water the adjoinino- coun
ties. In the Sioux Palls Press of Saturday raorning- June 23, an

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

257

article appeared, written by Harley Pettigrew, which corapletely
punctured the whole scherae and made it too ridiculous for its most
sanguine supporters to ever mention it again. He went at the prob
lem from a scientific standpoint and demonstrated how impossible it
would be, even by the use of train loads of chemicals to condense the
moisture in a single cubic mile of the atmosphere, to say nothing
about causing a rainfall over an area of 816 square miles of territory.
Mr. JeAvell left Sioux Palls on Saturday afternoon following his
failure, and since then rainmakers are not on the schedule of quota
tions.

CASCADES AT SIOUX PALLS.

17

A STATEMENT
IN REFERENCE TO THE ARRANGEMENT AND CON
TENTS OP THE REMAINDER OP THIS WORK.
In gi\'ing the history of the twenty-four toAvnships coraprising
the County of Minnehaha, Avith the municipalities carved out and
organized within their limits, the same order has been folloAved as
adopted by the g-overnraent survey and followed by the county cora
raissioners in dividing- the county into civil townships.
The survey, the strearas and lakes, and to sorae extent the topo
graphical features of each toAvnship are described, and a brief account
of its settlement, industries, churches and other societies also
appears. Sorae of the official proceedings of the townships and other
municipal organizations are noticed, and a list of township, town and
city officials frora the tirae of their organization to 1899, inclusive, are
carefully compiled, followed by biographical sketches of residents.
The design at first was to publish this work in 1895, but the
financial depression at that tirae raade it irapracticable to do so, and
not until now has it seemed expedient to present it to the public. In
some matters nothing has been added since then, especialh- in refer
ence to the fraternal societies and kindred subjects. A large pro
portion of the biographical sketches had been written at that time,
and since then some of the persons Avhose biographies appear, have
reraoved and others died, of Avhich, for obvious reasons, no raention is
raade. In procuring biographical sketches at least fifteen hundred
circular letters Avere mailed to residents of the county, Avith questions
for them to ansAver, and although a postage stamp was inclosed a
large nuraber of these circulars were not returned, and consequently
biographical sketches of raany of the old residents do not appear.
Great pains has been taken to be exact in the raatter of dates and in
presenting the names of persons correctly, but errors in this respect
have undoubtedly been coraraitted, owing to unreliable inforraation
and the obscure signatures we necessarily had to decipher.
In compiling the lists of officials the records have been examined
for the necessary information. Sorae of these records are quite com
plete, while others are very incomplete, failing to give the names of
the officials from year to year, and the records being practically the
only relia,ble source of information, some of the lists must necessarily
be quite imperfect.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 259

ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL TOWNSHIPS.
In the issue of the Sioux Palls Pantagraph published in Sioux
Palls on the 18th day of February, 1874, the following item appears:
"In the month of January last, four new townships were org-anized
in Minnehaha county, and officers elected. The officers of the new-
town of Benton were Wm. Alg-uire, J. C. Eldridg-eand Mr. Hartwell,
supervisors; A. S. Fuller, clerk; J. D. Green, treasurer; J. C. El
dridge, assessor; R. Foster and H. Neer, justices; H. W. Burvee
and A. Lifto, constables; D. Alguire, Sr., overseer of highways."
Having had access to the clerk's books of every township in the
county, and finding no records prior to 1881, Mr. Eldridge of Benton
was interviewed in reference to this item, and he said: "I remember
there was a meeting held at my place about that time, and that a
school district was organized, and township matters discussed, but I
have no recollection of being elected supervisor or assessor. I know
I never did any assessing, there was a county assessor at that time."
Upon interviewing other persons likely to know soraething in regard
to such township organization, their recollections Avere found to be so
indistinct and conflicting in fact, and the improbability of being able
to ascertain the exact facts, where no records could be found, the
idea of any further reference to them was abandoned.
One thing is certain, hoAvever, that all the townships in the
county were organized under the provisions of "An Act providing
for Organization of Civil Townships, and the Government thereof"
to take effect frora and after its passage and approval, which was
passed by the legislature of the Territory of Dakota in 1879, and ap
proved February 18.
There were ninety-eight sections in this law, and its provisions
justified its title. It enacted that upon the presentation of a petition
frora fifty legal voters of anj^ county to the county coraraissioners,
they should, at a special election, submit the question whether the
system of township government as provided in the law should be
adopted by the county, and if a majority of the votes cast at such
election should be in favor of township government, then the board
of county commissioners should imraediately proceed to divide the
county into civil townships, fix and determine the boundaries there
of and nuraber the same, and in so doing should have regard for the
natural boundaries, and that at any time thereafter the board might
alter and change the same, provided, that the nuraber of civil town
ships should not exceed the number of congressional townships or
fractional parts thereof greater than one-half.
On the 22d day of May, 1880, petitions containing in the ag
gregate the names of 145 legal voters of the county were presented
to the county board, asking to have the question of township govern
ment submitted to a vote of the people of the county. In pursuance
to the request of the petitioners, a special election was ordered, and
held on Monday the 28th day of June, and resulted in favor of town
ship government, 582 votes being cast /or, and 88 against.
On the 8th day of July, the county board canvassed the vote and
numbered the townships, commencing with Valley Springs as num-

260

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

ber one, and so on through toAvnship one hundred and one, then Red
Rock as nuraber seven, concluding with Buffalo as number twenty-
four. By the provisions of this law the electors of the several town
ships were required at the first election to choose by ballot a name
for the township to take the place of the number fixed by the county
board. Since the passage of this act, the law governing townships has
been changed from time to tirae to meet the wants of the people, so
that at the present time a well digested system appears upon our
statute books, and its provisions are generally understood by those
interested. It is to be hoped that there will be very little legislation
in the future in reference to this subject, and only such legislation
as the exigencies of the times may iraperatively deraand.

VIEW BELOW THE FALLS — SIOUX PALLS.

Panoramic View in Minnehaha County.

VALIiEY SPRINGS TOW^NSHIP.
(101-47)
This township is situated in the southeast corner of the county.
It is bounded on the east by the Minnesota state line, and on the
south by the Iowa state line. It has some excellent farras and farm
buildings and, comparatively speaking, no waste land. The main
branch of Beaver creek, which enters Palisade township on section
thirty-four and runs in a southwesterly course through Red Rock
township, enters Valley Springs on section four, and continuing in
the same course leaves the toAvnship on section seven. The other
branch has its source in the southeast corner of the township, and
runs in a northwesterly course until it forms a junction with the main
branch on section thirteen in Split Rock township. The south line,
which is the loAva boundary line, was surveyed in July, 1852; the east,
Minnesota boundary line, in July, 1862; the west, by Cortez Fessen
den, in July, 1862; the north, by M. K. Armstrong-, in October, 1864,
and the subdivisions were made by Carl C. P. Me\'er in October,
1864. It contains 15,117.82 acres.
S. A. Johnson and Alfred Larson, and perhaps some others, took
up land in this township as early as 1870. Prank G. Anderson and
Stephen Danielson located there in 1871, and from that time the town
ship was quite rapidly settled. In June, 1872, Jonathan Dunhara and
M. L. Wood took up land in section three, and a Miss Nancy Mer
chant pre-empted a portion of the northwest quarter of the sarae sec
tion, where the village is now located. Messrs. Dunhara and Wood
erected a residence, and coraraenced breaking the land, and thinking
the location favorable for a business center, made application for the
establishment of a post office. January 1, 1873, the Valley Springs
post office was established, and Jonathan Dunhara appointed post-
raaster, the office being at Mr. Dunhara's residence. A. C. Stone was
the second postmaster, and for a while the office was at his residence,
but was afterwards removed to the store of Stone & Howe. The
next postmaster was P. B. Howe. In 1876, Alfred Larson was ap
pointed postmaster, and in 1880, he was succeeded by Charles Olson.
The first store was established by A. C. Stone and P. E. Howe in the
fall of 1873. The first blacksmith shop was that of C. O. Reniming
on the north side of the railroad, which was opened in the spring of
1876. In November, 1880, W. W. Bell opened the first harness shop.
A man by the name of Ljungren erected a store building 20 by 50
feet, two stories high, in 1878, and engaged in the hardAvare busi
ness. On the 4th day of June, 1878, a station was established on

264 history op minnehaha county.

what is noAV the C, St. P., M. & O. railroad, and Valley Springs can
boast of having the first railroad station in Minnehaha county. The
first marriage Avas that of P. E. Howe and Frances H. Acker,
and the ceremony was solemnized by the Rev. J. W. Rigby June 28,
1874. The first birth was that of a daughter to John C. and Martha
Shepard. The first school was taught by Miss Ida Shafer during
the summer of 1874. Oneof the present school buildings was erected
in the sumraer of 1878, at a cost of $1,600, and is a fine two-story
structure. The building which is now the Central House, was
erected in 1878, for a private residence. In 1879, it was purchased
by Grove Herasley, and used as a boarding house one year, when it
was enlarged, and has since been used as a hotel, under the efficient
raanageraent of Frank Mellen, who is still the proprietor. The Val
ley Springs Cemetery Association was organized May 2, 1879, and
the grounds are located on the southeast quarter of section 3, and
contain ten acres. BEN CLARE.
Ben Clare is a station on the Illinois Central railroad, located on
the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section thirty-
three, in Valley Spring-s township. It is the first station on this
line of road in the state, and is nicely located. At the present time
there are only a few buildings at Ben Clare, but the surrounding
country is occupied by prosperous farmers, and in the near future
a thrifty village is sure to grow up. It has two grain warehouses, a
general store, blacksmith shop, and a Methodist church building, be
sides the depot. A post office was established soon after the railroad
station was located. I. G. Woodward was the first postmaster, but
since his resignation Henry Doman, Prank Bowen and Severt Sever-
son have held the office in the order naraed.
CHURCHES.
Methodist Episcopal Church.— A church Avas organized at
Ben Clare in the spring of 1890, which was called the Ben Clare
Methodist Episcopal Church, with a membership of thirty-fiA^e.
During the fall of 1893, a handsome church building was erected
east of the town site of Ben Clare, at a cost of about S2,000, which
was principally paid by the members of the church. It Avas dedi
cated on Sunday, January 14, 1894. The following ministers have
had charge of the church: the Reverends H. B. Green, H. B. Clear
water, S. S. Hookland, S. C. Olds, G. W. Shindlar, E. Honeywell,
Nathan FaAvell, H. C. Eberhart and Thoraas Morris. Services are
held in the church every tAvo Aveeks. Sunday school is held every
Sunday, with an average attendance of forty-five. A Woman's Aid
society and a Chapter of the Epworth League are also connected
with the church.
Beaver Valley Swedish Lutheran Church.— This church
was organized in 1875 by the Rev. C. W. Wretloff. Seryices were
held in the school house until in 1880, Avhen a large and commodious
church building was erected on the northwest quarter of section 6

history of Minnehaha county. 265

in Valley Spring-s, at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars.
A parsonage Avas also built near the church, at a cost of one thou
sand three hundred and fifty dollars. The following ministers have
succeeded Mr. Wretloff, in the order named: J. H. Randall, A.
Sundberg, Dr. C. J. Ellofson, and Rev. Sundquist, who is the
present pastor. Services are held every Sunday, and the member
ship of the church is about two hundred. There is a Sunday school
connected with the church, Avith an average attendance of about fifty
scholars, also a Christian Endeavor and Young People's society.
LIST OP TOWNSHIP OFFICERS 1881-1899.

The first meeting of the town board was held January 10, 1881.
The supervisors were J. E. Hallett, chairman, S. A. Johnson and A.
T. Arneson; clerk, George Cassady; assessor, W. G. Butterfield.
1882. Supervisors, J. R. Jackson, chairman, Arne T. Arneson,
Tolle J. Bye; clerk, George Cassady. At a meeting of the board
April 15, smallpox having broken out in the towmship, several strin-
g-ent orders were made to prevent the spread of the disease. Special
constables were appointed to enforce the orders raade. May 8, D. B.
Cook was paid $350 for building a bridge over Beaver creek.
1883. Supervisors, Rolla Burkholder, chairman, Arne T. Arne
son, Madison Bennett; clerk, Charles P. Bissell; assessor, P. C.
Bell; treasurer, W. H. Riddell; justice, D. B. Cook; constable, C. J.
Conway. June, 5, C. P. Bissell resigned as clerk, and Georg-e Cas
sady was appointed.
1884. Supervisors, W. R. Burkholder, chairman, S. A. John
son, Madison Bennett; clerk, W. H. Gibbs; treasurer, Geo. Cassady;
assessor, D. B. Cook; justice, A. C. Gibbs; constable, W. J. Carey.
1885. Supervisors, W. R. Burkholder, chairman; Madison Ben
nett, S. A. Johnson; clerk, W. H. Gibbs; treasurer, Geo. Cassady;
assessor, C. C. Snook; justice, A. C. Gibbs.
1886. Supervisors, W. R. Burkholder, chairman, Madison Ben
net, S. A. Johnson; clerk, W. H. Gibbs; treasurer, Geo. Cassady;
assessor, D. W. Lawrence; justice, Lewis Spawn; constable, Joe
Carle. October 26, M. H. Gibbs resigned, and W. H. Riddle was ap
pointed clerk.
1887. Supervisors, W. R. Burkholder, chairraan, Madison Ben
nett, Olof Olson; clerk, W. H. Riddell; treasurer, Geo. Cassady;
assessor, P. M. Bunn; justice, J. L. Harrington; constable, W. J.
Carey. 1888. Supervisors, Charles Harvey, chairman. Olof Olson,
Madison Bennett; clerk, W. H. Riddle; treasurer, Geo. Cassady;
assessor, Henry Howe; justice, Lewis Spawn; constables, W. J.
Carey and C. D. Scheffer.
1889. Supervisors, Charles Harvey, chairman, Olof Olson, A.
T. Arneson; clerk, W. H. Riddle; treasurer, Geo. Cassady; assessor,
Charles Pottinger; justices, J. H. Harrington and Geo. Rockwood,
but Mr. Rockwood failed to qualify, and C. J. Conway was appointed.
1890. Supervisors, Charles Harvey, chairraan, Olof Olson, J.
G. Kimball; clerk, Louis Hetland; assessor, Charles Pottinger;
treasurer, E. W. Schmidt; justices, I. C. Woodard and J. D. Burg-

266 HisToRY OP MIN^fEHAHA cOtfNTY.

hardt; constable, C. J. Conway. I. C. Woodard died, and William
Oakes was appointed to fill the vacancy.
1891. Supervisors, Charles Harvey, chairman, J. G. Kimball,
Olof Olson; clerk, L. S. Hetland; treasurer, E. W. Schmidt; assessor,
P. M. Bunn; justices, W. H. Riddle and W. P. Oakes; constable, J.
J. Urquart. 1892. Supervisors, Henry Howe, chairman, Madison Bennett
and Charles Haight; P. E. Howe, clerk; W. H. James, treasurer;
Harry Kiffe, assessor; Charles Harvey, justice; Charles Pish, con
stable. Madison Bennett did not qualify and Milton Wright was ap
pointed supervisor.
1893. Supervisors, P. E. Howe, chairman, A. E. Rockwood and
Milton Wright; Geo. Wright, clerk; E. W. Schmidt, treasurer; Harry
Kiffe, assessor; P. M. Bunn, justice; J. J. Urquhart and Byron
Whitney, constables.
1894. Supervisors, J. D. Burghardt, chairman. Prank Allen
and L. G. Carlstrom; G. W. Wright, clerk; E. W. Schmidt, treas
urer; Charles Harvey, assessor.
189.5. Supervisors, J. D. Burghardt, chairman. Prank Allen
and L. G. Carlstrom; P. E. Howe, clerk; Charles Haight, treasurer;
Charles Harvey, assessor.
1896. Supervisors, Frank Allen, chairman, Olof Olson and
John H. Johnson; P. E. Howe, clerk; S. A. Johnson, treasurer;
Charles Harvey, assessor.
1897. Supervisors, Frank Allen, chairman, Olof Olson and John
H. Johnson; P. E. Howe, clerk; S. A. Johnson, treasurer; Charles
Harvey, assessor.
1898. Supervisors, Olof Olson, chairraan, George K. Rockwood
and Madison Bennett; Perry E. Howe, clerk; S. A. Johnson, treas
urer; Henry Harvey, assessor.
1899. Supervisors, Olof Olson, chairraan, George K. Rockwood
and Madison Bennett; Perry E. Howe, clerk; S. A. Johnson, treas
urer; Henry Harvey, assessor.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Anderson, August, was born in Sweden in 1841. He emigrated
to the United States in 1869, and worked as carpenter in Sioux City,
Iowa, until 1872, when he decided to brave the hardships of pioneer
life, and reraoved to Dakota. He located in this county, taking up a
homestead and tree claim in Red Rock township, which he afterwards
sold to Axel Olson, and now resides on his farm in section 7 in Val
ley Springs. He has a good farm, is well thought of by his neigh
bors, and is a good citizen.
Anderson, Prank, was born in Nassjo, Sweden, in 1849. Came
to Minnehaha county in 1871, and secured a homestead and tree claim
comprising 320 acres in section 7 in Valley Springs, where he resided
until his death, which occurred on the 25th day of April, 1895. On
that day he and two of his sons had been at work on a quarter sec
tion of land which he owned in section nine, and they were just start-

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 267

ing for home when a severe thunderstorm came up and he was struck
by lightning- and instantly killed. He was a very industrious hard
working, honest man, and greatly respected by his neighbors. He
had accumulated considerable property and left his family, consist
ing of his wife and ten children, well provided for.
Anderson, Martin, Avas born on the Lofoden Island in Nor
way, September 20, 1859. He emigrated to the United States in
1868; resided in Iowa for eleven years, and removed from there and
settled in this county in March, 1879. He secured the northeast
quarter of section 29, in Valley springs were he now resides, and has
a good farm with good buildings. He is also the owner of the south
east quarter of the same section. He is a good citizen.
Arneson, Arne T., was born in Norway June 25,1842. He
emigrated to the United States in July, 1863, and died at Valley
Springs November 13, 1894. When he first arrived in this country
he enlisted in the railitary service, and served until the close of the
war. He then settled in Fillraore county, Minnesota, and engaged in
farraing until 1874, when he removed to Valley Springs in this county.
He took up the northwest quarter of section 34 as a homestead, and
the northeast quarter of section 21 as a tree claira. He was a very
industrious man and a good farmer, and he soon transformed the
naked prairie into one of the most comfortable horaes in the county.
He had the confidence of his neighbors and townsmen, and was
frequently chosen to fill the offices of his school district and town
ship. He was a large-hearted man, thoroughly honest and upright,
and his death in the prime of manhood was deeply regretted by all
who knew him.
Bye, Tolle J., was born in Norway January 14, 1845. He emi
grated to the United States in 1869, and lived in Sioux City, la., and
Canton, S. D., before coming to this county in 1873. At that time
he took up a homestead and a tree claim, but afterwards sold his
homestead, and now resides on his tree claim, the southwest quarter
of section 5, in Valley Springs. He also bought 160 acres of
school land in section 16, in the same township, and has a good
farm. He was a meraber of the town board in 1882, is a thrifty
farraer, and good citizen.
Bennett, Madison, was born in Ohio in 1851, but moved with
his parents to Wisconsin in 1855, and to Iowa in 1858, where he
received his education and resided until June, 1872, when he removed
to this county and located in Valley Springs. He took up as a home
stead the northeast quarter of section 30, and has now a farm of
320 acres, well iraproved. He has been a raeraber of the town board,
is a good farmer and a respected citizen.
Danielson, Stephen, was born in Sweden in 1840. He emi
grated to Wisconsin in 1869; reraoved from there in 1871, and settled
in Minnehaha county. He took up as a homestead the southeast
quarter of section 6, in Valley Springs, were he still resides and has
a well improved farm with good buildings. He is an enterprising
farmer and a good citizen.
Doman, Lewis Franklin, was born in McLean county, Illinois,

268 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

in 1856. He lived there and in Iowa and Kansas before coming to
this county, Avhere he located in the fall of 1887. He is the owner of
four hundred and eighty acres of land in sections 20 and 27 in Valley
Springs, Avhere he resides and has a good farm.
Harvey, Charles, is a native of Ohio, and was born in 1851.
He lived in Winneshiek county, Iowa, eighteen years, and reraoved
to this county in 1873. He then located upon his present farin, the
southeast quarter of section 28, in Valley Springs, which he proved
up as a horaestead. It is now a first-class farm, with good buildings.
Mr. Harvey is a good farmer and a good citizen, and has been chair
man of the town board and assessor several years.
Johnson, Gustap, Avas born March 31, 1840, in the city of Jon-
koping, Sweden. In 1872 he emigrated to the United States, and
lived in NeAv York and Connecticut, and removed to Dakota and lo
cated in this county in the fall of 1877, where he has since resided.
He took up as a horaestead the northeast quarter of section 6, in
Valley Spring-s, where he engaged in farraing, and now has a well
iraproved farm, with good buildings. He is a good reliable citizen.
Johnson, John O., was born July 2, 1843, in Wisconsin, and
carae to this county in Septeraber, 1873, and settled in Valley
Springs. He took up as a homestead the northeast quarter of sec
tion 33, and as a tree claim the northwest quarter of the sarae sec
tion, Avhere he resided until August 3, 1896, when he was accidental^
killed. He held various town offices and was an enterprising and re
spected citizen. During the civil war he enlisted in Company A, 4th
Wisconsin regiraent for three raonths, and at the expiration of that
tirae re-enlisted in the sarae regiraent for three years. Upon the
capture of NeAv Orleans this corapany took possession of the post
office, and Corapany A was quartered in the office. Mr. Johnson
said tha-t his company could read any letter received at the office, no
matter in what language it was written. During the whole time of
his rnilitary service he was neither wounded, taken prisoner nor in a
hospital. Johnson, S. A., is a native of SAveden and was born in 1845.
He has been a well known resident of this county since 1870, at
which time he came here from Iowa where he first located after com
ing to the United States. He has been a successful farmer, and
owns at the present time about four hundred acres of land in Valley
Springs. He resides on his horaestead in section 7, which is a good
farra with substantial buildings. He has held several town and
school offices, and is an enterprising and respected citizen.
Howe, Perry E., was born January 28, 1851, in Cattaraugus
county. New York; Avas educated in the public schools and at a pri
vate acaderay, where he studied surveying. His father was a sur
veyor, and at the age of twenty years the subject of this sketch com
menced suryeying, and continued in this employment until he re
moved to Dakota. On the 24th day of March, 1873, he arrived in this
county and settled m Valley Springs, securing the northwest quar
ter of section 4, where he now resides, engaged principally in farm-

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 269

ing, and has a good farm. He has held the office of county surveyor;
has been chairman of the township board, and clerk of the same for
the last five years. He is an obliging neighbor, and a respected
citizen. Larson, Alfred J., is one of the pioneer settlers, having lived
on his present homestead on the southwest quarter of section 8 in
Valley Springs since 1870. He has a good farm of 280 acres under
good cultivation and well supplied with good buildings. He was con
stable in Valley Springs in 1876, is a good farraer and a respected
citizen. He AA^as born in Sweden in 1849, and resided there and in
New Jersey and Iowa before coming to this county.
Oleson, Olof, was born in Sweden in 1840. He emigrated to
the United States and lived in New York, Connecticut, Illinois, Wis
consin and Iowa before he settled on his present farm in this county
in 1872. He took up as a homestead the southwest quarter of section
9 in Valley Springs, and like many other early settlers had nothing
to begin Avith, yet to-day he is the owner of a well improved farm of
240 acres with substantial buildings and farm machinery and a large
live stock, all of which are unincumbered. He is a good farmer and
good citizen, and has held the office of toAvn supervisor for several
years. Scott, John, is a comparatively new settler of this county, hav
ing come here in March, 1888. He formerly lived in Ohio, w^here he
was born December 21, 1854; and also resided in Illinois and loAva for
some time. He bought his present farm, containing over 300 acres
in sections 27 and 34 in Valley Springs, and resides there engaged in
farming. He is a thrifty, successful farmer, has one of the best
farms in the county, with substantial buildings and other iraprove
ments, and well stocked, and during the season of 1898 raised nearly
10,000 bushels of grain on his farm.
Severson, Severt, is a native of Norway, and was born August
29, 1863. He emigrated to the United States in 1884 and arrived in
Dell Rapids on the 13th day of April, that year. He is now a resident of
Ben Clare, and has been in trade at that place since April, 1894. He
has been postmaster at Ben Clare since May 6, 1894, is a good citizen
and enjoys the esteem of his neighbors.
Spawn, Lewis, was born in Albany county. New York, March
24, 1844. He lived there and in Illinois and Iowa until he removed
to this county where he arrived June 1, 1873. He filed a homestead
and a tree claim upon the northeast quarter of section 31, and the
southwest quarter of section 30, in Valley Springs. Por several
years he resided on his homestead and during that time held several
township offices, and that of justice of the peace for ten years. A
few years ago he removed to Brant Lake, S. D., where he is propri
etor of a hotel. He is an active enterprising citizen.
Wright, Milton, was born in Iowa in 1845. He resided in Iowa
and worked on a farm until he removed to Valley Springs in 1882.
He bought and now owns a good farm in sections 29 and 30, a,nd is a
dealer in live stock. He has held several township offices, and is an ac
tive, enterprising and respected citizen.

270 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY

VILLAGE OF VALLEY SPRINGS.
The village of Valley Springs is pleasantly and favorably located
both for residence and business purposes, and since the location of
the station on the Omaha line in 1878 its population and business
have been steadily increasing.
At a session of the territorial legislature in 1879, an act was
passed authorizing the incorporation of the village of Valley Springs,
but the people did not perfect an organization under its provisions.
In 1883 another act of incorporation was passed. The territory
comprised the south half of the south half of section 34, andthe south
east quarter of the southeast quarter of section 33 in Red Rock
township, and all of section 3, and the east half of the east half of
section 4 in Valley Springs township, making in all a little over 1100
acres of land. This territory of the village has been greatly reduced,
and comprises at the present writing only the south half of the
northwest quarter and the north half of the southwest quarter of
section 3 in Valley Springs township. The charter was nearly the
sarae in its provisions as the one incorporating the village of Sioux
Falls; in fact, all the village charters granted in territorial days were
sirailar in character. The governraent of the corporation and the
manageraent of its affairs were vested in a president, who was ex
officio a trustee, and four trustees. The other elective officers were
clerk, treasurer, and village justice of the peace. The board of
trustees was erapowered to appoint and reraove at pleasure a chief of
the fire departraent, a fire warden, attorney, street coraraissioner,
and marshal. The annual election was directed to be held on the
first Tuesday in March.
The first election was held on the 6th day of March, 1883.
Forty-six votes were cast, and the following named persons were
elected: W. H. Riddell, president, J. E. Hallett, Paul Zimmerman,
J. Dunham, and Geo. Cassady, trustees; P. Mellen, justice of the
peace; D. B. Cook, treasurer; P. C. Bell, clerk. D. B. Cook declined
to qualify, and Richard Barnett was appointed. Henry Howe was
appointed marshal. During the suraraer a village jail was built.
In March, 1884, the village license for saloon keepers from April,
1884, to January 1, 1885, was fixed at $75. In December the license
was fixed at $200 per year. In Deceraber, 1885, the saloon license
was fixed at S600.
In 1886, two cisterns were built, of a capacity of 200 bbls. each,
at a cost of $230, and 320 feet of hose and other fire apparatus pur
chased. A town hall and engine roora were built, at a cost of $914,
and a fire departraent was organized on the 10th day of June, 1886,
with twenty-eight members and W. R. Burkholder as chief.
On the 6th day of August, 1888, a special election was held to de
termine whether the village should issue bonds in the sum of $800 to
pay the indebtedness of the village incurred in building engine room
and hall. The vote cast Avas thirty-four for, and one against the
issuing of bonds, and the bonds were issued. In December the
saloon license was fixed at $700.
As time progressed, the people of the village desired sorae

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 271

amendments to the charter, but as this could not be accomplished by
legislation, and the provisions of the general law for the incorpora
tion of muncipal bodies were more to their liking, the village board
on the 4th day of March, 1895, took the necessary steps and dissolved
the corporation of the village, and reincorporated under the general
law as the Town of Valley Springs.
There is not a village in the state that has a better grade of
schools, and a higher percentage of church-going people. It has
three church organizations, but no saloon, three resident ministers,
but no lawyer. Its business men are thrifty and enterprising, and
but few have fallen by the wayside.
The village has outgrown the two story school building which
was erected in 1878, at a cost of $1,600, and the old bank building is
rented for one department. At the present time 109 scholars are
enrolled in the three departments into which the school is divided.
The number of scholars of school age within the village limits is 137.
Three teachers are employed, and Prof. J. A. Ross, one of the best
and most efficient teachers in the county, is in charge of the school.
All lines of business usually found in villages of the size of Val
ley Springs, are not only well represented, but there are some en
terprises of which the people are justly proud. In 1878, L. K. Lee,
then a resident of Valley Springs, built a flouring mill of 100-barrel
capacity. It is a first-class mill in every detail, and its product
grades high upon the market. He also built an elevator of upwards
of 30,000 bushel capacity. The mill has been owned and successfully
operated by the Valley Springs Roller Mill Company since 1893.
The Hubbard & Palmer Elevator Company handles grain at this
point, and the capacity of their elevator is ample to raeet the de
mands of its patrons.
In June, 1896, the Valley Springs Creamery Company was or
ganized. It is not incorporated, but is organized on the co-operative
plan. At the present time there are upwards of seventy-five share
holders. The public-spirited citizens of the village, in order to aid
in the project, adopted a novel plan of procedure. They organized
the Valley Springs Building Association, with shares of stock at
twenty-five dollars each, and secured $1,000 in this way, which was
used in erecting a creamery building. The use of this building was
given to the creamery company free of charge as long as it was
operated as a creamery. During the year 1898 the company paid
$8,945.69 for 1,469,273 lbs. of milk. Prom this milk 63,895 lbs. of
butter was made, which was sold for $10,946.64. The Avhole cost of
the plant, including a skimming station at Corson, is a little upwards
of $3,000. It has three separators, and so far has been running at
only about one-half its capacity. It has been well conducted, and is
under able management. J. J. Urquhart is president, Tolle J. Bye
vice president, J. G. Kimball secretary and manager, Charles La
throp treasurer and L. Christianson buttermaker.
To summarize— Valley Springs has good educational advantages
and church privileges, excellent business facilities, and a thrifty, en
terprising, honest class of citizens.

272 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY

NEWSPAPERS.
Valley Springs Enterprise. — This was the first newspaper
published in Valley Springs. T. J. Martin was the proprietor and
editor, and for several years published a good local paper, but re
moved to Toledo, Ohio, in 1890, where he piiblished a newspaper
until his death, Avhich occurred December 19, 1897.
Valley Springs Vidette. — In the summer of 1891, the Valley
Springs Publishing Company was organized, and the last week in
Septeraber of that year the first issue of the Valley Springs Vidette
appeared. The following March, Charles E. Hill assumed the edi
torial control and management of the Vidette, and since then it has
been a good local newspaper, is well patronized, and a credit to the
town. CHURCHES.
Congregational Church. — A Congregational church was
organized at Valley Springs June 11, 1878, with a membership of
thirteen. In 1884 a commodious church building was erected at a
cost of about $2,000, which Avas all paid during the sarae year, $500
having been granted by the Congregational Church Building So
ciety, and the balance raised by members and friends. The build
ing was dedicated November 2, 1884. The following ministers haAe
acted as pastors of the church in the order named: The Revs. J. A.
Palmer, S. P. Toby, H. G. Miller, D. H. Clapp, C. W. Wiley, W. H.
Watson, W. Mooney, B. P. Marsden, M. A. Ball, W. C. Gilraore.
Services are held raorning and evening every Sunday, and a Ladies'
Aid society, a Missionary society and a Sunda}^ school, Avith an
average attendance of fifty, are connected Avith this church. The
present membership of the church is fiftA^-one.
Free Will Baptist Church.— This church was organized
May 31, 1885, with three members. In 1886 the Rev. J. J. Hull be
came its pastor, and a church building was erected that year at a
cost of about $1,000. In April, 1890, after having built up a very
prosperous church, he was succeeded by the Rev. R. A. Coats, who
remained until the fall of 1893, when he accepted a call from
Estherville, Iowa, and the Rev. George W. Mathews became its
pastor. In 1895 the Rev. R. A. Coats returned to Valley Springs
and again assuraed the duties of pastor of this church. He was
succeeded by the Rev. M. W. Dodge and in 1899 Mr. Dodge Avas
succeeded by Rev. M. L. Dewey. The membership is now seventy-
seven, and there are two Aid societies and a Sunday school of one
hundred raerabers connected with this church.
The Methodist Episcopal Church. — This church has an
organization, but no church building. The pulpit is supplied by the
Rev. T. Morris, and a church building is soon to be erected.
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES.
Knights op Pythias.— A lodge of this order was instituted
about ten years ago, and has at the present writing thirty members
The officers are: Dr. Geo. W. Bliss, C. C; E. B. Palmer, V C • P-

history OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 273

M. Eastman, P.; J. J. Urquhart, M. of E.; E. A. Harris, M. of P.;
W. R. Brill, M. of A.; L. S. Hetland, K. of R.
Modern Woodmen. — This organization was effected about
three years ag-o, and is in a flourishing condition. Its present offi
cers are: Lew Allen, venerable counsel; D. A. Shaffer, Avorthy
advi&er; Archie Kimball, clerk; E. A. Harris, banker; Wm. Brill,
escort; Steve Markuson, watchman; Eli Jones, sentinel.
Royal Neighbors of America. — An organization of the R. N.
A., a corapanion of the Modern Woodmen, is one of the societies
existing at Valley Spring-s. The officers are: Mrs. Cora Brill,
oracle; Mrs. Elizabeth Bell, V. O.; Miss Winnie Pinney, M.; Mrs.
Alma Markuson, R. P. O.
Fraternal Brotherhood op the World. — This order has
recently established a branch office in Valley Springs with the fol
lowing officers: Dr. Geo. W. Bliss, president; Mrs. Geo. W. Bliss,
V. C; H. A. Cadwell, escort; Charles Pottinger, clerk; M. L. Riley,
overseer; R. P. Cadwell, Past P.
OFFICERS OP THE VILLAGE OF VALLEY SPRINGS,
FROM 1883 TO 1895 AND OF THE TOWN OF
VALLEY SPRINGS FROM 1895 TO 1899.
1883. W. H. Riddell, president; J. E. Hallett, Paul Zimraer-
mann, J. Dunham and Geo. Cassady, trustees; P. Mellen, justice;
D. B. Cook, treasurer; P. C. Bell, clerk; Henry Howe, marshal;
Charles Harvey, street commissioner. D. B. Cook declined to act as
treasurer and R. Barnett was appointed.
1884. W. H. Riddell, president; J. E. Hallett, P. Zimmerman,
Geo. Cassady and J. Dunham, trustees; P. Mellen, justice; P. C.
Bell, clerk; Richard Barnett, treasurer; Edson Wheeler, marshal
and street commissioner.
1885. J. E. Hallett, president; T. B. Riley, P. C. Bell, P. East
man and C. Pottinger, trustees; D. W. Lawrence, clerk; Z. R. Biggs,
justice; R. Barnett, treasurer; Charles Harvey, street commissioner;
Edson Wheeler, marshal.
1886. J. C. Shephard, president; Geo. Cassady, W. H. Riddell,
G. W. Wright and Charles Harvey, trustees; L. P. Mosier, justice;
C. Barnett, treasurer; D. W. Lawrence, assessor; clerk, T. J.
Martin; Edson Wheeler, marshal.
1 887. A. L. Whaley, president; G. W. Wright, Charles Harvey,
John Bowman and J. L. Harrington, trustees; W. A. Hill clerk,
Richard Barnett, treasurer; L. P. Mosier, justice; Charles Bender,
marshal. 1888 G W. Wright, president; N. J. Deisher, J. Bowraan,
Charles Harvey and Charles Eschels, trustees; Dell Hill, clerk; H.
Howe, justice; Richard Barnett, treasurer; J. D. Burghardt, marshal
July 9, H. Howe resigned and J. L. Harrington was appointed
justice. 18

274 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

1889. G. W. Wright, president; N. J. Deisher, M. H. Gibbs,
H. D. Kenyon and Charles Harvey, trustees; J. D. Burghardt,
justice; E. W. Schmidt, treasurer; W. H. Riddell, clerk; James
Eschels, marshal.
1890. L. K. Kee, president; Eli Jones, Richard Barnett, T. B.
Riley and J. C. Kimball, trustees; Geo. Wright, clerk; E. W.
Schmidt, treasurer; W. H. Riddell, justice; James Eschels, raarshal.
1891. Geo. Cassady, president; T. B. Riley, J. G. Kimball, Eli
Jones and R. Barnett, trustees; E. W. Schmidt, treasurer; J. D.
Burghardt, justice; W. H. James, clerk; John Conover, marshal.
J. G. Kimball not qualifying, T. D. Haight was appointed
trustee. 1892. Geo. Cassady, president; R. Barnett, Eli Jones, T. B.
Riley and T. R. Haight, trustees; W. H. Jaraes, clerk; E. W.
Schmidt, treasurer; C. Pottinger, justice.
1893. C. Dillon, president; G. Hullett, Eli Jones, W. A.Hill
and J. G. Kimball, trustees; G. W. Wright, clerk; E. W. Schmidt,
treasurer; C. Pottinger, justice.
1894. P. M. Eastraan, president; T. D. Haight, Geo. Cassady,
P. L. Skillraan and O. A. Hulett, trustees; E. W. Schmidt, treas
urer, W. H. Jaraes, clerk; C. C. Pottinger, justice.
1895. W. J. Carey, president; W. G. Ely, T. D. Haight, P. L.
Skillraan and G. W. Wright, trustees; W. H. Jaraes, clerk; N. J.
Deisher, treasurer; Jaraes Jameson, assessor; J. D. Burghardt,
justice. 1896. W. J. Carey, president; James Eschels, E. A. Harris,
Charles E. Hill and T. B. Riley, trustees; W. H. Jaines, clerk; P. M.
Eastman, justice.
1897. Charles Haight, president; L. S. Hetland, Charles Pot
tinger, and James Eschels, trustees; W. H. James, clerk; P. L. Skill
raan, treasurer; Jaraes Jameson, assessor; Prank Eastman, justice.
1898. Charles Haight, president; L. S. Hetland, Charles Pot
tinger and James Eschels, trustees; H. W. Ferguson, clerk; P. L.
Skillraan, treasurer; Wm. Brill, raarshal; Frank M. Eastman, justice.
1899. E. W. Schmidt, president; E. A. Harris, L. S. Hetland,
Jaraes Eschels and Sander Swenson, trustees; W. C. Gilraore, clerk;
P. L. Skillraan, treasurer; P. M. Eastman, justice; Wm.' Brill,
marshal. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Burghardt, J. DeWitt, is a native of Broome county. New
York, and was born January 12, 1852. He lived there until he re
moved to Valley Springs in May, 1881. He resided in Red Rock
township for a few years, and there held the office of justice of the
peace for three years, and has also held the same office in Valley
Springs for the same length of time. He has for several years been
engaged in the implement business in the village of Valley Springs,
and is Avell liked as a neighbor and citizen.

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 275

Burkholder, Rolla W., was born at Carlisle, Pa., February
6, 1854; attended the city schools until fifteen years of age; then was
employed in a general store five years, and in a grocery store seven
years; in 1881 removed to this county, and located in Valley Springs
on July 4, and opened a hardware and general store; in 1886, sold out,
and engaged in the collection business until 1890, when he was era
ployed for three years in the Indian service at the Lower Brule
Agency; at the expiration of that time he returned to Valley Springs,
and has been engaged in farming since then. Mr. Burkholder has
been chairman of the board of supervisors in Valley Springs town
ship several years. He is a man of positive characteristics, never on
the fence, outspoken upon all public questions, and a participator in
all local matters, a good neighbor, and a good citizen.
Cassady, George, is a native of Harrison, Ohio, and was born
in 1849. He resided for some time in Indiana and Minnesota and
came to Valley Springs in this county in June, 1878, where he has
since resided. Soon after the railroad station was established at
Valley Springs he was appointed station agent there, and has held
this position since that time. He has been president of the village
four years, a member of the school board nearly all the time since his
residence there, and town and school treasurer for several years.
His careful, conservative business qualifications, together Avith his
honesty of purpose and genial raanners, have made him one of the
most respected citizens of the county.
Conover, John, was born in Onondaga county, NeAv York, Sep
tember 16, 1843, and was reared on a farm and educated in the dis
trict schools. During the rebellion he enlisted in the First New
York Light Artillery for three years, but after thirteen months of
service was discharged for disability. He again enlisted in the Ninth
New York Heavy Artillery for one year, serving ten months and
until the close of the war. For a few years he resided in Minnesota,
but removed from there to Red Rock, this county, in 1883. He now
resides in Valley Springs.
Deisher, N. J., was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania,
September 24, 1854. He resided there and in Illinois and Nebraska
before his coming to this county in March, 1886. He located at Val
ley Springs, where he engaged in the banking business until 1895,
when he removed from the state. Mr. Deisher was a very active citi
zen while a resident of the county, and he enjoys the distinction of
being the first banker in Valley Springs.
Dunham, Jonathan, is a native of Tompkins county, NeAv York,
and was born September 24, 1821. Mr. Dunham is one of the resi
dents of this county who is qualified to speak of its comparative mer
its, having lived, in addition to his native state, in Canada, Pennsyl
vania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois before coming here. In 1872 he ar
rived in Sioux Palls, and very soon thereafter took up the east half
of section 3 in Valley Springs as a horaestead and by pre-emption,
and also secured 160 acres in section 27 in Red Rock under the tree
culture act. He has now 500 acres of farm land. Mr. Dunhara since
coming to Dakota has attended strictly to business, and although an

276 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

active citizen and interested in all public matters, has not been a can
didate for office. He is an independent conservative man, but consid
erate of the opinion of those who differ with him. His rights of citi
zenship are conscientiously exercised, and his influence is felt in all
local raatters.
Eastman, Francis M., was born in Wisconsin, August 2, 1850.
After starting- out in life for hiraself he spent a few years in Minne
sota but reraoved to this county in 1876, arriving in Palisade on the
12th day of March of that vear. He took up a quarter section of land
as a horaestead in section 33, and a tree claim in section 8 in Red
Rock township, both of which he has disposed of, and now resides in
Valley Spring-s. He AA^as assessor of Palisade in 1881, president of
the village of Valley Springs in 1894, and justice of the peace since
1896. He is a g-ood neig-hbor and a g-ood citizen.
Haight, Charles, was born in Gloversville, Pulton county.
New York, July 10, 1852. He resided in his native state and in In
diana and Illinois until 1889. On the 20th day of April of that year
he carae to Valley Springs, and since then has been in business at
that place. He is associated with T. D. Haight under the firm name
of T. D. & C. Haight, and the firm is engaged in the hardAvare, gro
cery, harness, and boot and shoe business. The firm has been suc
cessful, and is doing a good business. Mr. Haight has the respect
of the citizens of Valley Springs, and has been elected to school, vil
lage and township offices, in all of Avhich he has proved himself to be
a gfood official.

Haight, T. D., is a native of Albany, .NeAv York, and Avas born
1834. After having lived in Indiana and Virginia he reraoved to Da
kota and located at Valley Springs in May, 1888. In October of that
year he entered into a co-partnership Avfth his brother, C. Haight,
under the firm narae of T. D. & C. Haight and bought a stock of
hardAvare of Ed Wheeler, who was then doing business at Valley
Springs, and also the grocery stock of Carl Chapman, to which they
added the sale of boots and shoes, trunks and harnesses. Mr.
Haight is a good business raan and the firra has done a successful
business. He is a good, reliable citizen.
Harvey, William, was born in Caledonia county, Verraont on
the 1st day of April, 1817, and died at Valley Springs on the 28th day
of April, 1895. He Avas a physician of the old school, and practiced
his profession in Ohio and Iowa before coming to Dakota. He ar
rived in this county in June, 1876, and settled in Valley Sprino-g tak
ing up a homestead in section 19. He continued the practice ti med
icine a few years, but gradually retired from this work as old age ad
vanced. He was well liked by his neighbors and was a kind, o-enial
gentleman. "^
. oro-^^^T^"^^"' ¦""¦ ^V ^"^ ^ "^^^^^ °^ Norway, and Avas born April 21,
1858. He emigrated to the United States in 1872, and resided in II-
inois until the fall of 1879, at which tirae he reraoved to Dakota and
located at Valley Springs In 1885 he engaged in general raerchan-
dizmgm the village of Valley Springs in which he has since con-

Charles E. Hill.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 279

tinned. He is a good business man, and has made a success of his
business. He has held the office of clerk of the town board for two
years, was one of the trustees of the village of Valley Springs in
1898, and is one of the best citizens in the village, well liked by his
neighbors and customers.
Hill, Charles E., was born in Greene county, Ohio, December
1, 1854, and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was educated in the
city schools. He learned the printer's trade, on the Cleveland
(Ohio) Herald. After learning- his trade he concluded he Avould see
something- of the Avorld before settling down, and he traveled
throughout the United States, Canada, Cuba and England, working
at his trade for a livelihood. He arrived in Sioux Palls in 1891, and
Avorked' for awhile on the Press. In March, 1892, he married Mrs.
Emma A. Pixley of Valley Springs, and became the proprietor of
the Valley Springs Hotel, and editor of the Valley Springs Vidette,
but sold out the hotel business in the fall of 1892, and since that time
has given his undivided attention to the manageraent of the Vidette.
He is a good newspaper man, and the Vidette has grown to be a
good county paper under his editorial control.
Hunt, Washington J., was born in Chenango county. New York,
February 23, 1856. He removed with his parents to Payette, Fay
ette county, Iowa, in 1857, and resided there until he was tAventy-two
years of age, working- on a farm and attending- the common schools
and the Iowa University. At that ag-e he commenced work as a
mason, and followed this trade until he removed to Dakota, Avhere he
arrived September 19, 1878. He then took up the northeast quarter
of section 14 in Clear Lake, this county, and resided thereuntil 1887,
when he reraoved to Sioux Palls. In 1889 he reraoved to East Sioux
Palls, where he resided, until November, 1898, when he located at
Valley Springs. While a resident of Clear Lake he was a justice of
the peace seven years, and town clerk five years. He has taught at
least fifteen terms of school in this county, and has proved himself
to be a successful teacher. He was county superintendent of schools
of Minnehaha county in 1893 and 1894, and faithfully performed the
duties of the office, ably assisted by his wife, who is well educated
and has been a successful teacher in this county since its pioneer
days. In 1895, Mr. Hunt was elected a raeraber of the city council
of East Sioux Falls. He is an upright, honest raan, a good citizen, a
kind neighbor, and has a host of friends.
James, William Henry, was born in Dodgeville, Wisconsin,
Deceraber 25, 1858. He lived in Wisconsin until 1884, engaged in
farming and milling, and then removed to Minnesota where he re
mained until the I5th day of August, 1886. At that tirae he located
at Valley Springs, and has been engaged in the grain and insurance
business at that place since then. He has held various township and
village offices, was clerk of the village board for several years, and
raade a good official. Mr. James is a genial, good fellow, a good
neighbor and esteemed citizen, and justly popular with all who knoAv
him.

280 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

KiFFE, H., Avas born in Mankato, Minnesota, April 12, 1857. He
resided in Iowa for a few years, and carae frora there to Sioux Palls
in 1878. Soon after he took up a homestead in McCook county, this
state, and in 1879 removed to Rock county, Minnesota, where he
reraained ten years. In 1889 he returned to this county and settled
in Valley Springs. While a resident of Minnesota he held town
offices for several years. He is an industrious honest citizen.
KiNYON, Holden D., was born in Dodge county Wisconsin, Sep
teraber 15, 1854, and resided there until he reraoved to this county in
March, 1886. He settled on the southeast quarter of section 18 in
Red Rock, and was so pleased with the country that he induced sev
eral of his friends and relatives from his old home to come here and
locate. He held several town offices while living in Wisconsin, and
also Avhile a resident of Red Rock. In April, 1890, having removed
to Valley Springs village, he was appointed postmaster at that place.
He is a reliable, upright man, and well liked by his neighbors.
Mellen, Prank, is a native of Boston. Mass., and was born
May 18, 1828. He learned the shoeraaker's trade and worked at it
for several years. Resided for sorae time in Connecticut, and carae
from there to this county on the I5th day of August, 1874, and
located in Valley Springs, taking up a homestead in sections 3 and 10
of that tOAvnship. He has resided in the village of Valley Springs
since its incorporation, engaged in the hotel business during the en
tire time. He has been justice of the peace a good manj^ years, and
has practiced laAv in the justice court since coming to Dakota,
and has acquired quite a good knoAvledge of laAv. He is an active,
energetic and independent citizen, and is quite a factor in the affairs
of the village of Valley Springs.
Pottinger, Charles O., was born in South Bend, Indiana, May
4, 1850. He resided in Illinois and Iowa for several years, but re
raoved frora the last naraed state to Valley Springs in' March, 1884.
He held the office of town clerk in Iowa for tAvo years, and since re
siding in the village of Valley Springs has been assessor and justice
of the peace, and one of the trustees of the village since 1897. He
is in the grocery and confectionery business. He is a quiet, unas
suming citizen and respected by his neighbors and acquaintances.
Riddell, William H., was born in Belvidere, Illinois, in 1848,
and resided there until he was twenty-one years of age. He then
went to Sheldon, Iowa, where he secured a homestead and engaged
m farraing until May, 1878, at which time he removed to this county
and settled in Valley Springs. He engaged in the lumber business
for nine years, and then in the mercantile business for about three
years Was township treasurer and clerk, president of the village
of Valley Springs, and also a member of the board of education and
justice of the peace. In 1885, was a member of the lower house of
the territorial legislature from Minnehaha county. It is hardly nec
essary to add that he was a highly respected citizen, and that his de
parture for Oregon m July, 1892, was greatly regretted by all who
had the pleasure of his acquaintance.

W. J. Hunt.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 283

Riley, J. W., was born September 15, 1858, in Wisconsin. In
1867 he removed Avith his parents to Mason City, Iowa, where he
received his education and decided to become a teacher. In 1876 he
finished a course in the high school and since then has devoted his
time to educational pursuits. In 1883 he came to this county, and in
October of that A^ear commenced teaching school in the Poster school
house in Benton. He remained there three years and then took
charge of the Whittier school in Wayne one year. In 1888 he became
principal of the village school at Valley Springs, which position he
held until 1897. He is an enthusiast in his profession, and has done
good service in advancing the standing of the schools in this county.
In 1896 he was nominated by the Republican party for county super
intendent of schools, but the Fusion party polled too many votes for
his success at the election. Mr. Riley is a genial, good fellow, and
an exemplary citizen.
Riley, Thomas B., was born at New Albany, Indiana, June 26,
1836; was educated in the city schools, and when eighteen years old
entered into a contract for three years as an apprentice to learn the
trade of carpenter and joiner. At the expiration of that time he con
tinued to Avork at his trade until the breaking out of the civil ,Avar,
and in 1861 enlisted in Co. P, 59th Indiana, and served until October,
1864. After his discharge he Avent to Illinois and engaged in farra
ing until 1883, Avhen he carae to Dakota and settled in Valley Springs.
He purchased two quarter sections in Valley Springs toAvnship, and
one quarter section in Martin township. Rock county, Minnesota. He
took up his residence in the village of Valley Springs, and for ten
years engaged in the lumber business. He was one of the trustees
of the village several years. In June, 1898, he removed to Sioux
Palls, where he now resides. He still owns his farms and town
property in Valley Springs, is a thorough business man, and a
respected citizen.
Skillman, p. L., was born in Chenango county, NeAv York,
January 21, 1844, and lived there until 1856 when he reraoved to
Wabasha county, Wisconsin. November 2, 1861, he enlisted in Co.
G, 3d Minnesota infantry, and re-enlisted as a veteran in the sarae
regiment in 1863. In April, 1865, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant
Co. K, 113 U. S. C. T., and remained in the service until September
4, of that year. After the war he remained in Minnesota until 1879,
Avhen he removed to Brookings county, Dakota, and from there to
Valley Springs in September, 1886. His business since coming to
Dakota has been that of a druggist. Mr. Skillman is a good business
man, and an upright, honest citizen, and his influence is always felt
in the furtherance of such projects as promise to elevate the stand
ard of good societv in the community in which he lives. He was one
of the trustees of^ the village of Valley Springs two vears, and has
been treasurer of the same since 1897.
Urquhart J J., was born in Cornwall, Canada. After his
coming to the United States he resided in New York and Vermont
and came to Dakota and located at Valley Springs April 1, 1886. At
that time his entire capital consisted of five dollars in cash, lhe

284 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

first summer he w^orked out by the month, and saved enough money
to paA' for a marriage license and a few household g-oods. In the
spring of 1887, he rented a farra for three years, ran in debt for a
teara, and commenced farming-. At the end of three years he held
an auction and sold his stock and machinery, paid his debts and had
$1,300 left. He then bought a house and lot in the village of Valley
Springs and commenced clerking for L. S. Hetland. He has held
the oifice of constable and deputy sheriff. Mr. Urquhart is an active,
energetic business man and a good citizen.
Whaley, Archie L., was born in Oneida county. New York,
in Septeraber, 1835, and died at the Anllage of Valley Springs, May 6,
1895. When a mere lad he moved with his parents to Wisconsin,
Avhere he Avas reared on a farra and educated in the common schools.
He resided in Iowa twenty-five years engaged in farming. In May,
1876, he came to this county and settled in Red Rock, taking up a
homestead. When the railroad reached Valley Springs he com
menced business there, in which he continued until his decease.
During his residence in Valley Springs he held several official posi
tions; was president of the village and school board, village treas
urer, postmaster for four years and deputy postmaster for several
years. He always took quite an interest in political raatters, and
was frequently a delegate to political conventions. He Avas success
ful in business, and was one of the most noticeable men upon the
streets of the village. He was an enterprising citizen, a kind neigh
bor and an upright, honest man.
Wright, G. W., Avas born at Ottawa, Canada, September 26,
1860, and emigrated with his parents to the United States in 1862.
In 1873 he came to Luverne, Minnesota, and in June, 1885, removed to
this county and located at Valley Springs. He then engaged in
busmess at that place with A. Peterson, and in the spring of 1886 he
bought his partner's interest and entered into copartnership with
W. J. Carey, Avhich continued until 1890. Soon after the building
of the flouring mill at Valley Springs he became the salesman and
bookkeeper of that concern. He has been president of the board of
trustees of the village of Valley Springs and clerk of both the village
and township. He is an upright, honest man, and a respected

SPLIT ROCK TOAVNSHIP.
(101-48)
The boundarA' lines of Split Rock toAvnship were surveyed at an
early date. The portion of the south line bounded by the Iowa state
line was surveyed in 1852, the reraainder of the south line and the
west line were surveyed by Wra. J. Neeley in July, 1859, the north
and east lines by Cortez Fessenden in July, 1862, and the subdivision
was made by Carl C. P. Meyer in August, 1864. It contains 23,057.57
acres of land. The Big Sioux river enters the township on the north-
Avest quarter of section 4, and running thence alraost due south,
leaves the toAvnship and county near the center of the south line of
section 33. Split Rock river enters the township in the northeast
quarter of section 2, but after pursuing its course in a southwesterly
direction a short distance, turns north, and flows around the south
west corner of section 35 in Brandon, and again enters the township
upon the same quarter section. From this point it flows in a south
westerly course, and forms a junction with the Big Sioux a feAV rods
south of the center of section 16. This stream was at an early date
known by the narae of Emenija, and so well known as to appear in
Johnson's Illustrated Atlas of the World. In the sarae atlas it also
appears that there was a town located at the junction of the Big Sioux
and this stream, with the same name. Tavo branches of Beaver
creek form a junction in section 13, and flowing in a Avesterly course,
unite with the Split Rock in section 15 near its north line. There
was also another small stream according to the governraent survey,
flowing diagonally through the southeast portion of the township,
forming a junction with the Sioux river at the center of the south
line of section 33, but if a survey should be made in a dry season it
would not find a place upon the map.
In 1877 a small flouring mill was built on the east bank of the
Sioux river in the northeast quarter of section 33, known as Ban-
ning's mill. In 1881 it was nearly destroyed by high water, and was
not repaired and put in operation again until in 1892. In some re
spects it is an important township, having within its boundaries the
incorporated city of East Sioux Falls, and quite a village called Roav-
ena. The presence of Sioux quartzite in large quantities in section
26, induced Thoraas J. Ryan of Iowa to purchase several hundred
acres of land and coramence quarrying the stone. In October, 1888,
he platted forty-three blocks in the southeast quarter of this section,
and the little village of Rowena sprung into existence. A station on
the Illinois Central railroad was located at this point, a post office

286 history of minnehaha county.

established, and sorae fine buildings and two warehouses erected.
One of the reraarkable features attending this post office is the num
ber of postmasters who have been in charge during- its existence.
George M. Nix Avas appointed postmaster November 9, 1888; H. J.
Eager, May 27, 1889; John E. Brown, December 5, 1889; P. H.
Marshall, September 6, 1890; P. R. Wright, June 22, 1894; Charles
H. MattheAvs, June 1, 1896; and Alfred Reid, December 1, 1897.
The Electric Motor Line frora Sioux Palls had its terminus at East
Sioux Palls, while in existence, and the C, St. P., M. & O. railroad
runs through sections 1 and 2, and the northwest corner of section 3.
The first settler in this township was Ole B. Iverson, who located
on section 21. Pour days after Mr. Iverson's arrival Ole Bergerson
came, and took up 320 acres of land in section 4. The first house, a
dug-out, was built in the fall of 1868, on the southwest quarter of
section 21, about thirty rods northwest of the east end of the bridge
across the Sioux River. It was built by Mr. Iverson, Ole and Soren
Bergerson, and Mr. Iverson and wife together with the Bergersons
lived there the following winter.
LIST OF OFFICERS- 1881-1899.
1881. The first raeeting of the township board was held at the
house of Peter Iverson, January 11, 1881, and the board Avas organ
ized by the election of Charles Olander as chairraan, R. S. Svolde,
one of the supervisors, and George White, clerk, were present.
June 9, a second raeeting was held and all the raerabers of the board,
Charles Olander, R. S. Svolde and Ale Abramson, were present, al
so Ole Bergerson, justice of the peace. At this meeting, Amon
Johnson Avas appointed clerk. July 18, the board raet and alloAved the
bill of Christ Clauson, for twelve days' work as assessor, in the sura
of twenty-four dollars.
1882. January 2, the board raet at the house of Evan Pris-
ley, and the newly elected officers qualified. May 4, the board
niet, Charles Olander, chairman, Soren Bergerson and David Ban
ning, supervisors. Amon Johnson having removed from town, Alo
Abrahamson was appointed clerk. Gust Plorell Avas treasurer of
the township in 1882.
1883. January 2, the board met and officers qualified. Charles
Olander chairman, Soren Bergerson, supervisor, Alo Abrahamson,
clerk, George Larson, treasurer, John O. Walker and Ole Berger
son justices of the peace. The clerk was directed to post notices in
five different places ten days before town meetings. January 24, the
board met and appointed M. South supervisor and Sivert Swenson
constable, and re-districted the road districts.
1 884. January 2, a town raeeting Avas held at the house of John
O. Walker, to determine whether the town would raise eleven hun
dred dollars to aid in the construction of a bridge at Peter Iverson's
across the Sioux river, but the records are silent in regard to the
action of the raeeting, except that John O. Walker was elected raod-
erator. At a raeeting of the board February 26, a resolution was
passed, that the construction of a bridge at Banning's raill, should

history of minnehaha county. 287

not become a charge upon the town, for the reason that it was con
structed regardless of public demand and was of no use to a majority
of the people of the town. March 4, the following officers were
elected: Charles Olander chairman, M. South and Ole Bergerson su
pervisors, John T. Lee assessor, John O. Walker clerk, Georg-e Lar
son treasurer, Thomas Cuthbert and Nels Simons justices. A vote
of thanks was passed to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Larson for the use of
their house for town meetings. March 17, the town board met and
discontinued a highway "that crossed a creek in numerous places,
passed over hills and through sloughs, and was useless as a public
highway." March 18, John O. Walker was appointed justice of the
peace, to fill the vacancy occasioned by Thomas Cuthbert failing to
qualify. 1 886. The annual town meeting was held March 2, at the house
of Andrew Larson. In addition to the election of officers, the town
voted to elect road overseers and pound masters by the ballot. The
following officers were elected: Ole Bergerson chairman, C. T. Clau
son and Thoraas Cuthbert supervisors, John T. Lee clerk, George
Larson treasurer, Claus Clauson assessor and Gust Peterson justice.
May 18 the board allowed John Nelson $150.00 for damages sustained
by reason of a road being laid through his land.
1887. At the annual town meeting March 1, the following offi
cers were elected: Ole Bergerson chairman, Thoraas Cuthbert and
John T. Lee supervisors, George Larson treasurer, Charles Olander
assessor, Nels Simons and Martin Lee justices, and Claus Clauson
and Samuel Thompson constables.
1888. The annual town meeting was held at the house of C. T.
Clauson, March 6, and the following officers were elected: Charles
Olander chairman, Oliver Munson and Ward Benedict supervisors,
George Larson treasurer, J. T. Lee assessor, Thomas Cuthbert
clerk, B. S. Peterson and John W. Briggs constables.
1 889. The annual town raeeting was held at East Sioux Palls
on the 5th day of March, and the following persons were elected to
the respective offices: Ward Benedict chairman, Charles Olander
and Oliver Munson supervisors, Nels Simons clerk, S. C. Peaslee
treasurer, J. T. Lee assessor, Frank Chaphe and A. M. Christie
justices, and J. R. Reed and J. R. Blue constables. October 29, S.
C. Peaslee having resigned as treasurer George Larson was ap
pointed. 1 890. The annual meeting was held March 4, atRowena, and 186
votes were cast. C. A. Lindstrora was elected chairraan and Charles
Olander and Halvor Mork supervisors, Nels Simons clerk, George
Larson treasurer, J. T. Lee assessor, Wiley Lowe justice and Mike
Welch constable. It was voted that all town meetings be held at
East Sioux Palls. March 20 a town meeting was held to vote on the
question of a resurvey of the town. 78 votes were cast, 27 for and
51 against. /-< r • j
1 891 . March 3, annual town raeeting held at Rowena. C. Lind
strora, moderator. The following named persons were elected:
Ward Benedict chairman, Halvor Mork and Fred Jacobson supervis
ors, Alfred Reid clerk, George Larson treasurer, Nels Simons asses-

288 history of minnehaha county.

sor, Charles Olander and George Powers justices, M. S. Vance and
M. Christianson constables. April 7, the board examined roads and
bridges and agreed with the town board of Valley Springs to build a
bridge across Pour Mile creek on range line south of sections 7 and
12, expenses to be equally borne by Split Rock and Valley Springs.
Septeraber 18, board met in joint session with Valley Springs board
to consider the petition for opening the road on line between the
toAvns prayed for. Petition granted, and the araount of damages dif
ferent persons Avould sustain bA' reason of opening the road agreed
upon. 1892. The annual toAvn raeeting was held March 1, at Rowena.
Ward Benedict elected chairraan, Halvor Mork and Ole Bergerson
supervisors, Alfred Reid clerk, George Larson treasurer, Nels Si
mons assessor and A. A. Christie justice. October 25, John C. New-
bold Avas appointed justice in place of Williara Paulton resigned.
1893. The annual town raeeting held at Rowena, March 7, and
the following officers were elected: Ward Benedict chairman, Oliver
Munson and Martin Lee supervisors, W. J. Benedict, Jr., clerk, W.
M. Webster treasurer, Nels Simons assessor, E. Erlingson and J. C.
NeAvbold justices, T. Carlson and J. H. Briggs constables. April 15,
a special town meeting was held "to determine Avhether land marks
should be erected at section and quarter section corners throughout
the town; and also whether the board should enter into a contract
Avith the county surveyor, or any other corapetent surveyor, to make
true survey of all sections and cause land marks to be erected perma
nently at each section and quarter section corner, as established by
the U. S. Governraent survey." Fifty-eight votes w^ere cast — 42 /or
and 16 against. June 20, board raet and allowed bill of T. M. Patten,
county surveyor, for surveying the township at $275.00.
1894. Supervisors, Nels Simons chairman, Oliver Munson and
Martin Lee; clerk, F. R. Wright; treasurer, W. M. Webster; asses
sor, Claus Clauson.
1895. Supervisors, Richard Banning chairman, Martin Lee
and C. A. Lindstrora; clerk, P. R. Wright; treasurer, Alf. Reid;
assessor, Claus Clauson.
1896. Supervisors, Richard Banning chairraan, H. C. McGil-
vray and B. S. Peterson; clerk, P. R. Wright; treasurer, Alf. Reid;
assessor, Nels Siraons.
1897. Supervisors, Richard Banning chairman, H.C. McGil-
vray and B. S. Peterson; clerk, P. R. Wright; treasurer, Alf. Reid;
assessor, Claus Clauson.
1 898. Same officers as in 1897.
1899. Supervisors, Richard Banning chairraan, H. C. McGil-
vray and Tollef Neste; clerk, A. N. Brown; treasurer, Alf. Reid;
assessor, Claus Clauson; justice of the peace, Martin Lee.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 289

EAST SIOUX FALLS.
The platted portion of East Sioux Palls is situated on the south
east quarter of section twenty and the northwest quarter of section
twenty-eight in Split Rock toAvnship. The Big Sioux river runs
through the city, and the Illinois Central railroad has a station at
this point. It is six miles east, and one mile south of the city of
Sioux Palls.
A petition was presented to the board of county commissioners
at its July meeting in 1890, signed by the requisite nuraber of citi
zens residing within certain territorA' in Split Rock township, re
questing- the board to order an election to determine whether it
should becorae an incorporated cit}-. An election was ordered to
to be held on the 19th daA' of August, at which tirae one hun
dred and forty-tAvo votes Avere cast; all being- in favor of incorpora
tion. The result Avas reported to the county board, and the
territory included in the petition was declared to be incorporated as
the City of East Sioux Falls, An election of city officers took place
soon after, and the city council held its first raeeting October 15, 1890.
The incorporation of the city of East Sioux Falls was the result
of the extensi\-e quarrying of the Sioux quartzite at this point, the
supply being inexhaustible, and near a railroad station. For two or
three years quite a large business was transacted, and the little city
presented a lively appearance, but the hard tiraes had a depressing-
effect upon its principal industry, and other lines of business suf
fered in a corresponding degree. But this valuable stone is still
there in large quantities and it is a favorable point for shipment,
with a picturesque location, surrounded by a rich farraing country,
and although in a dormant state at the present time, it is not a Rip
Van Winkle sleep that has overtaken this enterprising little burg.
LIST OP OFFICERS OF THE CITY 1890-1899.
1890. Mayor, J. C. Russell; alderraen, Jaraes McGrath, George
Anderson, Samuel Thompson, Charles Delaney, Thomas Morris and
Wm. Handley; James McGrath was elected president and Thomas
Morris vice president of the city council; G. W. Jones, auditor; T. P.
Howard, assessor; J. H. Voorhees, attorney; Edward J. Riley, treas
urer; H. C. Cornell, city justice; Wiley V. Lowe, police justice; D.
C. Rice, city engineer.
At the first meeting of the city council, which was held in the
East Sioux Palls Granite Company's office, at the date above men
tioned, the bonds of the officers were fixed as follows: mayor, $3,000;
treasurer, $1,000, and all other officers $500 each. At the meeting
held October 23, the council ordered a map to be raade of the city,
and the Sioux Palls Argus-Leader was made the official newspaper.
On the 15th day of December the committee on streets and alleys
was directed to purchase six lamps, and engage a man to light thera
when necessary.
1891. Mayor, J. C. Russell; alderraan, 1st ward, Thomas P.
Howard, Samuel Thompson; 2d ward, H. C. Cornell, George Ander
son; 3d ward, James McGrath, Thomas Hosken; E. J. Riley, treas-
19

290 HISTORYOF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

urer; Charles Delaney, auditor; J. H. Voorhees, attorney; J. J. War
ner, assessor; Wiley V. Lowe, police justice; Isaac Whittle, city
justice; John O'Brien, chief of police.
Board of Education, 1st ward, Thomas Thompson; 2d ward, Ed-
Avard Peterson; 3d ward, E. R. Lossing.
At a meeting of the council on the 5th day of January, the salary
of the officers was fixed as follows: mayor, $2; alderraen, $1 each;
treasurer, $25; auditor, S50; attorney, $150, to take effect from the
15th day of October, 1890. D. C. Rice presented his bill amounting
to $32 for making a map of the city, which was allowed.
1892. Mayor, James McGrath; aldermen, 1st ward, Sarauel
Thorapson, George V. Lowe, to fill unexpired terra; 2d ward, H. C.
Cornell, George Anderson; 3d ward, George Waldrum, Harry War
dle, to fill unexpired terra; Wiley V. Lowe, auditor; J. H. Voorhees,
attorney; E. J. Riley, treasurer; W. J. Hunt, assessor, and he was
appointed police justice June 13; Fred Rudkin, city justice; Harry
Baura, chief of police, moved from the city and Mike Welsh was ap
pointed, but was sent to the insane asylum, and Al Martin Avas ap
pointed to fill the vacancy December 6.
Board of Education, 1st Avard, Thoraas Thorapson; 2d ward,
John Hawkins; 3d Avard, E. R. Lossing-.
Board of Health, 1st ward, George V. Lowe, Sara Thompson, to
fill A-acancy; 2d ward, George Anderson; 3d ward, Henry Wardle.
1893. Mayor, James McGrath; aldermen, 1st ward, Sam
Thorapson and J. T Ward, to fill vacancy; 2d ward, H. C. Cornell
and George Anderson; 3d ward, Harry Wardle and Thoraas Iver
son; E. J. Riley, treasurer; Wiley V. Lowe, auditor; J. H. Voorhees,
attorney; W. J. Hunt, police justice; Edward Peterson, citv justice;
Al. Martin, chief of police.
Board of Education, 1st ward, Mrs. W. J. Hunt and David Ban
ning; 2d ward, John Hawkins and Hans Sinklin; 3d ward, Al. Martin
and Alfred Anderson.
The following comprises a list of the officers elected at the an
nual elections from 1894 to 1899, inclusive.
1894. Mayor, Sam. Thorapson; Alderman, 1st ward, John J.
Warner; 2d w^ard, George Anderson; 3d ward, Thomas Iverson;
W. V. Lowe, auditor; Edward J. Riley, treasurer; W. J. Hunt, police
justice; Edw^ard Peterson, city justice; Allen Martin, chief of police;
Thoraas Thompson, assessor.
1895. Mayor, Sam. Thompson; aldermen, 1st ward, W. J. Hunt;
2d \yard, Edward Peterson, 3d Avard, Peter Helgerson; W. V. Lowe,
auditor; Thoraas Iverson, treasurer; Peter A. Anderson, assessor;
Oliver Bursheira, police justice; Charles Safe, citv justice; Rudolph
Meyers, chief of police.
1896. Mayor, Sara. Thorapson; alderraen, 1st Avard, Thomas
Thorapson; 2d Avard, Henry C. Cornell; 3d ward, Williara Meyers;
W. V .Lowe, auditor; Thomas Iverson, treasurer; Oliver Bursheira,
police justice; Charles Safe, city justice; Rudolph Meyers, chief of
police; Peter A. Anderson, assessor.
1897. Mayor, Sara. Thorapson; aldermen, 1st ward, William
Handley; 2d Avard, Charles Johnson; 3d Avard, Wm. Meyers; W. V.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 291

Lowe, auditor; Thomas Iverson, treasurer; Peter A. Anderson, as
sessor; John Gilliver, police justice; Peter P. Claussen, city justice;
Henry C. Cornell, chief of police.
1898., Mayor, Samuel Thompson; aldermen, 1st ward, Charles
Sibson; 2d ward, George Anderson; 3d ward, Alfred Wakeling; W.
V. Lowe, auditor; Thomas Iverson, treasurer; H. C. Cornell, asses
sor; Peter P. Claussen, city justice; H. C. Cornell, chief of police.
1899. Mayor, Sarauel Thompson; alderraen, 1st ward, Lars
Anderson; 2d ward, George Anderson; 3d ward, John Gilliver; W.
V. Lowe, auditor; Thomas Iverson, treasurer; Henry C. Cornell, as
sessor; William Boyce, police justice; Peter Smith, city justice; H.
C. Cornell, chief of police.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Anderson, George L., is a native of Norway, and was born
June 10, 1861. He came to the United States in 1879, and lived with
his uncle in Iowa for about two years; came to Sioux Palls in 1881,
and when the penitentiary was built he A\'as employed there; then
worked for C. W. Hubbard in the stone quarries several years;
moved to East Sioux Falls in 1888, and in 1892 commenced work for
the East Sioux Palls Quarry Corapany. Mr. Anderson has been
alderman from the second ward in East Sioux Palls nearly every
year since its organization as a city in 1890, has been a meraber of
the board of health, and is an industrious, good citizen.
Ask, Ole Swenson, one of the early settlers in this county,
was born in Norway January 6, 1822, and emigrated to the United
States in 1866. He lived in Iowa four years, and came to Minnehaha
county in 1870. He secured a homestead in section 10 in Split Rock,
where he still resides and has a good farm.
Banning, Abraham, was born in Knox county, Ohio, on the 5th
day of January, 1846. He resided in Winneshiek county, Iowa, for
a few years, but removed from there to this county on the 6th day of
March, 1876, and bought the northeast quarter of section 33 in Split
Rock, where he has since resided. He is one of the proprietors of
Banning's mill, located on the east bank of the Sioux River near his
residence. He is an industrious, upright and respected citizen.
Benedict, Ward, was born in Steuben county. New York, July
1836. When seven years of age he removed to Wisconsin with his
parents, and resided there until 1886, when he Avent to Dakota and
arrived in Sioiix Palls April 30, of that year. He bought the west
half of section 24 in Split Rock and resided there for several years.
He was elected town supervisor in 1888, and was chairman of the
board four years. He disposed of his farra in 1893 and raoved into
the city of Sioux Falls, and for sorae tirae was the proprietor of the
Central House. But Mr. Benedict is best known as a farmer, and
since coming to this county has won the respect and confidence of
his neighbors and acquaintances.

292 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Bergerson, Ole, was born in Norway September 27, 1844, and
came to the United States Avith his parents in 1851. He resided in
Wisconsin and Iowa until 1868, when he reraoved to this county. He
took up 320 acres of land in section 4 in Split Rock, and 160 acres in
section 24, in Brandon, and made his home on the homestead in sec
tion 4. Ole B. lAerson Avas the only man who settled in Split Rock
prior to hira, and he had only been there four daA's when Mr. Berg
erson arrived. During- the fall of 1868, Mr. Ixerson and Ole and
Soren Berg-erson constructed the first house in Split Rock. It was
in part a dug--out, and in front of it a few j.osts were set up and a
roof put on, and in this place Mr. Ixerson, his wife, and the Berger
sons lived the following- Avinter. It was located about thirty rods
northwest of the east end of the bridg-e crossing- the Sioux River at
East Sioux Falls. They were so much pleased with the countrv that
they raade a systematic effort to induce ScandinaA'ians to come here
and settle, and through their influence quite a large number of farra
ers of that nationality located in this county. Mr. Bergerson has
been very prorainent in the affairs of Split Rock township, having
held all of the town offices, and Avas also county coraraissioner frora
1871 to 1879. He is a large property owner, and has sorae invest
raents in raining property in the State of Washington. He has al-
Avays been held in high esteera by his neighbors, and is recognized
as one of the raost reliable citizens in the countv.
Bowman, S. A., is another of the old settlers. He was born in
Linkoping, Sweden, in 1830; emigrated to the United States in 1869,
lived in Michigan four years, and located in this countv in 1873. He
filed a pre-emption on the northeast quarter of section' 11 in the town
of Split Rock, Avhere he still resides. He also bought and now owns
40 acres in section 2, in the same township. He has a good farra,
and is a respected citizen.
Charleson, Thomas, is a native of Norway, and born in 1851.
He eraigrated to this country and lived in Iowa for tAvo years; re
raoved to Minnehaha county in the spring of 1872, and took up the
north half of the northeast quarter of section 10, and the north half
of the northwest quarter of section 11, in the toAvn of Split Rock,
Avhere he has since resided and has a good farm.
Clauson, Claus, is one of the pioneers of Minnehaha countv,
having lived here since June 30, 1869. He came from Winneshiek
county, loAva, where he was born Deceraber 29, 1854. He took up a
horaestead in section 14, and a tree claim in section 15 in Split Rock.
He resides on his horaestead, and is a good farmer and a good citi
zen; has been town assessor in Split Rock several years.
Clauson, Christ T., is one of the early settlers of this county,
having lived on his present farm since 1872. He came from Winne
shiek county, Iowa, where he was born in 1854. He Avas the first as
sessor m Split Rock, and has also been a member of the town board
of supervisors. His farm comprises 160 acres in sections 14 and 15.
He is a g(Jod citizen and has a good farm.

Ole Bergerson.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 295

Plorell, Andrew, came direct frora Sweden to Dakota, and
settled in this county in May, 1873. He took up as a horaestead the
northeast quarter of section 3, in the town of Split Rock, where he
has lived ever since, and has now a good farm. He was born June
17, 1828. Iverson, Peter, was born in Norway in 1853. When only six
years of age he emigrated Avith his parents to the United States, and
settled in Iowa. In 1871 Mr. Iverson came to this county, Avhere he
secured as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 21, in Split
Rock toAvnship. He also owns some real estate in Minnesota, but re
sides on his homestead, which is a good farra. He is a good citizen.
Jacobson, Fred, a son of L. A. Jacobson, was born in Sweden,
August 24, 1863, and came to this country with his father in 1871.
He bought and now owns 160 acres in section 13, in Split Rock,
where he resides. He was a member of the town board of supervis
ors in 1891, and is a good citizen.
Jacobson, Lars Anders, is a native of Sweden and was born at
Motala, October 17, 1829. He eraigrated to the United States in
1871, lived in Illinois one year, and in Iowa, until 1875, when he re
raoved to Dakota and settled in this county, where he has since been
a permanent resident. Mr. Jacobson took up a homestead in section
12, in Split Rock, Avliere he still resides and has a well improved
farm with g-ood buildings. He is a good citizen.
Jacobson, Phillip, another son of L. A. Jacobson, was born in
SAveden, October 18, 1864. He owns a good farm comprising 160
acres in section 24, where he resides, and also 80 acres in section 30,
in Split Rock. He is a g-ood farmer and a g-ood citizen.
Jones, Thomas P., was born in Ang-lesey, North Wales, Eng
land, October 8, 1855. He emigrated to this country and lived a few
years in Mankato, Minnesota. Aug-ust 20, 1888, he becarae a resi
dent of this county, Avhere he has bought and now owns 80 acres in
section 36, in Split Rock, one lot on east Sixth street in the city of
Sioux Falls, and a house and lot in Rowena.
Johnson, Charles, was born in Stockholm, SAveden, June 25,
1834. In 1868, he emigrated to the United States, and resided at
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, five years, then at Sioux City for a short tirae,
and removed from there to Dakota in 1873 and settled in this county.
He took up as a homestead the southwest quarter of section 12, in
Split Rock, where he still resides and has a good farm.
Knutson, John, was born August 10, 1843, in Norway. He
eraigrated to the United States, lived in low-a for three years and re
raoved to Minnehaha county in 1873. He then filed a pre-emption,
which he changed to a homestead, on the northwest quarter of sec
tion 15, in the town of Split Rock, where he still resides. He after
wards bought 160 acres of land in section 17, in the same toAvn. He
is a respected citizen and an enterprising farmer.
Larson, George, is a native of Sweden, and was born May 13,
1860. In June, 1871, he came to this county with his parents, who
settled in Split Rock township. His father, Andreas Larson, who

296 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

died a few years ago, took up 160 acres of land in sections 22 and 23,
of Avhich the subject of this sketch is now the owner, besides another
quarter section which he also owns, and has a good farm. He has
been toAvnship treasurer ten successive vears, and is a good farmer
and a g-ood citi/^en.
Lee, Martin T., was born in Christiania, Norway, January 16,
1861, and came to the United States with his parents in 1867. For
three years his parents resided in Iowa, but in June, 1870, removed
to Split Rock in this county. They arrived on the 18th day of June,
and the subject of this sketch, AA-as old enough to remember that dur
ing the first two weeks of their residence there they lived on fish and
milk. The old homestead is located on the northAvest quarter of sec
tion 2 in Split Rock, and he now resides there with his father. He
has bought some farra land near the horaestead, and is an industrious,
upright raan and a good citizen. He has been town supervisor for
several years.
Lee, Thorsten A., was born near Christiania, Norway, August
11, 1846. In June, 1867, he emigrated to the United States, settled in
Iowa for three years, and then came to Split Rock, arriving there
June 18, 1870. He soon after took up 160 acres in section 2 in Split
Rock, where he has since resided. He is a good farmer and a good
citizen. Lindstrom, Charles A., is a nati\e of Sweden, and Avas born
on the 29th day of Noveraber, 1841. In 1853 he eraigrated to the
United States Avith his parents, and resided in Illinois and Iowa
until about the first day of June, 1871, Avhen he came to this county.
He settled in Split Rock, and took up 240 acres of land in sections 17
and 20 in that township. In 1873 he was elected sheriff of the county
of Minnehaha, but did not qualify. He has held school district of
fices and has been chairman of the town board. In July, 1861, he en
listed in the 42d Illinois regiraent and served until J"^anuary, 1866.
He was wounded in the battle of Stone River, and again in the battle
of Resaca, Georgia. He was sergeant two years', and Avhen dis
charged was heutenant in Co. I. Mr. Lindstrom is an honest, up
right citizen, and is one of the most respected farmers in the county.
io .t.T^' ^^^EY v., was born at Wheeling, West Virginia, August
13, 1865; was reared m the State of Illinois, and educated at the Nor
mal school at Stanberry, Mo.; was then employed as bookkeeper for
several corporations m Iowa; came to East Sioux Falls in 1889 and
* ion. J*"?'*'"" "^ bookkeeper for the East Sioux Palls Granite Co.;
m 18J6 he became the local raanager of the East Sioux Palls Ouarry
Co., Avjich position he still holds. He has been postraaster of East
iQoi KT^ ?*'''' ^°'" ^^''^'"^1 y^^^^' and has been city auditor
since 1892. Mr. LoAve is a young man of sterling worth, industrious
and enterprising, and is an honest, upright citizen.
Monson Oliver has been a well known resident of this county
since November 21 1875; he came to this county from Pennsylvania,
where he first located atter his coming to the United States. " He se^
cured a homestead of 1(,0 acres in section 19, in the town of Split

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 297

Rock, where he has since resided, and has a well iraproved farm,
Avith good building-s. He has held the office of justice of the peace,
and has been a member of the town and school boards. He is a na
tive of Sweden and vvas born July 29, 1851. He is an industrious
farmer and a good citizen.
Nilsson,- Andrew, was born in the province of Wermland,
Sweden, on the 12th day of March, 1834. He emigrated to the United
States in 1867, lived in Illinois five years, and carae to Dakota in 1872,
and located in this county, where he has since been a Avell and favor
ably knoAvn resident. He secured a homestead and tree claim in
section 1 in Split Rock, and has since purchased about 200 acres of
land adjoining, and has a g-ood farm. He is also the OAvner of some
real estate in the city of Sioux Palls. He resides on his horaestead
with his family, having five sons and two girls, and is a respected
and good citizen. He has been treasurer of the school board in Split
Rock several years.
Olander, Charles, one of the early settlers of this county, is
a native of Sweden, and was born in 1844. He emigrated to the
United States, lived in Michigan for sorae tirae, and located on his
present homestead in 1872, which comprises the southeast quarter
of section 11 in Split Rock township. He also OAvns land in sections
2 and 11 in the same toAvnship, and eighty acres in section 16 in
Valley Springs township. He has been a raeraber of the town board
of supervisors several years, was assessor in 1888, and justice of the
peace in 1891. He is one of the well-to-do farmers of the township,
and is a good citizen.
Peterson, Bernt S., one of the pioneers of Split Rock, vvas
born in Norway June 23, 1846, emigrated to the United States in
1860, and liA^e'd in Iowa until 1869, when he located in Split Rock,
where he has since reraained a permanent resident. The only set
tlers in this township at that tirae Avere Ole Bergerson, Soren Berger
son and O. B. Iverson. He says he was the second raan who secured
a raarriage license in this county, and Rev. Olson, now living at
Canton, solemnized the raarriage. They lived in a sod and log house
for ten years, which, as prosperity advanced, gave place for niore
modern structures. He has been a successful farmer, and resides
on his homestead in section 9, and has a well iraproved farra, well
stocked. He was constable in 1871, has been road raaster for about
fifteen years, and is a good citizen.
Reid, Alfred, Avas born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1870, and
emigrated to the United States and settled in this county in 1887.
He took up his residence at Rowena, and engaged in the stone busi
ness until quite recently, when he opened a general store at that
place. He has been town clerk two years, and town treasurer since
1897, and postmaster since December of that year, is an energetic,
active citizen, and popular wdth his neighbors, and all Avho know hira.
Robertson, John, was born in the state of New York in 1847.
In 1864 he enlisted in the navy, and served until the close of the war.
He then eno-aged in farraing in Illinois and loAva until 1884, when he

298 HISTORY OP minnehaha county.

reraoved to Dakota and settled on his present homestead, the south
east quarter of section 23, in Split Rock, where he still resides. He
is a good farmer and a respected citizen.
Rydo, Charles, is a native of Sweden, and was born in Nerike
Deceraber 18, 1835. He came to this country in 1871, and lived in
Pennsylvania and Iowa until 1876, when he settled in this county.
He owns the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section
14, and resides there.
Samuelson, John A., is one of the first settlers in Split Rock.
He was born in SAveden, June 26, 1837; emigrated to the United
States in 1808, and lived one year in loAva. In 1869 he came to
Dakota and settled on his present homestead of 160 acres in section
13, in Split Rock, w^here he has since resided engaged in farraing.
He is a good citizen.
Simons, Nels, was born in Norway November 15, 1848, and
emigrated to the United States in 1869. After having remained in
Wisconsin for about Iavo months he went to work on a stearaboat on
the Mississippi river. The next Avinter he spent in Clinton, loAva,
and in the spring of 1870 Avent to Sioux City and engaged in steara-
boating on the Missouri river. In 1871 he carae to Split Rock, this
county, and took up the northeast quarter of section 35. He has
since sold one-half of this land, and purchased other land near by
and has noAV a farra of 295 acres. He resides on the Avest half of
the northwest quarter of section 35. Until 1882 he Avas engaged
eyery year in steamboating either on the Mississippi or Missouri
rivers, and during two seasons since then was engaged in the sarae
business on the upper Missouri. Por fifteen vears he held a license
as first mate. Mr. Siraons is a character. He is a good talker and
takes an active part in politics, and is on one side or the other on all
political questions. He has held school district and toAvn offices and
IS a good official, and a republican convention in this county without
his presence as a delegate would not only be noticed but regretted.
He IS a keen, sharp man, and maintains a good reptitation as an
honest, public-spirited citizen.
Swenson, Sealer Martin, Avas born in Norway April IS 1859
He eraigrated to the United States with his parents in 1866, and
located m Iowa till 1870, when thev removed to this county Sorae
years ago he bought the southeast quarter of section 10, "where he
now resides, and has quite a good farra. He has held some school
offices, and is a good citizen.
1 1 iX-^°^x^^"^' ^^^*^UEL, isanative of Norway, and was born August
11, 1863; attended school and worked on a farm until he emigrated to
the United States with his parents in 1874. His father, Thomas
1 hompson, took up one hundred and sixty acres in section 29 in Split
Rock township m 1874, but died two years later. A part of the
homestead IS within the limits of the city of East Sioux Falls, and
the subject of this sketch resides in the city. He has been alderman
two years and mayor of the city five years; Avas nominated for repre
sentative to the legislature by the Republican party of this county in

f'-^''

Nels Simons.

history of minnehaha county. 301

1898, but the fusionists were in the majority. Mr. Thompson is an
energetic, enterprising citizen, and highly esteemed.
Thompson, Thomas L., a brother of Saniuel Thorapson, was
born in Norway in March, 1861, and came to this county with
his parents in 1874, since which time he has been a resident of Split
Rock township. He resides at East Sioux Palls, and has been alder
man of that city one terra, and is a respected citizen.
ToRKiLDSON, Iver, has lived in Minnehaha county since 1873.
He forinerh' resided in Iowa, Avhere he first settled after coming to
the United States. He is the owner of a g-ood horaestead on the
southeast quarter of section 1, in the toAvn of Split Rock, where he
now lives. He is a native of Norwax', and was born in 1848.
Webster, Madison, is a native of New York, and Avas born in
1840. He resided for a Avhile in loAva, but removed to Split Rock in
this county in 1873. He took up a homestead in section 26, and
since then has added to his real estate by pre-emption and purchase
so that now he has 550 acres of farm land. The stone quarry near
Rowena is located on land purchased from hira. Mr. Webster is an
industrious man and a g-ood citizen.
White, George B., has been a resident of this county since
June, 1870, at which time he carae here and took up as a homestead
the southeast quarter of section 35, in Split Rock. He now resides
in Sioux Falls. He has been clerk of the town board, and treasurer
and clerk of school district No. 6. Mr. White is a good farraer and a
good citizen. He was born January 3, 1853, in Athens county, Ohio.
WOEHRLE, John, carae to the United States in 1880, frora Wur-
temberg, Germany, where he was born April 21, 1848. He owns the
northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 6, in the town
of Split Rock. He is a good citizen.

SIOUX FALLS TOWNSHIP.
(101-49.)
The first settlement in the county was made in Sioux Falls town
ship. In the first chapter it appears at what time and by whora the
first settleraent was made; in fact, the history of the township com
prises so much of the early history of the county that it will be found
interwoven with and a part of nearly all its events of importance.
There is sorae fine land in the township; but a short distance from
the Big Sioux river, especially in the northwestern part of the town
ship, there are some high bluffs Avhere the soil is light and sandy.
It is watered by the Big Sioux river, and its course in the township
runs in the direction of nearly all the points of the compass. It en
ters on section five, and leaves the township on section one, after
passing through not less than nineteen sections. The toAvnship lines
were surveyed by W. J. Neeley in July, 1859, and the subdivisions
were made by hira in August and September of the same year. By
this survey the township contained 23,022.83 acres of land, and what
is now called Covell's lake covered eighty acres. The raap of the
township made by Surveyor Neeley is very interesting. It appears
frora this raap that the first settlers intended to build the town at the
foot of the falls on the west bank, as there is a plat of thirty blocks,
five deep, east and west folloAving the course of the river, and six
north and south. There were fifteen blocks on each side of the sec
tion line between sections nine and sixteen. Of course, no other
record was ever raade of this the first plat raade in the county. As
appears elsewhere in this book, the first building- erected in the
county was called the Dubuque house, and appears on this map as
being in the third block from the west, and just north of the section
line raentioned above, and as near the middle of the plat as it could
be placed. A sraall space, near where Levi Carter's residence now
stands on section four, extending into section three, is designated as
a field. At the southeast corner of section four there is a represen
tation of a building, with the Avord "Fuller's "; and a field a few rods
south in sections nine and ten. There is also another field near the
south line of section ten. The northeast quarter of the northeast
quarter of section seventeen, what is now platted as McClellan's Ad
dition to West Sioux Palls, Avas designated as " Jarrett's farm," and
a small field appears on the south line of this quarter section. This
raap also indicates that Gov. Masters had a house on the southeast
quarter of section seventeen, and it appears to have been located as
near as raay be on Avhat is now block eleven in Bennett's First Addi-

history of minnehaha county. 303

tion, between Spring and Duluth avenues and Seventh and Eighth
streets in the city of Sioux Palls. Another small field appears a
little west and south of where the Jordan Methodist church is now
located, on the east side of the river. This field is designated as
"Little's field." Another small field appears in what is now Park
Addition, and still another called "White's field" situated on the
north side of the river in the northwest quarter of section thirty-
four. There also appears to have been a stone house in the southeast
corner of the southwest quarter of section twenty-two.
In 1877, the village of Sioux Palls, comprising twelve hundred
acres, Avas carved out of this township. On the 3d day of March,
1883, the city of Sioux Falls was incorporated, comprising all the
territor\' of the village and much more, as it took nine full sections
from the township, and since that tirae a little raore than two sections
have been added to the cit}'. Upon the incorporation of the town of
South Sioux Falls three and one-half sections more were taken from
the township, so that it has only about twenty-one sections left, and
this portion is so covered with plats that it seeras out of place to at
terapt to raise anything upon it but "garden-truck."
LIST OP OFFICERS, 1881-1899.
1881. Supervisors, H. R. Hunter, chairraan, A. F. Davenport
and Knut Thompson; clerk, Edward C. .Currey; treasurer, G. B.
Saramons; assessor, Henry Callender; constables, C. T. Jeffers and
Henry Callender; justice. Prank S. Emerson. July 22, E. C. Currey
resigned as clerk and C. W. McDonald was appointed in his place,
and at the same time L. D. Henry was appointed justice of the peace.
Deceraber 29, D. S. Glidden was appointed treasurer, G. B. Sara
mons having removed from the township.
1882. Supervisors, A. A. Grant, chairraan, J. H. Stockton and
Knut Thompson; clerk, C. W. McDonald; treasurer, D. S. Glidden;
justices, L. D. Henry and Prank S. Emerson. April 29, McDonald
not having qualified as assessor. Prank S. Emerson was appointed,
and on the 6th day of July, McDonald resigned as clerk, and Prank
S. Emerson was appointed to fill vacancy.
1883. Supervisors, A. A. Grant, chairman, J. H. Stockton and
Knut Thompson; clerk, H. M. Avery; treasurer, H. S. Hill; assessor,
P. S. Emerson; justices, L. D. Henry and E. C. Hawkins; constables,
John Sundback and T. D. Quigley. May 28, D. S. Glidden was ap
pointed treasurer, and a contract was raade with Cashraan & Sraith
for building a bridge across the Sioux river at the Yankton crossing
for $423. 1884. Supervisors, A. F. Davenport, C. Broughton and David
Reynolds; clerk, Frank Ford; treasurer, J. S. Udell; assessor, Wra.
Beckler. 1885. Supervisors, A. P. Davenport, chairraan, D. Reynolds
and H. Hunter; clerk. Prank Forde; treasurer, John T. Udell; as-
assessor, J. D. Redding.
1886. Supervisors, A. P. Davenport, chairraan, D. Reynolds
and H. Hunter; clerk, Prank Porde; assessor, J. D. Redding.

304 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

1887. Supervisors, A. J. Rowland, chairraan, Wm. Howie, Sr.,
and H. C. Aldrich; clerk, W. P. Willard; treasurer, C. E. Place; as
sessor, J. T. Udell; justice, G. A. Campbell. The treasurer re
ported he had received during the year $1,958.20, and that the bal
ance on hand was $37.08.
1888. Supervisors, Wra. Howie, Sr., chairman, H. C. Aldrich
and John Schaetzel; clerk, W. P. Willard; assessor, A. L. Caskey;
treasurer, E. S. Carter; justice, L. A. Bullard; constables, J. D.
Redding- and Jacob Hawkins.
1889. Supervisors, Henry Hunter, chairman, A. C. Aldrich
and John Schaetzel; clerk, W. P. Williard; treasurer, Henry Rura-
iiiel; assessor, E. W. Tufts; justice, G. A. Carapbell; constable, J.
T. McGarraugh. October 12, W. P. Willard resigned the office of
clerk and W. H. Heiss was appointed to fill vacancy.
1890. Supervisors, John Fortune, chairraan, E. W. Tufts and
A. C. Collins; clerk, W. H. Heiss; treasurer, Isaac Waring; as
sessor, J. C. Tufts; justices, J. T. McGarraugh and George Baker;
constables, H. C. Aldrich and George Dukelow.
1891. Supervisors, A. C. Collins, chairraan, P. H. George and
E. W. Tufts; clerk, Wra. H. Heiss, Jr.; assessor, P. D. Gushard;
treasurer, Jaraes A. Waring; justice, H. C. Aldrich and E. Caldwell;
constables, J. T. McGarraugh and L. P. Caldwell. P. D. Gushard
did not qualify for assessor, and Fred M. Carter was appointed. At
a special town raeeting March 19, it was decided by a vote of 71 to 37
to appropriate $5, .500 for construction and repair of highways.
1892. Supervisors, A. C. Collins, chairraan, W. G. Lacev and
George A. Baker; clerk, W. H. Heiss, Jr.; treasurer, J. A. War
ing; assessor, Fred Carter; justices, A. M. McNaughton and J. C.
Tufts; constables, J. T. McGarraugh and H. C. Aldrich.
1893. Supervisors, A. J. Hughes, chairman, W. G. Lacey and
A. Caldwell; clerk, W. H. Heiss, Jr.; treasurer, Henry Truxes; as
sessor, H. J. Whipple.
1894. Supervisors, S. W. Helsen, chairman, W. G. Lacey and
A. Caldwell; clerk, W. H. Heiss, Jr.; treasurer, Henry Truxes;
assessor, Jaraes R. Waring.
1895. Supervisors, S. W. Helson, chairman, George A. Baker
and A. C. Collins; clerk, P. M. Carter; treasurer, R. E. Brooks;
assessor, A. Long.
1896. Supervisors, S. W. Helson, chairman, George A. Baker
and Prank Forde; clerk, E. S. Carter; treasurer, Richard E. Brooks;
assessor, A. C. Long.
1897. Supervisors, George A. Baker, chairman, John Klee-
raan and L. D. Lacey; clerk, W. P. Willard; treasurer, Richard
Brooks; assessor, P. M. Carter.
1898. Supervisors, Prank Forde, chairraan, L. D. Lacey and E,
S. Carter; clerk, W. P. Willard; treasurer, Louis Zentle; assessor,
Wm. Howie, Jr.; justice of the peace, Wm. Caldwell.
1 899. Supervisors, L. D. Lacey, chairraan, FrankPorde and Geo.
A. Baker; clerk, W. P. Willard; treasurer, Louis Zentle; assessor,
Wm. Howie, Jr.; justice of the peace, D. P. Harrington; constable,
Ralph Denslow.

\

Frank Forde.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 307

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Baker, George A., is a native of England, and was born on the
18th day of February, 1849. He received a common school education,
and worked on a farm until he was twenty-one years of age, at which
time he emigrated to the United States, and for a while resided in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1871 he took up his residence in Rock
Rapids, Iowa, and remained there two years. He then reraoved to
South Dakota, and located in this county, taking- up the southwest
quarter of section 33 in Sioux Palls township, where he has since re
sided. In addition to this, he has 80 acres of land in Lincoln county,
Avhich he also farras. He was chairman of the township board of
supervisors during 1896 and 1897. He made a good official, is a good
citizen, and an enterprising, progressive farmer.
Caldwell, Erasmus, Avas born in Port Hope, Canada, January
30, 1822. He removed from there to Minnesota, and carae to this
county in 1871, and took up what is now known as the Bunker place
in Sioux Palls township. After residing there a few years he dis
posed of it and settled in section twenty-five same township. He is
a quiet, unassuming man and a good citizen. He has two sons Louis
P., and Adelbert, who are both enterprising young farmers, and
good citizens of the county. Mr. Caldwell had his share of the hard
ships of pioneer life, but he courageously braved it through, without
outside help, freighting- for C. K. Howard when farming would not
pay. He said when he first arrived in Sioux Palls he tendered a one
hundred dollar check on a bank in Redwing, Minn., in payraent for
goods in Moulton's store. Mr. Moulton, was unable to change it, but
at last True Dennis was found to be in possession of sufficient ready
raoney to raake the exchange. However, he was uncertain about the
validity of the check, although Mr. Moulton assured him "You bet it
is all right," but finally, after a good hour's negotiation, accommo
dated Mr. Caldwell. At the first visit to Sioux City the check Avas
proraptly honored by the bank, and Mr. Caldwell had no further
trouble about the acceptance of his checks whenever presented.
Caldwell, William, is a native of Ontario, Canada, and was
born June 5, 1849, in the village of Orono, in Durhara county, was
reared on his father's farm, and attended the public schools, and a
coraraercial college at London, Canada; came to the United States
and engaged in farming at Redwing, Minn., for two years and a half;
carae to Sioux Falls and worked for C. K. Howard for about two
years; returned to Canada, and was a comraercial traveler for nearly
ten years; in 1881 took up land in Miner county. South Dakota, and
engaged in farming at that place for seven years, and raanaged the
Corson Brothers' farm in this county for two years. He has been
justice of the peace of Sioux Falls township since 1393, and is popu
larly known as Judge Caldwell. He is a good citizen.
Porde, Frank, was born in Ireland February 26, 1848, and
emigrated from the land of his nativity to Pennsylvania in 1866,
where he resided two years. He then went to England and reraained
six raonths, returned to the oil region in Pennsylvania for six months,

308 HISTORYOF MINNEHAHA C3UNT/.

and then started West with his brother. Arriving at Omaha in the
summer of 1869 he and his brother agreed to "flip a copper" and let
it decide whether they would go to California or to Sioux Falls,
where Jack had been before. The turn of the copper decided in
favor of Sioux Palls, and they came. Hunting Avas a pretty good
business in this region of the country in those days, and they im
raediately purchased an outfit of traps and other equipments for
hunting and commenced business. The brothers built a log shanty
on the bank of the Big Sioux west of towm, in the fall of 1869, and
trapped muskrat, mink, beaver, fox and wolf. There were at this
time muskrats in great abundance, and the other animals enumerated
Avere not scarce, and occasionally an otter would be caught. Forde
says, "I believe I have stood in one place and shot 100 muskrats be
fore stopping." In 1870 Frank formed a partnership with Big
Eagle, chief of the Santee Sioux, and Lewis Hulitt, and engaged in
trapping and hunting in what is now Minnehaha and Lake counties.
Late in the spring of 1871 they loaded their furs upon an old wagon,
and with a pair of oxen, started for New Ulm, Minnesota, to dispose
of their season's work. They arrived there in June and sold their
furs for a little over S1,000; then loaded their wagon Avith provisions,
ammunition and whiskey, and started back. Arriving at Plandreau
they raet Cash Coats, and he was taken into a partnership in a neAv
scheme. They went to Pipestone and quarried a quantity of pipe
stone sawed it into 600 blocks of such size that they could be easily
manufactured into pipes. Then all but Big Eagle came to Sioux
Palls. Araong other purchases the firm had made Avere ten gallons
of whiskey and ten gallons of alcohol. They all pledged themselves
not to take a single drink, aiid started back to Plandreau Avhere Big
Eagle was to join them, and then they would proceed across the
country to Port Thompson west of the Missouri river, to dispose of
their pipestone, whiskey and alcohol. They went north and camped
the first night about twelve railes frora Siou"x Palls. The next morn
ing, being very dry, they finally concluded to vote on the question
whether they would take a drink, and the ballot shoAved three ayes.
At Plandreau, Big Eagle joined them, and they started on the
Brooking's trail, as it was called, for the west. They did not make
very rapid marches With their ox-team, but thev "did hold a good
many elections on the way, and everv time the vo"te was taken thev
had less whiskey. At last they arrived at their destination, but they
had nothmg to dispose of but their pipestone. Por a dav or two
everything went on smoothly. They were selling the Indians ten
pipes for a good pony, four for a buffalo robe, one for a blanket and
so on. when the Indians began to claim the pipestone belonged to
the Indians, and that Forde and company had no right to quarry it.
lhe party was soon brought before the agent, and he read them a
portion of a treaty from which it appeared that the pipestone quarry
Avas Indian property, and he advised them it would be best to move
°"j .1-7 ^°^ '" motion at once, taking with them all their effects,
and they kept on the march until eleven o'clock at night, when they
caraped, got their supper and retired. But it was not long before
they heard unearthly yells and found they were surrounded by

History of MiNNEHahA CounTY. 309

Indians, Avho proceeded to business at once, taking into their posses
sion all the property they had sold, and confiscated "as contraband"
all the remaining material for pipes. The party was now nearly
bankrupt, having- only a small quantity of provision and Coats a little
money. They proceeded to Yankton, and from there came to Sioux
Palls. They held no elections on the way, a yea vote on the question
that they Aoted on going out, would have been meaningless, in fact —
dispiriting-. Mr. Forde says: "Beavers are good eating, and the tail
of a beaver is a g-reat delicacy; have cooked and eaten thera a great
many times in my shanty." He at first "squatted" on what is now
Park Addition in the city of Sioux Falls, but there being no fuel or
Avater upon it, abandoned it, and took by pre-emption the northwest
quarter of section 19, where his dairy farm is now located. In 1873
he got his patent to this land, signed by Gen. Grant, andafterwards
offered to sell the land for $400, but was corapelled to keep it. In
1888 he sold a half interest in it to Melvin Grigsby for $10,000. He
has noAv a large dairy and sells milk all the year round to the people
df Sioux Palls. The buildings upon this farm cost seA'eral thousand
dollars. Mr. Forde is a man of great energy, is an active enterpris
ing- citizen and always takes a lively interest in political matters.
He has been a member of the township board several years and was
its chairman in 1898 and was elected for the three years term to the
sarae office in March, 1899.
Carter, Levi S., is a native of New Harapton, New Harapshire,
and was born May 4, 1831. He was reared on a farra and educated in
the district schools and New Hampton Academy. When twenty-one
years of ag-e he engaged in teaching school. Two years later he
learned photog-raphy and for five years was engaged in the photo
graphic business in New England and Chicago. In 1858 he turned
his attention to dentistry, and after graduating from the Baltimore
Dental College practiced his profession for ten years in Illinois. He
then engaged in the drug business about thirteen years at Mendota,
Illinois. On the 28th day of July, 1882, he arrived in Sioux Falls,
and soon after purchased the northeast quarter of section 4, in Sioux
Palls township, where he has since resided. He has been employed
to raake crop reports for this county since the first year of his
residence here, and has kept a cliraatic record since 1885. He has
for several years been Volunteer Meteorological Observer at Sioux
Palls for the U. S. Departraent of Agriculture, and is an active, and
highly respected citizen.
Jones, Daniel W., was born in Deerfield, Franklin county,
Massachusetts, February 28, 1832. He was reared on a farra and
educated in the common schools. He resided in Vermont two years
and for several years in Illinois, and carae to this county in 1879.
He bought the northAvest quarter of section 13, in Sioux Palls town
ship and has resided there since then. It is a good farra, and he has
a handsome home. He is also the owner of other farm lands in Split
Rock and Valley Springs. Mr. Jones is an honest, upright citizen.
Jones, Elijah, was born in Miorai county, Ohio, July 14, 1828;
was reared on a farra, and was engaged in farming in his native state

310 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

until the fall of 1858, when he moved to Marshal county, Iowa, where
he resided until the fall of 1874, when he came to Dakota and settled
in Lincoln county, half a mile from Sioux Palls township. He was
chairman of the supervisors of Springdale township fourteen years.
In 1893 he removed to Sioux Palls township Avhere he now resides.
He is a respected citizen.
Johns, Henry, was born in Germany, September 21, 1851; was
reared on a farra, and attended the public schools until seventeen
years of age, when he learned the cooper's trade, and until 1881 was
a journeyman cooper in his native country. In February, 1881, ar
rived in America; worked at his trade in the State of New York one
year, and in Chicago until April, 1886, when he came to Sioux Palls.
Soon after his arrival at this place he was employed in the cooper
shop at the brewery, and reraained there until the fall of 1888, when
he purchased a few acres of land in section eleven in Sioux Palls
township and coraraenced raarket gardening, in which he still con
tinues. He has been a school officer in school district No. 16 for ten
years, is a good neighbor, and an industrious, upright citizen.
Kingsbury, Edgar J., was born April 3, 1831, at Andover, Con
necticut. He was reared on a farra, and was educated in the cora
raon schools and the high school of East Hampton, Massachusetts.
At the age of seventeen years he commenced teaching school, and
for the next eight years worked on the farm and taught school dur
ing the winters. Prom this time until he came to this county in
1880, he was engaged in farraing- on the old homestead in Andover.
He resided in Sioux Palls two years, and then moved onto his farm
of 320 acres in sections 14 and 23 in Mapleton, where he remained
until a few years ago, Avhen he built a fine residence on section 3 in
Sioux Falls township where he now resides. Mr. Kingsbury is an
honest, upright citizen, and well liked by his neighbors and acquaint
ances. Lacey, William G., was born at Wheatland, Monroe countv, N.
Y., October 26, 1814; graduated at Vermont University; took a laAv
course at Yale; graduated at Geneva Medical College, 'and practiced
raedicine in New York city; was a member of the Masonic order, and
was a politician of note, and held responsible positions of trust in
New York; came to Sioux Palls June 27, 1883, and purchased a farra
m section 13 in Sioux Palls township, and section 18 in Split Rock
township. He died February 28, 1891. His two sons, William G.,
and Levi D., are now residing on the horae-farm. They were en
gaged in the grain business several years. William has been a mera
ber of the town board of supervisors of Sioux Falls township three
years, and Levi two years.
Willard. William P., is a native of Medina county, Ohio, and
was born on the 7th day of May, 1842. He was raised on his father's
farra, and received a comraon school education. When the war of
the rebellion broke out he promptly responded to the call for volun
teers, and enlisted m the three months service in Co. K, Sth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, and after serving five months was discharged.
In August, 1862, he re-enlisted, for three years, in Co. B, 124 Ohio,

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 311

and served to the close of the war. At Chickamauga he received a
slight AAOund in his arm from a splinter, and was at another time hit
by a bullet, which fortunately struck his beltplate, and thus saved
his life. After the war he returned to Ohio and lived there until
1865, Avhen he moved to Des Moines county, Iowa, got married, and
engaged in farming until the fall of 1882. At that time he removed
to Dakota, and boug-ht a farm in Sioux Palls township, of Mrs. Clara
Lewis, but sold it the next jear, and bought his present farra,
Avhich comprises 160 acres in section 12, Sioux Palls township,
and section 7, Split Rock township. He resided on this farm until
1889, vA'hen he went to Escondido, California, and engaged in raising-
oranges and lemons for seven A-ears, when business interests cora
pelled him to return to his farm in Minnehaha county, where he has
since resided, and has a good farm. He has been clerk of the town
board of Sioux Falls township fiAe years, is a careful painstaking-
official, and an enterprising, highly esteemed citizen.
WoERHLE, David, is a native of Germany, and Avas born August
21, 1846. He Avas in the railitary service four years and served in
the German and French w^ar. In 1877 he emigrated to the United
States, and in 1878 came to Sioux Falls. He took up a homestead in
section 1, but sold it a few years ago. He is still engaged in farm
ing, and is an industrious, good citizen.

Lone Rock.

CITY OF SIOUX FAIiliS,

VIEW OF THE WEST SIDE. NEAU TJIE l.^LAND, SIvUX PALLS.

Sioux Falls was the first
place inhabited by white men
in the Aalley of the Big Sioux,
and in the first chapter of this
book a carefully prepared ac
count of the most important
events in her history down to
1875 appears. What was then
only a little village is now the
most populous and important
city in the state, and although
not without natural advan
tages, this development and
growth has been in the main
the result of the push and en
terprise of her citizens. But
the history of the methods
adopted, and the means used,
are more in harmony with the purpose of this work than any gen
eralization we could possibly make; we will therefore proceed to pre
sent a complete summary of her municipal affairs, public institutions,
industries, and other important raatters, which as a whole indicate
the character and importance of every community, hoping our read
ers, with the aid of the illustrations, will find our treatment of the
subject interesting and instructive.
THE INCORPORATION OP THE VILLAGE AND CITY OP
SIOUX FALLS, AND IMPORTANT MUNICIPAL
TRANSACTIONS.
The twelfth session of the legislative asserably of the Territory
of Dakota passed an act incorporating the village of Sioux Palls.
The territory comprised 1,200 acres, including all of section 16, and
a row of forty acre tracts on the east, south and AA^est of the same
section. The charter was brief, but comprehensive. The goA-ern-
ment of the corporation and the general raanageraent of its affairs
were vested in a president, who was ex officio a trustee, and four
trustees. The elections were held annually on the first Tuesday of
March, and the term of all the elective officers was for one year.
The first election was held on the third Tuesday of March, 1877.

314 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

C. K. Howard was elected president of the board of trustees and
held this office four successive years. During his adrainistration a
liberal policy was pursued, and the growth of the village, if not phe
nomenal, was of such a character as to inspire the residents with
bright hopes of the future of Sioux Palls.
The act incorporating the village of Sioux Falls was amended in
1879, creating the office of village justice of the peace, and defining
his duties and jurisdiction.
Although prosperous under the village organization, her citizens
in 1882 began to realize that the charter pattern was too small and
restrictive, and public meetings were held for the purpose of taking-
measures to secure a city charter. The question was discussed,
and the sentiment of the people found to be strongly in favor of im
mediate action, and a committee was appointed to draft a charter and
report to a meeting of the citizens to take place in the future, so that
the wisdom of the whole village might be brought to bear upon its
construction. It was at this juncture of affairs that the writer becarae a resi
dent of Sioux Palls, and had the pleasure of listening to the report
of this coraraittee, consisting of L. S. Swezey and A. C. Phillips. A
good deal of interest was manifest at these meetings, and very few,
if any, of the provisions of the proposed charter escaped discussion.
When the charter had been corapleted by the coraraittee and received
the sanction of the public in the forra of a bill for enactment by the
territorial legislature then in session at Yankton, it was conveyed
there by a comraittee, and became a law on March 3, 1883.
By the provisions of this charter the city Avas divided into four
wards, and the annual city election fixed for the first Tuesday in
April. The elective officers Avere a raayor, two alderraen from each
ward, clerk, assessor, treasurer, police justice and city justice.
The offices of city attorney, marshal, policeman, street commission
er, health officer and board of health were created, to be filled by ap
pointment by the mayor, and confirraed by the council. A board of
education vvas also established, consisting of two members from each
ward to have control of the public schools.
The first city election took place on the 3d dav of April, 1883,
and it was the last one held at a single polling place. The contest
for mayor was spirited. There Avere three candidates in the field,
naraely, Jacob Schaetzel, Jr., C. W. Hubbard and Dexter J. Knapp;
806 votes were cast, Schaetzel receiving 414, Hubbard 376 and Knapp
16. By referring to the list of city officials it will be seen that a
strong council was elected, and for business capacity, the raayor and
aldermen who had in charge the affairs of the city the first year of
its existence, has not been surpassed if equaled since then. The
city, of course, inherited the obligations of the A-illage as Avell as its
assets. The Daily Press, at the time Sioux Falls becarae a city,
Ijubhshed the following statement of the debits and credits of the de
funct village: "The financial condition of the village at this time
shows that the amount of indebtedness on account of the general
fund was $22,200; the village was bonded to the amount of $20,000 for
aid m securing the earlier completion of the St. Paul Railroad- the

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 3l5

indebtedness on account of the board of education including bonds
was $26,800, making a total indebtedness of about $69,000, to be as
sumed bA' the citA'. The total assets to be turned over to the city
maA^ be enuraerated as follows: fire apparatus worth $7,000; real
estate in the Avay of lots, engine and truck houses, prison, etc., $2,-
500; right of w^aA' and depot grounds for the Milwaukee Railroad, $6,-
500; school property, including- thirty-tAvo city lots, three brick
school houses and one frarae, $33,000; for the $20,000 railroad bonds
the village was amply compensated, at but a small per cent of the
amount other communities have .paid for similar enterprises, Avhich
made the total assets $69,000, an exact balance for the indebtedness
it was called upon to assume."
It was during the first year of the city governraent, that the
"telephone war" occurred, and a brief outline of the facts will dem
onstrate that the administration was energetic and efficient in pro
tecting the interests of the public.
In March, 1882, a telephone company was organized with a cap
ital of $10,000. About September 25, the sarae year, the instruments
arrived in the city, and the McKinney and Scougal bank got the first
one. About the first dav of July, 1883, the property of this company
was transferred to the Erie Telegraph & Telephone Co., a corpora
tion organized in the State of New York — and frora this tirae the tel
ephone business began to thrive. To transact the business, poles
had been erected on Phillips avenue, and the corapany clairaed the
right to erect them on any and all the streets and aA^enues in the city.
The city authorities decided that the erection of poles and the
stringing of wires on the principal business streets of the city Avas a
public nuisance, and on the 6th day of October. 1883, so declared by
ordinance, and prohibited the company from erecting poles on Phil
lips and Main avenues, and gave the company ten days to reraove
those already erected. The company disregarded the provisions of
the ordinance, and on November 3, the raayor, upheld by the city
council, caused the poles to be cut doAvn and removed. The company
eraployed Winsor & SAvezey of Sioux Palls and Gamble Bros, of
Yankton, and on November 24, a suit Avas brought against the city
for ten thousand dollars damages. On December 18, the plaintiff
obtained an injunction from Judge Edgerton, one of the suprerae
court judges of the territory (there being no judge in this district at
that tirae), restraining the city, its officers, agents and servants,
"frora destroying, removing or interfering with the telephone lines,
poles, fixtures and wires ofthe plaintiff, and from obstructing, pre
venting or interfering with the company, its agents and servants, m
restoring repairing, erecting and extending its lines, poles, fixtures
and Avires, as may be necessary in repairing, operating and maintain
ing its telephone' exchange in the said City of Sioux Palls. ' This
order, as will be seen, perraitted the corapany to erect poles and
establish telephone lines, notwithstanding the ordinance of the city,
and almost seemed to decide the merits of the case m advance of the
issues formed. On December 20, the defendant demurred to plain
tiff's coraplaint. On Deceraber 22, the defendant raoved to dissolve
the injunction of Deceraber 18, and obtained an order from Judge

316 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Edgerton, staying the operation of the injunction, 'vvhile the motion
to dissolve was pending. Bartlett Tripp was employed to assist A.
Frizzell, who was at this tirae city attorney. The motion was heard
before Judge Edgerton and taken under advisement, and on Febru
ary 4, 1884, the raotion to dissolve was denied, and the order staying-
the operation of the injunction vacated. This order was served on
the city attorney on February 9, and published in the Daily Press
the next raorning. The parties were on a "war footing" again, and
the city authorities Avere raore deterrained than ever that no poles
should be erected nor wires strung on Phillips and Main avenues by
the corapany. The city council was called together on February 11,
and as it was one of the notable sessions of this body, the proceed
ings are recorded here: "Present, the mayor, Jacob Schaetzel, Jr.,
Alderraen Porter P. Peck, N. E. Phillips, George A. Knott, M.
Grigsby, P. L. Boyce and True Dennis. M. Grigsby moved that the
city marshal be instructed to enforce the telegraph and telephone
ordinance under any and all circumstances." This motion, after
striking out the declaration of war, was carried. Nothing further
occurred until February 18, when the corapany commenced digging
a hole for a telephone pole near the corner of Phillips avenue and
Tenth street. John Reynolds, Prank Dockery and Peter McCar-
rier Avere engaged in the work, when City Marshal C. T. Jeffers ap
peared on the scene and arrested them all under an old village ordi
nance, raaking it unlawful "to dig and reraove earth in the streets."
Their defense was that they Avere digging a hole for a telephone
pole, but Judge Hawkins disregarded Judge Edgerton's injunction,
and fined thera three dollars each, and costs, and that they stand
coramitted until the fine and costs were paid. They appealed to the
district court. About March 20, Judge Palmer, who had recently
been appointed associate justice of the supreme court, signed an or
der requiring Jacob Schaetzel, Jr., C. T. Jeffers, R. C. Hawkins, M.
Grigsby and Porter P. Peck to show cause on April 1, at the court
house m Sioux Palls, why they should not be judged guilty of con
terapt and punished for disobeying the injunction of Judge Edgerton.
By agreeraent the hearing Avas postponed a few davs, when it was
heard before Judge Palraer. A. Frizzell, Bartlett Tripp and Capt.
Start of Wisconsin appeared in behalf of the city, and Winsor &
Swezey and John Garable in support of the contempt proceedings.
It was a hearing that aroused a good deal of interest, and Avas ably
and exhaustively conducted on both sides. The onlv paper that was
ever filed m this case after this, is only four lines in length, from
Avhich it appears that the case was settled, and as the writer settled
the case he feels authorized to sav that less than twenty-five dollars
disposed of the whole matter, and the poles of the company were
never erected on Phillips and Main avenues.
The vigor of the administration of city affairs under Mayor
Schaetzel, stamped the city as being alive to her interests, and since
that tirae the city officials have, as a whole, been active and vigorous
m doing everything that the growth and development of the city de
manded. Bonding the city for the building of railroads, the grading
and paving of streets, and such other raatters as come before citj

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 317

councils in young and rapidly growing municipalities have been up
for action before the city councils of Sioux Palls, and at all times and
under all circumstances have been cared for in such manner as to
meet the approval of the citizens generally. Of course, matters have
come before the council from time to tirae upon which there has been
great diversity of opinion araong its members, and occasionally com
binations have been formed and projects carried through, especially
in reference to the appointment of the minor city officials, without
much regard to the minority.
One thing- can be truthfully said of all the mayors of the city,
they have been representative men. They have all been business
men, vigorous and enterprising in their own affairs, and anxious for
the prosperity of the city. And while they have all been men in
which the positive element largely predominated, still every one of
thera has had sufficient elasticity in his make-up to enable him to
stretch a point for the welfare of the city in his administration.
What the citA' has done in its legislative and administrative
capacity, will more appropriately appear in connection with special
topics considered elsewhere. VILLAGE OFFICERS.
The first annual election of officers in the village of Sioux Palls
took place the third Tuesday in March, 1877, when the following
officers were elected:
1877. President, C. K. Howard; trustees, J. L. Phillips,
Wra. Van Eps, E. A. Sherraan, Henry Callender; clerk, C. O.
Natesta; treasurer, George B. Sararaons.
1878. President, C. K. Howard; trustees, J. L. Phillips,
E. A. Sherman, N. E. Phillips, Henry Callender; clerk, C. O.
Natesta; treasurer, H. L. Hollister.
1879. President, C. K. Howard; trustees, J. L. Phillips,
C. H. Vincent, J. B. Watson, T. T. Cochran; clerk, E. W. Caldwell;
treasurer, H. L. Hollister.
1880. President, C. K. Howard; trustees, L. T. Dunning,
C. P. Weston, T. T. Cochran, AndrcAv Petterson; clerk, W. H. Holt;
treasurer, H. L. Hollister.
1 881 . President, L. T. Dunning; trustees, J. B. Watson, W. E.
Willey, F. Kunerth, Andrew Petterson; clerk, W. H. Holt; treas
urer, H. L. Hollister.
1882. President, T. T. Cochran; trustees, Wra. Van Eps,
C. W. Hubbard, W. E. Willey, H. Gilbert; clerk, W. Holt; treas
urer, E. E. Sage.
Jacob Schaetzel, Jr., was president frora July 24, 1882, when he
was elected to fill vacancy caused by the death of T. T. Cochran,
Avho died on the 20th day of June, 1882.
CITY OFFICERS.
1883. Mayor, Jacob Schaetzel, Jr., 2 years; alderraen, 1st
ward, P. P. Peck, 2 vears, N. E. Phillips, 1 year; 2d ward, G. A.
Knott, 2 years, W. E. Willey, 1 year (Mr. Willey reraoving frora the
ward Otto Heynsohn was appointed to fill vacancy January 12, 1884);

318 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

3d Avard, M. Grigsby, 2 years, P. L. Boyce, 1 year; 4th ward. True
Dennis, 2 years, J. B. Watson, 1 year; clerk, W. H. Holt; treasurer,
E. E. Sage; assessor, F. S. Eraerson; police justice, R. C. Hawkins;
city justice, L. D. Henry; attorney, A. Frizzell; marshal, C. T.
Jeffers; street commissioner, L. C. Winslow.
1884. Mayor, Jacob Schaetzel, Jr. ; aldermen, 1st ward, P. P.
Peck, N. E. Phillips; 2d ward, George A. Knott, C. S. Bowen; 3d
ward, M. Grigsby, John P. Norton; 4th ward, True Dennis, H M.
Stearns; clerk, W. H. Holt; treasurer, E. E. Sage; assessor, P. S.
Emerson; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, L. D. Henry;
attorney, A. Frizzell; raarshal, C. T. Jeffers; street commissioner,
L. C. Winslow. C. S. Bowen died in February, 1885. Otto Heynson
was appointed March 24, to fill vacancy, but did not qualify, and
Charles L. Norton was appointed April 14, 1885.
1885. Mayor, H. W. Ross; aldermen, 1st ward, N. E. Phil
lips, M. Bridge; 2d ward, A. G. Seney, C. L. Norton; 3d ward, J. F.
Norton, R. G. Parmley; 4th ward, H. M. Stearns, A. P. Shaw; clerk,
W. H. Holt; treasurer, P. P. Peck; assessor, P. S. Emerson; city
justice, L. D. Henry; attorney, D. R. Bailey; marshal, C. T. Jeffers;
street coraraissioner, L. C. Winslow; health officer, S. Olney, M. D.
Noveraber 10, 1885, A. P. Shaw resigned as alderraan and John O.
Meara was appointed to fill the vacancA'.
1886. Mayor, H. W. Ross; alder'raen, 1st ward, M. Bridge, P.
W. Taylor; 2d ward, A. G. Seney, W. E. Willey; 3d ward, R. G.
Parraley, John P. Norton; 4th ward, John O. Meara, W. E. Austin;
clerk, W. H. Holt; treasurer, George B. Sararaons; assessor, M. A.
Stickney; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, L. D. Henry;
attorney, D. R. Bailey; raarshal, George W. Burnside; street cora
raissioner, O. A. Hawley; health officer, S. Olney, M. D. March 18,
1887, John P. Norton resigned as alderman. November 10, 1886, L.
D. Henry resigned as city justice and M. A. Stickney was appointed
to fill vacancy.
1887. Mayor, John P. Norton; alderraen, 1st Avard, Mark
Bridge, F. W. Taylor; 2d ward, W. E. Willey, George W. Lear; 3d
ward, C. G. Coats, J. G. Strahon; 4th ward, W. E. Austin, Sarauel
Hurst; clerk, W. H. Holt; treasurer, George B. Sammons; assessor,
H. M. Avery; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, M. A.
Stickney; attorney, D. R. Bailey; marshal, G. W. Burnside; health
officer, J. C. Morgan, M. D. ; street commissioner, O. A. Hawley.
1888. Mayor, John P. Norton; alderraen, 1st ward, Mark
Bridge, P. S. Eraerson; 2d ward, Geo. W. Lear, W. E. Willey; 3d
Avard, C. G. Coats, J. G. Strahon; 4th Avard, W. E. Austin,' Sam
Hurst; clerk, W. H. Holt; treasurer, Geo. B. Sammons; assessor,
Wm. Beckler; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, M. A.
Stickney; attorney, D. R. Bailey; marshal, A. J. Mills; street cora
raissioner, John Plemming; health officer, J. C. Morgan, M. D.
March 19, 1889, an election was held to determine whether Sioux
Palls should be incorporated under chapter 73 of the general laws of
Dakota. The result of this election was 503 votes for and 209
against, and a resolution was passed declaring the citv incorporated
under the general laAv.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 319

1889, Mayor, W. E. Willey; aldermen, 1st ward, Mark Bridge,
E. J. Mannix; 2d ward, Fred Kreiser, Geo. A. Knott; 3d ward,
C. G. Coats, J. G. Strahon; 4th ward, J. B. Watson, Thomas Mc
Kinnon; attorney, A. Frizzell; auditor, W. H. Holt; treasurer, Geo.
B. Sammons; chief of police, John Donahoe; police justice, R. C.
Hawkins; city justice, M. A. Stickney; street commissioner, Joseph
Sampson; assessors, Wra. Beckler, W. E. Austin, J. H. Voorhees;
health officer, S. Olney.
1890. Mayor, Porter P. Peck; Aldermen, 1st ward, W. G.
McKennon, P. L. Blackman; 2d ward, W. W. Brookings, Thomas
Scanlan; 3d ward, C. G. Coats, J. S. Lewis; 4th ward, Thomas
McKinnon, Alex Reid; attorney, C. L. Brookway; auditor, W. H.
Holt; treasurer, Geo. B. Sammons; chief of police, A. B. Wheelock;
police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, M. A. Stickney; assessor,
E. G. Wright; engineer, D. C. Rice; street commissioner, R. J.
Huston; health officer, S. A. Brown, M. D.
March 2, 1891, the city was by ordinance re-districted into six
wards. 1891. Mayor, Porter P. Peck; Alderraen, 1st ward, W. G.
McKennon, P. L. Blackman; 2d ward, S. E. Blauvelt, Thomas
Scanlan; 3d ward, C. G. Coats, J. J. Murry; 4th ward, Alex Reid,
Thomas McKinnon; Sth ward, J. S. Lewis, G. W. Burnside; 6th
ward, J. B. Fearon, D. L. McKinney; attorney, C. L. Brockway;
auditor, W. H. Holt; treasurer, Geo. B. Sammons; chief of police,
A. B. Wheelock; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, M. A.
Stickney; assessor, C. S. Carr; engineer, D. C. Rice; street corarais
sioner, J. Sampson; building inspector, C. P. Martin; health officer,
S. A. Brown.
1892. Mayor, Porter P. Peck; Alderraen, 1st ward, Mark
Bridge, F. L. Blackman; 2d ward, S. E. Blauvelt, Thoraas Scanlan;
3d ward, J. J. Murry, E. M. ShotAvell; 4th ward, Thomas McKin
non, Alexander Reid; 5th ward, G. W. Burnside, J. A. Ward; 6th
ward, D. L. McKinney, J. B. Fearon; attorney, D. E. Powers; treas
urer, P. P. Boylan; auditor, Roy Williams; chief of police, W. H.
Martin; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, A. B. Wheelock;
assessors, A. J. Taber, Jonah Jones; engineer, D. C. Rice; building
inspector, C. P. Martin; street commissioner, J. Sampson; chief of
fire department, Jerry Carleton; health officer, J. C. Morgan.
Joseph Sampson's terra of office as street commissioner expired,
and John T. Summers was appointed November 19, to fill vancancy.
Prank L. Blackman, by moving out of the vvard, vacated his office as
alderman on February 17, 1893.
1893. Mayor, Porter P. Peck; aldermen, 1st ward, Mark
Bridge, J. W. Craig; 2d ward, Thomas Scanlon, John T. Cogan; 3d
ward, E. W. Shotwell, John Murry; 4th ward, Thomas McKinnon,
Alex. Reid; Sth ward, Joseph A. Ward, Geo. W. Burnside; 6th ward,
D. L. McKinney, Joseph Sarapson; attorney, D. E. Powers, who
resigned about Septeraber 20, and John H. Gates was appointed;
treasurer, P. P. Boylan; auditor, Roy Williaras; chief of police, W.
H. Martin, for a few months, when Joseph Dickson was appointed;
police justice, R. C. HaAvkins; city justice, A. B. Wheelock; assessor.

320 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
A. J. Taber; city engineer, S. B. HoAve; building inspector, C. P.
Martin; street commissioner, Ira Soule; chief fire department, Jerry
Carleton; health officer, J. C. Morgan.
1894. Mayor, Roy Williams; aldermen, 1st ward, J. W. Craig,
Anton Christopherson; 2d ward, John T. Cogan, W. D. Roberts; 3d
ward, John Murry, B. H. Lien; 4th ward, Thomas McKinnon, Alex.
Reid; Sth ward, George W. Burnside, P. J. Morstad; 6th ward,
Joseph Sampson, Fred Kreiser; attorney, C. P. Bates; treasurer,
P. P. Boylan; auditor, P. L. Blackman; chief of police, W. H. Martin;
police justice, W. D. Stites; city justice, A. B. Wheelock; assessor,
E. Engleson; city engineer, J. M. James; building inspector, R. H.
Booth; street coraraissioner, E. M. Shotwell; chief fire departraent,
Jerry Carleton; health officer, A. H. Tufts.
1895. Mayor, Roy Williaras; alderraan, 1st ward, Anton Chris
topherson, J. W. Craig; 2d Avard, W. D. Roberts, John T. Cogan; 3d
Avard, B. H. Lien, Daniel Scott; 4th ward, Thoraas McKinnon, Sam
uel Hurst; Sth ward, P. J. Morstad, George W. Burnside; 6th ward,
Fred Kreiser, Joseph Sampson; attorney, C. P. Bates; treasurer, P.
P. Boylan; auditor, P. L. Blackman; chief of police, W. H. Martin;
justice, W. D. Stites; city justice, A. B. Wheelock; assessor, George
Arneson; city engineer, J. M. James; building inspector, R. H.
Booth; street commissioner, E. M. Shotwell; chief fire department,
W. P. McKeever; health officer, A. H. Tufts.
1 896. Mayor, A . H. Stites; alderman, 1st ward, J. W. Craig, W.
T. Doolittle; 2d ward, John Cogan, G. H. Barry; 3d ward, Daniel
Scott, Theodore Pankow; 4th ward, Sarauel Hurst, W. D. Roberts;
Sth ward, George W. Burnside, P. J. Morstad; 6th ward, A. H. Kil-
roy, M. M. Plaskey; attorney, D. E. Powers; treasurer, P. P. Boy
lan; auditor, P. L. Blackman, chief of police, Joseph K. Dickson;
police justice, O. A. Fowler; city justice, A. B. Wheelock; assessor,
G. H. Kiland; city engineer, S. B. Howe; building inspector, R. H.
Booth; street commissioner, G. W. Ward; chief fire department, W.
P. McKeever; health officer, Dr. Stephen Olney.
1 897. Mayor, A. H. Stites; treasurer, John Olson; police justice,
O. A. Fowler; city justice, A. B. Wheelock; aldermen, 1st ward,
W. T. Doolittle, P. W. McKeever; 2d ward, G. H. Barry, H. T.
Parmley; 3d ward, Theodore Pankow, Dan Scott; 4th ward, S. H.
Hurst, W. D. Roberts; Sth ward, P. J. Morstad, G. W. Burnside;
6th ward, M. M. Flaskev, A. S. Kilroy; auditor, P. L. Blackman; at
torney, D. E. Powers; assessor, G. H. Kiland; building inspector, R.
H. Booth; chief of police, J. M. Dickson; chief of fire department, J.
N. Carpenter; engineer, S. B. Howe; health officer, S. Olney; street
commissioner, G. W. Ward.
1898. Mayor, B. H. Lien; treasurer, John Olson; police justice,
O. A. Fowler; city justice, Cyrus Walts; aldermen, 1st ward, W. T.
Doolittle, P. W. McKeever; 2d ward, W. E. Willey, H. T. Parraley;
3d ward, Theodore Pankow, Dan Scott; 4th ward, S. H. Hurst, Alex
Reid; Sth ward, P. J. Morstad, G. W. Burnside; 0th ward, M. M.
Plaskey, A. S. Kilroy; auditor, L. M. Estabrook; attorney, D. J.
Conway; assessor, Roy Williams; building inspector, R. H" Booth;
chief of police, Fred Kreiser; chief of fire department, A. J. Carl-

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 321

son; engineer, S. B. Howe; health officer, H. W. Subera, street com
missioner; E. M. Shotwell.
1899. MaA-or, B. H. Lien; treasurer, John Olson; police justice,
O. A. PoAvler; citv justice, Cyrus Walts; alderraan, 1st ward, W. T,
Doolittle, R. E. Woodworth; 2d ward, W. E. Willey, Mark Bridge;
3d Avard, Theodore Pankow, D. C. Ricker; 4th ward, S. H. Hurst,
Alex Reid; Sth Avard, P. J. Morstad, G. W. Burnside; 6th ward, M.
M. Plaskey, Ira Soule; auditor, L. M. Estabrook; attorney. D. J.
ConAvay; assessor, Roy Williams; building inspector, R. H. Booth;
chief of police, Fred Kreiser; chief of fire department, James M.
Tatman; engineer, S. B. HoAve; health officer, H. W. Subera; street
coraraissioner, E. M. Shotwell. SCHOOLS.
Strang-e as it maA' seem, no steps Avere taken in the Sioux Palls
district to secure the benefit of the school laAV, and no active meas
ures Avere taken to organize the district until the spring of 1873,
nearly two years after the division of the county into school districts
had been made. At that tirae, the necessity of a public school hav
ing- forced itself upon the coraraunity, a petition was circulated
among the citizens asking- for the organization of a school board.
Prior to this time four terras of school had been taught in Sioux
Palls toAvnship. During the winter of 1871-2, a Mr. Leonard taught
school in a sod shanty near where the brewery now stands. About
the first of September, 1872, Mrs. E. H. DarroAv commenced a select
school in the barracks, and taught three months, and the foUoAving
Avinter she taug-ht a term of school in a log house northeast of the
city on what is known as the David Reynold's place. During the
Avinter of 1872-3, Miss Clara Ledyard (noAv Mrs. Lewis) taught school
in the barracks.
On the 14th day of April, 1873, Albion Thorne, superintendent
of public instruction, issued an order to EdAvin Sharpe, "a house
holder in district No. 1," to post notices in said district of the first
school raeeting to be held April 29, 1873, at 7 o'clock P. M., in the
roora used for school purposes in Sioux Falls. At this raeeting the
first school officers of the town of Sioux Falls were elected as follows:
A. Gale, director; R. P. PettigreAv, clerk; D. S. Goodyear, treasurer.
A special meeting of the voters of the district was called May
12, 1873, in the school room at Sioux Falls, and on raotion of Mr.
Grigsby it was ordered that a tax of one per cent should be levied for
the purpose of building a school house. A motion was then made by
Mr. Bippus that a tax of one per cent be voted to purchase school
furniture and for other purposes, Avhich was also carried. A com
mittee of five, consisting of the following named persons was ap
pointed by the chair to select suitable grounds for a school house:
J. Bippus, R. Booth, M. Grigsby, H. J. Whipple and R. P. Petti
grew. The meeting then adjourned to May 25, at Avhich time Mr.
Bippus, chairman of the committee, stated that he had no definite
report to make and asked for more tirae, whereupon the coraraittee
was continued for one week.
June 2, having met pursuant to adjournment, Mr. Bippus re-

322 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

ported that Mr. A. Gale would sell lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, block 2 of
Gale's addition to Sioux Falls for two hundred and fifty dollars, and
that J. L. Phillips would sell lots 3, 4, 5, 14, 15 and 16, block 7 for
two hundred and fifty dollars. The report of the committee was ac
cepted and the district board was instructed to contract for the lots
raentioned in the report. On raotion of R. H. Booth, the tax voted at
a previous meeting was rescinded, and on motion of Mr. Pettigrew a
tax of one per cent for building a school house was voted. A public
school was now supposed to be a thing of the near future, but the
people were doomed to disappointment. The treasurer had doubts
in regard to his authority to collect the tax, and before these doubts
were satisfied the warrant had expired by limitation. There being
consequently no money and no Avay of raising it at that time, the idea
of a public school was for a time abandoned.
On the 6th of September, 1873, A. Gale, chairraan and director
of the board, called another school meeting and a neAA^ board was
elected as follows: A. Gale, director; H. J. Whipple, treasurer and
C. W. McDonald, secretary. The tax voted at the last meeting was
rescinded, and a tax of one-half of one per cent for building a school
house and one-quarter of one per cent for teachers' wages and fur
nishing the school house was voted, and the district officers were in
structed to collect such tax as soon as possible. The board was also
authorized to rent a room suitable for a school room, and to employ a
female teacher for three months during the ensuing fall. It Avas
also voted to have six months' additional school during the next school
year. The board was instructed to advertise for plans and specifi
cations for a school house, the cost not to exceed one thousand dol
lars, and in order to carry out these instructions was authorized to
borrow raoney as it might deem proper, not to exceed one thousand
dollars. The newly elected board fully realizing the difficulties to be en
countered, and deterraining to fulfil their duties faithfully, met on
the Monday following their election and pledged themselves, each to
the other, that every possible effort should be made to organize and
continue a public school in Sioux Falls. That this pledge was
sa.credly kept the results of their efforts Avill shoAv, and the pride
with which this result was reported by the clerk to the district at
the expiration of the year is surely pardonable, the more especially
as it is not, as the clerk naively remarks "for electioneering pur
poses." In accordance with instructions, notices w-ere posted to the
effect that the board would receive sealed proposals for the erection
of a school house in Sioux Falls until Saturday evening Septeraber
13, 1873. The district was canvassed and the total number of chil
dren between the ages of five and twenty-one was found to be 136
—76 males and 60 females. On September 13, the board met to open
bids for building a school house, and the clerk was instructed to
enter into a contract with J. P. Burger for the erection of a school
building. Miss Clara Ledyard was employed as teacher for three
months at thirty dollars per month. She taught in Libbey's hall,
which was located on the east side of Main avenue, between Seventh
and Eighth streets.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 323

September 15, the board met and the clerk reported that Mr.
Burger would not enter into a contract to build the school house, and
it was decided to advertise for new bids.
September 16, they met again in the office of Pettigrew & Grigsby
and a number of assessments were made and added to the list. The
official bond of H. J. Whipple as district treasurer with C. K. Howard
as surety in the sum of three thousand dollars was presented and
approved. September 29, the board held another meeting, at which the new
bids for the school building were opened. Edwin Sharp's bid for
nine hundred and eighty-five dollars was the lowest, and being within
the limit of the instructions to the board, a contract with Mr. Sharpe
was entered into.
Having thus secured the building of a school house, the atten
tion of the board was now directed to the collection of the tax voted.
On the 25th day of September, a warrant for the collection, together
with the tax list, was placed in the hands of the treasurer. On the
3d day of November, this warrant was returned to the clerk, with
the receipt of the county treasurer, showing that nine hundred
thirty-four dollars and eighty-five cents remained unpaid. And now
difficulties were encountered and questions raised. The collection of
the tax Avas resisted by some of the tax payers and a petition for an
injunction was presented to Judge Shannon, asking the court to re
strain further proceedings in its collection. The petition was not
granted, and the tax was finally collected. On the 14th day of Novem
ber, 1873, a title bond AA'as obtained frora A. Gale and wife, running-
to the school board and its successors in office, for block No. 2 in
Gale's Sioux Falls. A contract was made with the Eureka Mfg. Co.
of Rock Falls, 111., for furniture for the school house amounting to
three hundred forty-four dollars and fifty cents. On the Sth day of
Deceraber, 1873, the school house was finished and turned OA'er to
the district, to the satisfaction of all concerned.
On the 12th of December, 1873, Miss Ledyard made a report to
the board of the first public school in Sioux Palls. The total number
of pupils enrolled was 74 — 44 boys and 30 girls. The average daily
attendance was 40. The enforced collection of the tax in 1873,
caused a feeling, which resulted in a petition being presented to the
county asking for the formation of other districts, and on the 6th
day of January, 1874, sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13 and 14, were set off as a
part of district No. 16, and section 15 together Avith that portion of
sections 9, 10 and 22, lying on the right bank of the Big Sioux river,
were designated as district No. 25. A petition was presented to the
clerk asking that H. J. Whipple be employed to teach the next terra
of school. Mr. Whipple was therefore engaged, the terra beginning
January 12, 1874, and continuing twelve weeks. The total nuraber
of pupils during this terra was 81, the daily average attendance 58.
On the 28th of April another term began. Miss Mary H. Corey being
employed as teacher. Total number of pupils 66, average daily at
tendance 44. On the 4th of July this term ended and with it the first
year of public school in Sioux Palls.
At the next annual school meeting September Sth, 1874, the
treasurer submitted the following report:

324 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Amount received from county treasurer  - -  $ 426.36
Amount collected on special school tax  ,  1,588.46
Total amount received    $2,014.82
Amount paid out on order of district clerk and director  $1,864.55
Balance on hand September 5, 1874  -- — .-  150.27
Total     $2,014.82
The members of the board were re-elected for the ensuing year
and instructed to provide for nine raonths of school to begin Septem
ber 7th, 1874, and Miss M. H. Corey was engaged at a salary of forty
dollars per raonth. By Noveraber, 1874, the number of children in
the district had increased to such an extent, that an additional
schoolroom and teacher Avere found necessary and the proposition of
the trustees of the M. E. Church for the use of their room and stove
at nine dollars per raonth Avas accepted, and Miss Clara Ledyard
was employed at a salary of thirty-five dollars per month. She was
g-iven the primary department and had 47 scholars, and Miss Corey
had a total of 62.
At the annual raeeting- in 1875 Arteraus Gale was elected
director, C. W. McDonald clerk and Cyrus Walts treasurer. The
M. E. Church building was again rented for the primary school.
This departraent Avas taught by Miss Clara LedA^ard the entire year,
the higher departraent by Miss Corey during the fall and Avinter
terras, and by Miss E. P. Cowdrey during the spring terra. During
this year the board paid to Arteraas Gale and to Dr J. L. Phillips,
the full amount due, including interest on the lots contracted for in
June, 1873, and the deeds Avere placed on record.
At the annual meeting in 1876, T. H. Brown Avas elected director,
the other officers holding over. The teachers eraployed Avere New
ton Clark and Miss L. C. Bryan, at a salary of fifty and thirty dollars
per raonth, respectively. The winter term was closed on account of
an epidemic of scarlet fever in a very virulent form. A bell Avas
placed in position and blanks were provided for weekly reports, the
combined influences of which produced a beneficial' effect on the
punctuality and attendance of the pupils as shoAvn by a comparison
of the reports.
At the session of the legislature in 1877, the school laAv was so
araended as to raake the election of officers corae in the spring, and
in accordance with this amendraent, the next annual raeeting was
held April 3, 1877. T. H. Brown was elected director for one year,
C. W. McDonald clerk for two years and Cyrus Walts treasurer for
two years. Mr. L. D. Henry and Miss L. C. Bryan were the teach
ers employed. The crowded condition of the school, caused by the
increased and increasing population, led to a special meeting of the
district Noveraber 10, 1879. As the result of this raeeting, the
Phillips hall was rented for four raonths at twenty dollars per month,
and Mr. Henry was transferred from the school house to the hall, the
mterniediate department Avas placed in charge of Miss Bryan, and

[iss S. Wagner Avas employed to teach in the primary department.

HISTORY OF MiNNEHaHA county.

525

At the annual meeting in 1878, T. H. Brown Avas elected director
for the ensuing three years. The question of providing a suitable
school building for the increasing needs of the district was discussed,
and after several meetings had been held, a building committee Avas
selected, consisting- of T. H. Brown, C. W. McDonald, Cyrus Walts,
J. B. Young- and N. E. Phillips. This committee was instructed to
proceed Avith the erection of a building and after due deliberation
the plans were draAvn by C. A. Wilbur of Dubuque, for a frarae,
brick veneered building- sixty feet square, tAvo stories and basement,
Avith stairways and entrances outside each floor to be divided in
the center both AvaA's, inaking eig-ht school rooms, the rooms on each
floor to be connected by an octag-onal room in the center of the build
ing. The contract Avas let to John D. Cameron and the Avork Avas
done in the fall of 1878 and the spring of 1879. This is the building
noAv called the Irving school.

Irving School Building.

District No. 25 held its first meeting on Noveraber 28, 1874, in
the office of Amos P. Shaw. J. P. Webber was elected director,
A. P. Shaw treasurer, and O. P. Weston clerk, and it was voted that
there should be three months school during the ensuing winter. Por
various reasons, the first terra of school did not begin until May 31,
1875, ending August 20, 1875. Miss Allie L. Storey was the teacher
employed at a salary of twenty-five dollars per month. The total
nuraber of pupils enrolled during the term was 9—4 being the average
daily attendance. At the annual meeting in the fall of 1875, H. W.
LeAvis was elected director, O. P. Weston clerk and A. P. Shaw
treasurer. During the ensuing year no school was taught, the pupils

326 history of minnehaha county.

from this district attending school in district No. 1, their tuition
being paid by district No. 25. At the annual raeeting in 1876, H. W.
Lewis was elected director for three years. No school was taught
the following- winter, the pupils attending- school in district No. 1 as
before. At the annual meeting in the spring of 1877, the officers of the
previous year were re-elected and it was voted to go ahead and build
a school house as soon as possible, and three lots were purchased
from A. P. Shaw for a site. During the ensuing summer a term of
school was taught by Miss Alice Morrison. The total number of
pupils enrolled was 15. Average daily attendance, 11.
In July a special raeeting was called and E. M. Harthorn was
elected director to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Lewis.
At the annual raeeting in the spring of 1878, M. A. Stickney was
elected director. A terra of school was taught during the following
suraraer by Miss Inda Bryan and one in the fall by Miss Cora Cham
berlain. On January 16, 1879, a meeting- was held for the purpose of pro
testing against the consolidation of districts No. 25 and No. 1, and
resolutions to that effect were passed and sent to the legislature.
This was the last meeting of district No. 25.
At the legislative session in 1879, the independent school district
of Sioux Palls was incorporated, embracing the corporate liraits of
the village of Sioux Palls. A board of education was appointed com
posed of the following gentleraen: Edwin Sharpe, Cyrus Walts,
A. P. Shaw, O. P. Weston, E. A. Sherman, B. P. Cam'pbell, N. E.
Phillips and T. H. Brown.
On the llth of March, 1879, the board of education held its first
meeting and from that date, school districts 1 and 25 ceased to exist.
At this raeeting T. H. Brown was elected president and N. E. Phil
lips secretary. T. H. Brown, Cyrus Walts, N. E. Phillips and
L. D. Henry were appointed a coraraittee for the exaraination of
teachers. L. D. Henry was eraployed as principal at a salary of
seventy-five dollars per raonth, and Misses Louise C. Bryan, Cora
E. Charaberlain and Sarah Wagner as assistants. Mrs. Annie Rob
erts was eraployed for the primary school, which Avas located on the
east side of the river, in the school house built by the old district
No. 25. The salary of the lady teachers was fixed at thirty-five dol
lars per month and the terra of school began March 24, endine- June
20, 1879. ^
r>f^?/-^^ ^' "'"^'^^' ^" ^- Phillips resigned the office of secretary and
E. O. Kiraberly was appointed to fill the vacancy at a salary of one
hundred dollars per year. May 14, 1879, Mr. Kiraberly resigned
and Chas. M. Morse was elected to the office of secretary. August
^' Tt ?¦ S-'^o^" resigned his position as a member of the board
and John Bippus was appointed to fill the vacancy.
It was deeraed necessary to eraploy two additional teachers for
the term coraraencing Septeraber 1, 1879, and on August 23, an ex
amination was held in the high school building. The same teachers
Avere retained in the high school building as had been employed
during the previous spring, and the same salaries paid. September

history of minnehaha county. 327

13, 1879, Chas. M. Morse resigned and Prank L. Boyce was elected
secretary of the board. The teachers for the winter terra of 1879-80
were Professor L. D. Henry, Misses Mina L. Fletcher, L. C. Bryan,
Maud V. Rouse, Cora E. Charaberlain, Sarah Wagner and Nellie
Blanchard. After the March election in 1880, the board of education was
made up of the following- named persons: John Bippus, Cyrus
Walts, A. F. Shaw, B. P. Campbell, N. E. Phillips, E. O. Kiraberly,
W. R. Bourne and Edwin Sharpe.
John Bippus was elected president. The same teachers were
retained for the spring term of school. July 20, N. E. Phillips re
signed as member of the board and T. H. Brown was appointed to fill
the vacancy. The teachers for the ensuing school year were: J. B.
Hawley, principal, at a salary of nine hundred dollars per year; Mrs.
C. Everett, Misses L.C.Bryan, Cora Chamberlain, Nellie Blanchard,
Ada Allison and Helen J. MacPherson, at a salary of three hundred
and fifty dollars per year. Mr. Bourne having resigned as a member
of the board, E. A. Sherman was appointed to fill the vacancy.
At a meeting held February 12, 1881, it was ordered that the
schools be closed on account of the scarcity of fuel. This was the
winter of the great fall of snow the details of which Avill be found
elsewhere. The schools remained closed until the second day of
May, when they were opened for a term of eight weeks.
In 1881, the following persons composed the board of education:
T. H. Brown, E. O. Kiraberly, E. A. Sherman, Edwin Sharpe, C. L.
Norton, Cyrus Walts, W. H. Nelson and O. P. Weston. Mr. Sher
man Avas elected president of the board and Frank L. Boyce secre
tary. The teachers for the ensuing year were: S. E. Young prin
cipal. Misses Mary Bissett, C. A. Parker, Carrie Thompson, Nellie
Blanchard, T. M. Rice and Mrs. Everett for the high school, and
Miss L. C. Kinney for the east side school. In l3ecember Miss
Thompson resigned and Miss Josephine McCormack was selected to
fill the vacancy in the school. In February, 1882, it was found neces
sary to divide room No. 1, and Miss Ellen A. Pairbank was employed
in the new room. A comraittee of three was appointed to look up
school house sites, one in Gale's addition and one in Bennett's
Brookings' or McClelland's addition. The election in 1882 raade no
change in the members of the board and the officers of the board of
the previous year were re-elected. Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 15, 16, 17 and 18,
and the north half of lots 5 and 14, in block 10, West Sioux Falls,
were purchased of Edward Watson for nine hundred dollars, and
nine lots on the east side were purchased of the Dakota Iraprove
raent Company for four hundred and fifty dollars. T. C. Marson
was awarded the contract to build two school houses, four rooms in
each, two on each floor, buildings to be frame with brick veneering.
These buildings were erected in the summer of 1882, and Avere
opened for school purposes at the beginning of the winter term,
January, 1883, and are now known as the Hawthorne and Whittier
schools. S. E. Young was superintendent of schools during the
school year of 1882.
March 31, 1883, P. L. Boyce resigned the office of secretary of

328 ¦ HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

the board and was succeeded byT. A. Robinson. The board for the
ensuing year, consisting of O. B. Weston, W. H. Nelson, C. L. Nor
ton, A. C. Phillips, Albert Reynolds, H. W. Ross, R. G. Parraley
and L. D. HenrA', raet June 11, 1883, for the election of officers Avith
the following result: President W. H. Nelson, secretary T. A.
Robinson. The salary of the principal, S. E. Young, was fixed at
one hundred and twenty dollars per month; that of all teachers hav
ing taught one year or raore in the city schools, four hundred dollars
per year; all others, three hundred and fifty dollars per year, except
the principal assistant in the Central school, who was to receive four
hundred dollars, and the principals in the North and East schools
were to receive four hundred and forty dollars per year.
In 1884, S. McCorraack, H. W. Ross, R. G. Parraley and Rev. E.
P. Livingston Avere elected members of the board, and with L. D.
Henry, W. H. Nelson, C. L. Norton and O. P. Weston, who held
over, constituted the board of education. W. H. Nelson was elected
president of the board and T. A. Robinson secretary. Prof. A. T.
Free of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was employed as superintendent of
schools at a salary of $1,000.
In June, the old school building and the lots on the east side of
the river were sold, and in August of the sarae year, block No. 40, in
Gale's Sixth addition, was boug-ht for the sura of fifteen hundred
dollars, and the contract for erecting- the building thereon was
awarded to A. J. Mabey for six thousand four hundred twentA'-one
dollars and fifty cents. The Advent church Avas rented for school
purposes at a rental of eight dollars per month.
In 1885, John Bippus, John W. Leverett, E. S. Norton, W. H.
Nelson, E. P. Livingston, N. E. Stringham, S. McCormack, and O.
P. Weston Avere members of the board of education. W. H. Nelson
Avas elected president and T. A. Robinson secretary. On the 16th
day of June, Professor Free, Avho had raade application for the posi
tion of superintendent for the ensuing year, Avithdrew his applica
tion, and on July 17, Livingston McCartney Avas engaged at a salary
of $1,000. Rev. E. P. Livingston, raeraber of the board frora the 4th
Avard died m Septeraber, and Peter Becker Avas appointed to fill the
A'acancy October 23.
In Septeraber, 1885, at the suggestion of Professor McCartney,
the schools were naraed as follows: the central building was called
the Irving school, the north building the Hawthorne, the east build
ing the Whittier and the southeast building the Longfellow.
In 1886, the board was raade up of the following naraed persons:
John Bippus, G. C. Jones, J. W. Leverett, E. S. Norton, W. H. Nel
son, N. E. Stringham, O. P. Weston and Rev. W. J. Skillman. Mr.
Nelson was elected president and T. A. Robinson secretarv. Pro
fessor McCartney's salary Avas raised to 81,200.
In April, 1887, the board again recognized the necessity for more
school room, and block 32 in Folsom's 2d addition and the south
halt ot b ock 4 in Covell's addition were purchased, the forraer for
fourteen hundred dollars, the latter for twenty-five hundred dollars.
lhe board of education in 1887, was as follows: P. S. Eraerson, J.
M. Bailey, Jr., E. S. Norton, Otto Heynsohn, W. H. Nelson, N. E.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 329

Stringham, W. J. Skillman and P. M. Gee. W. H. Nelson was presi
dent and T. A. Robinson secretary.
In 1888, J. M. Bailey, Jr., P. P. Peck, Roy Williams, Otto Heyn
sohn, W. H. Nelson, N. E. Stringham, Rev. W. J. Skillraan and P.
M. Gee constituted the board of education. It appears frora the
records that the board was not entirely harraonious upon sorae prop
ositions. They could not ag-ree upon a president and, although they
balloted on several occasions, no one was elected, and W. H. Nelson
presided at their meetings. Professor McCartney was eraployed as
superintendent for another year, and T. A. Robinson was elected
secretary, but resigned, and on the 29th of June, L. R. Root Avas
elected. In the spring of 1888, plans ^vere drawn by W. L. Dow for
a six roora stone building, and in June the contract was let to Jordan
Bros, for $15,160. The building was finished in the winter of 1889,
and Avas named the Lincoln school.
The result of the election in 1889, left only the Rev. W. J. Skill-
man and P. M. Gee of the old raerabers upon the board. Cyrus
Walts, R. J. Wells, Wm. VanEps, Carl Kleinpel, Georg-e Arneson
and W. R. Kingsbury were the members elected. L. R. Root having
resig-ned as secretary on the llth day of May, 1889, T. G. Brown
was elected. Professor McCartney's application for the position of
superintendent Avas accepted, but afterwards he asked to be relieved
from his contract, Avhich was granted by the board, and Professor J.
K. Davis was eraployed in his place. In July the board decided to
purchase block 2 of tract 9, Mason's addition, at a price not to ex
ceed $2,000 for a school site, and to build a school house in northeast
Sioux Falls, 24x36, the cost not to exceed $600. In July the contract
for building an addition to the north school building was awarded to
T. N. Ross for $2,250, also the contract for the northeast building,
(known as the Riverside school) for $1,050. These were built during
the suraraer of 1889 and opened for use in the fall. At a regular
raeeting of the board March 10,1890, it Avas decided to erect an eight
roora building of Sioux Falls jasper in block 32, Folsom's addition,
on the ground already owned by the school board. Plans and speci
fications were furnished by Messrs. Sargent & Cross, In July the
contract for the building was awarded to A. O. Almos for $28,500,
and the narae of Lowell school given to the building. On the 7th day
of April, 1890; Mr. Kleinpel resigned, and C. E. McKinney was ap
pointed to fill the vacancy May 5, 1890. During the school year of
1889, Cyrus Walts was president of the board.
After the election in 1890, the board of education was as follows:
1st ward, Cvrus Walts, J. T. Gilbert; 2d ward, Wm. Van Eps, C. E.
McKinney; "'3d ward, George Arneson, W. R. Kingsbury; 4th Avard,
Rev. W. J. Skillman, P. M. Gee. The Rev. W. Skillraan was elected
president and T. G. Brown secretary. Professor A. M. Rowe Avas
eraployed as superintendent.
In 1891, the legislature passed an extensive educational bill, and
although it occupied forty pages in the session laws of 1891, still no
ordinary mortal could determine frora its provisions the proper time
for holdmg school elections in the city of Sioux Falls. Owing to the
uncertainty in this matter, no election for raerabers of the board of

330

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

education was held in the city of Sioux Palls in 1891 and 1892. The
old members remained on the board until 1893. J. T. Gilbert was
president in 1891-2 and T. G. Brown secretary. Professor Rowe
was engaged as superintendent for 1892.
In June, 1891, it was decided to purchase lots 14, 15 and 16, block
17, Summit addition, for $1,000, and in July the contract for the
building was awarded to James Byrne for $2,128, according to
plans drawn by J. Schwarz, and the building was corapleted October
1, 1891. The Lowell school building was accepted the 7th day of
Septeraber, 1891.

Lowell School Building.

In June, 1892, block 15 in Harrison's addition was purchased for
school purposes, and the contract for building a school house was let
to Jaraes Byrne on the 8th day of July for the sura of $2,175. The
block cost $1,200. This school is known as the Meredith school, and
the building was first occupied for school purposes in the fall of 1892.
On the 21st day of October, Colurabus day A\^as celebrated by the
schools. The Argus-Leader of that date says: "This morning oc
curred the grandest celebration which Sioux Palls has seen in years.
Por conception, organization and execution it surpasses anything
ever attempted here, and the impression made upon the large
audience was one of surprise and admiration. Certainly Professor
Rowe and his able corps of teachers deserve the highest praise for
the smoothness with which the attractive parade and proo-ram were
executed." On the 30th day of December the board passed a resolu
tion requesting the mayor of the city of Sioux Falls to call an elec
tion to determme whether the city would bond in the sum of $40,000

history op minnehaha county. 331

for the purpose of erecting a high school building on the Central
school g-rounds. The question was not subraitted.
By the records of the school board it appears, that in February
1894 Miss Helen King-sbury was teaching- school in Hunter's addition
in a room that had been obtained for that purpose.
The third session of the leg-islature passed an act providing a
time for holding- election for school offices in municipalities, and by
this means, at the annual city election in April, 1893, the members of
the board of education, who had been compelled to perform its thank
less duties for so long- a time, had an opportunity to retire, and
others desirious of giving the educational interests of the city the
benefit of their services had an opportunity to attain to the position
of a member of the city board of education.
At this election two raerabers were elected frora each Avard in
the city, and the following naraed persons Avere the successful
candidates: 1st ward, J. T. Gilbert, S. H. Magner; 2d ward, H. T. Parmley,
E. D. Morcom; 3d ward, D. C. Ricker, George Arneson; 4th Avard,
P. M. Gee, Jonah Jones; Sth ward, L. A. Perkins, U. S. G. Cherry;
6th ward, Tho's BusheU, D. R. Howie.
This election was a spirited one in sorae of the Avards, even the
Avomen voting quite freely.
The board organized by electing E. D. Morcora president, U. S.
G. Cherry vice president and Curtis Beach secretary. Promptly
upon organization the board proceeded to elect Professor Rowe
superintendent of schools, and fixed his salary at $1,800. H. J.
Davenport was elected as principal of the high school at a salary of
$1,000. After the annual election in 1894, the members of the school
board were as follows:
1st ward, J. T. Gilbert, S. H. Magner; 2d ward, E. D. Morcora,
H. T. Parmley; 3d ward, George Arneson, D. C. Ricker; 4th Avard,
Jonah Jones, J. B. Watson; Sth ward, L. A. Perkins, U. S. G.
Cherrv; 6th ward, D. R. Howie, T. J. BusheU.
E." D. Morcom was re-elected president of the board and Curtis
Beach secretarv, and Professor Rowe was again eraployed as superin
tendent and IL. J. Davenport as principal of the high school. The
salary of the superintendent was fixed at $1,650.
The next election was held on the 16th day of April, 1895, and
when the new members had qualified the board was raade up as
follows: , , TT ,T, T-. ,
1st ward, S. H. Magner, E. H. Sanford; 2d ward, H. T. Parmley,
E. D. Morcom; 3d ward, D. C. Ricker, T. S. Roberts; 4th ward, J. B.
Watson, Jonah Jones; Sth ward, U. S. G. Cherry, L. A. Perkins;
6th ward, T. J. BusheU, D. R. Howie. •. ^ ,
The board organized by re-electing E. D. Morcom president and
Curtis H. Beach secretary, and then proceeded to consider the ques
tion of the employment of a superintendent. ¦, , , ,
At the previous session of the legislature a law was passed that
provided for the election of one member of the school board at large,
and Herbert L. Greene was elected, and all the members were pres-

3o2 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

ent at the raeeting. Upon the question of the employment of Profes
sor Rowe, the vote stood seven for and six against, and while the
majority had the matter in hand, they voted to eraploy him for two
years at a salary of $1,650. It was a lively meeting, and although a
regular adjournment was had, some of the raerabers of the school
board discussed the question upon the following day, at which tirae
the atraosphere was so exhilarating that great warmth of tone and
expression Avas indulged in. Mark Scott, publisher of the Sioux
Palls Journal, published what purported to be a report of what was
said by the raerabers at the raeeting and upon the street, and was
indicted for libel, tried, couAncted and fined $100 for doing so.
In 1896, the raerabers of the board were as follows: 1st ward,
S. H. Magner, E. H. Sanford; 2d ward, E. D. Morcom, Arthur C.
Phillips; 3d ward, T. S. Roberts, R. G. Parmley; 4th ward, Jonah
Jones, P. A. Pierce; Sth ward, L. A. Perkins, J. B. Peterson; 6th
Avard, D. R. Howie, Ed. Tobin; at large, H. L. Green.
L. A. Perkins Avas elected president, Arthur C. Phillips, vice
president, B. H. ReQua, treasurer, C. J. Skinner, clerk. P. C. Mc
Clelland Avas eraployed as superintendent at a salary of $1,400, and
H. J. Davenport as principal of the high school. Ed. Tobin died in
Noveraber, 1896.
In 1897, the raerabers of the board were as foUoAvs: 1st ward,
S. H. Magner, E. H. Sanford; 2d ward, Arthur C. Phillips, Alex.
Stern; 3d ward, T. S. Roberts, R. G. Parraley; 4th ward, Jonah
Jones, P. A. Pierce; Sth ward, L. A. Perkins, J. B. Peterson; 6th
ward^, J. W. Parker, C. G. Hartley; at large, R. J. Wells.
S. H. Magner was elected president, E. H. Sanford, vnce presi
dent, B. H. ReQua, treasurer, C. J. Skinner, clerk. Mr. McClelland
Avas retained as superintendent, and C. E. Holraes of Howard, S. D.,
was eraployed as principal of the high school.
In 1898, the members of the board were as follows: 1st Avard,
S. H. Magner, E. H. Sanford; 2d ward, Alex. Stern, Charles H.
Muinby; 3d ward, T. S. Roberts, Win. G. George; 4th ward, Jonah
Jones, L. P. Brown; Sth ward, L. A. Perkins, J. W. Cone; 6th ward,
J. W. Parker, Johannes Pranzen; at large, R. J. Wells.
S. H. Magner was re-elected president, T. S. Roberts was
elected vice president, B. H. ReQua, treasurer, C. J. Skinner, clerk.
Mr. McClelland was retained as superintendent, and C. E. Holraes
as principal of the high school.
In 1899, tjie members of the board Avere as follows: 1st Avard,
S. H. Magner, E. H. Sanford; 2d ward, Alex. Stern, Charles H.
Mumby; 3d ward, T. S. Roberts, Wm. G. George; 4th ward L. P.
Brown, W. A. Griffith; Sth ward, J. W. Cone, 0. C. Cadwell; 6th
ward, J. W. Parker, Johannes Pranzen; at large. Rev. J. O. Dobson.
S. H. Magner was again elected president, J. W. Parker, vice
president, B. H. ReQua, treasurer, G. H. Kiland, clerk, and P. C.
McClelland was retained as superintendent.
According to the clerk's report of June 30, 1899, the number of
school buildings in the city were nine; graded schools in the district
forty-eight; total number of departments in same, twelve; schools
having libraries, three; teachers employed, three male, and forty-six
female teachers; number of pupils enrolled, boys, 975; girls, 1,079.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

333

CHURCHES.
Calvary Church. — The first church building erected in Min
nehaha county was Calvary Church (Episcopal) in 1872. It was lo
cated on the northwest corner of Main avenue and Ninth street, and
remained there until the summer of 1882.
Work Avas commenced upon the building- the latter part of May,
and it was completed and services held for the first time on Sundaj^
August 11, 1872. The lumber and other raaterials used in its con
struction Avere purchased frora Minneapolis and hauled frora Worth
ington, Minn., by wagon.
The Rev. W. H. H. Ross was in charge of the raission at Sioux
Palls at this tirae, and as he was the first resident rainister, and or
ganized the first church society, and built the first church in Sioux

Episcopal Church.
(First church building.)
Falls, we will insert here a short biographical sketch of this pioneer
rainister. He was born in Calhoun county, Michigan, April 16, 1840;
studied for the ministry at Camden, New Jersey, under the tuition
of Bishop Hare, also at Nebraska College, and, for a brief time, un
der the direction of Rev. Dr. Hoyt, at Yankton; Avas admitted to the
Diaconate bv Bishop Clarkson at that place in the spring of 1871
and at this "time placed in charge of the work at Sioux Falls and
towns adjacent. He resided in Sioux Palls three years. In June,
1874, he was ordained to the priesthood at Yankton by Bishop Clark
son, and the following month was transferred to the Diocese of Wis
consin, where he has since reraained.
During the summer of 1882 the lots on Avhich this church was

334 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

situated were sold and the building removed to the corner of Spring
avenue and Tenth street, where the parish had purchased four lots
for the church building and rectory.
In 1886 an addition was made to the church building for Sunday
school and guild purposes. During the spring of 1889 the church
building was taken down, and sorae of the raaterials used in the con
struction of the buildings in connection with the Episcopal cathedral
then being built on the southeast corner of Main avenue and Thir
teenth street. During- this tirae and until Calvary house was ready
for occupancy, the services of the Episcopal church were held at dif
ferent places, most of the time in the G. A. R. block on Main avenue.
The first service held in Calvary house was on August 18, 1889.
The resident rectors of the Episcopal church since the ministra
tion of the Rev. W. H. Ross have been the Reverends Fowler, Hunt
ington, Berry, McBride, Harris, Gardiner, Wallace, Trimble and
Fisher, respectively, in the order naraed. The Rev. W. W. Fowler
came to Sioux Palls imraediately upon the departure of Rev. Ross,
and held his first service on July 15, 1874, and preached his farewell
sermon November 7, 1875. The Rev. Huntington (who was a brother
of Bishop Huntington) succeeded Mr. Fowler and remained nearly
two years. Then a lay reader by the narae of Williara Page Case
held services in the church for one year; he carae to Sioux Falls in
1878, and was ordained deacon in the suraraer of 1879. Frora the fall
of that year until the spring of 1880 only occasional services were
held in the church, when the Rev. Thoraas B. Berry arrived Avith his
faraily and took charge of the work. During the suraraer of 1881
Mrs. Berry died, and soon after Mr. Berry removed from Sioux
Palls. The next rector was the Rev. Jaraes M. McBride, Avho carae
frora Hudson, S. D. He held occasional services in the church dur
ing the winter of 1881-2, and on the 10th day of April, 1882, a call to
becorae the rector of the parish was accepted by hira. He remained
in charge until some time in the early summer of 1884, when he was
succeeded by the Rev. Dr. William J. Harris, Avho remained one
year, leaving Sioux Palls on the 17th day of June, 1885. On Sunday,
July 21, 1885, the Rev. Frederick Gardiner held services for the first
time in the Episcopal church, and reraained in charge four years,
after which the services were conducted by Bishop Hare and such
Episcopal rainisters as the Bishop called to his aid, until the arrival
of the Rev. George Wallace on the 18th day of January, 1890. He
preached his first sermon January 26, and remained as pastor of the
parish until June, 1892.
A short tirae after his departure the Rev. Dr. James Trimble be
came pastor, and remained until September 1st, 1895. Prom this
time for several weeks the parish was without a pastor, and the pul
pit was supplied by rainisters frora adjacent parishes. In the early
part of Deceraber, 1895, Bishop Hare presented to the vestry of the
parish the narae of the Rev. Thomas L. Fisher of Clinton, Massachu
setts, for pastor. The vestry proraptly confirmed his nomination,
and Mr. ^ isher immediately came to Sioux Palls to take charge of
the parish until the next Easter, when he was to decide whether he
would reraain or not. He preached his first sermon in the cathedral

St. Augusta Cathedral.

Rectory,

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 337

on Sunday, December 22, 1895, and the Easter following- becarae the
pastor of the church. He remained in charge until in May, 1899,
when he resigned. He was devoted to his work, and his administra
tions were not confined to his parishioners. He was greatly beloved
by all Avho had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and the people of
Sioux Palls deeply regretted his removal to other fields of labor.
In the latter part of Deceraber, 1887, Bishop Hare received a
letter from John Jacob Astor of Ncav York City, announcing the
death of his wife a few days previous. In this letter he wrote the
Bishop as follows: "As Mrs. Astor gave so much of her time and
best energies to the country in which you are established as Bishop,
I should like to do something to cause her to be reraerabered there at
least for a tirae. Mrs. Astor showed rae photographs of, I think,
two chapels and parsonages or rectories, Avhich she had built, and it
occurred to rae that a church of a better or raore perraanent char
acter than the above would be most useful in some good part of your
diocese. I would propose soraething suitable, but not so expensive
as to be a burden for its support in a new country, and would ask
vou if $15,000 would secure the land for a suitable edifice and rectory,
and pay for the building and rectory fully equipped as to chancel,
peAvs or seats, warming apparatus, communion plate, etc., etc., and
organ. Will you please give me your vieAvs as to this, and how the
property could be vested so as to protect it."
The terms of Mr. Astor's proposal left Bishop Hare free to erect
the proposed Meraorial Church in any ^Dart of South Dakota. A few
weeks after. Bishop Hare visited Mr. Astor and had a conference
with him, and he consented to increase his gift to $21,000, for a
Cathedral Church, to be erected at Sioux Falls, to be built of stone,
and named Saint Augusta, after his wife, Charlotte Augusta; the
title to be vested in the Board of Trusts of South Dakota, a body in
corporated and known as "The Chapter of Calvary Cathedral, Sioiix
Falls, Dakota." This gift was deposited in a bank in NewYork
City, to the credit of the Treasurer of Calvary Cathedral, and Bishop
Hare as Bishop and President. Eventually Mr. Astor added tAvo
gifts of $2,500 each to his original donation, to carry out certain plans
Avhich the Bishop presented to hira.
The church was built under the supervision of Bishop Hare.
The corner stone was laid with appropriate cereraonies on the Sth
day of December, 1888, and the church Avas completed during the fall
of 1889, and consecrated on the 18th day of December of that year.
September 13, 1890, Bishop Hare transferred the title to the two lots
on which the church was built to the Chapter of Calvary Cathedral.
On the 28th day of February, 1891, in conformity with the provisions
of the deed of September 13, 1890, the Bishop declared the Church
of Saint Augusta to be his Cathedral Church. :
First Methodist Episcopal Church. — One of the first church
organizations in the county was the First M. E. church in Sioux
Palls. For the following statement of facts the writer is in a great
measure indebted to an article written by the Rev. Lewis Hartsough
and published in the Sioux Palls Press in 1892, giving its history
down to that time. In 1871 the Rev. Bennett Mitchell, presiding
22

538

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

elder of the Sioux City district, engaged the services of the Rev.
Thoraas Cuthbert, an English preacher who had settled east of the
Sioux river, and a Methodist society was forraed, and Mr. C. V. Booth
was appointed the first class leader. In 1872-3 the Rev. O. M. Curl
succeeded hira. The conference year at this tirae began in the fall.
In 1873-4, the Rev. J. W. Rigby Avas the preacher in charge, and he
reported to the annual conference twenty-nine members, and a col
lection of $300 for salaries of presiding elder and pastor. The Rev.
G. D. Hook Avas next pastor, and he reported a merabership of
eighty-four and a collection of $537 for salaries. The Rev. B. B.
Scott succeeded hira, and AA'as the pastor in 1875-6. The Rev. Wil
liam Fielder was pastor from 1876 to 1879, and during his pastorate
the church building standing on the corner of Main avenue and
Eleventh street was erected. The Rev. S. P. Marsh was pastor
1879-80. In 1880 the Rev. Lewis Hartsough becarae pastor, and re
raained in charge two years. In 1881 the parsonage was built — the
first in the city; and the only church bell in the city for several
years was in the Methodist church. The Rev. A. P. Lyon was
pastor in 1882-3; Rev. A. Jaraieson, 1884-5; Rev. J. H. Mooers, 1885-6;
Rev. P. M. Robertson, 1886-9. In the fall of 1889 the Rev. L. L.
Hanscom became the pastor, and reraained in charge for nearly four
years. During his pastorate a fine church and parsonage was erected

First Methodist Episcopal Church.
on the corner of Minnesota avenue and Eleventh street, and the
church was dedicated on Sunday, the 17th day of January. The
services took place in the forenoon, and were participated in by the

history OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 339

Reverends W. H. Jordan, L. Hartsough, J. P. Jenkins, W. H. Wil
son, L. L. Hanscom, E. P. Wise and Jesse Cole, who Avas then Pre
siding Elder of the Sheldon district in loAva, and preached the
sermon on this occasion. A fraternal meeting Avas held in the after
noon in Avhich the ReA^erends A. K. Fuller, J. N. Hutchinson, and
J. A. Cruzan, pastors of the Baptist, Presbyterian and Congrega
tional churches in the city, took part. The lots, church and parson
age cost upwards of sixteen thousand dollars. The seating capacity
of the church proper is three hundred, but Avhen the lecture room is
thrown open in connection with it, it seats five hundred. The Rev.
J. O. Dobson succeeded the Rev. Mr. Hanscom in October, 1893, and
remained in charge two years, when he was appointed Presiding
Elder of the Sioux Palls district, and the Rev. W. H. Jordan became,
and still remains, the pastor of the church. The church was fortu
nate in securing as pastors during the last five years the Reverends
Dobson and Jordan, who have contributed not a little to the flattering
reputation the clergy of Sioux Palls has justly earned, as earnest,
fearless, and able ministers of the gospel. The church is in a pros
perous condition, and is one of the strongest in the city. It has a
large Sunday school, and several other organizations connected with
it; the Epworth League, Junior League, Ladies' Aid Society, Ladies'
Bible Club, Women's Foreign Missionary Society, Mercy Help
Workers, and Veterans' Class.
Free Methodist Church. — The Free Methodist church of
Sioux Falls, was organized Noveraber 11, 1878, by S. P. La Due, with
nine charter members, as follows: P. H. Warren, E. E. Warren,
Geo. Hyde, H. Van De Mark, E. Brown, I. P. Ulrich, A. W. Hayes,
Mary L. Hayes and Mrs. S. A. Kimball. Services were held for
about six months in the school house on First avenue and Twelfth
street. In May, 1879, a small frarae church building was erected on
First avenue, between Eleventh and Twelfth streets. In January,
1884, a more commodious church building was erected on the corner
Fourth avenue and Fourteenth street, at a cost of $1,600.00. This is
the building now occupied by the society, and will seat 200 people.
The present membership numbers twenty, and services are held
regularly, Rev. H. L. Torrey, the present pastor, officiating. There
is also a Sunday school, which meets regularly.
Jordan Methodist Church. — This young and growing society
had a very humble beginning. On the 9th day of November, 1890,
Rev. J. P. Jenkins, city missionary, held service in an old building,
known as Durgen's store, on Fifth street, on the East side. Prom
that time on regular Sunday services were held in that place a little
over a year. December 27, 1890, a society of sixteen members was
organized, and an eight weeks revival meeting followed, resulting in
thirty conversions and reclamations, and nearly that number of ac
cessions to the society by letter and on probation. In the early
spring folloAving, steps were taking toward building a house of Avor
ship. In March two lots were purchased on the corner of Eraerson
street and Melrose avenue, a plan for a church selected and subscrip
tion papers circulated with encouraging results. Soon after the
ground was broken and work' commenced. Much of the labor was

340 history op minnehaha county.

donated, and for this reason and on account of delays with the Church
Extension society, from which valuable assistance was received, the
work progressed very slowly. The church was completed and dedi
cated December 6, 1891, the Rev. Lewis Curts, D. D.,of Chicago con
ducting the services. The entire local indebtedness upon the prop
erty was provided for, largely by subscription. The Rev. J. P.
Jenkins was the first pastor, and the church prospered under his
charge. During 1894 the Rev. Nathan Fawell becarae its pastor and
greatly endeared hiraself to his parishioners by his faithful and effi
cient work. In October, 1896, he was transferred to Hot Springs,
South Dakota, where he died the llth day of February, 1897. The
next pastors were the Rev. G. P. Notson and the Rev. H. W. Brown,
and the present pastor is the Rev. W. B. Stewart. The church
building is a very handsorae and appropriate structure, and has a
fine location. There is a good congregation and a fiourishing Sun
day school connected with the church.
Scandinavian Methodist Episcopal Church. — This church
Avas organized in 1897, by four Scandinavian families residing in the
city of Sioux Palls, and some farailies residing in Lincoln county.
The services are held in the basement of the Unitarian church build
ing every other Sunday, and the present merabership is tvA'elve.
The Rev. AndreAA- W. Rosness has supplied the pulpit, in connection
Avith his charge in Minnesota, since the fall of 1897, and there is the
usual Ladies' Societ}' in aid of the church work.
Congregational Church.— Although there Avere occasional
services held by Congregational rainisters Avho visited Sioux Falls
during the years 1870 and 1871, there Avas no atterapt made to organ
ize a society until 1872. The following are the names of sorae of the
ministers Avho officiated during the years preceding the organization.
Rev. Jos. Ward, D. D., of Yankton;'Rev. J. E. Roy, D. D., of Chicago,
field superintendent of the Araerican Horae Missionary Societv;
Rev. A. L. Riggs, D. D., and Rev. Dr. Williamson, missionaries to
the Sioux Indians.
In April, 1872, the Araerican Home Missionary Society sent Rev.
J. A. Palmer of Gridley, 111., to Sioux Palls, and as the result of his
labors on the 7th day of July of that year the First Congregational
Church was organized with the following charter members: Messrs
?r Cadwell, Artemas Gale, O. Q. Holman, H. W. Lewis, Ira
Mason^^ M. C. Prescott, Wra. Robertson, Mrs. H. C. Phillips and
Mrs. N Prescott. At a subsequent meeting the following officers
were elected: Deacon, Wm. Robertson; clerk, H. W. Lewis; trus
tees, Messrs J. L. Phillips, Artemas Gale and O. Q. Holraan; treas
urer. Dr. J. L. Phillips.
On Sunday July 28, 1872, a sermon was preached by Rev. J E
^?'y'P-'^-'^^^^Sr^S^^'^on3Ll minister from Chicago, in Dr. J. L.
Phillips house. In October of the same year, the church was received
into the fellowship of the Congregational churches, and was repre
sented in the General Association of Dakota, which met that year at
Vermillion. ^
During the first two years of its existence, there were only five
additions to. the membership of the church. November ISth, 1873,

history OF minnehaha county.

341

the Sunday school was organized, with E. A. Sherman as superin
tendent. During the same raonth Mrs. J. L. Phillips, Mrs. C. J.
Skinner and Mrs. E. A. Sherman were appointed a music com
mittee, and the first choir was organized.
Mr. Palmer remained in Sioux Falls three years, closing his
pastorate April 1st, 1875. October 30, 1875, Rev. A. D. Adams was
installed as pastor and reraained until Septeraber, 1877, when he
tendered his resig-nation, which the church declined to accept. In
August, 1878, the resignation was renewed and accepted and in the
December foUoAving Rev. J. N. McLoney of Sioux City was called to
the pastorate. Mr. McLoney remained five years, and the church
prospered under his ministry, 26 members being added during the
first year. He died March 18th, 1884, after a lingering illness "leaA-
ing the church to mourn the loss of a true and tried friend, one who
by his quiet and loving ways and Christian character and conversation,
endeared allheartsto himself." During his illness Rev. A. P. Lyons
of Rock Rapids, a Methodist minister, supplied the pulpit.

Interior Congregational Church.

In 1873, Messrs. Phillips and Gale offered to give lots for a site
and an effort was made to raise funds for a church building, but was
unsuccessful. Service had been held first in Dr. Phillips' home, then
in various rooms in the barracks, occasionally at the house of C. G.
Coats, next for a time in Allen's hall, on the corner of Phillips
avenue and 8th street, then in Libby's hall, corner of Mam avenue

342 history op minnehaha county.

and 7th street, and finally in Phillips' hall on Phillips avenue be
tween Eighth and Ninth streets, where they were being held in 1879,
when a successful effort was made to erect a church building. The
present site was secured, one lot being the gift of Dr. J. L. Phillips,
one the gift of Artemas Gale, the third one being purchased for
$225. February 28, 1879, a building committee was appointed,
consisting of Messrs. E. A. Sherman, J. B. Young, L. Kingsbury,
R. J. Wells and T. G. Brown. During the following summer, the
building was erected at a cost of $2,300, and was dedicated in Sep
teraber, 1879, by Rev. Jaraes W. Strong, D. D., president of Carleton
College, Northfield, Minnesota. The church was incorporated under
the laws of the Territory of Dakota March 6, 1879.
In 1883, the building was enlarged by an addition at the west end,
which increased the seating capacity nearly one-half. Later the
present vestibule was added.
After Mr. McLoney's death, in accordance with a wish expressed
by hira. Rev. P. E. Holp of Plankington, was called and entered upon
the pastorate June 22, 1884.
Mr. Holp reraained four years and four months, resigning October
1st, 1888, and for two years afterwards the church was without a
pastor. Calls were extended to several different ministers, but for
various reasons negotiations proved unsuccessful, until in March
1890, correspondence was opened with Rev. J. A. Cruzan of San
Francisco, Avhich resulted in his acceptance and on May 2Sth, 1890,
he preached his inaugural sermon.
During the two years intervening Mr. Holp's and Mr. Cruzan's
pastorates the pipe organ now in use was purchased at a cost of
$2,250. Messrs. R. J. Wells and H. L. Hollister were instrumental
in securing it and it was set up and ready for use in January, 1889,
and was the first pipe organ in Sioux Palls.
The general association of the Congregational churches held its
annual raeeting with this church in 1877, 1880, 1887 and 1890.
Mr. Cruzan reraained pastor of the church until August 1, 1892,
when he left for St. Louis, where he reraained a short time, and then
accepted a call as pastor of a large church at Santa Cruz, California.
While he was here the church was prosperous.
On the 6th day of November, 1892, the Rev. D. B. Scott, who had
just arrived frora Massachusetts, preached his first sermon as pastor
of the Congregational church, having accepted a call September 1.
He is the pastor of the church at the present time, and undqr his
efficient rainisterial administration the church is prospering and is
one of the strongest in the city. His installation as pastor took
place December 22, 1896.
The Ladies' Aid society was organized in 1873, and in 1888, hav
ing money on hand to loan, Avas duly incorporated. It has a mem
bership of thirty, and is in a flourishing condition financially.
The Woman's Missionary society, after two unsuccessful at
tempts, was finally organized in 1880, and is doing effectiA'e AA'ork,
Avith a merabership of seventy.
The King's Daughters was organized September 25, 1886, with
tAventy-seven members at the present time.

SlSfORf OF MINNEHAHA COUNfY.

343

The Lamplighters org-anized in 1885, and the Young People's
society organized in 1888, have merged into one society and has a
merabership of seA'enty-six; the junior branch nurabering thirty-six
and the senior branch forty members, and is called the Young Peo
ple's societA'.
The membership of the church is 267, and the average attend
ance upon public worship about 200.
German Congregational Emanuel Church. — This church
was org-anized on the 9th day of June, 1888. During the year follow
ing a church building- and parsonage were erected on the east side of
Walts aA'enue, between 10th and llth streets, the forraer at a cost of

German Congregational Emanuel Church.

$1,800, and the latter at a cost of $1,200, which has been all paid by
the raerabers of the congregation. Services are held every Sunday,
with an average attendance of fifty, and the present pastor is the
Rev. John Lich. The raembership is thirty-six. There is also a
flourishing Sunday school, with an average attendance of forty-five.
First Baptist Church.— On Sunday, June 20, 1875, Baptist
services were held morning and evening in Allen's hall in Sioux
Falls. After the morning service a few remained to consider the
question of forraing a Baptist church. On the 4th day of July, 1875,
an organization was perfected with ten members. At this meeting
the Rev. A. W. Hilton was chosen moderator, M. T. Hogaboom cor
responding secretary and B. P. Roderick clerk.
The Rev. A. W. Hilton was the first pastor of the church and
remained as such until August 1, 1878, when he resigned and raoved

344

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

to Turner county, and died at Parker, S. D., on the 19th day of Sep
teraber, 1882. He was an energetic, faithful minister.
M. T. Hogaboom was elected deacon on the 28th day of January,
1877. M. W. Boulet was chosen deacon on the 6th day of October,
1877, and Mrs. Boulet and Mrs. P. P. Dobson were chosen deacon
esses at the same time.
On the 29th day of September, 1878, the Rev. Homer E. Norton
becarae pastor of the church, and so remained until he resigned
October 1, 1881.
During the sumraer of 1882, the society built a church on the
corner of Eighth street and Dakota avenue, at a cost of about $8,000,
and it was dedicated on the 1st day of November, 1882, without a
dollar of indebtedness remaining.QThis was the seventh church
building erected in Sioux Palls.

First Baptist Church.

During

„ the year 1882, A. M. Bowen was chosen deacon to fill
vacancy caused by the death of Deacon Boulet.
u Ti^fo^^'^'j ^- ^- ^^redith becarae pastor oi the church in Decem-
^^'"' T? AV^'li ^° ^e^ained until his resignation July 8, 1886. The
Rev. E. N. Harris becarae its pastor on the 1st day of August, 1886,
and resigned on the 8th day of August, 1888. He was succeeded by

history OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 345

the Rev. A. K. Puller, who commenced his labors on the 1st day of
September, 1889, and resigned on the 1st day of October, 1892. He
Avas very popular with the people of Sioux Palls, and the church
prospered under his ministration. The next pastor was the Rev.
W. H. Stifler, Avho was settled as pastor on the 7th day of December,
1892, and remained as such until his decease August 8, 1895. The
Rev. Dr. Stifler Avas a very able man, an excellent pastor, and exceed
ingly popular throug-hout the city. After his decease the Rev. Dr.
Dixon supplied the pulpit for a few months with great ability, and he
was well liked by his congregation. In August, 1896, the Rev. Dr.
A. B. McCurdy accepted a call frona the church to becorae its pastor,
and on August 30, he preached his first serraon. He was succeeded
by the Rev. Bruce Kinney in July, 1897, who reraained in charge
until June, 1898, when, owing to the declining health of his wife, he
removed to New Mexico. The church was then without a pastor
until September following, when the present pastor, the Rev. E. H.
Lovett accepted a call from the church. However, he did not begin
his pastorate until December 15, 1898, and preached his first sermon
as pastor of the church Deceraber 18, following. There is no church
in the city that has been more fortunate in the ability and character
of its pastors, and under their ministrations it has becorae one of the
strongest churches in the city. The raembership of the church is
about tAVO hundred and thirty-five. It supports five Sunday schools,
and has connected Avith it several societies in aid of the main work of
the church.Swedish Baptist Church. — This church was organized May 15,
1883, by Revs. Prank Peterson and C. J. Johnson, Avith eight con
stituent members. In 1884 a church building was erected on Main
avenue, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, at a cost of about
$2,700, including all the church property, with a seating capacity
of two hundred, and was dedicated December 21, of that year. Rev.
C. J. Johnson became the first pastor of the church, and remained
until January, 1885. The Revs. A. B. Nordberg, J. P. Berlin,
A. W. Peterson and L. J. Olsen have been pastors of this church.
The Rev. Jacob Olsen has greatly assisted the church when without
a regular pastor. Since the organization of the church there has
been one hundred and forty-nine members, of which seventy-one were
received by baptism. The present merabership is fifty-seven. There
is also the usual Ladies' Aid society, and quite a large Sunday
school connected with the church.
Free Will Baptist Church. — In the suraraer of 1883 a meet
ing was called to consider the advisability of organizing a Free Will
Baptist church in Sioux Falls. At this meeting Joel W. Parker and
Mrs Mary H. Darling were requested to attend the general confer
ence of Free Will Baptists, Avhich was to be held m Minneapolis m
October of that year, and present the matter of the organization of a
church in Sioux Palls to that body. As a result of this action the
conference authorized the Rev. A. A. Smith to organize a church,
and he came to Sioux Falls in January, 1884, for that purpose After
spending Sunday in the city, he requested all persons interested
in the organization of a Free Will Baptist church to meet at the home

346 history of M'INN'EHAHA COtfNfY'.

of Mrs. G.W. Mathews on Monday evening January, 28. Atthismeet-
ingJoel W. Parker, Mrs. Mary H. Darling, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Leav
itt, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Mathews, Miss' Laura Darling and Charles
H. Bancroft Avere present, and a church was organized. Among the
members enrolled at that time were also the Rev. and Mrs. J. G.
Hull, his health being such as to prevent their being present. He
died on the 29th day of February following, and his son, the Rev. J.
J. Hull, having corae to the city to attend the funeral, was engaged
as the first pastor of the church. He reraoved to Sioux Palls the
following- May, and reraained until April, 1886, when he was succeeded
by Rev. J. H. Walroth, who reraained until Deceraber, 1886. The next
settled pastor of the church was the Rev. David Powell, who had
charge of the church frora March, 1888, until May, 1889. In April,
1890, the Rev. J. J. Hull again becarae pastor of the church and
reraained until June, 1893. The next pastor was the Rev. S. R.
Toothacre, who remained about six months. Following hira was the
Rev. Everett Lesher, who remained one year, and then went to the
Cobb Divinity School at Lewiston, Maine.
During the month of October, 1885, a foundation for a church
was laid at the corner of Minnesota avenue and Fourteenth street,
but the church was not built and furnished until 1887. The Rev. J.
H. Darling frora Michigan carae to SiouxPalls thatyear and reraained
three months during which time he supplied the pulpit and superin
tended the work upon the church. He was succeeded by the Rev.
C. E. Blake from New Harashire, in the pulpit as well as looking
after the work of completing and furnishing the church. To these
two men the society is greatly indebted, for it was in a great meas
ure through their untiring effort that the erection of the church was
accoraplished, and enabled its raerabers ever since to meet in a coni
raodious and well furnished church of their own. A comfortable
parsonage occupies the lot adjoining the church, and the cost of the
whole property araounts to about $7,000. A Sunday school was
organized in the summer of 1884, and George W. Mathews was its
first superintendent. A Ladies Aid society was org-anized January
30, 1884, which aided largely in the financial success of the church.
The first officers of this society were Mrs. A. J. Rowland presi
dent, Mrs. G. W. Mathews secretary and Mrs. L. R. Ross treasurer.
A Woman's Missionary society was also organized in the fall of 1884
by the members of this church. After being Avithout a pastor for
several years, the Rev. L. G. Lowell of Franklin Falls, N. H., was
secured to take charge of the church. He arrived in Sioux Palls
Noveraber 24, 1898, and preached his first serraon the following sun-
day. The society has kept up its organization and held regular
services under adverse circurastances.
St. Michael's Pro-Cathedral.— In October, 1873, the Rev. P.
S. Bedard, a Roraan Catholic priest, visited Sioux Palls for the pur
pose of organizing a church and erecting a church building, but as
there were only a few Catholic families there at that time no attempt
to build was made, and his visit Avas of short duration. During the
next three years Sioux Palls was visited occasionally by a Catholic
priest, but not until 1877 Avere regular sei vices established. During

History of minnehaha county.

347

that year the Rev. C. J. Knauf of Adrain, Minnesota, held services
in Sioux Falls once a month. He is undoubtedly the first priest Avho
said Mass in the county. Services Avere at first held in the Comraer
cial hotel, and then at the residence of Peter Oilman, and finally in
VanEps' hall. In 1879, the Rev. William M. Maher came to Sioux
Palls, directly from the seminary in which he had been studyinci-,
and took charge of the church Avork. He was an industrious church-
Avorker, and soon had a small church building erected on lots pur
chased by Michael Gerin. However, it had been occupied less than
two years Avhen it was destroyed by fire. The society was again
Avithout a house of Avorship, but at once set about to build a commo
dious brick church. This building, (thejpresent structure) was so

St. Michael's Pro-Cathedral.

far completed that services were held in it for the first time the lat
ter part of August, 1882, but was not consecrated until August 5,
1883. Father Maher was in charge of the parish until 1888, and dur
ing his pastorate the church prospered. The Rev. L. A. Ricklin
succeeded Father Maher, and was pastor until Noveraber, 1891.
During- the tirae he was in charge of the church, St. Rose Acaderay
was built. This school was for the education of young ladies, and
was in charge of three Ursuline Sisters, and when opened its patron
age was quite large. A parochial school for both girls and boys was
also taught in this building several terras. In November, 1891, the
Rev. George Sheehan became pastor of the church, and reraained in

348 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

charge until April, 1893, when the Rev. Wm. V. Nolan, the present
pastor, succeeded him. Under Father Nolan's charge the church
has prospered, and there are now about one thousand members.
There is a Sunday school connected with the church, and in aid of
the church AVork are several flourishing societies, among them the
League of the Sacred Heart, and the Young People's Sodality. It
only reraains to add that the seating capacity of the church building
is about six hundred, and that it is none too large to accoraraodate
the great nuraber of people who ordinarily attend.
German Evangelical Lutheran Zion's Church. — Up to
about 1880 there were few Germans in the City of Sioux Palls, but
since that tirae they have become quite numerous. The first Ger
man Lutheran rainister coraing to the city was Rev. J. Doescher, who
came from Yankton in 1876, and remained until 1877, Avhen the Rev.
G. E. Friederich succeeded him for one year. These two did little
if any rainisterial work in the city. Next came the Rev. E. P. Mel-
cher, Avho resided at Centerville and only made occasional visits to
Sioux Palls until Septeraber, 1879, when he was succeeded by the
Rev. A. Mueller until 1881. Up to that time there had been little
prospect of a successful organization by reason of a scarcity of Ger
raans in this locality. In 1882, the Rev. E. G. Starck becarae pastor
of the Lutheran Trinity church of Wall Lake township. He cora
raenced holding regular services in the city every other Sunday, and
in general performing all the duties of a Lutheran minister. Not
having a church of their own, they first used the Swedish Lutheran
church on Sixth street, then the old Episcopal church. The Rev. E.
G. Starck Avorked faithfully until 1889, the Germans becoming more
nuraerous frora year to year, quite a large nuraber attending the serv
ices. During all these years, however, no congregation Avas organ
ized. There was a strong factional feeling prevailing araong the
Gerraan Lutherans, which in the course of tirae led to the organiza
tion of the Gerraan Evangelical Emanuel congregation, the origina
tors being strongly opposed to Rev. Starck for several causes, one
being the secret lodge question. Rev. Starck refusing to admit any
person belonging to a secret lodge into his church. He, however,
went on in his work, always having the majority of the Lutherans on
his side. Such was the condition of affairs Avhen in August, 1889,
the Rev. G. H. Buscher, succeeded him in the city. Being convinced
that no effectual work could be done without a church of their own,
he commenced securing subscriptions among his people for the erec
tion of a church. In a coraparatively short time a church building
was erected on Spring avenue, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth
streets, the lot on which it stands being donated by the Lutherans
of the Minnesota and Dakota district of the Missouri Synod. The
edifice was dedicated in the latter part of 1889, and a congregation
was organized adopting the narae of Evangelical Lutheran Zion's
Church. In 1890 a parsonage was erected adjoining the church. At
the present writing (March, 1897) there are eighty-two corarauni-
cants, and the total raembership of the congregation is about two
hundred. There is a flourishing Sunday school and a Ladies' Soci
ety connected with the church. The Rev. Mr. Buscher is still its

HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

349

pastor, and is laboring as zealously as at first when he secured a
house of worship for his congregation.
St. Olaf's Norwegian Lutheran Church. — The
Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Sioux Palls was organized
January 10, 1877, by the Rev. O. O. Sando, of the Norwegian Evan
gelical Lutheran Synod of America, and he became its first pastor.
It was incorporated December 31, 1879, with K. Thompson, C. E.

Norwegian

Jonsberg and J. Henjum as trustees. August 7, 1881, the Rev. A. J.
Lee succeeded the Rev. Mr. Sando as pastor. Before the erection of
a church building services were held in different places, but for some
tirae before the society had a home of their own services were held
in the Methodist church. In 1882, a coraraodious church building
was erected on the corner of Dakota avenue and Twelfth street,
where the congregation has since Avorshiped. In 1885, the Rev. Olaf

St. Olaf's Norwegian Lutheran Church.
Stub becarae pastor of the church, but he died during the fall of that
year. During the suraraer of 1886 the Rev. Hans B. Thorgrirason
assuraed the duties of pastor, and he reraained as such until in De
cember, 1891, when he resigned, and Professor A. Mikkelson sup
plied the pulpit for the next three months. In January, 1892, a call
was extended to the Rev. N. N. Boe of Helena, Montana, to becorae
pastor of the church, which was promptly accepted, and he arrived
in Sioux Falls the latter part of March, 1892, and since then has been
in charge The membership of the church is about three hundred

350 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

and fifty, of which two hundred are communicants. There is a
Married Ladies' society and a Young Ladies' society, also a Young
People's society, which has a library of two hundred volumes. Every
thing is in a prosperous condition, and it is one of the strong and
Avell attended churches of the city.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church. — The Swedish
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sioux Falls, S. D., was organized
Deceraber 28, 1882. Due notice had been given to the Swedish people
of Sioux Palls to meet at the residence of the Rev. J. H. Randahl, for
the purpose of effecting a church organization. At this meeting
J. H. Randahl was elected chairman and A. H. Randahl secretary.
The constitution of the church, which had been adopted by the
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod of North America
at its regular meeting in Andover, 111., June 15-22, 1870, Avas read
and accepted item by itera to becorae the constitution of the organi
zation. Those who signed the constitution were John H. Randahl,
Louis Peterson, Andrew Johnson, Louis Peter Carlson, Gustaf
Gothberg, and their wives. It was decided to hold a raeeting on the
1st day of March, following, to elect officers, and that all adult per
sons who signed the constitution before that time should have the
right to vote at that meeting. At the time and place appointed those
who had signed the constitution raet and elected the following
officers: Deacons, Louis Peterson for three years, Andrew Johnson
for two years, G. Gothberg for one year; trustees, G. Gothberg
three years, Louis Peterson two years, Peter L. Carlson one year.
On the 21st day of Septeraber, following, the lot on the southeast
corner of Spring avenue and Sixth street Avas purchased for the pur
pose of erecting a church building thereon. On Monday, the 3d day
of Deceraber, work on the foundation was commenced, and on Jan
uary 6, 1883, the building being enclosed, the first divine service was
held during the evening of that day. The cost of the lot and build
ing was $1,006.76. The first pastor of the church was the Rev. J. H.
Ravndahl, who remained until January, 1891. He was succeeded by
the Rev. G. A. Ekeberg of Pullman, Illinois, Avho took charge of the
church May 1, 1891, and remained until the fall of 1893. Frora that
time the church was without a pastor until the spring of 1895, when
the Rev. John Pranzen assumed the charge of the church, and still
reraains. There are about fifty comraunicant raerabers, and a flour
ishing Sunday school with about forty scholars, also the usual-
Ladies' societies connected with the church.
The United Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church.— This
church was organized in 1888, with twenty-five charter raerabers.
In 1894 a coraraodious and appropriate church building was erected
on the southwest corner of Duluth avenue and Fourteenth street, at
a cost of $4,000. The first pastor of the church Avas the Rev. O. T.
Nelson, who was succeeded by the Rev. H. Lund, and the Rev.
Henrik M. Solera is the present pastor. The church now has a
membership of one hundred and ninety, and services are held every
Sunday, with an average attendance of about fifty. There is also a
flourishing Sunday school, nurabering about sixty-five scholars, and
a Luther League in aid of the church work.

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

351

The United Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church.

Seventh Day Adventist Church. — This church was organized
February 23, 1880, by Elder S. B. Whitney, Avith nine charter raera
bers. Services were first held in Sherman's hall, but in 1881 a
church building was erected on Twelfth street between Dakota and
Main avenues, at a cost of about $1,200, in which the congregation
worshiped until a feAV years ago, when the building was sold, and the
services have since been held in the new church located on Duluth
avenue between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets. The last raen
tioned church building was erected at a cost of $3,000, which has
been all paid by the members. Services are held every Saturday,
and the present membership is one hundred, with an average attend
ance of eighty-five. The Elders who have had charge of the church are
S. B. Whitney, W. T. Hinton, L. W. Jones, A. D. Olsen, W. B.
White, N. W. Kouble, Geo. Bowen, and the present Elders are
Fred Powers and L. W. Jones. There is a flourishing Sabbath
school connected with the church, numbering about one hundred
scholars, also Tract, Missionary and other societies in aid of the
church work.
All Souls Church.— The first raoveraent looking toward the
establishraent of a Unitarian church in Sioux Falls was inaugurated
by Rev. John Visher, who came here in 1882 as a missionary of the
American Unitarian Association. He organized the "First Unita
rian Church" in Sherman's Hall. It had a merabership of seven
teen and existed for about a year. During that tirae it had as
pastors Rev. J. H. Keyes and Rev. A. A. Roberts. The forraer died
in the east during his pastorate, and the latter died in Iowa in 1898.
On November S, 1886, a meeting was held in the office of Wilkes &

352

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Wells, which was addressed by Rev. J. R. Effinger, Secretary of the
Western Conference. At that meeting, H. T. Root, Rev. Eliza T.
Wilkes, William Beckler and John Bippus were appointed to con
sider the raatter of securing a preacher. Mrs. Wilkes preached for
a raonth, at the expiration of which tirae Rev. Caroline J. Bartlett as
suraed the duties of preacher, and a month later those of pastor of
the newly org-anized church. On December 12, under the direction of
S. S. Hunting, a church organization was effected and a constitution
adopted. The following persons were charter raerabers of the
church: E. A. Ayerst, Eraraa P. Beckler, William Beckler, Zane R.
Biggs, John Bippus, Helen A. Carpenter, A. C. Hove, Johanna Hove,
T. J. Leavitt, Alice T. Newell, H. C. Newell, Vianna Smith, John
Sundback, Eliza T. Wilkes and W. A. Wilkes. On December 19,
the following board of trustees was elected: W. A. Wilkes presi
dent, H. T. Root secretary, John Bippus treasurer, John Sundback
and H. C. Newell. Articles of incorporation were executed April
22, 1887; certificate of corporate existence signed by the secretary of
state, May 3, 1887, and the certificate was tiled in the office of the
reg-ister of deeds June 4, 1887.

All Souls Church.

For about a year the services were held in the Adventist church
on Nmth s^treet. Almost immediately, however, steps were taken to
secure a church edifice, largely through the efforts of Mrs. Wilkes,
and with the assistance of the American Unitarian Association, suf-

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 353

ficient funds were secured to erect a handsome building of Sioux
Palls stone, which was ready for occupation early in the winter fol
lowing the organization of the church. The church Avas dedicated
May 2, 1889.
Miss Bartlett having resigned in June, 1889, to accept a call to
Kalamazoo, Michigan, Rev. J. E. Bagley was called to succeed her,
and was pastor from October, 1889, to June, 1890. Mr. Bagley died
in Massachusetts in the spring- of 1891. For a year the church was
Avithout a pastor, although occasional services were held.
In July, 1891, the Rev. Arthur H. Grant came to Sioux Falls and
became pastor of the church. He was a young man of consideraMe
ability, and while in charge, had g-ood congregations. He had views
of his owm in reference to the topics of the day, and Avhile residing
in Sioux Falls was a prominent figure in everything pertaining tothe
general welfare of the community. The hard tiraes raade it irapos
sible for the church to retain his services, and on the last day of
July, 1893, he left Sioux Falls and soon after became the pastor of
the Unitarian church at Newburgh, N. Y. The next pastor of the
church Avas the Rev. J. T. Andrew, Avho remained until October 31,
1895, when he departed for California, and since then the church has
been without a pastor.
During its most prosperous days the church had a merabership
of seventy. In January, 1887, a Sunday school was organized, and
the May following, a Ladies' Unity Circle was effected, and was for
a while quite prosperous.
First Presbyterian Church. — At a raeeting of the Presby
tery of Southern Dakota held in Huron the first week in May, 1883,
the Rev. W. J. Skillraan was appointed to establish a Presbyterian
church in Sioux Falls. On Sunday, June 3, following, in the Meth
odist church in Sioux Falls, nineteen persons requested the organi
zation of a Presbyterian chtirch, and under the direction of the Rev.
W. J. Skillman a church was organized. O. E. Rice, Thomas H.
Fairfax and J. W. Mansell were elected elders, to serve one, two and
three years respectively. A board of trustees was also elected. The
first pastor was the Rev. W. J. Skillraan, who reraained in charge of
the church until the 30th day of March, 1884, at which tirae he
preached his farewell sermon. He was succeeded by the Rev. Wil
liam Miller, of Princeton, N. J., who arrived in Sioux Falls in June,
1884. During the summer of that year the society built a church at
the corner of Ninth street and Minnesota avenue, which was dedi
cated December 7, 1884. Mr. Miller remained with the church one
year, preaching his last sermon in Sioux Falls May 31, 1885. He
was succeded by the Rev. William P. Craig of Princeton, N. J., who
came to Sioux Falls to remain a month or so, and preached his first
serraon on the 16th day of August, 1885. He was not, however, in
stalled as pastor of the church until the 21st day of April, 1887. In
July, 1888, he tendered his resignation, to take effect the first day of
the month following, which was accepted. The next pastor was the
Rev. J. N. Hutchinson, who preached his first serraon on the 6th day
of January, 1888. He was installed pastor of the church on the 23d
day of April, 1888, and remained in charge until January 1, 1896.

354 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA 'county.

During the time he was pastor the church was prosperous. A few
months after Mr. Hutchinson's departure, the Rev. Baillie Brown
assumed the duties of pastor, but he remained only a few months.
He resigned in September, 1896, and his resignation was accepted.
The church was then without a regular pastor until the present pas
tor, the Rev. A. T. Wolff, D. D., took charge in the fall of 1897.
Since its organization about two hundred and forty persons have
been connected with the church.
Delaware Avenue Presbyterian Church. — On the 4th of
May, 1889, the following persons, viz., Mrs. Mary J. Buchanan,
Geo. H. Brace and his wife Mary C. Brace, Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Rice,
C. C. Carpenter, H. J. Davenport, H. L. Green and C. M. Day met
in the Dakota National Bank, in the city of Sioux Falls, and agreed
to forra a corporate body under the name of the Delaware Avenue
Presbyterian Church Society, to promote the spread of the Christian
religion, as set forth by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States, and to do any charitable, humane or
benevolent work, Avhich it might elect. This corporation was duly
perfected and in due form recorded in the office of the Secretary of
the Territory, and a board of five trustees elected, consisting of O.
E. Rice, president; Charles M. Day, secretary; and C. C. Carpenter,
treasurer; H. J. Davenport and H. L. Green. During that sumraer
a church building was erected. In the summer of 1890, a Sunday
school was organized, under the superintendence of Rev. W. HoAvell
Buchanan with three pupils, but the enrollment increased during
the year to 100.
The church is located on the prairie northwest of the city, the
raerabers of the society thinking at the time, that it Avould soon be in
the center of a prosperous population, who Avould enjoy having
church privileges convenient to their homes. Again, the hard times.
and possibly a lack of religious enterprise in that locality, has resulted
in the discontinuance of services at the church. Usually in this west
ern country, the first building erected is for a saloon or drug store,
but this church edifice stands to-day a witness to the fact, that the
projectors of this enterprise were determined that a church building
should ante-date the erection of any and all other structures for any
purpose whatever.
First Reformed Church.— The First Reformed Church of
SlOUX Palls was organized in June, 1883. Some preaching services
had been held previous to that date and a Sunday school had been
organized. At this date a comraittee of the Classis of Iowa, Synod
of Chicago, Reforraed Church in Araerica, raet in the East side
school house, received seven raerabers and forraallv organized a
church, by the election and ordination of A. W. Manning as elder,
and John O'Meara as deacon. The first pastor was the Rev. E. p!
Livingston, of Pekin, Illinois, who arrived in the city and preached
his first serraon July 1, 1883. The corner stone of the church, sub
sequently built of Sioux Falls jasper, was laid September 29, 1883.
Afterwards a commodious parsonage was built; the two structures
occupying five lots, are beautifully situated, commanding a fine view
ot the larger part of the city which lies upon the other side of the

history of minnehaha county. 355

river. Dr. Livingston preached his last sermon August 16, 1885,
falling ill shortly after and dying September 11. In a few weeks he
was succeeded by the Rev. W. J. Skillman then living in Sioux Palls,
where he had organized the Presbyterian church a few years before,
and was then acting professor in Greek and English literature in the
academy at Orange City, Iowa. He preached his first sermon Octo
ber 4, 1885, and remained its pastor until 1893. A fiourishing Sun
day school grew up in connection with the church under Dr. Living
ston's pastorate, Avhich has continued in a prosperous condition ever
since. During the first year after Mr. Skillman's departure there
was no preaching in the church, but in the suraraers of 1894 and 1895
a theological student frora Holland, Michigan, by the narae of Wil
liam Miedema, conducted services which Avere well received by the
congregation. In September, 1895, the Rev. Lucius Kingsbury as
sumed the duties of pastor of the church, and is in charge at the
present writing.
The First Christian Church. — In the raonth of November,
1887, two residents of the city of Sioux Palls attended and addressed
a political meeting in the northeastern part of the county. One of
them had been a resident of the city for sorae years, but the other
had but recently reraoved frora an eastern state. They reraained in
the country, at a farra house, over night after the political raeeting
had closed and drove back to the city together on the folloAving- day.
While conversing together on their return trip it becarae known to
them that each had while residents of the eastern states in previous
years been members of the religious organization known as the
Christian Church or the Disciples of Christ. There was at that
time no such organization in the city of Sioux Falls or in the county,
and only Iaa'O or three small organizations of the kind within the state.
They agreed that on their return to the city they Avould call a meet
ing through the daily newspapers and make an effort to organize a
church. This meeting was accordingly called by a siraple notice in
the local iteras of each of the daily newspapers, and was set for the
evening of November 16, at the reading room of the Young Mens'
Christian Association, Avhich was at that tirae in the Grand Array
building. The call was published only a day or two before the tirae
fixed for the raeeting, but when the tirae arrived nine persons as
sembled in response to the call, the greater number of whom prior
to that time had been strangers to each other. The persons present
at that meeting were S. E. Young and wife, W. H. Frick and wife,
James H. Hart and wife, H. C. Carver, D. A. Blackman and U. S. G.
Cherry. After a discussion of the propriety of organizing, the raeeting
resulted in a unaniraous resolution to perfect an organization. This,
however, was not done at this meeting; various persons within the
city were named as proper persons to be visited and requested to
unite in the movement, and coraraittees for visitation were appointed.
The organization of this society, however, properly dates frora this
first meeting.
Meetings were in the meantime regularly held at the various
homes of the parties who had attended the first meeting and who

356 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

were zealous in the work they had begun. These meetings were of
that class peculiarly denominated among these people as "social
meetings." At one of these meetings held at the home of W. H.
Prick on South Main Avenue on the evening of January 10, 1888, the
first formal election of officers took place after the religious services
of the evening. At that raeeting H. C. Carver and S. E. Young were
chosen elders and W. H. Prick and James H. Hart deacons. They
were the first officers of the kind chosen by this society.
In the meantime the merabership had increased until the nuraber
now aggregated sixteen. Regular meetings Avere from that tirae for
ward held at such places as could be arranged for, but chiefly in the
Y. M. C. A. rooms and afterward in the Knights of Pythias Hall in
Temple Court building. In the raeantirae a Bible school had been
organized and was prospering-.
The first regular series of meetings was conducted by Ira J.
Chase of Danville, Indiana, who was afterwards Governor of that
state. These meetings continued from March 28, to April 30, 1888.
The first of these meetings was held in the little church building
near the corner of Twelfth street and Dakota Avenue, then owned
and occupied by the Adventist church. Arrangements were, how
ever, made for a vacant store-room on Phillips Avenue and there the
meetings rapidly grew in interest. They were very successful and
resulted in establishing a knowledge, throughout the city of the
distinctive plea made by these people. At the close of the raeetings
the merabership of the society was thirty-one. The Bible school
Avas reorganized and other societies in connection Avith the church
date frora this period.
In Septeraber, 1888, the society had sufficiently increased in
nurabers, confidence and enterprise to purchase a lot near the corner
of Twelfth street and Surarait Avenue as a prospective site for a
church building. This lot was, however, afterwards sold at a net
profit of $353 and a new site purchased at the corner of Thirteenth
street and Duluth Avenue. On the latter site a church building was
erected during the suraraer and fall of 1889, at a total cost of about
$3,500 for the building and lot. It was furnished and equipped for
service and was dedicated by Robert Moffatt of Cleveland, Ohio, on
3d of November, 1889. On the evening of the 2d of November the
election of officers took place, and a perraanent organization under
the existing laws was provided for. While this meeting was prog
ressing the ringing of bells and the blowing of whistles announced
that the proclamation had been signed by the President of the United
States admitting the State of South Dakota into the union of states.
From this fact this society claims to have been the first religious
association to organize and incorporate in the new State of South
Dakota, for it was at this raeeting this organization was perfected
under the laws of the state.
In pursuance of the action taken at this meeting articles of asso
ciation were completed and entered into on the 9th day of December
following. Prior to this tirae and since the latter part of the year
1888, Rev. J. Carroll Stark had presided as pastor. His services for
the association were closed in December, 1889, and there was no reg-

History oF Minnehaha County. 357

ular pastor until March 27, 1870, at which time Rev. E. P. Wise
assumed the position vacated by Rev. Stark.
During the pastorate of Rev. Wise the church passed through a
period of marked prosperity. There were ninety-nine additions
during that time, and yet all the work that was accomplished seemed
to drift aAvay to other fields, for during- this period the church lost
heavily by removals from the city; so greatly had it lost that the
active membership Avas reduced to sixty-three.
The church has in connection with it a well organized and
actively working Bible school, an active society of Senior and Junior
Endeavors, a very successful auxiliary of the C. W. B. M., and
various other organizations and societies usually connected with
church organizations. During the year, ending April 1, 1892, the
total contributions for the carrying on of this work amounted to
$1,600.61 or an average of more than $25 per capita of the active mem
bership. The Rev. H. S. Simpson supplied the pulpit from July to Octo
ber 1, 1892, when the Rev. George A. Ragan became the pastor, and
remained in charge until December 31, 1895. From the 1st day of
June, 1896, to October 1, following, the Rev. C. M. McCurdy supplied
the pulpit, and two raonths later he was succeeded by the Rev. W. P.
Sharahart, who reraained in charge until February 1, 1898. On the
7th day of April, 1898, the Rev. L. H. Huraphrey becarae the pastor.
The Pioneer Union Sabbath School. — During the suramer
of 1870, before any church was established, a Sunday school
was started in Sioux Palls by Mrs. Clark G. Coats and Mrs.
Hattie C. Phillips. It was designed, as its name indicated, to
be a school for all denominations without regard to religious pre
ferences so that all could aid in carrying on the work. It w-as the
first Sunday school in the county, and, of course, at that early date
the members met in the barracks. For the first few months it was
without a superintendent, but during the fall it was organized and
Mrs. Coats was elected to that position, which she held until August
18, 1872, when she resigned and H. J. Whipple was elected, and re
mained superintendent for about three years until denominational
Sunday schools were organized. While this school was in operation
it was supplied with papers by Artemas Gale, and it had a library of
about 125 volumes, which were procured by subscriptions of its
members. The Salvation Army.— The Salvation Army appeared in Sioux
Palls for the first time in November, 1889, and coraraenced parading
the streets and holding open-air meetings. Some of the people were
not aware that the Salvation Array was an institution that had come
to stay, and that its legal standing had been deterrained by the
courts, and consequently on the 20th day of Noveraber tAvo male
members of the army were arrested for parading the streets, and
taken to the calaboose. As soon as the officers arrested the parties,
several prominent citizens joined the procession, thinking the two
men were to be confined there over night. John Donahoe was then
chief of police and had been ordered to arrest the parties, but when
he got them to the city prison he released them upon their own re-

358 history op minnehaha county.

cognizance to appear before Judge Hawkins the next day. At nine
o'clock in the raorning of that day the persons arrested were
proraptly on hand in the police court, and Judge Hawkins as
promptly dismissed them, saying: "There is no law prohibiting
the accused frora parading the streets and praying there if they
wish to." But this did not end the matter. Several citizens were
deterrained "to carry the war into Africa," and Nils Ronlund swore
out a warrant before Justice Stickney against the chief of police for
assault and battery upon the person of Joseph Campbell, one of the
persons Avho had been arrested. Upon the case being called, the
rooras of the justice AA^ere inadequate to hold the people who were
anxious to hear the trial, and the circuit court roora was procured.
The defendant called for a jury, which was impaneled, and the trial
lasted two days, resulting in a disagreement of the jury. A few
days later the case was dismissed, but a good many people in Sioux
Palls had learned the fact that the Salvation Army had a host of
friends, and that the little corps located in Sioux Falls would be
fully protected from any further interference.
Sioux Palls was not the first place where attempts had been
made to prevent the parades of the Salvation Army. Captain Mar
garet Cartraill, who Avas in charge of the corps in Sioux Palls during
the suraraer of 1895, and had then been connected with the array for
eleven years — Iavo years as soldier and nine as captain — said to the
writer that she had been arrested five tiraes for holding open-air
raeetings in the streets, twice in Rochester, N. Y., twice in Nashua,
N. H., and once in St. Louis, Mo. She was sentenced to jail in New
York for twenty days and served her tirae, but she carried the case
to the highest court in the state, and there prevailed. In New
Harapshire she was sentenced to thirty days in jail, and after having
served the tirae resuraed her work on the streets, and was again ar
rested and received a thirty days' sentence, but served only two
days. Here again she went to the suprerae court and prevailed.
The raerabers in Sioux Falls number about twenty at the pres
ent time (1895), and they conduct their services without molestation,
the authorities having learned that the Salvation Army is an institu
tion which the people will sustain; and mischievous bovs have also
learned that it is not expedient to disturb the raeetings.

history of minnehaha County.

359

S. J. Albright.

NEWSPAPERS.
The history of the first newspaper
in Minnehaha county — The Democrat,
edited by S. J. Albright in 1858-9— has
already been given in Chapter I. The
fact that an attenipt was made at that
early day to publish a newspaper at
Sioux Falls demonstrates one thing,
if nothing- more, that the persons who
first took possession of the land about
the falls of the Big- Sioux, had un
bounded faith in the rapid settleraent
and growth of the surrounding country.
But with the first issue of the
Sioux Falls Pantagraph on the
10th day of April, 1872, the history of
the newspapers of this county properly
coraraences. In 1871, William P. Kiter
moved to Sioux Palls from Council
Bluffs, Iowa, and during the fall of that
year built a house in Sioux Falls, which he occupied as a residence
and office. The house was built Avhere the Leader block now stands,
and is now located in the rear of that block on Seventh street. Sioux
Palls at that tirae had a population of about 300, and of this number
not to exceed one-half of the adults could read or write the English
language, and the Pantagraph received its support raainly frora out
side the Territory. It was the sixth Republican newspaper pub
lished in Dakota, the other five being the Union & Dakotan, Yankton
Press, both published at Yankton ; Vermillion Republican, Sfringfield
Times and Elk Point Courier. During the tirae the Pantagraph was
published by Mr. Kiter it was subject to the usual changes in form
and size that all young, growing newspapers undergo. At first it
was a seven-column folio and was printed in Sioux Falls, but after
five issues it became an eight-column folio, and, from then on, it had
patent inside or outside. The heading had a picture of the falls and
the motto "Excelsior." On the 21st day of October, 1872, J. H. Stahl,
now of Madison, became interested in the publication of the paper,
but severed his connection Avith it on the 27th day of Noveraber fol
lowing. The Pantagraph then took a rest until March 26, 1873, when
Mr. Kiter resumed the publication until February, 1876, at which
time the paper was sold to John McClellan and the building to R. F.
Pettigrew. During Mr. Kiter's proprietorship there was one hun
dred and sixty-three issues of the paper, the last one being on the
26th day of January, 1876.
A very interesting lawsuit arose in reference to the Sioux Falls
Pantagraph about this time. It appears from the records of the
court that at the last mentioned date John McClellan bought the
Pantagraph plant, upon which he gave a chattel mortgage. That the
next day he leased it to P. E. Everett for eighteen months, and Mr.
Everett went into possession an'

d became its editor. That on the

360 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

16th day of February foUoAving, one I. M. Hay took possession of the
plant under the McClellan mortgage, which had been assigned to
him, and on the 21st day of February sold the outfit to Robert Bu
chanan, who purchased it knowing of the lease. Everett brought an
action of claira and delivery, claiming the right of possession of the
property under the lease, and the case was tried in the district court,
resulting- in a special verdict. Upon this verdict a judgment was
rendered for Everett, and the case went to the supreme court upon
appeal, where the judgment of the lower court was affirmed in Mav,
1880. During the time this litigation was in progress, the raaterials
were sold under a chattel raortgage to R. P. Pettigrew, and for a
long tirae stored by hira in a shed adjoining his office, but were finally
sold to Eno & Brown of Egan, and taken there and used in the publi
cation of the first newspaper at that place.
The Sioux Palls Independent. — Was established in Sioux
Palls on the ISth day of May, 1873, by C. W. McDonald, and was
published weekly until it was raerged with the Dakota Pantagraph
on the 6th day of January, 1881, without raissing an issue. It was
Republican in politics, and during its existence was a potent factor
in political matters in this section of Dakota. In June, 1873, E. A.
Sherman carae to Sioux Palls, and his first business transaction was
to purchase a half interest in the Independent, and during the next
eighteen mon.ths he was associated with Mr. McDonald in the raan
ageraent of the paper. Mr. Sherraan then sold his interest to T. J.
White. During its publication P. E. Everett, W. A. Williams and
L. C. Hitchcock were in the editorial charge at different times, either
as lesses or by purchase, but in July, 1878, Mr. McDonald purchased
the plant and remained in charge until it was merged in the Dakota
Pantagraph, as above stated.
Dakota Pantagraph— The first issue of the Dakota Pantagraph
was published in Sioux Falls on the 12th day of September, 1877;
George M. Sraith and Melvin Grigsby editors and proprietors. The
press and type were purchased at Swan Lake, S. D., having been used
at that place in the publication of the Swan Lake Era.
The first editorial was as follows:
"The Dakota Pantagraph will be devoted to the interests of Da
kota generally, and particularly to the commercial, political and
moral welfare of the counties of Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, Mc
Cook, Lake and Moody, of which Sioux Falls is the commercial cen
tre. These six counties, containing one hundred townships of as
fine agricultural land as the sun ever looked down upon, and capable
of producing annually forty million bushels of wheat, have as yet a
population of not raore than 12,000.
"Politically, we belong to that class of Republicans called croak
ers, soreheads, fault-finders, too good for their party. Notwithstand
ing these stripes from the party lash, we are proud of the record of
our j3arty, and in a humble Avay shall endeavor to perpetuate its
principles as they were enunciated by its greatest party leader, hon
est Abrahara Lincoln.
"The Republican party raust either reform or sink into oblivion.

History of minnehaha county, 361

We shall at all times and under all circumstances exercise our right
'to publish with impunity truth, with good motiA-es and justifiable
ends, whether it concerns government, raagistracy or individuals.'
We shall not use our columns for the purpose of revenging private
Avrongs from, or venting private spleen towards individuals, nor shall
Ave permit others to do so." (Notwithstanding this promise, Mr.
Grigsby was in jail within six Aveeks for libelling- the governor). It
was a weekly, eig-ht-column newspaper, and remained under the man
agement of its founders until April, 1878, when the plant Avas pur
chased by E. W. Caldwell and James F- Stahl.
On the 6th day of January, 1881, the Sioux Falls Independent
was merged with it, and continued under the management of Cald
well & Stahl until March, 1882, when they sold the plant to D. Elwell,
who had just purchased the Sioux Palls Times, and the two plants
were consolidated.
Prom this aggregation a company was organized called the Sioux
Palls Publishing Company, and on the 9th day of March, 1882, it
gave birth to the
Sioux Palls Weekly Press, of which E. W. Caldwell had
editorial charge, and Thomas H. Brown was raanager until the
first day of June, 1882, Avhen W. H. D. Bliss took his place.
Sioux Falls Daily Press. — On the 3d day of January, 1883, the
first issue of the Sioux Palls Daily Press appeared. A few raonths
after the Daily Press was first published, Caldwell & Bliss purchased
the entire plant. Prom the time of this purchase until February 19,
1890, at which date Mr. Bliss died, the business manageraent was in his
hands, and with CaldAvell as editor and Bliss as manager, the Daily
Press became the leading newspaper in South Dakota. The death
of Mr. Bliss was a severe blow to the enterprise, as it was a hard
matter to fill his place as manager. After a few years Mr. Cald
well bought the interest of Mrs. Bliss, and remained the editor and
publisher of both papers until the iSth day of Noveraber, 1896, at
which time he sold the plant to Mrs. Bliss and removed from the
state. Mrs. Bliss published the papers until about December 10,
1896, when she disposed of the plant to the Sioux Falls Press Com
pany, a corporation composed of several citizens of Sioux Fa.lls,
and the papers since then have been published by this corporation.
During the time Mrs. Bliss was the owner, Al. Caldwell had
editorial charge, and he retained this position for a few weeks after
it was sold by her. M. L. Pox from the Black Hills was then eni-
ployed by the company, and had editorial control of the papers until
the 20th day of August, 1898, and since that tirae Ora Williams has
been the editor. j i ii ¦
The papers were Republican in politics until purchased by this
corporation, but since then the advocacy of free silver has been then-
most prominent political feature. Under the editorial control ot Mr.
Williams, the Daily Press has been very much improved, and is to-day
recognized as one of the strongest and best dailies in the state.
The Sioux Palls Times was established in Sioux Falls on the
ISth day of November, 1878, by E. O. Kiraberly and C. M. Morse.

362 HISTORY OP minnehaha county.

It was a nine-coluran folio issued weekly, and was Republican in poli
tics. In February, 1879, Mr. Kiraberly purchased Mr. Morse's in
terest, and soon after a half interest was purchased by Thomas H.
Brown. This plant was supplied with the first poAver press ever
brought into the county that was large enough to print an ordinary
sized newspaper and its job department was well equipped for busi
ness. It was a vigorous, well edited newspaper, but its proprietors
were induced to sell the entire plant to D. Elwell, in March, 1882,
when it was merged with the Dakota Pantagraph, and from the two
plants the Sioux Palls Weekly Press had its origin.
The Dakota. — In 1880, N. C. Fredrikson established a Scandi
navian weekly at Sioux Palls, but it was published only a few months.
It was a six-column folio and Republican in politics.
The Argus-Leader. — On the 2d day of August, 1881, the
first issue of the Sioux Palls Argus was published by the Argus
Publishing Company, with W. A. Pulmer and Hibbard Patterson as
editors. This outfit carae from Hamburg, Iowa. Mr. Pulmer being
a consumptive, he and Mr. Patterson decided to take the paper to
Gunnison, Colorado, Mr. Pulmer thinking he could regain his health
there. The raaterials were all boxed and ready to ship, when, owing
to the hostility of the Indians in Colorado, it was decided to go to
Sioux Palls. Mr. Patterson carae here and coraraenced the publica
tion of the paper, and Mr. Fulraer came with his faraily in Novera
ber. He arrived in the city on Saturday and died the following Mon
day. Mr. Patterson continued to publish the paper until the follow
ing February, when it was sold to Charles Knislev, who conducted
it about three months and then sold it to T. S. Goddard. In Decem
ber, 1882, Mr. Goddard sold the paper to W. S. Wynn, and the first
issue under the Wynn regime was published January 3, 1883. Mr.
Wynn was a lawyer and came from Hamburg, Iowa. He commenced
the publication of the Daily Argus as an evening paper on the 4th
day of March, 1885, the day of Grover Cleveland's first presidential
inauguration. Noveraber 1, 1885, Wynn sold the Argus and plant to
W. W. and Paul R. Goddard, sons of its former owner. Extensive
additions and improvements were raade by thera to bring the paper
up to the requirements of the progressive toAvn. In April, 1887, a
stock company was forraed, called the Argus-Leader Publishing
Corapany, of which the Goddard Bros., were the active managers and
principal stockholders, which purchased the Weekly Leader of Rob
ert Buchanan and consolidated it with the Argus under the name of
the Argus-Leader, daily and weekly. On the 9th day of Noveraber,
1888, the Argus-Leader was bought by Tomlinson & Day, its present
proprietors, and they issued their first paper the following day.
Under the raanageraent of Toralinson & Day, the Argus-Leader
greatly increased in circulation, and in a short time became the lead
ing Democratic newspaper in South Dakota. This position it held
until the sumraer of 1896, when, owing to the course pursued by the
Democratic party upon national issues, especially upon the financial
question, it refused to be further identified with it, and advocated
the election of McKinley for president. It is now acknowledged to

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 363

be the leading Republican newspaper in the state. It has an opinion
to express upon all public questions — city, county, state and na
tional — and it is expressed fearlessly. Its editorial colurans are con
ceded to be as ably conducted as those of any newspaper in the state,
and the people of Sioux Palls have reason to be proud of the two
daily newspapers having their horaes in the Queen City. We should
be reraiss if we did not record the fact that its business raanageraent
has been successful, and that all its editions are printed upon three
Mergenthaler Linotype machines, and are being published in raorn
ing and evening editions — the eA'ening- edition being- the principal
one, and having the largest circulation.
Sioux Palls Review. — The i^rst issue of the Sioux Palls Re
view raade its appearance in March, 1883. Itwas published monthly
by L. D. Henry, then engaged in the real estate business in Sioux
Palls, and the purpose of the paper, as set forth in the initial num
ber, was "to note the principal iraproveraents in the city and county;
the average teraperature, rainfall, crop reports, the industries estab
lished or perfected and the desirability of this section as a horae for
the farmer, the carpenter, the laborer and the capitalist." How long
this publication was continued the writer is unable to ascertain, but
reraerabers that it appeared monthly, as advertised, for several
months at least.
Sioux Falls Leader. — This paper was established by the
Minnehaha Trust Corapany, and its prirae object was to promote the
interests of the north end of town. This company built the Leader
Block now standing on the corner of Seventh street and Phillips
avenue, and when it was completed the Sioux Falls Leader, a weekly
newspaper, was started in this building with Peyton H. Acton as
editor. Its first issue was on the 28th day of June, 1883. On the 3d
day of September, 1883, a daily edition of the Leader was commenced,
but was discontinued on the 7th day of November following, the polit
ical campaign of that year being over. This branch of the Leader
was started for political purposes, and while it was in existence the
writer remembers it was a lively sheet. Mr. Acton and Arthur C.
Phillips had editorial charge, and D. L. McKinney was manager. In
January, 1885, Judge Brookings bought and edited the Leader until
April 8, following, when he sold it to Sarauel T. Clover and a raan by
the name of Daniels, who removed the plant to the Waples Block.
Clover very soon after bought out his partner and conducted the
paper very successfully until the 19th day of May, 1886, when he sold
it to Robert Buchanan who after running it until April, 1887, sold it
to the Goddard Bros., by whom it was consolidated with the Argus.
Although the Leader was originally started for limited local pur
poses, it was fortunate in having during its career three able edi
torial writers. Peyton H. Acton was a gentleman of fine literary
attainments and one of the brighest editorial writers that ever had
control of a newspaper in Sioux Palls. He died on the 24th day ot
March, 1885. Sam. T. Clover succeeded Acton, and the Leader al
though somewhat changed in style, still remained a bright, enter
taining readable newspaper; and when Mr. Buchanan became pro-

364 History of MinneHaHa county.

prietor and editor of the Leader he gave it a new impetus in the field
of journalism, and it was at high-water mark Avhen he sold out.
Minnehaha County Mail. — In 1885 Irving Bath came to Sioux
Palls Avith a newspaper plant and commenced the publication of a
Deraocratic Aveekly newspaper called the Minnehaha County Mail.
He published it for about two years and then sold it to a person by
the narae of Wherry, who published it for a while and then disposed
of his interest. The only interesting feature in connection with this
paper during its publication was its attack upon R. J. Wells; Wells'
suit against Mr. Bath for damages; Bath's retraction of the charges,
and the discontinuance of the suit. The final event of the Sioux
Palls career of this paper was its sale upon a chattel mortgage on
the 23d day of January, 1888, when it was bid in for the sum of $500
by Mr. Bath, who shipped the plant away.
The Chuch News was established in Sioux Palls in September,
1885. It was published monthly for several years in the interest of
the Protestant Episcopal church in South Dakota, and besides church
news of a general character it contained the official notices and ac
counts of the Episcopal acts and visitations of Bishop Hare.
The Dakota Deutsche Zeitung was established in Sioux Palls
in 1885, and its first number issued May 28, of that year, with Carl
Kleinpell as editor. It was published weekly in the German lan
guage, and was Democratic in politics. Mr. Kleinpell remained editor
and publisher until 1888, when he sold the plant to Dr. Steinbach,
Avho remained in control until it was purchased by its present editor
and proprietor, Peter P. Haas, in February 1890, who changed the
name of the paper to
Dakota Staats Zeitung. — Mr. Haas continued its publication
as a Democratic newspaper until 1894, when the fusion of the Demo
cratic and Populist parties in South Dakota so disgusted him that he
becarae a Republican, and his newspaper since that tirae has been a
supporter of the Republican party. The Zeitung has a large circula
tion and is a prorainent factor in the politics of this county and
vicinity. The Sued Dakota Nachrichten was established at Mitchell,
S. D., in 1890, as a Deraocratic weekly newspaper, by Hermann Buti-
kofer, and was printed in the German language. In January, 1896,
Mr. Butikofer moved the plant to Sioux Falls, and since then has
been publishing the Nachrichten at this place. The first issue was
on the 21st day of January, 1896. After coming to Sioux Falls Mr.
Butikofer for a short time associated with him in his newspaper
enterprise Paul B. Meyer, a gentleman quite well known in Minne
haha county. The Nachrichten is receiving from the German popula
tion of the county and other parts of the state a generous support.
The Dakota Bell, a humorous newspaper edited by Fred
Carjuth and Sara. T. Clover, was started in Sioux Palls early in
188/. Mr. Carruth had becorae quite famous as a humorous writer
while publishing the Estelline Bell at Estelline, S. D., and he re
moved the plant to Sioux Palls and in connection with Mr. Clover

history of minnehaha county. 365

commenced the publication of the Dakota Bell. They were kindred
spirits, and the Dakota Bell was full of fun while it lasted, but Sioux
Falls was too small for such geniuses and they were soon called into
a larger field, and the plant Avas disposed of and^ left the city. The
editors of the Dakota Bell have now lucrative positions upon metro
politan newspapers.
The Sioux Palls Journal. — E. E. Griswold, the proprietor
and editor of the Dell Rapids Exponent, published at Dell Rapids,
moved the plant to Sioux Palls in June, 1888, and comraenced the
publication of The Sioux Palls Journal, but after a few issues Mr.
Griswold sold the Journal to C. H. Craig, who published it a few
raonths and then sold the plant to J. T. Cogan and A. O. Stebbins.
They reraained proprietors of the sarae for about one year, and then
sold out to a syndicate, with the Rev. W. J. Skillman in editorial
charge. In October, 1893, Mr. Skillman bought the plant, and on
the 21st day of that month leased the sarae to E. E. Griswold, its
former proprietor, who continued the publication of the Journal,
until August 1, 1894, when he sold the paper to Mark D. Scott, who
has since then been its editor and publisher. Mr. Scott is a great
local newsgatherer, and during the tirae it has been under his raan
ageraent, the columns of the Journal have been spicy, to say the least.
Mr. Scott has also fearlessly attacked the official acts of both city
and county officials, and was instrumental in getting the law settled
as to the compensation county commissioners were entitled to receive
for their services. During the latter part of the presidential cara
paign in 1896, Mr. Scott published a daily (sixty-two issues in all), but
on the 7th day of Noveraber, after it was known that McKinley had
been elected, it.AA^as discontinued,
Minnehaha Teacher. — Under the efficient editorial control of
C. P. Bower, the Minnehaha Teacher is published by the Minnehaha
Teacher's Association. It was started in 1888, in the interest of the
teachers of the county, and although the charge of its editorial col
umns has been transferred from each county superintendent to his
successor, it has maintained a high standard of excellence.
Sioux Palls Daily Call.— On Saturday, the 7th day of Sep
teraber, 1889, the Daily Call raade its first appearance in Sioux Falls.
It was edited by E. C. Johnson, and the public was informed that it
started out with a larger circulation in the city than any other paper,
as it was going into nearly every family in the city, and persons re
ceiving it "need not fear to accept the paper as it had been paid for. '
It was a prohibition paper; in fact, it was the prohibition issue that
was before the people at that tirae, which brought it into existence.
It was conducted during the carapaign of 1889, by Mr. Johnson and
when the campaign was over, on the 7th day of November, the Daily
Call was one of the by-gones.
South Dakota State Forum, was established by the late Hon.
Robert Buchanan, and was first published on the Sth day of October
1893, in a building erected by hiraself for that purpose in the city of
Sioux Palls. It was Populist in politics; and no paper of that party
was more ably edited than the Forum. During the pohtical cam-

366 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

paign of 1894, a daily issue of the same Avas published. Mr. Bu
chanan died on the 22d day of June, 1895, and the publication of the
Forum was continued by his sons, Frederick and Ceylon W., and
under their raanageraent the narae was changed to Sioux Palls Forura.
The firra of Buchanan Bros., in connection with the Forura plant,
established the first patent auxiliary house in Sioux Falls for fur
nishing ready prints. In July, 1896, they sold their interest in this
branch of the business to the South Dakota Newspaper Union of
Aberdeen, and this concern changed its business location to Sioux
Palls on the 18th of that month. During the latter part of July, Bu
chanan Bros., sold the Forura to H. H. Schwartz and George
Grigsby, and this firra published the paper until Noveraber follow
ing, when the Forura again changed hands, O. E. Bowman of Mont
rose becoming the purchaser. Mr. Bowraan published the Forum
until July 16, 1897, when it passed into the hands of H. C. Sessions
& Son. The Forura under the management of Mr. Bowman was
populist in politics and of the middle-of-the-road type. H. C. Ses
sions, one of the present proprietors, has been favorably known in
newspaper circles as the editor of the Dakota Visitor, the official
organ of the A. O. U. W. lodge. The Forura under the present
raanageraent raeets the appreciation of its readers, and sustains its
Avell-earned reputation as a good newspaper.
South Dakota Record. — In March, 1893, the South Dakota
Record was established by W. P. Bellrood. In April, 1894, it Avas
consolidated with the Western Investor and edited by Bellrood and
J. C. McManiina. During the fall of that year Mr. McManiraa sold
his interest to Mr. Bellrood who continued the publication of the
paper until he reraoved from Sioux Palls in 1897. It was published
monthly and devoted to the proraotion of real estate transactions in
its iraraediate locality.
Fremad. — This newspaper was established by the Preraad Pub
lishing Corapany at Sioux Falls in May, 1894, and its first issue was
on the 17th of that raonth. The corapany was composed principally
of farraers residing in the county, or, in other words, they guaran
teed the enterprise under the raanageraent of John F. Strass. It is
Populist in politics, and is a political newspaper, edited and published
by Mr. Strass. Since its first issue the paper has doubled in size,
and Mr. Strass no longer needs any one to guarantee the success of
the enterprise. It is printed in the Norwegian and English lan
guages, and those who are best qualified to judge of its raerits assert
that it is one of the ablest raiddle-of-the-road Populist newspapers
in the state
The Successful Parmer is a monthly farm newspaper, and
was established by J. A. Lucas at WatertoAvn, S. D., in January,
1893. In 1895, Avhen Mr. Lucas removed to Sioux Palls, he brought
the newspaper plant with him and continued to publish the Success
ful Farraer at this place until he sold it to Hial P. Robie in October,
1896, since which time Mr. Robie has been its editor and publisher.
It has a very large list of subscribers, and circulates extensively
among the farmers in South Dakota.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 367

Dakota Field and Farm. — The first publication of this journal
was at the city of Sioux Palls on the iSth day of April, 1896. We
have this issue before us, and its editor, P. L. Axling assured its
subscribers that it Avould be a journal of practical agriculture, and
that all long-winded, theoretical articles would be discarded. An
other thing which the editor proposed to do was to classify its raat
ter into proper departraents, so that the reader could readily find
what he wanted. It was a four-column, eight-page paper, and during
its existence was well conducted. October 1, 1898, the Dakota Field
and Farm Avas made the official paper of the State Board of Agricul
ture. The November following Mr. Axling sold his paper to W. P. T.
Bushnell of Aberdeen and it was merged into the Dakota Farraer.
The Gatling Gun. — The first issue of the Gatling Gun raade
its appearance in February, 1896. It was published raonthly under
the direction of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Sioux
Palls, and Mrs. M. J. Bagley had editorial charge until January,
1897, when she was succeeded by Mrs. Rena E. Bowers. It was a
straight-out prohibition paper, and was radically opposed to any
compromise on the liquor question, in short, advocated the annihila
tion of the liquor traffic. Mrs. Otto H. Bleifuss was the last one to
have editorial charge of the paper under its first name. About six
raonths ago Mr. E. Hanson took charge of the paper, and it is now
published bv hira under the name of the Christian Prohibitionist.
Syd Dakota Ekko is a weekly newspaper published at Sioux
Falls by the ScandinaA-ian Publishing Corapany of South Dakota. It
is printed in the Norwegian language, and was started at Brookings,
S. D., the first week in August, 1889, with S. O. Nordvold as editor.
He reraained in editorial charge until 1890, when G. Bie Ravndal was
eraployed to take charge of this department. The plant was reraoved
to Sioux Falls February 1, 1891, and since that tirae the paper has
been published at this place. Mr. Ravndal reraained its editor until
he was appointed United States consul, and reraoved to Beirut, Syria,
in February, 1898, when he was succeeded by the present editor, O.
C. Stewart. The Ekko has a good list of subscribers, and is ac
knoAvledged to be the leading Scandinavian newspaper in the state.
In politics it is Republican, and has contributed largely to the suc
cess of this party.
The Commercial News.-Iu January, 1899, E. J. Mannix com
raenced the publication of the News. It is a raonthly and devoted to
the interests of the Wholesaler, Retailer and the Coraraercial 1 rav-
eler. It has a long list of advertiseraents, and a good circulation.
Several other publications than those noticed have appeared from
time to time, but they were devoted to special work like sorae ot
those mentioned, and could not be strictly termed newspapers, and
raost of them have passed into history after having served the pur
pose for which they were established.

368 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

BANKS.
The first bank established in Sioux Falls commenced business
in W. S. Kimball's hardware store on Phillips avenue on the 10th
day of October, 1873. It was opened by E. E. Otis, who continued
in business a few months only and then removed to St. Helena, Ne
braska, and entered the legal profession.
Bank for Savings. — This bank was established by J. D. Came
ron and was opened for business on the Sth day of June, 1874. It
was located on Phillips avenue "in a building erected for Mr. Came
ron." The sarae raonth P. R. Crandall of Iowa came to Sioux Falls
and started the Minnehaha County Bank, but sold it to J. D. Cameron
on the first day of July following, and returned to Iowa. The Bank
for Savings was run by Mr. Cameron for nearly two years, when he
dropped banking and engaged in the real estate business. A pecu
liar incident in connection with this bank happened in the latter part
of Septeraber, 1874, when Mr. Cameron was suddenly taken sick with
cerebro spinal raeningitis, and his faculties of speech and hearing
were suspended for nine days. This pratically suspended the oper
ation of the bank the sarae length of tirae, but it is reported that it
was the bank that was ill, and that the syraptoras of the disease were
manifested through Mr. Cameron.
Sioux Palls Bank.— The Sioux Falls Bank was established in
in August, 1886, by J. B. Young. The following June, Harry L. Hol
lister purchased an interest in the bank and becarae its cashier.
The bank was better known as J. B. Young & Co., than by its real
name. In April, 1880, Young and Hollister, together with several
others whom they interested in the project, organized the First Na
tional Bank, which took the place of the Sioux Falls Bank. While in
existence it did a successful business.
Citizens Bank.— The Citizens Bank was established in Sioux
Palls m September, 1878, by Robert Nation, Avho remained in charge
until February, 1881, Avhen he sold out to H. S. Hills and E. P.
Beebe. The bank was located on the southeast corner of Phillips
avenue and Tenth street, and was conducted by the two last named
gentlemen until the death of Mr. Hills, which occurred on the 19th
day of October, 1886. During 1886 the bank Avas reorganized and
became the Citizens National Bank. Mr. Beebe president and
E. M. Hills (a son of H. S. Hills) cashier had the affairs of the bank
m charge until it was consolidated with the Minnehaha National
Bank m April, 1888, at which time it surrendered its charter.
The First National Bank.— The first National Bank was
organized about April 1, 1880, with a capital stock of $50,000. The
stockholders were Harry Hollister, J. B. Young, R. P. Pettigrew,
J. Schaetzel, Jr., C. K. Howard, N. E. Phillips, C. P. Webber and
Cyrus Walts. Hollister and Young owned $36,000 of the stock. J.
¦T'^oS? ^^^ ^^^ ^^^* president, and Harry Hollister was cashier
until 1884, when he retired frora the bank and becarae president of
the Insurance Corapany of Dakota. Mr. Young remained with the
bank until 1886, when he sold out and went to California. R. J.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 369

Wells succeeded Mr. Young as president. The bank soon became
involved in litigation owing- to an act of its cashier, W. P. Furbeck, in
issuing a cashiers check Avhich the bank refused to pay, resulting in
an attachment of the assets of the bank and the appointment of a re
ceiver, who took charge of the bank in March, 1886, and settled up its
affairs. Easton, McKinney & Scojgal Bank. — A bank was established
in Sioux Palls by C. F. Easton, C. E. McKinney and Geo. Scougal in
Noveraber, 1880. In 1881 Easton sold out his interest, and the bank
continued in business under the manag-eraent of C. E. McKinney
until it was superseded bv the Sioux Falls National Bank in Novera
ber, 1882.
Sioux Palls National Bank. — This bank was organized No
veraber 11, 1882, with a capital stock of $50,000. The directors at
the time of its organization were C. E. McKinney, Wm. VanEps, C.
L. Norton, John McClellan, A. C. Phillips, W. W. Brookings and
John W. Tuthill. C. E. McKinney was elected president and C. L.
Norton cashier, and by re-elections hold the sarae positions at the
present tirae. In 1883, the capital stock was increased to $100,000.
It is a strong bank, has been ably managed, and has the confidence of
the people. The directors at the present tirae are C. E. McKinney,
C. L. Norton, D. L. McKinnev, S. E. Blauvelt, Moriz Levinger, S.
A. BroAvn, and H. C. Penn. D. L. McKinney is vice president, and
H. C. Penn assistant cashier.
Dakota National Bank of Sioux Falls.— This bank Avas
organized on the 31st day of October, 1882, with a capital stock of
$50,000. The first directors were Melvin Grigsby, P. P. Peck,
Cyrus Walts, W. H. Corson, Artemus Gale, T. H. Brown and Frank
Kunerth. M. Grigsby Avas elected president, W. H. Corson vice
president and T. H. BroAvn cashier. When it comraenced doing busi
ness Porter P. Peck was elected cashier and held this position until
C. C. Carpenter was elected in January, 1885, who reraained as cash
ier of the bank until his decease March 16, 1895. George H. Brace
succeeded Mr. Grigsby as president and reraained as such durmg
the existence of the bank.
The management of the Dakota National had always been con
sidered conservative, and it had the confidence of the public. It was
therefore a great surprise when on Saturday evening, November 21,
1896, it was learned that the bank would not open its doors for busi
ness the following Monday. A national bank examiner immediately
took possession of the bank, and on the 20th day of January, 1897, C
F. Zimmerman was appointed receiver. The assets were large but
owing to the hard times, it was impossible to realize upon thera,
and for this reason the bank was corapelled to close its doors.
Minnehaha National Bank of Sioux Palls.—Iu July, 1885,
E. A. Sherman interested himself in organizing the Minnehaha Na^.
tional Bank, and after securing the necessary capital of ;sSO,000 and
complying with the national banking laws, the comptroller of the
currency authorized the bank to commence business on the 8th day
of August 1885. The directors naraed in the articles ot association

570 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

were E. A. Sherman, H. C. Copeland, L. P. Davis, W. A. Noble, A.
Beveridge, E. E. Savage, L. D. Henry, R. G. Parmley, C. S. Palmer,
O. H. Smith and Cyrus Walts. E. A. Sherraan was elected pres
ident, and G. E. Lathrop cashier. The bank coraraenced business
on the west side of Main avenue south of Ninth street. Mr. Lathrop
was cashier until January 11, 1887, when C. E. Johnson was elected
and held this position until April 21, 1888. At the last raentioned
date the Citizens National Bank Avas merged with the Minnehaha
National bank. Mr. Sherman resigned as president and J. M.
Bailey, Jr., was elected in his place, and E. M. Hills, the former
cashier of the citizens National bank, was elected cashier. At this
tirae the capital stock was increased to $150,000, but has since been
reduced to $100,000. July 1, 1889, it was designated as depository
for the United States funds. On the 29th day of April, 1889, W. L.
Baker Avas elected cashier, which position he has held since then.
At the annual election of officers in January, 1892, Porter P. Peck
was elected president and reraained its president until the suramer
of 1898 when he resigned, and Dr. Wra. S. Caldwell of Freeport, 111.,
was elected and holds this office at the present time. It is a strong
financial institution.
Sioux Falls Savings Bank. — In 1886 the present cashier of
the Sioux Palls Savings bank came to Sioux Palls, and after having
looked over the situation concluded that a savings bank would be a
good thing for those who should organize such an institution, and
would also be of good service to the public. In October of that year
he broached the subject to Wra. Van Eps, and he was so rauch
pleased with the idea that papers for its incorporation went out by
the next raail to the secretary of the Territory, and on the 10th day
of January, 1887, the Sioux Palls Savings Bank opened it doors for
business. The first directors were Williara Van Eps, Marcus Rus
sell, J. T. Gilbert, John McClellan and Joseph A. Ward. Mr. Van
Eps was elected president, and reraained as such until January,
1897, when J. W Tuthill was elected. Marcus Russell has been
cashier of the bank since its organization. The capital stock is
$50,000, and the bank has been sd well raanaged that satisfactory
dividends have been received by its stockholders. It is one of the
solid financial institutions of the county, and has the confidence of
the people. Union Trust Company.— This Company was organized the 1st
of May, 1887, with a capital stock of $100,000, of which $50,000 was
taken by E. A. Sherman. It was established for the purpose of
dealing in real estate, and making long time loans. E. A. Sherraan
was elected its first president, and H. M. Avery secretary. When
the Union National Bank was organized, the banking branch of the
Union Trust Corapany's business was transferred to this bank. Mr.
Sherraan, as its president, and Mr. Avery as secretary, conducted
the business of the corapany during its existence.
German Bank.— The Gerraan Bank was started in Sioux Palls
by Jacob Schaetzel, Sr., and his sons, with a capital stock of $50,000.
it opened for business on the first day of May, 1888, with Jacob

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 371

Schaetzel, Sr., as president, which position he held during the entire
existence of the bank. George Schaetzel was cashier until 1891, at
which time his brother Henry took that place and remained in that
capacity until the bank voluntarily went out of business in October,
1896. The management of the bank was conservative and had the
confidence of the people.
Union Savings Association.— This association was incorpor
ated in November, 1894, with an authorized capital stock of $1,000,000.
G. W. Abbott was the most active promoter of this organization,
having had several years experience as manager of sirailar enter
prises in Minneapolis and Sioux Palls. The first directors were
G. W. Abbott, C. S. Palraer, E. A. Sherraan, P. J. Rogde and B. H.
ReQua. C. S. Palmer was elected president, E. A. Sherraan treas
urer, and Mr. Abbott general manager. It had a paid up capital of
$90,000 at the start, and has been doing a very successful business.
Co-Operative Savings and Loan Association. — In 1888,
B. H. Lien, John Diamond, H. H. Natwick and C. G. Leyse,
all residents of Brookings, S. D., organized the Scandinavian
Araerican Building and Loan Association, at that place. Business
was done under this organization until June, 1891, when it AA'as re in
corporated under the narae of the Co-Operative Savings and Loan
Association, and was reraoved to Sioux Palls in February, 1892. At
that time its assets amounted to $9,000, but after its location in
Sioux Falls the business was carried on upon a larger scale. R. P.
Pettigrew was elected president, H. H. Natwick vice president,
B. H. Lien treasurer, C. G. Leyse secretary and G. W. Abbott man
ager. Mr. Abbott remained with the association three years and
during that period its volurae of business rapidly increased, and at
the present time its published statements show that it has been
under wise and conservative raanageraent, and that it ranks araong
the foremost institutions of the kind in the NorthAvest.
HOTELS.
The first building ever named as a hotel in Minnehaha county
was built of stone by the Western Town Company in September,
1857, on the northeast quarter of section 16, in Sioux Palls, and was
called the Dubuque House. Itwas a small structure, but it was larg-e
enough to accommodate the traveling public at that time. There has
been nothing left of this pioneer hotel for the last twenty years to
designate its exact location, except a slight depression in the ground
where the cellar was excavated. Itwas located north of the island.
Cataract House. — This was the first hotel built in Minnehaha
county which had anything like reasonable facilities for accomrao-
dating the traveling public. It was built in 1871 by Harry Corson,
and opened to the public on the 15th day of August of that year. The
structure was thirty by forty feet, two stories in height and base
ment. It had fourteen 'bed chambers and two parlors. At this early
date in the history of Sioux Falls it was quite a pretentious hotel,
and -under the management of Mr. Corson it soon became knoAvn as
the best hotel in Dakota. As the demand increased for greater

572

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

accommodations, the capacity of the hotel AA'as enlarged. In the
spring of 1882 the original structure was moved into Ninth street
and occupied there, while the present Cataract House was being
erected on the old site, and remained in Ninth street until January
10, 1883, when it was removed to its present location on the west side
of Main avenue between Eighth and Ninth streets, and since then

Cataract House, 1871.
has been known as the Sherman House. About the 20th of Decem
ber, 1882, the Corson Brothers (Harry and Henry) moved into the
new building, and it was under their manageraent until thev leased
it to Fred H. Snyder of St. Paul, in January, 1894. Under the man
agement of Mr. Snyder this famous hotel lost none of its prestige.
In April, 1899, the hotel was leased to G. H. Love of Chicago, who is
now in charge, and it is still the leading hostelry in the state.
Sherman House.— This hotel is located on Main avenue be
tween Eighth and Ninth streets, and, as already mentioned, was the
original Cataract House. It has been owned and occupied since
1883 by several different persons. At one time the most pretentious
hotel m the Territory of Dakota, it is still an object of interest, fur
nishing, as it does, a striking illustration of the rapid growth and
developraent of this section of the country.
Central House.— This hotel was built in 1871 by Joseph
Dupries, a Frenchraan, and he occupied it until April, 1875. In De
ceraber 1879, it carae into the hands of Mrs. Alice Morris of this
city, who purchased it of George Wright now of Chamberlain, S. D.,
and since that time she has owned the property. Por several years
she had personal charge of the hotel, and those best qualified to ex
press an opmion in the raatter say it was an orderly, well kept hotel,
and was liberally patronized. Since her ownership it has been
great y improved and enlarged. During the last few years it has
been leased, and at the present tirae is one of the popular resorts for
the traveling public.
¦ ^S2'T^^'''\'' HousE.-When W. E. Willey came to Sioux Palls
in 1878, he purchased the lots and built a hotel 'called the Commercial

History of miNnEhaHa coUnTv. 373

House, Avhere the hotel of the same name is now located. This
building he occupied until 1883, when he moved it to the rear, and
erected a larg-e fine hotel building- on the site of the old wooden struc
ture. The noAv Commercial House was opened to the public on the
1st day of Septeraber of that year, and the captain was more than
delighted Avith the prospects of reaping a rich harvest from his in
vestraent. The hotel Avas commodious and well furnished, and from
the start was well patronized by the public. But this state of affairs
did not last long, for on the 6th day of November of that year it was
totally destroyed by fire together with almost its entire contents.
During the year following. Captain Willey built the present Com
mercial House, and when completed again assumed the duties of land
lord, which he continued to the great satisfaction of the patrons of
the hotel until 1885, AA'hen he sold the property to Len Clark. Mr.
Clark conducted the hotel until April 1, 1888, when he sold out to
Wyman & Sons of Minneapolis, and they in turn sold it to Brace &
Carpenter in January, 1889. The late M. J. Roche leased the Com- '
mercial House and took possession on the 21st day of January, 1889.
He was a good landlord, and during his manageraent, which contin
ued for four years and eight months, this hotel was liberally patron
ized. Since the retirement of Mr. Roche the hotel has been leased
to different parties, and is at the present time under the raanageraent
of Mark Bridge, who is receiving a liberal patronage frora the travel
ing public. Merchants Hotel. — This- hotel was built by Mat Reese in 1878.
Originally it was a two-story brick veneered building 44 by 80 feet in
size. In 1886, this hotel was purchased by Willey & Williaras, and
was remodeled and enlarged, and conducted by thera until 1897, dur
ing which tirae it received a large share of the patronage of the trav
eling public. Since then it has been conducted by different parties,
the present manager being Prank G. Chaphe.
Phillips House.— This hotel was built by Mrs. Hattie C.
Phillips in 1883, since which time it has been occupied for hotel pur
poses. It is quite a large, well arranged hotel, and receives a liberal
share of patronage. The present proprietor is John C. McNicol.
Parker House.— Mrs. C. P. H. Koeppen built this hotel at an
early date, and it was known as the Koeppen Hotel for several years.
The late Joel Parker finally purchased the property, and reraodeled
and enlarged it, and gave it the name of Parker House. The pres
ent proprietor is G. N. Park.
Christiania House.— This hotel located on the west side of
Phillips avenue between Eleventh and Twelfth streets, was built by
John Henjum. For some years a building standing upon the same
lot was occupied by hira as a restaurant, but in the early eighties he
enlarged it and used it for hotel purposes. Since his death, which
occurred several vears ago, it has been conducted by Mrs. Henjura,
or by her tenants, and has been well patronized.
Rockingham House.— This hotel located on the corner of Tenth
street and First avenue, was built in 1885, by A. M. Hodgdon, but

374 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

was subsequently enlarged and occupied by him for several years.
It has passed into other hands, but is still used as a hotel.
Columbia Hotel. — At an early date in the settlement of Cen
tral South Dakota, Ashton was the county seat of Spink county, and
the building known as the Colurabia Hotel was erected there for a
hotel. When the Milwaukee railroad was built through this county
a station was established sorae two or three miles frora Ashton, and
was naraed Ashton, and the old site was soon known as Old Ashton.
The NorthAvestern railroad company established the station of Red-
field only a few miles frora Ashton, and a town rapidily grew up and
secured the county seat. Old Ashton was, of course, abandoned,
and this hotel building noAV fronting- north on Ninth street between
Dakota and Minnesota avenues, was taken down about nine years
ago and rebuilt on its present site.
Porde House. — This hotel fronting south on Eighth street, be
tween Phillips and Main avenues, was built by Jack Porde in 1878.
It was occupied for several years for hotel purposes, and was well
patronized. Williams House.— This hotel was located on the east side of
Phillips avenue between Ninth and Tenth streets. It was built in
the seventies by H. D. Williaras, and he kept the hotel for several
years, but as the city built up it becarae an undesirable location for
a hotel, and a few years ago, having served its full terra of useful
ness, it was reraoved and raore desirable buildings took its place.
The American Hotel.— This hotel was built at an early day
on the west side of Phillips avenue, and on the next lot north of the
one where John McKee's harness shop is now located, and was called
the Sioux Palls Hotel. It was built by Jaraes Krebs, and remoA-ed
by hira to its present location. Its days of usefulness as a hotel
have passed into history. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
United States Court House And Post Office.- Senator
PettigreAv at an early date in his senatorial career introduced a bill
m Congress for an appropriation for building a United States court
house and post office at Sioux Palls. Under its provisions $150,000
was appropriated for this purpose. This much having been secured,
a lively contest was at once set in motion in reference to its location.
Several sites were offered the government by different parties, each
one havmg its supporters in the city, and they were all the more in
earnest frora the fact that it would probablv settle the location of the
post office for all future time. The department at Washington sent
a person to Sioux Palls to examine the different sites. The tirae of
his arrival was known in advance, and every preparation was made
to entertain hira and bring to his notice the special advantages of
each location. He went about the work in his own way, but the result
would seera to indicate that in some way he was convinced that the
commercial center of the city would soon be further south than it
was at that time. In any event the present location was determined
upon soon after his return.

history op minnehaha county.

375

The building is of Sioux quartzite, and was completed and
ready for occupancy in May, 1895, and on the iSth of that month the
post office was removed from its old quarters to this building-. The
first story is fire proof, and is Avholly occupied by the post office.
The second and third floors are used for federal courts and officials
of the sarae.

o M
fa fa
O tntcOQ <;lawDO O
o cc fa<
m QfaH M
'A

Like all other appropriations the first one was not sufficient to
defray the expense of the building, and another appropriation of
$20,000 was made by Congress.
Sioux Palls Post Office and Postmasters. —The first post
master in Sioux Palls after the militia had been ordered away was
Edward Broughton, and the post office was located in a building

376 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

standing near the Eraerson block. About the first day of August,
1870, Charles Allen Avas appointed postraaster to succeed Broughton,
and removed the office into the barracks. Cyrus Walts was his
deputy and had charg-e of the business, and the letters received Avere
kept in a cigar box until called for. W. R. Kiter was the next post
master, and on the 1st day of July, 1872, he removed the office to a
building- he had erected on the west side of Phillips avenue between
Sixth and Seventh streets. But he did not retain the office long,
John Bippus succeeding him in 1873. He removed the office about a
block south, and it was then located a little north of the present loca
tion of Dunning's drug store. In 1875 he again moved the office,
this tirae to the brick building just corapleted by E. A. Sherraan on
the west side of Phillips avenue between Eighth and Ninth streets,
but the office had reraained in this location only a few months when
Mr. Bippus reraoved it into a building on the opposite side of the
avenue. April 1, 1876, A. T. Fleetwood succeeded Mr. Bippus, and
held the office for seven years, turning- it over to E. W. Caldwell on
the 1st day of April, 1883. While under Mr. Fleetwood's adrainis
tration the office was for several years located on the northeast corner
of Phillips avenue and Ninth street, but was reraoved frora there to
the Sherraan block, corner of Ninth street and Main avenue on May
11, 1884. During- his seven years of service he was not absent from
the office at any one tirae to exceed twenty-four hours. Mr. Fleet
wood was highly esteemed as a citizen, and since October, 1885, the
old residents of Sioux Falls have not ceased wondering as to his fate.
About October 1, of that year he left SiouxPalls to visit at Stoughton,
Wisconsin, going by the Avay of Milwaukee, where he arrived in due
time, but after his arrival there no trace of him has ever been found.
Mr. Caldwell's official career as postraaster terminated on July
1, 1885, when Willard P. Carr assuraed the duties of the office under
an appointraent from President Cleveland. He remained in office
until he was succeeded by Col. B. P. Carapbell on the first day of
February, 1890. Col. Carapbell, owing to the number of applicants
for the office upon President Cleveland's second inauguration, Avas
permitted to hold over after the expiration of his commission until
the 15th day of Septeraber, 1894, when he was directed to turn over
the office to A. D. Tinsley, who was postmaster until August 1,
1896, Avhen the present incumbent, A. S. Ellis, took charge of the
office. On the 18th day of May, 1895, the office was removed from
the Sherraan block to the government building on the southeast cor
ner of Phillips avenue and Twelfth street, where it has undoubtedly
found a permanent horae. No city in the United States of the size
of SlOUX Palls has a raore commodious and better furnished post
office. The business of the office has made great strides since Cyrus
Walts as deputy postmaster under Charles Allen kept the mail mat
ter m a cigar box. The large increase in business during certain
years has been somewhat remarkable, but it will be noticed that
those were years of prosperity. The year 1884 showed an increase
of nearly twenty-five per cent over the preceding year, although the
first nine raonths of 1883 the letter postage was three cents.
Free delivery was established July 1, 1887, and the office has

history OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 377

been under the civil service rules since March, 1893, and on May 5,
of the sarae year, it was desig-nated as a depository for surplus
money-order funds in this part of the state.
On the 31st day of July, 1893, over 5,000 letters, besides circu
lars and papers, Avere dropped in the office between the hours of 4:30
and 8:30 P. M.
Sioux Palls has always been fortunate in securing g-ood post
masters. Business men have been selected for the place, and the
office has always been conducted to the satisfaction of the public.
Paving. — The first action taken for the paving of streets in
Sioux Palls was in May, 1888, and the city let the contract to C. W.
Hubbard & Co., on the first day of June following, for paving Phil
lips avenue between Fifth and Twelth streets. The citv at that
time was acting under a special charter, and althoug-h the authority
to assess the adjacent property upon the front-foot plan was consid
ered questionable, still the necessity for paving- Phillips avenue was
so pressing- and the public demand so importunate that the city
council decided to go on Avitli the Avork upon that plan. It was de
cided to pave with Sioux c[uartzite and to curb with Drake's jasper-
ite. The contract price for the paving was $2.13 per square yard
and seventy cents per lineal foot for the curbing. The contract for
the curbing was let to Tonges & Co. The work vvas coraraenced at
Twelfth street, and about the first of October of that year it was
corapleted to Fifth street. A gentleraan of large experience in pav
ing raatters, who was in the city about that time, reraarked to the
writer that he did not believe there was a finer street of paving in
the United States; and we will add that there is certainly not a more
durable one. Some of the adjacent property owners refused to pay
the assessraents levied against their property, and litigation fol
lowed. Since then considerable paving has been done in the cityand
the same material has been used. The paving on Phillips avenue
still looks as fresh as when first placed eleven years ago, and it will
undoubtedly be doing good service after raost of the buildings noAV
fronting it shall have passed into history.
¦ Street Railways.— In July, 1886, D. Ehvell asked the city
council for a franchise to built a street railway in the city of Sioux
Falls, and so well did he advocate his raeasure and the ordinance he
proposed seeraed so fair, that the council granted him the fran
chise. It had not more than done so, before it was discovered that
D. Elwell had secured a franchise that raight prove more advan
tageous to hira than to the public, and the vote by Avhich it passed was
reconsidered. .
Then commenced the offering of a series of araendraents, and in
doing this Alderman Parmley distinguished hiraself. It was in the
committee of the whole, and when they had perfected it, by strikmg
from and adding to its provisions until nothing raore could be thought
of that would be germane to the subject, the council passed it. Mr.
Elwell was present, and said to the writer "this franchise as passed,
is good for anything but the building of a street railway," and, of
course, he did nothing under its provisions — he couldn t — he
wasn't a profane man.

378 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

On the Sth day of March, 1887, Pettigrew and Tate went before
the city council with a petition that the Elwell franchise be repealed,
and a franchise for street railways in Sioux Falls be granted the
petitioners. This petition was referred to a committee.
On the 22d day of March, 1887, a man from Iowa by the name of
Higgins appeared before the council and asked for a franchise for
street railways in Sioux Falls. He did not have his proposition
perfected in all its details, and asked the council for a little raore tirae
to prepare a complete statement of what he wanted and what he
Avould do.
At the next meeting of the council on the 24th day of March, R.
P. Pettigrew as well as Mr. Higgins was present. Both of these
gentleraen had their propositions perfected, but when Mr. Higgins
was informed that the council would insist upon a bond being given
for the faithful performance of the conditions of any franchise that
raight be granted, he said he was not prepared to do so, and did not
see why it should be required.
Mr. Pettigrew said the requireraent of a bond was reasonable,
and the franchise was granted as he requested to the Sioux Falls
City Street Railway Corapany to construct and operate street rail
ways in the city of Sioux Ealls for the term of twenty years, with
the privilege of renewal.
The company was incorporated, and the incorporators consisted
of R. P. Pettigrew, S. L. Tate, L. T. Dunning of Sioux Falls, Jaraes
Crighton of Chicago and Elnathan Sawtelle of Evansville, Wisconsin.
The corapany, under the provisions of the ordinance granting
the franchise, was required to execute within ten days a bond of
$5,000 to the city of Sioux Falls, for the faithful compliance with the
conditions of the ordinance, and to file with the city clerk within
thirty days an acceptance of the terms and conditions in Avriting
under the seal of corporation. This not having been complied with
June 10, 1887, the city council by resolution declared the franchise
granted under the ordinance forfeited.
A short time after this action had been taken, the corapany
executed its bond and filed the acceptance, as required, with the city
clerk, and the resolution forfeiting the franchise was rescinded by
the city council and the franchise restored.
On Thursday, Noveraber 3, 1887, the street cars comraenced
running in the city of Sioux Falls — one of the cars yielding a
revenue of $16.30 that day. Noveraber 4, the first raile of the street
railway was accepted by the city. The line Avas extended to South
Sioux Falls, and at one time it had about eight miles of track.
Numbering Buildings and Streets.— The city council of the
city of Sioux Palls was iraportuned at almost every session during
the months of April, May and June, 1886, by one Ralph Jaybush for
authority to affix numbers to the residences and business buildings
in the city. Getting tired of his entreaties, a raotion was made and
carried that the matter be referred to the city attorney, with instruc
tions to prepare an ordinance for this purpose, including in the terri
tory the east side of the Sioux river. The writer, then city attor
ney, appreciating the fact that the motion was made more in joke

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY 379

than in earnest, neglected to prepare the ordinance. At the next
session of the council Jaybush was present and succeeded in getting
the city attorney reprimanded by the raayor, and sorae of the alder
raen mildly informed him that he had better prepare that ordinance
if he expected to hold his position. Jaybush was happy. The city
attorney concluded to prepare the ordinance, and did prepare and
submit one to the council July 2, 1886, which was referred to the
committee on streets and alleys. In the preparation of this ordi
nance it was found to be impracticable, owing to the manner the
streets Avere named. Phillips avenue was supplemented at the south
end by Third aA-enue; what is now Main avenue was then Main street
and Second avenue; and Avhat is now Thirteenth street was then
Prank and River streets, and so on.
The city attorney concluded in drawing the ordinance he would
give the council something to think about in earnest, and after fixing
upon the corner of Ninth street and Phillips avenue as the center
from which to commence the numbering, proceeded to change the
names of seventeen streets and avenues, making all the streets to
run east and west, and all the avenues north and south, and giving
one name to each of them. At a council meeting August 6, Jaybush
Avas present and, of course, the subject came up, and the coraraittee
Avho had the raatter in charge called upon to report. They said they
had not exarained the matter very much, but reported in favor of its
passage. The ordinance was then read, and the city attorney was
called upon to explain Avhy the names of so many streets and avenues
had been changed. Upon coming to the change raade of Prank and
River streets to Thirteenth street, the city attorney said that he
presumed Frank street was named for Frank Pettigrew, but Mr.
Pettigrew being present at once broke in and said: "No, that street
was naraed after W. S. Bloom's dog Frank." This reraark seeraed
to settle the question that it was more desirable to have the streets
named with some degree of systera, than to retain the original names
given in honor of some pet canine or the fancy of the persons making
the original plats.
The ordinance was passed August 6, 1886, and Jaybush got the
contract for numbering the buildings.
The Auditorium. — The building of an auditorium at SiouxPalls
dawned upon her citizens as a work of necessity during the suraraer
of 1898. A few months previous a delegation of our citizens belong
ing to the Business Men's League attended the annual meeting of
the National Creamery Butterraakers' Association, and succeeded
in securing its next annual raeeting at Sioux Palls. As the time ap
proached for the meeting, the promoters of the project began to ap
preciate the responsibilities assumed, having assured the association
that the city of Sioux Palls had all the requisite accomraodations for
such a meeting. The fact stared them in the face that there was not
a building in the city that Avas adapted to or had the capacity of
meeting the demands of this association. Soraething had to be done,
and the leading business raen of the city carae to the conclusion that
it was tirae Sioux Palls had an auditorium of such capacity as would
accommodate any association or convention which might wish to con-

380 History oP miNnehaSa county.

vene in the city. It could not be built by subscription, and it would
not pay as an investraent, except in a general way. As a matter of
course it could only be built by the city, and when the situation was
brought to the attention of the city council it was thought best by
that body to call a special election, and in that way obtain an expres
sion of the electors whether an auditorium should be built by the
city. The election was called for August 2, 1898, and resulted in a
vote of 594 for and 174 against the proposition. The city council
thereupon authorized the expenditure of the sum of $9,000 in the
building of an auditorium in accordance with certain plans and speci
fications subraitted by W. L. Dow, and the contract was let for its
erection for the sura of $8,980. It was corapleted (except a little out
side work) and ready for the inaugural ball, which was held on
Thursday evening-, January 19, 1899, andwas a great success, and on
the 23d day of January, following, its doors were thrown open to re
ceive the National Creamery Butterraakers' Association.- The seat
ing capacity of the auditorium on the second floor is about 3,000.
The first floor will undoubtedh' be used in the near future for city
purposes — council rooms, city officials, and the fire department.
Prom this time on it will not be necessary for anyone to stand
in the rain or freeze in tents, Avhile listening to distinguished polit
ical speakers in Sioux Palls, and the city can now point to its splen
did auditorium, and its capacious hotels as furnishing the best ac-
coraraodations in the state for holding conventions and raeetings of
other large bodies.
Fires. — There never has been an extensively destructive fire in
Sioux Palls, and when everything is taken into account it is reraarkable
that the city has been so fortunate. Sorae good buildings have been
burned, but usually the fires have been liraited to unsightly, dilapi
dated old buildings. Only a few large personal losses have been
sustained, and it is probable that Captain Willey has suffered raore
in the burning of the Commercial House and his'livery stable in 1883,
and the Merchants Hotel in 1896, than any other individual in the
city. His loss of property at the time the Commerical burned No
veraber 6, 1883, was estiraated at $73,000.
Fire Department.— Notwithstanding the size of the city of
Sioux Falls and the large property interests within its limits, there
has never been a paid fire department, but it has noAv, and has had
for several years the best and most efficient voluntary fire organiza
tion in this section of the country. It has always been well officered
and well equipped for business.
The department had its beginning in a bucket brigade about the
time of the village incorporation. The exact date of its organization
we are unable to give, as the records have been lost. A fire alarm
bell weighing 2,600 lbs. which is still in use, was received in October,
1884. Captain E. Parliraan was the first fire chief, and served until
May, 1883; Mark Bridge, May, 1883-S; John Hutchinson, May, 1885-7;
C. T. Jeffers, May, 1887-8; H. M. Avery, May, 1888 to January 1892;
Jerry Carleton, 1892-5; P. W. McKeever, 1895-7; J. N. Carpenter,
1897; Andrew J. Carlson, 1898; James M. Tatman, 1899.

history of minnehaha county.

381

Before the construction of the waterworks, a Silsby fire eno-ine
had been purchased which is still retained, and in September, 1893, a
Champion double tank chemical engine was procured for the depart
ment. In 1889, the Gamewell fire alarm system was procured by the
city,_and there are fifteen alarra boxes, connected by about ten miles
of wire, of Avhich James L. Robbins had charge until 1898.

f
i.

^^Iml^^^^^Kl^^^^^r^^^sSSl^EI^^S^Si^i^

i^fe_

m :^MMlJ

n

H' '"'>.

W^m
Itoiiji-'iril
m
j«».
Annual Parade of Sioux Falls Fire Department.
The department has a hook and ladder company, a two-horse
corabination hose wagon, and several hose corapanies, besides the
cheraical company, now in active service, with 128 active and 138
exempt members.
Since the waterworks were located north ofthe city, the fire pres
sure has been all that could be desired, and the chemical engine being
always ready for service, all ordinary fires occurring in the city have
been extinguished in short order.
LOCAL INDUSTRIES.
Webber & Hawthorn Grist Mill. — The first enterprise mak
ing use of the water power at Sioux Falls, that Avas carried to a suc
cessful completion, was the Webber & Hawthorn grist mill, which
commenced operation in May, 1873. It was located on the east bank
of the river below the falls, and the wheel pit of the polishing works
is now located in the same place as the wheel pit of this mill. The
basement was built of stone and the superstructure was of burr oak.
When this mill commenced operation it was thought to be a great
thing for Sioux Falls, and it was a matter of great convenience to
the people residing within a radius of ten or fifteen railes of its loca
tion. It was a paying enterprise while it existed, but the high AAater
of 1881 carried it bodily down stream.
382 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Cascade Mill.— In September, 1877, Isaac Emerson, E. A.
Sherman and J. G. Botsfo-rd purchased the water power and five
acres of land on the east side of the river north of Eighth street.
The building of the dam was commenced the 3d day of October,
1877, and was constructed in the most substantial raanner. The fol
lowing year the mill was built, and the manufacturing of flour com
raenced in September. It has been a financial success from the be
ginning. After it had been operated about three years by the
parties who built it, Mr. Botsford sold his interest to George E.
Wheeler, who has since been its manager and treasurer. In 1887,
the electric light plant was purchased by the proprietors of the Cas
cade Mill, and the Cascade Milling Company was incorporated with
a capital of $150,000, but the ownership of the property practically
reraained unchanged. It has always been conducted on business
principles, and stands at the head of the list of successful manufac
turing industries of South Dakota.
Queen Bee Mill. — In August, 1879, the construction of the
Queen Bee Mill was comraenced, and the enterprise in its results
has been a notable one. The raoney for its construction was fur
nished by eastern and English capitalists, and there was no lack of
funds at the coraraand of the superintendent of construction to build
the finest flouring mill on the continent. The building is of stone,
80 by 100 feet from the foundation to top of walls. There are six
stories beside the baseraent. The raaterials used in finishing the
inside of this building were the best that could be procured for the
purpose, and the workmanship excels in finish that of any other
manufacturing structure in the Northwest. Its design was a marvel
of accuracy, and when the building was completed and ready for the
placing of the machinery, nothing but the latest, raost iraproved
raachinery was purchased to equip this reraarkable raill. To enum
erate and describe the machines put in this building would take too
much space, but sorae idea of its completeness Avhen ready to be
operated can be iraagined when it is known that there were ten miles
of belting, eight of spouting, three of conveyors and two of elevators.
But this does not represent all the expense incurred in this project.
An extensive elevator and warehouse were built, and to get the
proper head of water a canal was blasted through the rocks a long
distance and the water conveyed to the wheel in an iron tube seven
feet in diameter. On the 2Sth day of October, 1881, everything
being completed, the water was turned on the eight hundred horse
power turbine wheel, and the first wheat was ground. Col. J. H.
Drake was president of the company at that tirae, and C. W. Hub
bard superintendent. After a few raonths E. Elwell became the
manager. But notwithstanding the expenditure of nearly a half a
million dollars upon this enterprise, which promised so much for the
City of Sioux Falls and the County of Minnehaha, its operation re
sulted in loss instead of profit. The water power was insufficient to
operate it, except for a short season in each year, and the supply of
Avheat that could be obtained at a reasonable cost was inadequate to
meet its capacity. It ceased operation early in 1883, and the whole
plant was attached on the 20th day of April of that year to secure an

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 383

indebtedness of $97,000. Since then the title of the property has
passed into other hands than its original owners, and the conundrum
"Avhat Avill be done Avith it" is no nearer being solved than ten
A'ears ago.
Polishing Works. — The polishing works were built by J. H.
Drake of St. Paul, in 1883. They are located in the city of Sioux
Falls on the east bank of the river, at the foot of the falls. They
were not completed until the following year, when they were fully
equipped for business on an extensive scale. Two very large polish
ing beds were put in August 11, 1884, having the capacity to polish
450 feet of surface at once. S )me very fine work was done in polish
ing jasper and chalcedony. The cost of the entire plant was about
$75,000, and for some years after it commenced operation bid fair to
pay a good dividend, but the hard times and other unforseen obsta
cles stood in the w-ay of its success, and for awhile it seeraed as
though it would remain a companion piece to the Queen Bee mill, but
recently it has been in operation although upon a much sraaller scale
than at first.
Pork Packing Houses, — About the ISth of October, 1883, a
copartnership AAas entered into between E. G. Smith and A. B.
Clampit of Sioux Palls, for the purpose of engaging in the business
of pork packing. A pork packing house was built on the east side of
the river between Eighth and Tenth streets, and before the season
Avas over $40,000 had been paid out for hogs. The folloAving March
the junior raeraber of the firm retired.
The business had barely coraraenced before coraplaints were
made to the city authorities that the establishment was a public
nuisance, and notwithstanding every precaution was taken to con
duct the business so as to inconvenience no one, its location was such
that the city authorities ordered its removal. During the suraraer
of 1885, the house was taken down, and a new establishment was
built by E. G. Smith & Co., on the east bank of the river below the
falls, Avith a capacity of 250 hogs daily. During the following season
a large business was done, and at the end of March, 1886, 8,500 hogs
had been slaughtered. On the 30th day of October of that year, the
buildings of the company were totally destroyed by fire. The loss
was estimated et $25,000. Major Sraith, who had been the manager
of the business from the time it started, went to work at once to
secure the capital necessary to rebuild, and during 1887 erected upon
the old site the buildings now standing there. Por some time a large
business was done, but in some way the firm becarae financially
erabarrassed and ceased doing business.
The Sioux Falls Stock Yard Company.— During the suramer
of 1889 R P Pettigrew conceived the plan of establishing extensive
stock yards and a packing house at South Sioux Falls. The Sioux
Palls Stock Yard Co., was incorporated with a capital stock ot
$500,000, and about one thousand acres of land purchased and put
into the corporation at a valuation of $200,000. September 25, of that
year, work was commenced on the buildings which are located near
the center of the southeast quarter of section 25 in the township of
Wayne R F. Pettigrew was president, A. J. Pettengill, a resident

384 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

of Portland, Me., who had taken quite a block of stock, was vice
president and general raanager, S. L. Tate secretary, and C. C.
Carpenter treasurer of the corporation. Mr. Pettengill carae to
Sioux Falls in 1890, and during that year pushed the construction of
the buildings as rapidly as possible. But the company became finan
cially embarrassed, and although about $370,000 of improvements had
been raade, the corapany was compelled to suspend work, and the
enterprise was in a dorraant condition until 1895, when Mr. Petten
gill reorganized the corapany with a capital stock of $2,000,000 under
the narae of
The Northwestern Packing Company. — This corapany added
1800 acres of land at a cost of about $66,000, and proceeded to cora
plete the buildings, putting in all the raachinery necessary to raake it
one of the raost coraplete packing house plants in the country. But
notwithstanding this great expenditure of raoney — raaking the
entire cost of the plant about $890,000 — the corapany for some reason
perraitted the plant to lie dorraant. During the spring of 1899, this
property passed from the control of the Northwestern Packing Co.,
and the new owners reorganized under the name of the
A. Lester Heyer Packing Company, and commenced at once
to put the buildings and machinery in proper condition for active
Avork. On Tuesday, July 18. 1899, the machinery of this great plant
was put in operation, and one hundred and fifty hogs Avere killed, and
the success of a great industry with all its accessories assured.
Sioux Falls Brewery.— The Sioux Palls Pantagraph in its
issue of October 7, 1873, stated that John McClellan had sold four
lots on the side hill to Messrs. Krudnig and Poerster of Yankton, on
Avhich they would coramence the erection of a brewery as soon as
raaterials could be procured for that purpose. These lots AA'ere
located near by, if not the sarae lots now occupied by Heynsohn
Bros., but no atterapt was raade to build a brewery upon them. In
an issue of the sarae paper of August 29, 1874, we find the following
item: "Parties are now engaged in building a brewery, and will
have it completed so as to offer the genuine lager by Christraas,"
and that "Knott and Nelson arethe naraes of the gentleraen building
it." The boiler reached Sioux Palls October 27, 1874. About Jan
uary 20, 1875, the firra of Knott & Nelson was dissolved by mutual
consent, S. S. Nelson retiring; and C. K. Howard became associated
with Mr. Knott, first under the firm narae of George A. Knott & Co.,
and then the parties incorporated as the Sioux Falls Brewing Com
pany. The business was conducted for several years bv this firm, with
a capital stock of $40,000, George A. Knott taking $15,000 of the
stock, C. K. HoAvard $15,000, and the officers of the First National
Bank of SlOUX Palls the balance. Mr. Knott was the general man
ager of the business until the affairs of the company became involved
in litigation in 1886.
In January, 1886, R. J. Wells became president and W. P. Fur
beck cashier of the First National Bank of Sioux Palls. The bank
got mto trouble during the raonth of January, owing to complications

history op minnehaha countv 385

arising from issuing to C. K. Howard, county treasurer, the famous
cashier's check of $16,571.61, and it becarae necessary for the bank
to make some changes in the securities it held. Among those it de
cided to dispose of, was the brewery stock it owned and held as col
lateral. On the 17th day of February, 1886, a contract Avas raade be
tween the bank and Moriz Levinger, the bank selling to Mr. Levin
ger all the personal property outside the city of Sioux Falls belong
ing to the Sioux Falls Brewing Corapany, Mr. Levinger agreeing in
consideration of such sale, to pay the bank in cash $2,000, March 3,
$2,000, April 3, $1,000, June 3, $1,500, and July 3, 1886, $2,500. Upon
the cash payment being made the bank agreed to make a good and
valid assignment of three hundred and twenty-five shares of the cap
ital stock of the brewing- company to Levinger.
Levinger agreed to purchase all the real estate belonging to the
corapany, and to pay for the same $20,000, Avithin eighteen months
from date of contract, the bank then holding a raortgage on said real
estate in the sum of $20,000, agreed to foreclose the mortgage and
procure for Levinger a good and valid sheriff's deed of the same.
The bank also agreed to save Levinger harmless from all indebted
ness of the brewing company. This contract was signed by Wells
and Furbeck in their official capacities. The capital stock of the
brewing company was divided into 400 shares of $100 each, and the
bank claimed to own 325 shares. Levinger made the cash payraent
of $2,000, executed and delivered his notes to the bank for the sev
eral sums specified to be paid on the third days of March, April,
June and July, and went into possession of the brewery.
Soon after this, the condition of the bank becarae more and raore
erabarrassed, and a receiver was appointed March 11, 1886, who took
possession March 31. When the March payraent became due, Lev
inger tendered the bank officials payment and demanded his note,
but the bank owing to its attachraent or other disposition of the note
was unable to produce it.
This mortgage of $20,000 was assigned to P. P. Peck before the
_ receiver took possession, and he brought foreclosure proceedings,
" making the Brewing Company, W. P. Furbeck, J. Leslie Thorapson
as receiver, and Moriz Levinger defendants.
It was an interesting law suit. Boyce & Boyce' appeared for
Peck, McMartin and Garable Bros, for Receiver Thorapson, and
Bailey & Davis and H. H. Keith for Levinger. The attorneys for
the receiver acted with Boyce & Boyce, both opposing the claira of
Levinger. Before the case was tried, Levinger had paid $5,000 to third par
ties to whom his notes had been assigned by the bank, and had also
been compelled to pay several thousand dollars of the indebtedness
of the brewing corapany that the bank had -agreed to pay.
Levinger in this action deraanded judgraent that his interest in
the premises be declared superior to that of the plaintiff; that he be
entitled to all beneficial interest in said mortgage; that the bank by
its receiver be required to specifically perform said contract, or to
account to the defendant for all monies received thereunder, and
that the same be applied as a set-off or counter-claim in reduction of
the mortgage debt, and that the plaintiff 's action be dismissed.

25

586 history of minnehaha county.

This case was on the calendar of the suprerae court of the terri
tory at its February term in 1888, and was argued by the attorneys
at that time. The suprerae court held that the contract entered into
"was against public policy and could not be enforced by specific per
formance, nor allowed to be declared upon by way of recoupment."
At the May term, 1888, a rehearing was granted as to the right
of Levinger to recover the raoney paid under the contract. Again
the court declared the contract against public policy and one which
a court of equity Avould not lend its aid to enforce specific perform
ance. In a great many cases new trials have been granted and judg
raents reversed upon newly discoA'ered evidence, but in this case,
after the second hearing before the supreme court. Park Davis dis
covered some new law, or in other words, found that a contract, sim
ilar to the one that had been declared to be against public policy by
the supreme court of the territory, had been held not to be against
public policy by the suprerae court of the United States. Davis took
this decision and went to Yankton to see Chief Justice Tripp, who,
upon reading the case, reraarked that "either the supreme court of
the territory or that of the United States was in error in the raat
ter." At that tirae, to obtain a rehearing, it was necessary first to
obtain the indorseraent upon the petition for the rehearing of one of
the judges who had concurred in rendering the decision sought to be
reviewed. Judge Tripp, upon being asked for his indorseraent for a
second rehearing, said he would do so if one of his associates would
also indorse the petition; that it was not usual to grant a second re
hearing, and that he would not like to assurae the responsibility of
doing so alone. However, he did indorse it, with the understanding
that another judge's indorsement should also be procured. Judge
Spencer was applied to, who upon reading the decision of the United
States supreme court indorsed the petition.
The case carae on for hearing upon the petition at the October
terra of the supreme court at Deadwood, at which time the raost elab
orate brief was presented on the part of the petitioner. The court
declined to grant a new hearing upon the ground that it would be a
bad precedent under any circurastances to grant a second rehearing,
but the chief justice stated to Mr. Davis that he hoped the case
would go to the suprerae court of the United States, and that if the
brief presented at that tirae had been presented at the first hearing
it was quite likely the case would have been decided the other way.
The case was then appealed to the suprerae court of the United
States. This put a new phase upon the case, and it was not long before
a settleraent was raade of the whole raatter, much to the satisfaction
of Levinger and Kaufman.
Another piece of litigation in connection with the brewery was an
attempt made by some of the stockholders to have a receiver ap
pointed a few months after Levinger had taken possession of the
property. The proceeding was coraraenced by C. O. Bailey, and
Bailey & Davis and Judge Parliraan were employed bv Levinger and
Kaufman to resist the appointraent. The grounds upon which the

HISTORY of minnehaha COUNTY. 387

application was made were numerous charges of fraud on the part of
Levinger and those associated with him in conducting the business.
The case Avas fought vigorously, but finally resulted in the defeat of
the stockholders. A A-ery feAv days after Thorapson had taken possession of the
bank, a large block of the stock of the brewing corapany was found to
be in the possession of Jacob Schaetzel, Jr. An action was brought
in the nature of trover, to recover of Schaetzel for the alleged con
version of 150 shares of stock of the brewing corapany, deraanding a
judgment for $25,000. This stock the plaintiff claimed belonged to
the bank, that it had been assigned to it by George A. Knott as col
lateral for his indebtedness to the bank. Schaetzel claimed that he
had only 100 shares of the stock sued for, and that it had been turned
over to him by the bank as security for services rendered the bank by
him; and that he had transferred the stock to Levinger under the con
tract made by the bank with Levinger, and that Levinger had paid the
bank, and that this contract had been ratified by the receiver.
This case was tried to a jury at a term of the district court in
Minnehaha county, T. B. McMartin appearing for Receiver Thomp
son and C. O. Bailey for Schaetzel. It was fought vigorously by
both parties, resulting in a verdict against the defendant. An ap
peal was taken to the suprerae court, and H. H. Keith was retained
with C. O. Bailey. The case was reversed and remitted for a new
trial, but was afterwards settled.
In September, 1890, proceedings were coraraenced in the circuit
court of Minnehaha county, to abate the brewery as a liquor nuisance
under chapter 101, sections 1 and 13, of the session laws of 1890.
The writer, then state's attorney, refused to act in this case, as the
firra of Bailey & Davis had given a written opinion in March pre
ceding, to the brewery corapany upon the question wheiiher the
brewery could be interfered with under the nuisance provisions of
the law. W. A.Wilkes, employed by the Law and Order League, ap
peared as prosecutor in behalf of the state, and Judge Carland ap
peared for the defendant. Judge Aikens declared it to be a nuisance,
but the defendant appealed, a stay was granted and bond given and
the case went to the supreme court. While this case was pending,
new proceedings were comraenced against the brewery as a nuisance,
but were never prosecuted to the end.
At the hearing of the case before the supreme court, Robert
Dollard argued the case on the part of the state and Judge Carland
in behalf of the defendant. The opinion was handed doAvn March 3,
1894, and the syllabus of the decision is as follows:
Under a statute which does not specifically name the liquors the sale of which as a beverage
it prohibits, but considers and holds all liquors intoxicating which are spirituous, malt, vinous, ..r
fermented, as well as all mixtures thereof which will produce intoxication, the malt or intoxicating
quality of beer, when in question, should be shown hy the evidence, the weight and sufficiency of
which is for the court or jury, as the case may be.
It being a maUer of general knowledge that there are varieties of the beverage denommatcd
"beer," and used in this state, that contain no malt and are not intoxxating, we hold that the term
"beer," in the absence of evidence as to its quality or effect, does not import an intoxicating
liquor. In the absence of a statute declaring that "beer" shall be deemed an intoxicating liquor, the

388 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

mere statement of the witness that they bought beer,without any evidence as to the purpose for
which it was bought, or that it contained malt, or of its effect upon pers^ns using it, or of the
manner in which it was made, is not sufficient to show that it was intoxicating; and a court will
not take judicial notice that beer so sold was a malt or intoxicating liquor.
The opinion was written by Justice Puller, and in closing he
said: "For the reasons we have mentioned and upon the authorities
examined, we conclude, that the judgement and decree of the trial
court should be reversed."
The foregoing comprises a brief synopsis of the management of
this institution and the obstacles that have stood in the way of its
success. The first vear the quantity of beer manufactured was 250
barrels, the second year 500 barrels and the third year 1,500 barrels.
The last year it was under the management of Mr. Knott the output
was nearly 10,000 barrels. Since the brewery came into the hands
of Levinger and Kaufman expensive iraprovements have been and
are noAv being raade, and the quantity of beer raanufactured has
been constantly increasing.
The Sioux Palls Water Works.— April 8, 1884, W. S. Kuhn
of Pittsburg, Pa., submitted a proposition in the form of a contract
to the city council for the establishraent of a systera of Avater works
in Sioux Palls. Prior to this tirae the project had been presented to
the council by Mr. Kuhn, and it was evident that he desired to obtain
a contract frora the city, and it was also evident that the city author
ities were anxious to haA'e a systera of water works constructed as
soon as possible. Mr. Kuhn did not then know as rauch about water
works as he does at this Avriting, and there were no water experts
on the council. The Daily Press of April 9, printed the proposed
contract, and requested the citzens "to scan it closely," and advise
the aldermen whether or not in their opinion the contract should be
accepted. The evening of the 9th the council met, and after consid
erable discussion the question was put to a vote. Aldermen P. P.
Peck, John P. Norton, N. E. Phillips, True Dennis and George A.
Knott voted in the affirraative, and C. S. Bowen and H. M. Stearns
in the negative— M. Grigsby absent. The council then instructed
Mayor Schaetzel and Clerk Holt to sign the contract in behalf of the
city. By the terms of the contract the work Avas to be commence on
or before June 1, and completed on or before October 15, so as to be
in full operation by November 1, 1884. It was also understood by all
the parties concerned that the water would be taken from the Sioux
river, although the contract required that "pure water for ordinary
house use" should be furnished.
^qqaT^^ ^^'¦^^ ^^''^ corapleted on time. On the 8th day of October,
1884 in the language of the Press "the water works' smoke-stacli-
belched forth its first puff of smoke." Prom this time a series of
complaints arose from the people of the city against the water works.
Ihey clairaed that the water was impure and unfit for use; that the
fire pressure was inadequate; mains burst and flooded cellars; hy
drants froze up; the tank overflowed— and worst of all— that the use
ot the water had caused an epidemic of typhoid fever. In short, noth
mg was right and everything wrong, and to such an extent were the

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 389

people prejudiced ag-ainst the Water company, that on more than one
occasion the council was requested to ignore the contract and make
no further payments to the company.
The first engine house was located on the bank of the river oppo
site the Cascade mill, and the water pumped from the raill pond, but
the coraplaints in reference to the quality of the water were so
numerous that the temporary expedient was resorted to of extending
a large supply pipe up stream past the island. But this did not sat
isfy the consumers, and in the summer of 1886, another engine house
Avas- built on the bank of the river between Tenth and Eleventh
streets, and the water taken from there. But the water still re
mained too impure for domestic use, and in February, 1888, a large
filter was put in through which the water had to pass before being
sent on its way to the consumers. But the water did not prove satis
factory, and the Water company having exhausted all known methods
of procuring good water from the river, began to look elsewhere for
a supply. Early in may, 1890, the Water company purchased 100 acres of
land about three miles north from the center of the city, after having-
ascertained that underlying it there was a graveled bed about 50 feet
in depth containing an inexhaustible supply of pure water. As early
as the season would permit, the corapany comraenced the iraprove
ments necessary to obtain water to supply the city frora that source.
About this time another element of trouble to the company came
to the surface. J. H. Drake had a spring on the east side of the
river, and he claimed it was absolutely pure water and that there
Avas a sufficient quantity to supply the city, and he was not dilatory
in endeavoring to influence the city council to take such action as
would make his spring the source of water supply for the city.
On the 14th day of Julv, 1890, although the company had a large
force of men at work north of the city putting down wells and con
structing buildings for the necessary raachinery, a coraraittee of
alderraen appointed by the city council made a report recommending
"that the contract with the Water Company be rescinded, and that
the city attorney be instructed to commence suit for annulling the
sarae," and at the same time submitted a proposition from Col.
Drake. Accompanying this report was an opinion by City Attorney
Brockway in reference to the rescinding of the contract with the
company and the leasing of Drake's spring. As to the first proposi
tion he practically said the council could rescind or not as they
chose, and as to Drake's spring he referred them to Drake's proposi
tion. In the report of the committee appeared a statement in refer
ence to the quantity of water that Drake's spring would supply, and
it was amusing to the writer at the tirae to compare the great ca
pacity of the spring as reported by the committee, with the report
of one of the finest water experts the country afforded, xvho hap-pened
to be present when the test was made by the committee and its ex
pert. One of them found an adequate supply for the city, the other
thought that the amount of water deraanded by the city would ex
haust the supply in a few hours. Mr. Drake's proposition was to
lease his spring to the city for fifteen years; the city to pay $300

390 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

monthly for the first five years, $400 monthly for the next five years,
and $600 monthly for the last five years; he reserving the right to
take water frora the spring for sale outside of the city. This propo
sition was based upon the assuraption that the city would take
prorapt action. Failing to secure a contract of this kind, Mr. Drake
offered, if the city would give him a franchise similar to the one
given the Water corapany, he would put in a first-class system of
water works and push it to completion as fast as raen, money and
good business judgment could accoraplish it.
The city council had at last arrived at the brink of the Rubicon,
and notwithstanding Drake's spring was near the opposite shore,
the most conservative members hesitated to cross, and asked for
further time before they coraraitted theraselves .to a project that was
sure to result in expensive litigation to the city, and leaving them
nothing by which they could justify their action but the unsolved
problem that Drake's spring could be obtained, and was of sufficient
capacity to supply the city with water for all purposes. The council
adjourned without taking any action. The next day a petition was
circulated, and secured a large number of signatures, calling a mass
meeting of the citizens to advise the city council what to do upon the
water question. This meeting took place Thursday evening, July
17. It was largely attended, and was one of the most interesting
meetings ever held in the city. It would surprise some of the good
citizens of Sioux Palls if they should review the speeches they raade
on that occasion. It was a Avild raeeting until near the close, when a
raild resolution of confidence in the city council Avas passed, assert
ing that the meeting believed that the council would take all neces
sary steps to furnish the city with pure water. This meeting was
followed by a special meeting of the city council on July 18, to take
action on the report of the special water committee. Alderman
Lewis at once moved "that a deraand be made upon the Water com
pany that they demonstrate Avithin one week that they can furnish
a supply of pure water for all purposes." This opened the debate,
which lasted two hours and concluded upon Alderman Brookings
raoving to lay the raotion on the table; the vote resulted in a tie, and
Mayor Peck voted in the affirmative. The city attorney was then
instructed to draw a resolution "to serve as a Avarning and demand
upon the Water company to furnish good water." Col. Drake then
said, if it took till November for the council to find out whether the
Water corapany violated the contract, then the city, if it wanted his
springs, would have to pay a fair round price for thera. Wm. Van
Eps then raade quite a speech, advising the council to go slow, and
be careful about involving the city in unnecessary litigation. The
council adjourned until the next day. At the adjourned meeting
July 19, a preamble and resolution drawn by the city attorney was
introduced. The prearable recited the grievances the city had suf
fered, and the resolution deraanded from the company a full compli
ance with their contract on or before October 15, and notified the
company that the council would not consent to an emergency pipe
from the engine house to the river. After a two hours discussion
the prearable was stricken out, and then the reference to the emer-

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 391

gency pipe was stricken out, and then what was left was adopted.
From this time on until September, the Water company was pushing
its work with great vigor, while a few people were trying in every
way to discredit the character of the water it was obtaining. Sam
ples of AAater frora the wells of the corapany and frora Drake's
spring had been sent to a chemist of world-wide fame for analy
sis, and on the first day of September, 1890, his report was laid
before the city council. From this report it appeared that the water
works' water was slightly the purest, and three per cent softer than
the water in Drake's spring. This settled the water question, which
had so long agitated the people of Sioux Falls. On November 26,
1890, the water pipes throughout the city were slushed, and the next
day (Thanksgiving day) the great purap forced the water to the con
suraers for the first time from the new station.
At the general election in November, 1898, the question of bond
ing the city for the purpose of purchasing or constructing a system
of water works was submitted to a vote of the electors of the city of
Sioux Palls. The vote was 821 for and 405 against the proposition.
During the session of the legislature in 1899 a law was enacted
authorizing the city to bond for the purpose above mentioned, pro
vided a raajority of all the electors of the city should at a special
election so vote, the nuraber of electors to be deterrained by the total
vote cast for raayor at the preceding city election, according to which
it required 954 affirmative votes to bond. The election was called
for the 4th day of April. For ten days prior to the election an active
campaign was waged, but the indebtedness of the city was so large
that a great majority of the people were opposed to increasing it for
any purpose, and the measure was defeated by a vote of 587 for, and
684 against. The plant at the present tirae has greater capacity and is niore
coraplete than any system of water works in any city in the United
States of the size of Sioux Falls. The water is obtained from
twenty-eight six-inch Avells of the depth of thirty-five to forty-five
feet. There are three pumps in use, with a capacity of one, three
and five-million gallons, respectively. The fire pressure is 125
pounds to the square inch, and can be increased to upward of 150
pounds. There are thirty-five railes of raains, 115 hydrants and five
public drinking fountains. The private consuraers nuraber about
900. The water has been thoroughly analyzed by chemists, and found
suitable for domestic use, and has received the indorsement of the
local physicians as the best water attainable in Sioux Falls.
The first superintendent was J. H. Purdy, Avho was succeeded
by L. C. Winslow, Doc. Hoffman, C. H. Martien, R. W. Barnes, C.
N. Berry and H. G. Smith, in the order named.
Gas Works.— In August, 1882, J. H. Miller, Jr., came to Sioux
Palls and asked the village trustees to grant hira the right of way
through the streets and alleys for laying gas pipes. He represented
that if this privilege should be granted to him he would put in a gas
plant with capacity sufficient for a city of fifteen thousand inhabit
ants. The trustees assured him his request would be granted, and

392 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

the following September Mr. Miller purchased the present location
of the plant and comraenced its construction. On the 31st day of
March following, the village trustees passed ordinance No. 43 (the
last one passed by the village of Sioux Palls), giving John H. Miller,
Jr., his associates, heirs and assigns the privilege, for the terra of
ninety-nine years, of using the streets, alleys and public grounds of
the village for the purpose of laying pipes for the conveyance of gas,
for the use of the village and its inhabitants. By the provisions of
this ordinance the plant was to be corapleted in six months, and to
have the capacity of raeeting all deraands for gas, both public and
private. The price of gas was fixed at three dollars per one thous
and feet, with a discount of ten per cent upon payment on presenta
tion of bills; the price to be increased or diminished as the cost of
bituminous coal should be greater or less than eight dollars per ton,
which was the cost of the coal at that time in Sioux Falls. On the
8th day of May, 1886, the City of Sioux Falls, by ordinance of that
date granted to the Sioux Palls Gas Corapany the exclusive right,
privilege and franchise for twenty years to manufacture and furnish
gas within the limits of the city of Sioux Falls, reserving the right
to forfeit and declare void the franchise conferred by the village and
confirraed by the City of Sioux Falls, in the event of the failure of the
corapany to perforra each and every condition assuraed by thera. On
the 19th day of June, 1885, the City of Sioux Falls by ordinance ap
proved of village ordinance No. 43, and authorized the Sioux Palls
Gas Corapany, the successors of John H. Miller, Jr., to mortgage
the gas works, and confirraed to said company the franchise as
granted to Miller. May 11, 1886, J. Leslie Thorapson, receiver of
the First National Bank of Sioux Falls, sold the interest the bank
had in the Gas Corapany. In Septeraber following the company
issued its bonds in the sura of $25,000, drawing six per cent interest,
which were negotiated by P. W. Little.
As in all other cities the subject of Gas caused considerable
discussion in Sioux Falls. The granting of the exclusive franchise
by the city council was denounced by raany of the citizens, and the
newspapers were filled Avith interviews both for and against it, and
when the council entered into a contract with the corapany in July,
1886, to furnish fifty street lamps for five years at the annual cost of
$2,200, the air was full of electricity, as the Electric Light Company
had offered to furnish eleven electric arc lights for $2,244 per year.
The final outcome Avas in the nature of a compromise and a contract
for street lighting with both companies. In 1887, the Gas company
e.xtended its raains and otherwise enlarged its works at a cost of
about $18,000. The National Gas and Fuel corapany of Chicago were
contracted with to furnish the plant Avith appliances to manufacture
gas, and the corapany had the whole work corapleted on the 26th day
of October. About seven o'clock in the evening of that dav the people
of SlOUX Palls Avere startled by a loud report followed by "the break
ing of glass and a general shaking up of things in an unaccountable
manner. It did not take long to locate the cause of the trouble —
the gas had exploded at the gas house, completely demolishing the
buildings. Large plate glass windows were broken in business

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY 393

buildings on Phillips avenue, and windows in residences a quarter of
a raile away met Avith the same fate, but among the many strange
things resulting- from this explosion none was raore so than the
breaking- of every other window on the south side of the Coraraercial
hotel. O. Barrett, who was passing- over the Tenth street bridg-e
near the AA'est end, had some bones broken, and two young raen who
were driving near the works, were blown out of the carriage nearly
fifty feet, and the horse and carriage thrown over the erabankment.
The report of the explosion was heard at Baltic, a distance of about
fourteen miles. Althoug-h the damages Avere large, the corapany with
considerable enterprise continued to supply gas after a delay of
about two days, and the works were at once rebuilt. At half past
five o'clock in the afternoon, January 4, 1888, there was another ex
plosion at the gas works. This time the damage was not so serious
as in October, but the force of the explosion was sufficient to unroof
the building and throw down the walls, and other buildings in the
vicinity were perceptibly shaken. This explosion was caused by
the escape of gas from the purifier. The raanufacture of Avater gas
had been discontinued after the October explosion, so that it could
not be attributed to this gas, against which a strong prejudice had
grown up in Sioux Falls. In May, 1888, a sale of the works was
made to outside parties, and the company reorganized under the
name of Sioux Falls Gas Light Company; the forraer owners still
retaining a large interest. Since that tirae to the present writing
Geo. H. Brace has been president of the corapany, and the gas fur
nished has been satisfactory to its patrons, although they occasion
ally exercise their inalienable rights to accuse the corapany of charg
ing too rauch for the gas. But the history of the gas Avorks in Sioux
Palls would not be complete without recording the third explosion
which occurred at 11:45 o'clock in the forenoon, January 28, 1897.
The explosion took place in the purifying building, and unlike its
predecessors the report of the explosion was heard only for a short
distance, and the damage was confined to the apparatus and building
were the gas was manufactured. This building was constructed of
brick with a slate roof heavily trussed, but it was corapletely demol
ished. The loss of the company amounted to several thousand dol
lars, but as on former occasions, the works were imraediately rebuilt.
Electric Lights.— An electric light plant was started in the
city of Sioux Falls by several gentlemen of that place, prominent
. among them were Charles E. McKinney, D. L. McKinney and John
McClellan. The capital stock of the association was ip/5,000. lhe
arc light was first started in the suraraer of 1884, and the Edison in
candescent light was added in 1887 after the plant had been pur
chased by the Cascade Milling Co. This corapany erected a stone
building SO by 60 feet south of the Cascade raill to be used exclu
sively for the generation of electricity. Starting with onl> about 400
lights it now has over 5,000, and is one of the most perfect electric
light manufactories in the Northwest, not only lighting the streets
in the city, but also furnishing power to raanufacturing establish
ments. „ , , ^ TTT--
Telegraph.— The Northwestern Telegraph Company, a Wis-

394 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

consin organization, built the first telegraph line to SiouxPalls during
the fall of 1876, and in November of that year opened its office in the
land office building located on the southwest corner of Phillips avenue
and Tenth street. E. W. Coughran was the first -telegraph operator,
and remained in charge of the office nearly five years. E. J. Mannix
succeeded him and reraained in charge until 1890. During the first
few months under Mr. Mannix's charge the business of the office
was carried on at the Milwaukee and Omaha depots and in the Ger
man bank building opposite the first location of the office, but for the
last fifteen years, although the location of the office has been changed
frequently, it has never been more than a half a block from the Cat
aract corner. There was only one operator in the office until 1883,
except for a few months while the Queen Bee mill was running. At
the time Mr. Mannix left the employ of the company he had five
assistants including the messenger boys. The city of Sioux Falls
now has ten wires, and the local office has been under the efficient
management of J. M. O'Neill since September, 1890.
Telephone.— In .March, 1882, the Northwestern Telephone
Exchange Company was organized Avith a capital of ten thousand
dollars, with a view of establishing a telephone system in Sioux Falls.
The instruraents arrived the Septeraber following, and soon after a
telephone system in the city was an accoraplished fact. In July, 1883,
this company transferred its property to the Erie Telegraph and
Telephone Co., a New York corporation. There was quite a war be
tween this company and the city authorities during that year, an
account of which Avill be found in the chapter devoted to the incor
poration of the city of Sioux Palls. It was only a short time before
the property was transferred to the Northwestern Telephone Ex
change Co., and under its managment the systera in Sioux Falls has
been greatly improved. During the spring of 1895 this company
extended its line to Dell Rapids, and on the 21st day of June of that
year the first raessage was transmitted from Dell Rapids to Sioux
Palls by George D. Sherman, then manager of the company at this
point. In 1896, lines were extended by the same company frora
Sioux Palls to Valley Springs, Hartford, Humboldt, Montrose,"'Salem,
Canton, Worthing, Lennox and Parker. The system was completed
to Brandon and Valley Springs during the first Aveek in October,
1896, and to the other towns above named, on the 12th day of the
sarae raonth. On the 3d day of March, 1897, the long distance
telephone service of this company was completed, and Sioux Falls
for the first tirae was placed in telephone connection with St. Paul,
Minneapolis, Winona, La Crosse, Fargo and Grand Forks. The
event was raade meraorable by an entertainraent given by the corapany
to the people of Sioux Falls, at which time they enjoyed the novelty
of listening to rausic furnished by orchestras in Minneapolis,
Winona and Fargo. In the fall of 1897, this company, having pur
chased the Iowa Telephone Company's line connecting Elk Point and
Verraillion with Sioux City, extended its line from Canton to Sioux
City, and from Vermillion to Yankton, and in September, 1898, ex
tended the line from Yankton to Parker.
During the summer of 1898, it remodeled its system, making

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 395

material improvements, putting in tall poles in the city of Sioux
Palls, with one mile of 100-wire aerial cable, and during the fall the
line of this company Avas extended, taking in Egan, Plandreau, Cole
man and Madison. It has at this writing (July, 1899,) about four
hundred subscribers in the city of Sioux Falls, and is engaged in
making extensive improvements. C. W. Rees is manager.
Cigar Manufacturing. — D. J. Fischer commenced the manufac
ture of cigars in Sioux Falls in June, 1879, and continued in the
business about one year. In Septeraber of that year P. P. Angel &
Son started a cigar factory on Phillips avenue, and in August, 1880,
Henry Pontz came to Sioux Palls and engaged in the same business.
Since that time large quantities of cigars, for the size of the place,
have been manufactured in Sioux Falls, amounting in 1885, to seven
hundred thousand, and in 1892, to one million five hundred thousand
cigars. The largest business in this line was done by Wuest
Brothers — Victor J. and Theodore C. — This firm comraenced the
manufacture of cigars in August, 1883, in a small way, but as it pros
pered the business was enlarged, and for several years it employed
a large force in its factory. May 1, 1896, the plant was removed to
Chicago. At the present writing there are quite a number of per
sons in Sioux Palls engaged in raanufacturing- cigars, where trade in
this line is undoubtedly larger than in any other city in the state.
The Greenleaf Cigar Co. heads the list of cigar raanufacturers in
the city at the present time.
Stone Industry. — The only stone in Minnehaha county of any
commercial value is the Sioux quartzite. State Geologist J. E. Todd
in his preliminary report in 1894, says of it in substance, that it
consists almost entirely of an intensely hard and compact quartzite,
and occurs in strata nearly horizontal, and is cut into blocks by ver
tical joints frora six inches to several feet apart, crossing one an
other nearly at right angles; that the occurrence of it in cliffs frora
fifty to sixty feet in height, raay be seen at Palisade and Dell Rapids,
and in broad and level areas at Sioux Falls; that it varies greatly in
color, and in hardness from a rock harder than steel to beds easily
excavated with a spade or pick. In the opinion of Mr. Todd, this
stone in this county may reach a depth of 1,500 feet. So rauch for a
description of the stone of which there is an inexhaustible supply in
the city and its immediate vicinity.
Prom the first settlement of Sioux Palls until the present time,
it has been used more or less for building purposes. The Dubuque
House, already noticed, was constructed of this stone in the rough,
in a rough way, but that structure turabled down long ago. The
Queen Bee mill is constructed of this stone, but it was erected by
workmen who were masters of their trade, and it stands to-day with
out any appreciable signs of decay. But it was not until about fifteen
years ago that the valuable properties of this stone began to be ap
preciated, especially its commercial value. J. H. Drake opened the
Monarch quarry in the city on the east side of the nver, and another
quarry was opened about two miles southeast of the city, f olloAved by
the opening of quarries at Dell Rapids and East Sioux Falls It was
not known until about this time that it could be easily raanufactured

396 HISTORY OF Minnehaha coUntY.

into paving blocks, and the methods now in use in preparing it for
building purposes were in a crude state. But paving blocks were
manufactured and shipped to Omaha and other cities, and were found
to be all that could be desired for the paving of streets upon which
there is a large araount of traffic. In 1888, when the question of pav
ing Phillips avenue in Sioux Falls carae before the city council, the
material to be used was thoroughly discussed, and although its first
cost would undoubtedly be greater than other materials in coramon
use for paving, still, the well known durability of this stone, and the
fact that it would be a lasting advertisement of its admirable quali
ties for such purposes, brought the members of the council to a
unanimous vote for its adoption.
Por several years quite an effort was raade to attract the atten
tion of contractors and builders, and others engaged in public im
provements, to the properties of this stone and it resulted in quite
extensive shipments from this city, Dell Rapids, and East Sioux
Palls. Some fine public buildings were erected in Chicago and other
cities of this raaterial. .The manufacture of paving blocks was also
quite extensively engaged in at the points enumerated above, but the
hard tiraes lessened the deraand, and the quarries, so active for
awhile, have for the last few years been coraparativeh' idle. It is a
dinner-pail-brigade industry, and now that prosperity has returned,
it requires only an organized well directed effort to bring this inex
haustible source of wealth into the channels of commerce.
Wholesale Trade.— In 1883, the firm of Houser & Woodland
established a tobacco house in Sioux Palls, and for a few years en
gaged in both the wholesale and retail of cigars and tobacco. In June,
1886, a wholesale grocery house was established by Ward & Prick,
who continued the business until June, 1888, when it was sold to
Jewett Brothers & Jewett. Prom that time the wholesale trade has
been constantly growing in importance. New lines have been added
frora year to year, until Sioux Palls has become a recognized whole
sale center in the commercial world. One feature, and the most im
portant one of all, is the large percentage of trade in goods manufac
tured at horae, which gives eraployraent to a large number of
laborers. Some of these raanufacturing industries have already been
noticed, but a long list raight be added. The manufacture of flour,
carriages, brooms, candy, cornices, awnings, blank books and ready-
prints, help to materially swell the wholesale trade of Sioux Fall's.
All the leading manufacturers of farra iraplements raake Sioux Falls
a distributing point for their goods, and sorae of thera have erected
extensive buildings to accoraraodate their business. Residents of
the city engaged in this line of trade have also been corapelled to
erect buildings on a large scale to meet the requirements of their
rapidly increasing business. The wholesale trade in fruits, liquors,
root beer, mineral waters and summer drinks is not inconsiderable
in amount. Perhaps no raore striking proof of the rapid strides the
wholesale trade has raade during the last decade could be mentioned
than the fact that Jewett Brothers & Jewett shipped into Dakota in
1884, the first carload of sugar, and during the year 1898, shipped

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 397

into Sioux Palls alone one hundred and twenty carloads of the sarae
comraodity. If the annual amount of the wholesale trade of the city
should be expressed in dollars, it would undoubtedly surprise even
those who are engaged in contributing to the same. It got into the
million coluran several years ago, during the hard tiraes, and since
the clouds of financial depression have rolled away it has increased
with surprising- rapidity, three wholesale firras doing a business of
upwards of a raillion dollars annually. The packing house industry,
so long of doubtful realization, is now an assured fact. Other indus
tries upon which a large amount of capital has already been ex
pended, will soon be taken f:-om the doubtful list and add largely to
the volurae of trade.
ProphesA' is at all tiraes uncertain, but when all the elements of
fulfilment are discernible above the horizon, advancing towards the
zenith with militarj' precision in battle array, it is only calling atten
tion to the inevitable when the assertion is made, that the wholesale
trade of Sioux Palls, now in its infancy, will prove to be one of the
great factors in her future growth and prosperity,
COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATIONS.
Board of Trade. — The first association which could be prop
erly called a board of trade was organized in Sioux Palls, January 9,
1884. Associations had previously been formed for the advancement
of the commercial interests of the city, but they were short-lived and
accomplished very little in that direction. But at this time the busi
ness men took hold of the raatter and perfected a strong organiza
tion. Major E. G. Smith was its first president, and the board for
several years did some good work in advancing the commercia.1 in
terests in this locality. During the tirae of its greatest activity
H. H. Keith and R. P. Pettigrew were presidents of the board.
About the time the commercial depressions began it was merged into
or superseded by the
Commercial Club.— The members of this club for two or three
years made great efforts to keep up the interest and promote the
objects for which the board of trade, was originally organized, but
like everything else it financially had to yield to the force of circum
stances, and after having for several years been devoted almost ex
clusively to social matters, it finally on the 3d day of January, 1899,
ceased to exist.
Business Men's League.— This organization was perfected in
April, 1897, and meets in the council chambers the first Tuesday in
each month. Since its organization the league has been actively en
gaged in promoting the comraercial interests of the city, and it is
not too rauch to sav that no organization of its kind in the city has
been raore enterp"rising and successful than this league. It is a
business men's league in all that the name iraplies, and the people
of Sioux Falls are proud of its efficient raanageraent. Its first
officers were D. L. McKinney president, B. H. Lien vice president,
G. Schlosser secretary, and E. J. Da,niels treasurer. In 1899, H. H.
Keith was elected president of the league.

398 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Sioux Palls Jobbers' and Manufacturers' Association. —
This association was organized in Sioux Palls July 1, 1893, with the
following charter members: Jewett Bros. & Jewett, wholesale gro
cers; Fred A. Miller, general agent McCormick Havesting Machine
Co.; B. C. McCrossan, wholesale fruit; C. G. Ferguson, manager St.
Olaf flour mills; Scott & Thompson, wholesale machinery; D. P.
Smith, sugar broker; Geo. E. Wheeler, Cascade Milling Co.; Foley
& Wadsworth Implement Co. ; W. W. Brookings, linen mills; Geo.
E. Hill, wholesale stoves and hardware; Brown & Saenger, book
binders; Wuest Bros., cigars and tobacco; John W. Tuthill Luraber
Co.; Sherraan Bros. & Bratager, threshing machines; J. K. Haugh
ton, wholesale butter and eggs; Eureka Milling Co., oatmeal manu
facturers; Haley & Chase, wholesale fruit; Hickey & MacNamara,
wholesale liquors; L. T. Dunning, druggist; Sioux Falls Candy Co.;
Sioux Falls Brewing Co. ; Sioux Palls Gas Co.
The first officers were C. A. Jewett president, D. P. Smith sec
retary, and P. A. Miller treasurer. On the 19th day of October,
1893, the railroad from Sioux Palls to Yankton being completed, this
association, in order that the event might be properly celebrated,
gave a banquet to the railroad officials and all the business raen along
the line, entertaining about seven hundred people. It was a success
in every way.
The purpose of the association is to advance the wholesale inter
ests of the city, and its work has not been confined to giving enter
tainraents. The freight tariff for Sioux Palls, and railroad legisla
tion have engaged the attention of this association, and not without
effect. The officers elected in 1893 were re-elected in 1894. In 1895
J. K. Haughton was elected president.
INSURANCE COMPANIES.
Insurance Company of Dakota. — This company Avas incor
porated the latter part of February, 1883. William "(i. Taffinder,
Charles H. Wynn, Homer W. Johnson, W. W. Brookings, Edwin E.
Sage, L. D. Henry, T. S. Goddard, C. H. Vincent, AndreAv C. Phil
lips, and H. L. Hollister were the incorporators. The capital stock
was $100,000, with the right to increase it to $500,000 at the pleasure
of the corapany. A. C. Phillips was its first president and T. S.
Goddard secretary. The Daily Press published the foregoing list
of charter members on the 24th day of February, 1883, and also said
that the incorporators were among the leading business men of the
city of Sioux Palls. Of these ten incorporators only one, C. H. Vin
cent, is a resident of the city at this writing; three are dead, and the
others are living elswhere.
The first policy of the company was written on the 29th dav of
May, 1883, and on the 1st day of July, 1883, the corapany had re
ceived m premiums the sum of $1,377.91. During the balance of the
year the business gradually increased under the general manage
ment of Mr. Taffinder.
At the annual raeeting of the stockholders in January, 1884, the
following directors were elected: H. S. Hills, J. B. Young, C. H.

history of minnehaha county, 399

Vincent, E. E. Sage, T. S. Goddard, D. J. Brown and J. P. Eastraan.
H. S. Hills Avas elected president, Eastraan vice president and D. J.
Brown secretary. During the spring of that year a change Avas
made in the manageraent. H. S. Hills resigned the presidency and
H. L. Hollister Avas elected in his place, W. C. Hollister was elected
treasurer and E. A. Ayerst of Iowa, an insurance raan of large ex
perience, arrived in Sioux Falls the 17th day of May, 1884, and as
sumed the duties of secretary.
From this tirae on the business of the corapany grew rapidly for
a feAV years. Its report for the year 1884 showed the receipts to
have been $182,000, and the expenses $92,630, ($10,000 of which was
for a ten per cent dividend declared and paid). At this tirae the
office was located in the Masonic Temple, and the office force num
bered tAventy-five persons.
The manageraent of this corapany reraained practically the sarae
until April, 1888. The volume of business was large, but during the
latter part of 1887, various rumors were afloat as to the solvency of
the institution, and the business methods of the company were
severely criticised. At the last mentioned date there was a consoli
dation of this company with the Western Pire & Marine Insurance
Company; the new company retaining the name of the Insurance
Company of Dakota. The capital stock of the reorganized corapany
was $200,000.
After the reorganization, the affairs of the corapany becarae
more and more complicated and its business was at a stand still. On
the 22d day of August, 1888, an entire new board of directors took
charge of its affairs, and it was then hoped that the company would
soon secure the confidence of the public and the business becorae
prosperous. The new board consisted of A. M. Crosby of Luverne,
Minnesota, J. M. Searle, E. G. Butts and P. W. Gail of Stillwater,
Minnesota, George E. Wheeler, Charles E. Johnson and C. C. Cran
dall of Sioux Falls. A. M. Ctiosby was elected president, George E.
Wheeler vice president andC. C. Crandall secretary. But this reor
ganization did not restore public confidence, and within a few days
Mr. Crosby was appointed receiver of the corapany. His appoint
ment did not meet with the approval of the creditors, and an appli
cation was made by them for his reraoval and the appointraent of a
new man in his place. This resulted in the resignation of Mr.
Crosby and the appointment of John Lewis of Sioux Palls on the
24th day of September, 1888, who at once proceeded to close up the
affairs of the company, and the Insurance Corapany of Dakota passed
into history.
Dakota Mutual Life Association. — This association was or
ganized on the 1st day of October, 1884. It was organized on the
mutual assessment plan, and its first directors and officials were nien
of integrity and well known business capacity. Andrew C. Phillips
Avas its first president, and associated with him as directors were H.
S. Hills, C. E. McKinney, W. E. Alexander and A. R. Bryan. The
plan was defective, and after two or three years, the direction of its
affairs having fallen into less competent hands, it became one of the
things of the past, but it faded out of the business world so gradually
that no one can fix the exact date of its demise.

400 history of minnehaha county.

Western Fire and Marine Insurance Company. — This
company was incorporated by Sioux Palls capitalists December 10,1886.
The office was located in the Van Eps block, and quite an exten
sive business was done. J. H. Westover was its president, and dur
ing the raonth of April, 1888, it was raerged with the Insurance Cora-
paliy of Dakota, and as a raatter of course, when this company failed a
feAV months later there was nothing left for the Western Pire and
Marine to do but settle up its affairs.
The Fargo Insurance Company. — This Company was char
tered in December, 1880, with an authorized capital stock of $100,000,
asafire and hail insurance company, with headquarters at Fargo, D.T.
Until the fall of 1884 it did a prosperous business, but that year the
hail losses were so great that they crippled the company. About the
10th of September, 1886, it transferred its headquarters to Sioux
Falls, and comraenced business in the Masonic Temple. At that
time the company had a large amount of liabilities, and the real
purpose for changing its place of business to Sioux Palls was to ob
tain new capital with which to continue its operations. Its rnanagers
Avere not very successful in getting the people of Sioux Palls involved,
and its insolvency was soon apparent by judgments being rendered
against it which it was unable to pay. On the 20th day of January,
1887, an execution having been returned by the sheriff unsatisfied,
supplemental proceedings were commenced by a Chicago creditor,
and the company enjoined frora transferring any of its property.
On the 27th day of January, an exaraination was had, and it devel
oped that the company's liabilities Avere at least $110,000, and that it
Avas hopelessly bankrupt.
In 1885 the company had been so financially erabarrassed, that
its managment had sought for and obtained new stockholders, Avho
soon found that after having paid in their money they had $80,000 of
liabilities to pay off before the company could do business. This
they finally concluded to do, and the intiebtedness was canceled. It
Avas after it had been again admitted into the business world that
unbusinesslike raethods were adopted by the raanageraent and the
integrity of sorae of its officials questioned. One of the victiras in
1885 was W. P. Johnson, a banker of Toledo, la., Avho had put in
$30,000, which was a total loss.
In conclusion we will only add that this company which came to
Sioux Falls with great flourish went into the hands of a receiver on
the 23d day of February, 1887, W. L. Baker being appointed to con
duct the funeral exercises. He did not find assets enough to defray
the incidental expenses of the receivership but did find about $200,000
of liabilities, which condition of affairs he reported on the 30th day
of June, 1887. RACE POR REGISTER OP DEEDS OFFICE.
An incident occurred in 1879 which will for a long time to come
be referred to by the residents of Sioux Palls, and as it played an
iraportant part in settling the title to one hundred and sixty acres of
the land upon which the present residence portion of the city is prin
cipally located,- although it will hardly classify with anything else.

HISTORY' OF minnehaha COUNTV. 401

we insert it here, believing that as an interesting reminiscence it will
fully compensate for the abruptness of the order of its insertion.
Senator PettigreAv, Avith his usual foresight and resource, was equal
to the occasion, as Avill appear from Avhat follows, which is the result
of an interview with him.
In 1876, R. P. Pettigrew purchased from Russell Bennett, of
Detroit, Michigan, the southeast quarter of section 17, township 101,
range 49, being 160 acres, embracing the best residence portion of
the city of Sioux Palls, and receiA^ed from Mr. Bennett a warranty
deed of the tract. The record showed a good title in Mr. Bennett
and that he purchased the land of Arkang Reed and J. Reed, her
husband. They were half-breeds, Winnebago Sioux Indians; that
the purchase of this tract AA'as made by Mr. Bennett previous to the
location of the scrip upon the same, by which the title was acquired
from the government; that several years afterward Mr. Bennett se
cured a deed from Arkang Reed and J. Reed, her husband, for the
same tract. That the first deed was not delivered to Mr. Bennett
at the time of its date, but was deposited in escrow with parties in
St. Paul, to be delivered Avhen the title was completed by the loca
tion of the scrip.
Mr. Bennett's attorney in this transaction was Byron M. Smith,
of Minneapolis, and therefore he was familiar with all the facts in
connection with the title. Of course there Avas nothing in the ab
stract to show that the first deed had been deposited and delivered
after the title Avas perfected, and as it was a quitclaira deed, there
was a serious difficulty in Bennett's title; but the second deed frora
Arkang Reed and J. Reed apparently made the title perfect. But
the fact was that the second deed was from Arkang Reed, the daugh
ter of the original Arkang Reed, to whora the patent was issued, she
having married a man by the sarae narae as that of her father, and
thus the second deed only conveyed a title to one-fourth interest in
the property. Byron M. Sraith knew these facts, and after the
death of Mr. Bennett, whose evidence was necessary to protect the
title, secured a deed frora the other three heirs of Arkang Reed, the
first, from an attorney by the name of Shillock, who clairaed to be
the attorney in fact for the heirs. The deed which Sraith had pro
cured was made to Milton D. Brown, of Minneapolis, and placed
upon record, and a suit commenced against Mr. Pettigrew to recover
the property, some time in the spring of 1879. When Mr. Pettigrew
came to answer in the case he claimed a chain of title from Arkang
Reed and her husband, but upon taking the deposition of witnesses
discovered that the second deed only conveyed a quarter interest m
the property, and therefore he determined to hunt up Milton D.
Brown, ascertain who he was and what interest he had m the litiga
tion, and after hunting several weeks found Mr. Brown living with
his mother near the Minnehaha Palls, about four miles from Minne-
Brown knew nothing about the fact that the title had been
placed in his name; said he did not own any land m South Dakota,
had never raade any investraent there, and that he was willing to give
a special warranty deed of the tract involved, together with aftda-

402 history of minnehaha county.

vits disraissing any lawsuit that might have been commenced in his
name. Thereupon Mr. Pettigrew secured the services of Judge
Atwater, a prorainent lawyer in Minneapolis, and procured a deed
from Brown. A few hours afterwards. Brown having met Smith, he
returned and demanded a return of the deed from Judge Atwater,
and afterwards on the same day, gave another deed to the property
to parties in Minneapolis, who started on the same train with Mr.
Pettigrew for Sioux Falls to place the same on record. Mr. Petti
grew, mistrusting that an effort of this sort might be made, and
knowing of no other way by which his title might be defeated, per
suaded the conductor and engineer of the train to allow him to go
upon the locomotive at Valley Springs, and to detach the locomotive
frora the train -vvhen about four miles from Sioux Falls, giving as an
excuse of course, to the passengers that the locomotive ran into town
for the purpose of securing water. A large number of people were
at the depot, waiting for the incoming train, but saw nothing but the
locomotive, Avhich ran through the station down to the water tank
and took on water, as suggested. Mr. Pettigrew getting off the
train at the water tank, went to the recorder's office and recorded
the deed. Meantirae the locomotive went back for the train and
brought it into the station. The attorney for Sraith had telegraphed
for a livery teara, and scrambling out of the train as fast as he could,
got into the carriage and drove furiouslj' for the recorder's office,
Mr. Pettigrew standing on the corner watching his flight against
time. The attorney, whose name was Bottineau, rushed into the
register of deeds' office and said that he wished the deed which he
handed to the register recorded first. Thereupon the register in
formed hira that he would have to record the deed which had been
left with hira by Mr. Pettigrew a few minutes before, before he
could record his deed. It dawned on Mr. Bottineau that Mr. Petti
grew Avas on that locomotive which had gone for water.
The deeds filed by Bottineau, although dated many months pre
vious and acknowledged many months previous, Avere Avritten in
Arnold's ink, the acknowledgment, signatures and description, and
the ink had not turned black. At Mr. Pettigiew's request the reg
ister of deeds exposed the instruments to the air Avhile they re
mained in his office, and the color of the ink was changed during the
two or three days while in his possession.
LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS.
First Public Reading Room.— One of the residents of Sioux
Palls in 1875 was the late Mrs. Louisa Churchill Gale, wife of Arte
raas Gale, During the suramer of that year she Avas in the habit of
taking daily walks about the little village, and had noticed the hos
pitable looking wide open doors of the saloons, inviting Avithin the
youth and homeless men by their bright allurements and apparent
good cheer. With Mrs. Gale to think was to act. She at once en
listed the syrapathy and aid of several public-spirited citizens, and
secured a room over Williams Brothers' store on the site of the
present Edmison-Jameson building, for a public reading room, and
at once commenced fitting it up with chairs, tables, lights, draperies.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 403

mottoes and pictures. Newspapers, religious as well as secular, and
periodicals, Avere subscribed for, and books purchased, and the first
reading- room in the county was opened to the public. For more
than a year Mrs. Gale AA'as in attendance, and the rooms were kept
open from nine o'clock in the morning until ten o'clock in the even
ing. But she Avas not permitted to prosecute her good work without
obstacles being thrown in her Avay. AVhat petty persecution could
not accomplish, the grasshoppers did, the closing of the reading
room. A few years later Mrs. Gale erected a sraall frame house on
First aA'enue, and again established a reading- room, but owing to its
location and the AA'ant of public interest, she was corapelled to aban
don the project Avhich was so dear to her heart. This building was
afterwards remodeled, and is at the present time occupied as a
dwelling house.
Ladies' History Club. — One of the oldest and most popular
and prosperous literary organizations in Sioux Falls is the Ladies'
History Club, which had its beginning as early as December, 1879,
when the following six ladies met with Mrs. A. M. Washburn at her
residence, namely, Mesdames W. A. Wilkes, C. L. Norton, C. H.
Vincent, D. S. Glidden, Alice Watson and Miss Belle Pettigrew.
The purpose of the raeeting- was to discuss a plan for a course of
reading for the winter, and it was decided to take up English his
tory, with Dickens for a guide. That which had begun for a recrea
tion soon grew into a serious study as the raerabers became inter
ested and the club grew. For nearly three years the study was
alraost exclusively confined to English and Araerican history and
literature, but later French history was taken up. During the first
years, there was no regular organization, but the raeetings Avere held
regularly and the interest deepened. During the Avinter of 1881,
Avhen the town was blockaded, there was no abatement, though the
rooms in which meetings Avere held were for a tirae heated by burn
ing screenings from the mill. In the raidst of a storra a Dickens'
party was given. The club also gave a Longfellow and a Scott
evening. In December, 1881, the membership becoming so large, and the
Avork demanding more preparation, it was decided to draft a consti
tution and by-laws, and to elect officers. Mrs. A. J. Watson was
elected president and Mrs. T. A. Robinson secretary; the former
holding her position as president of the club until she reraoved frora
Sioux Palls in the spring of 1884. Frora that tirae until October,
1885, Mrs. W. A. Wilkes and Mrs. D. S. Glidden officiated as presi
dents, and Mrs. T. A. Robinson and Mrs. S. E. Blauvelt as secre
taries of the club.
During the evening of January 28, 1884, a Dickens party was
given at the residence of EdAvin Sharpe, Avhich Avas a grand success,
^lere being over one hundred characters represented in costurae.
On the 12th day of October, 1885, the club was reorganized, a
constitution adopted and a new corps of officers elected. Mrs. R. P.
Pettigrew Avas elected president, Mrs. T. A. Robinson vice presi
dent, Mrs. W. P. Carr secretary, Mrs. C. L. Norton treasurer. At
that time there Avere about thirty members of the club. July 25,

404 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY,

1892, it joined the General Federation of Women's Clubs of the
United States, of which it is still a meraber. Mrs. D. S. Glidden
was for four years the state chairman of correspondence for the
Federation, and was succeeded by Mrs. W. G. George. Mrs. Nettie
E. Beattie is president at the present writing (1897), Mrs. E. S.
Carter vice president, Mrs. W. H. Lyon secretary, and Mrs. G. W.
Burnside treasurer. The merabership now numbers fifty.
The club for raany years was entertained by prominent members
at their homes, and especially is Mrs. Glidden entitled to great
credit for her untiring efforts in its behalf during all these years.
At the present tirae regular raeetings are held every Tuesday after
noon in the Public Library rooms in the Norton-Murry block, and
social sessions are held every third week at the homes of the
raerabers. Sioux Palls Public Library. — The Sioux Palls Public
Library Association had a sraall beginning, but not so sraall nor
obscure that its parentage is unknown. In December, 1879, a num
ber of ladies met at the residence of Mrs. A. M. Washburn and
matured a plan for a course of reading during the winter, which
course continued for two years. In Deceraber, 1881, an organization
was effected and was called the Ladies' History Club, with a view of
establishing a public library. Previous to this organization a read
ing club had accuraulated about fifty dollars, to Avhich was now
added about eighty-five dollars, and Mrs. Wilkes Avas appointed a
coraraittee to invest this raoney in books, which was to forra a nucle-
ous of this library. About one hundred voluraes were obtained and
rooras fitted up, and a public library in the village of Sioux Falls was
an established fact. Shortly after, through the efforts of the His
tory Club, a second installment of books were added, at the cost of
about $160. In 1884, a literary society was organized in the city,
called the Humboldt Club, and the two clubs through a joint com
raittee secured the incorporation of the SiouxPalls Library Associa
tion on the 4th day of August, 1886, with a membership of fourteen
and the following board of directors: W. J. Skillman, E. P. Beebe,
W. R. Kingsbury, Mrs. Eliza T. Wilkes, Mrs. M. A. Kinney, Mrs.
Lona I. Robinson. Besides these, the list of charter members in
cluded Mrs. D. S. Glidden, Mrs. M. A. Leavitt, T. H. Brown, S. A.
Brown, Wm. Beckler, Joel W. Parker, S. E. Young and H. T. Root.
In 1890, J. M. Bailey, Jr., opened his private library to the pub
lic, and the books of the Sioux Falls public library Avere placed there.
Mr. Bailey's library was closed during the summer of 1891, owing to
his decease and the books belonging to the public library from this
time until January, 1892, were not obtainable.
On New Year's Day, 1892, the books belonging to the public
library were transferred to rooms in the Edmison-Jameson building.
At this time there were about five hundred books, but the nuraber
has been constantly added to until it noAv numbers over two thousand
voluraes. This association has an annual and a life raembership, and from
the fees obtained therefrora the association is raaintained. The selec
tion of books has been carefully raade, and embraces such a variety

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 405

of subjects that the reading public is well served. The library is
open three afternoons and Saturday evening of each week, and is now
located in the Norton-Murry block.
The Rev. W. J. Skillraan was elected president in 1886, and re
ceived five annual re-elections thereafter. In 1892, the Rev. A. H.
Grant Avas elected president for one year. At the annual election of
officers in 1893, E. A. Sherraan was elected president, and has been
re-elected at each subsequent annual election. Mrs. Eliza T. Wilkes,
Mrs. T. A. Robinson, Mrs. D. S. Glidden and Miss Anna Eraerson
have been prominent officials of the association, and active promoters
of its interests.
Ladies Musical Society. — This society organized Noveraber 4,
1892, Avith the following charter raerabers: Miss Anna Strora, Mes
dames P. H. Gillet, R. F. Pettigrew, R. G. Parmley, U. S. G. Cherry,
D. S. Glidden, and Miss Mikkelsen. The first officers were Miss
Anna Strom president and Mrs. Glidden vice president.
The mere mention of the naraes of the charter members dis
closes the fact that this organization was well supplied with musical
talent. The June foUoAving, when the first season's Avork had been
completed, the membership had increased to forty, and on August 1,
1895, it had fifty-four members enrolled. Musicales were held every
alternate Saturday afternoon during the raonths from October to
June, inclusive, and at the close of the season a grand concert was
given. Several of the members of this society, notably Mrs. Etta Estey
Boyce, Mrs Anna Strora Smith, Mrs. E. A. Sherman, and Mrs. U.
S. G. Cherry, are highly cultured musicians. It is to be regretted
that this organization which on many occasions gave the people of
Sioux Palls rare musical entertainraents, through reraovals frora the
city and the assumption of other important duties by its raost de
voted raerabers, found it necessary to disband.
Minnehaha Mandskor. — This singing society organized De
ceraber 21, 1890, with the following charter raerabers: G. Bie Ravn
dal, J. A. Jacobson, T. Hamann, Dr. J. S. Johnson, John Solberg,
G. H. Kiland, O. S. Swenson, A. Nesheira, R. A. Strom, K. E. Lo-
men, G. C. Christopherson, A. S. Johnson, Ole Oleson, O. Johnson,
P. A. Sorum, A. Kiland, M. Olson, C. E. Christopherson, P. Elling-
son, P. J. Morstad, Rev. H. B. Thorgrirason.
The officers were: 1890, J. S. Johnson rausical director, G. Bie
Ravndal president, K. E. Lomen vice president, T. Haraann secre
tary and treasurer; 1891, A. K. Inseth muscial director, P. J. Mor
stad president, A. Kiland vice president, T. Haraann secretary, and
David Jacobson treasurer; 1892, A. K. Inseth rausical director, P.
A. Sorura president, A. Kiland vice president, T. Hamann secre
tary, J. A. Jacobson treasurer; 1893, Carl Mannerud rausical di
rector, G. Bie Ravndal president, P. J. Morstad vice president, T.
Haraann secretary, J. A. Jacobson treasurer; 1894, all the officers
of the society for 1893 were re-elected; 1895, Carl Mannerud rausical
director, G. Bie Ravndal president, P. A. Sorura vice president, T.
Haraann secretary, P. EUingson treasurer. In 1896 and 1897 T. Ha-

406 history op minnehaha county.

raann Avas president and Carl Mannerud musical director. In 1898,
K. E. Lomen was elected president, and Carl Mannerud director.
The Minnehaha Mandskor is worthy of a raore extended notice
than the mere mention that it is a singing- society and giving a list of
its officials, for it was this organization that first conceived the idea
of bringing- all the Scandinavian singing societies of the Northwest
into a rausical union. With this end in view, invitations were sent
to the different Scandinavian singing societies of the territory raen
tioned, with the result that a raeeting Avas held in Germania hall
September 24, 1891, when the Northwestern Scandinavian Singing
Association was organized. Their first festival was held in Sioux
Falls on July 12, 13 and 14, 1892, when 250 singers participated,
representing eleven societies.
This association held another great festival at Sioux City in
July, 1894, and the Minnehaha Mandskor won the prize banner. But
the Avinning of the banner is a little matter of consequence to the
Minnehaha Mandskor, in coraparison to the pride its raerabers raay
justly feel in seeing their little plant so raodestly born, result in an
organization extending over so large a territory, and annually bring
ing together hundreds of its raerabers to enjoy a great singing festi
val and revive the beautiful songs of their native land.
The Minnehaha Mandskor is one of the societies organized in
Sioux Falls that has been constantly growing in public favor, and
the people of this county hope that it will "live long and prosper."
Woman's Benevolent Association. — This association was or
ganized in Sioux Falls on the llth day of February, 1890.
Prior to this tirae, a few ladies of Sioux Palls known as the
"charity coraraittee," had devoted considerable tirae to charitable
work araong the poor and afflicted of the city, and while so doing, had
becorae convinced that there should be raore laborers in the field,
and a raore systematic course pursued than could be done Avithout
a thorough organization. With this end in view, this committee
fraraed a constitution and by-laws, and raade an earnest appeal to the
woraen in the city to come together at the Presbyterian church on
the llth day of February, 1890. This appeal brought together quite
a number of earnest woraen, who at once proceeded to adopt a con
stitution and by-laws, and to elect officers of the association. Com
mittees were appointed to have in charge special work, and as one of
the objects was to encourage people to become self-supporting, as
well as to afford teraporary relief to the unfortunate, an employment
bureau was established. A room was secured in the Syndicate
block, and a woraan eraployed and put in charge. In addition to
securing situations for the needy, a school was organized for the
purpose of teaching young girls to sew, and how to care for their
persons in cleanliness and dress.
From the beginning this association has been doingagrand work,
and one of its features that is particularly worthy of coraraendation,
and one that gives it so rauch of the public confidence, is the system
atic and thorough investigation that is made of all applications for
relief. But we should fall short of giving a correct impression of what

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 407

is being done by this associations, if we failed to record the fact, that
it does not Avait to receive applications for relief, but promptly in-
vestig-ates all reports of suffering-s from poverty or sickness in the
city, and Avhen found to be true, temporary relief is afforded.
This association has at all tiraes had an efficient corps of officials,
and through its good work has becorae established as one of the in
stitutions of the city that the people will not suffer to want for mater
ial support. The first officers elected were Mrs. J. A. Pettigrew president,
Mrs. Hattie C. Phillips vice president, Mrs. J. K. Davis secretary,
Mrs. J. G. Eddy treasurer.
In September, 1891, Mrs. Hattie Phillips was elected president,
Mrs. Hartsough Adce president, Mrs. W. P. Carr secretary, Mrs.
J. G. Eddy treasurer.
In 1892, Mrs. T. B. McMartin was elected president, Mrs. Hattie
Phillips vice president, Mrs. J. W. Butterfield secretary, Mrs. A.
Beveridge treasurer.
Since 1892, Mrs. McMartin has been annually elected president
of the association, and as the chief executive officer, has conducted
its affairs to the great satisfaction of the association and the public.
Hospitals. — A hospital was established in the city of Sioux Falls
during the fall of 1888. It was located on the east side of the river,
and was principally the work of the Rev. Frederick Gardiner, then
rector of the Episcopal church in Sioux Palls. But there Avas not at
that time sufficient interest taken in such an enterprise to make it a
success, and after a few months the project was abandoned until the
suramer of 1894, when a few gentleraen of Sioux Palls and vicinity
conceived the idea of establishing a hospital in the city. It was in
corporated June 14, 1894, and was called the Sioux Palls Hospital.
The first directors of the corporation were B. H. Lien, A. Chris
topherson, J. W. Jensen, A. Mikkelsen, Rev. N. Boe, A. Hovde,
M. D., G. Bie Ravndal, C. G. Leyse and G. H. Kiland of Sioux Palls,
J. A. Blilie of Plandreau, E. Dale of Spink county, John T. Lee of
Brandon, and R. Malmin of Yankton. The capital stock is $10,000,
divided into shares of $10 each. The Seney residence property in
the northwestern part of the city was leased and comfortably and
appropriately fitted up for hospital purposes, and opened to the pub
lic the first week of Septeraber following. At the expiration of the
lease in the fall of 1896, the Cameron residence on Dakota avenue
was procured, and the hospital removed to that place. Dr. Zetlitz
has had general charge of the patients from the first, but the hospi
tal is open to all physicians of the city. It has been Avell conducted,
and is now recognized as one of the established institutions of the
city of Sioux Palls. TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
The first organization of a temperance society in Minnehaha county
of which there is any reliable record, was established by the ladies
of Sioux Falls on the 22d day of April, 1872. At that time Mes-
daraes Phillips, Coats, Covell, Dickson, Franklin, Sharpe and a few
others, believing that the welfare of the little village would be

408 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

proraoted by a temperance society, met and perfected a temperance
organization. The first meetings of the society were held in the barracks, of
course, and aside frora its regular business raeetings, one raeeting was
had to which the public had been invited, and it was largely attended.
A platform had been made of dry-goods boxes and decorated with flags .
made by raerabers of the society, one of these flags is now in the
possession of Mrs. Hattie Phillips, of Sioux Palls. All of the ap
pointments were of a primitive character — a dirt floor, and seats con
structed of boards laid upon boxes — but it was the first public tera
perance raeeting in the county, and it was a pronounced success.
Mrs. Wra. VanEps, Mrs. Covell and Mr. O. Q. Holman sang several
teraperance songs. This society kept up its organization for about
a year. On the 7th day of Deceraber, 1874, a lodge of Sons of Temper
ance Avas organized in Sioux Falls, with a membership of twenty.
This organization flourished for a little more than a year, but did
nothing- of an agg-ressive character, confining its work principally to
the dissemination of temperance literature and endeavoring to save
young people from the evils of intemperance.
The first of April, 1878, the Rev. J. H. Lozier coramenced a
course of temperance lectures in Sioux Palls, and at its conclusion
on the 10th day of April, a pledge of total abstinance was signed by
267 persons. At this tirae it was proposed to make an aggressive
carapaign against intemperance; in short, to take a step in advance
of what had hitherto been done, and prosecute the illegal selling of
intoxicating liquors.
On the 25th day of June, 1878, a lodge of Good Templars AA'as
organized in Sioux Falls, called the Dakota Temple of Honor No. 1,
and the following officers were elected: W. H. Phelps chief templar,
A. E. Welsh vice templar. Prank Van De Mark recorder, Wm.
Bainbridge treasurer, G. W. Howard financial recorder, C. V.
Booth chaplain, George Place usher, Geo. Thompson deputy
usher, Archie Smith guardian, E. Booth sentinel, J. C. Kahl past
teraplar. This organization flourished for awhile, but in the course
of a year it ceased to exist.
In March, 1881, another lodge of Good Templars was organized
with about fifty charter raerabers, and this org-anization was kept up
for several years.
Woman's Christian Temperance Union. — This society was
organized Deceraber 12, 1880, and the charter raerabers were: Mrs.
Hartsough, Mrs. S. E. Young, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Hopkins, Mrs. God
dard, Mrs. Richardson. President, Mrs. Wilkes; recording secre
tary, Mrs: David Brown; treasurer, Mrs. Robert Nation; vice presi
dents, Mrs. Hartsough Methodist, Mrs. Redfield Episcopal, Mrs.
Boulett First Baptist, Miss Anna Gerin Roraan Catholic, Mrs. Ulrich
Free Methodist, Mrs. Young Congregational.
The officers in 1881 were: President, Mrs. Hartsough; vice
presidents, Mrs. David Brown Methodist, Mrs. R. E. Watson Con
gregational, Mrs. I. P. Loundsbury Baptist; recording secretary,
Mrs. Robinson; treasurer, Mrs. Morris.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 409

1882. President, Mrs. R. E. Watson; vice presidents, Mrs. E.
G. Wright Methodist, Mrs. S. E, Young Presbyterian; recording
secretary, Mrs. L. I. Robinson; treasurer, Mrs. E. A. Sherman.
1883. President. Mrs. Watson; vice presidents, Mrs. SaA-age
Episcopal, Mrs. Fairhead Congregational, Mrs. Hartsough Metho
dist; recording- secretary. Miss Carrie Parker; corresponding secre
tary, Mrs. R. P. PettigreAv; treasurer, Mrs. R. M. Kenney.
1884. President, Mrs. R. M. Kennev; vice presidents, Mrs.
David Brown, Mrs. S. E. Young, Mrs. Miller, Miss Alraa Pettigrew,
Mrs. J. W. Leverett, Mrs. Savage, Mrs. Geo. Henton, Mrs. Ulrich,
Mrs. Manning-; recording secretary, Mrs. L. I. Robinson; corre
sponding secretary, Mrs. R. P. Pettigrew; treasurer. Miss Carrie
Parker. 1885. President, Mrs. Kenney; vice presidents, Mrs. Redding,
Mrs. S. E. Young, Mrs. J. W. Leverett, Mrs. Gus Brown, Mrs.
Henton, Mrs. Bean, Mrs. Skillraan; recording- secretary Miss Carrie
Parker; corresponding secretary, Mrs. R. P. Pettigrew; treasurer.
Miss Alma PettigreAv.
1 886. The officers held over and no elections were had.
1887. President, Mrs. S. E. Young; recording secretary. Miss
Carrie Parker; treasurer, Mrs. R. P. Pettigrew.
1888. President, Mrs. Rena Bowers; treasurer, Mrs. R. P.
Pettigrew; secretary. Miss Carrie Parker.
The presidents from 1889 to 1895, inclusive, were as follows:
1889-90 Mrs. S. E. Young; 1891-2 Mrs. Julia Boyce; 1893-4 Mrs. R.J.
Smart; 1895 Mrs. J. H. Sheldon.
Total number of members in August, 1895, thirty-five.
The Scandia Total Abstinence Society. — This society was
organized January 26, 1894, and the following officers were elected:
President, J. J. Bragstad; vice president, Albert J. Norera; secre
tary. Miss Gunda Fjeld; treasurer. Miss Mary Fanebust; second
term, president, A. Norem; vice president, Gunda Fjeld; secretary,
O. E. Myre; treasurer, Mary Fanebust; third term, president, T,
Gunderson; vice president, Peter Johnson; secretary, Miss A. E.
Sanderson; treasurer. Miss Julia Bragstad.
This society has kept up its organization, and labored zealously
to promote the cause of temperance.
Good Templars Lodge No. 255. — Lodge No. 255 of the I. O.
G. T. was organized in Sioux Palls January 27, 1891, with the fol
lowing charter members:
W. R. Kingsbury, R. B. McClenon, W. J. Skillraan, R. J. Wells,
J. M. Kerr, G. W. Mingus, Lucius Kingsbury, Mrs. Lucy Kings
bury, C. V. Booth, Augustus Loneous, Mrs. E. P. Loneous, T. J.
Brison, Mrs. Lottie Brison, Mrs. E. Chase, E. A. Anthony, Mrs. E.
A. Anthony, Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Grow, H. W. Hitchcock, Mrs. S.
G. Hitchcock, Mrs. Hattie C. Phillips, John J. Watts, Snell Watts,
Guy E. Keeney, May McLeod, S. H. Tibbetts, P. B. Smith, Wini
fred Wilson, H. P. Hodgdon, Edward Foote, P. C. Pinkham, E. A.
Niles, H. R. Hodgdon.
The first officers were as follows: R. B. McClenon chief tera-

410 history of minnehaha county.

plar, Mrs. Hattie C. Phillips vice chief templar, P. C. Pinkham
secretary, Mrs. E. P. Loneous treasurer. Since then the following
naraed persons have filled the office of Chief Teraplar, in the order
naraed: 1892, R. B. McClenon, W. R. Kingsbury, R. B. McClenon,
S. L. Brown; 1893, S. L. Brown, P. C. Pinkhara, H. Cook, W. R.
Kingsbury; 1894, S. L. Brown, I. G. Lawshe, S. L. Brown, I. G.
Lawshe; 1895, P. C. Pinkhara, T. L. Wright, D. Powers. The raera-
bership in 1895 was fifty.
Young Men's Christian Association. — On the 28th day of
March, 1886, twenty-two young men assembled at the German
American Loan & Trust Corapany's office in the city of Sioux Falls,
for the purpose of organizing a Young Men's Christian Association.
W. P. Furbeck was elected temporary chairman and Charles R.
Dean temporary secretary. At this meeting it was decided to hold
a mass raeeting at an early date and to invite H. P. Williams, state
secretary of Minnesota, to be present.
On the 10th day of April, 1886, a meeting was held at Dr. S. A.
Brown's office and a permanent organization Avas perfected. Dr. A.
H. Tufts was elected president. Dr. S. A. Brown vice president, C.
R. Dean secretary and A. Beveridg-e treasurer. C. S. Palraer, T.
W. Noyes, John Sell, Dr. Pulford, E. P. Beebe and A. J. Rowland
were elected a board of directors.
On the 18th day of May, 1886, four rooras in the Sherraan-Rich-
ardson block Avere rented by the association at the monthly rental of
twenty dollars; and on the 26th, T. M. Blowfield was elected tempo
rary secretary, at a salary of twelve dollars and fifty cents per week.
In June, 1886, the association invited G. R. Simpson of Faribault,
to becorae its general secretary, at a salary of eight hundred dollars
a year, which was accepted, and Mr. Sirapson reraoved to Sioux
Palls. The first Sunday afternoon raeeting was held on the 12th day of
Septeraber, 1886, the Rev. P. E. Holp and the Rev. Joseph Ward of
Yankton conducting the exercises. The first meeting for men only,
Avas held on the 19th day of September of that year.
The first of January, 1887, Secretary Sirapson resigned, and on
the 2d day of February, C. D. Decker of" Minnesota was called bv the
association to the office of general secretary, to serve to June 1, 1887,
at a salary of sixty-five dollars per month, and very soon after he
carae to Sioux Falls to serve in that capacity.
The first annual meeting for the election of officers was held on
the 3d day of May, 1887. C. S. Palmer was elected president. Dr.
S. A. Brown vice president, A. Beveridge treasurer, and a board of
six directors was also elected. At a raeeting of the association on
the 6th of June following, a resolution was passed expressing great
satisfaction with Secretary Decker and offering him the position for
another year at a monthly salary of seventy-five dollars, which offer
was accepted.
The second annual raeeting for the election of officers was held
on the first day of May, 1888. U. S. G. Cherry was elected presi
dent, T. G. Brown vice president, W. H. Sherman treasurer; a board
of six directors was also elected. On the twenty-second day of
September, 1888, Secretary Decker resigned.

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 411

In FebruarA', 1889, the officers of the association resigned, and
an election Avas held to fill the vacancies. L. T. Butterfield was
elected president. Professor L. McCartneA' vice president, L. R.
Root treasurer, Benjamin Jones recording- secretary, and a new
board of directors. At the annual election in May, the officers
elected in February Avere re-elected. On the 6th day of May, 1889,
a unanimous call Avas extended to Fred B. Smith to become the g-en
eral secretarA' of the association, at a salary of one thousand dollars
per year, Avhich he accepted. The first of October the association
perfected articles of incorporation, and held an election on the 6th
day of October, 1889, when L. T. Butterfield was elected president,
H. M. Avery vice president, L. R. Root treasurer, P. L. Osgood re
cording secretary, and a board of directors consisting of eight mem
bers. On the 25th of November a special meeting was held, and it
Avas decided to select a suitable location and erect a building for the
association. On the 13th day of January, 1890, rooras were leased of E. G.
Ledyard at a rental of one thousand dollars per year; and the asso
ciation raoved into the rooras the following February.
On the 21st daA' of September, anniversary exercises were held
in the opera house, at which time C. L. Gates of New York, the in
ternational secretary of the railroad Avork of the association, deliv
ered an address upon the branch of Avork Avhich he represented.
President Butterfield reported that at the time P. B. Sraith took
hold of the work as g-eneral secretary for the association the mera
bership roll numbered 49 only — 37 being active and 12 associate
raerabers, but that through the efficient Avork of Secretary Sraith the
membership had increased to 259, of which 112 were active, 91 asso
ciate and 56 sustaining members.
On Wednesday, October 22, 1890, the seventeenth annual con-
A-ention of the Young Men's Christian Association of the states of
Minnesota and the two Dakotas commenced at 7:15 o'clock in the
evening in the Congregational church in Sioux Falls. This conven
tion lasted until the Sunday evening following. A large number of
people were present, including several noted speakers frora NeAv
York, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. The concluding exercises
of this tri-state convention were held in the opera house and were
largely attended. A series of resolutions were passed, one of which
protested against the opening of the World's Fair on the Lord's day.
About this time Mrs. Hattie Phillips offered to give the associa
tion a lot on Phillips avenue, if the association would erect a building
thereon at a cost of $25,000. This offer was accepted, but the pro
ject was never carried out for want of the necessary funds.
October 6, 1890, H. M. Avery was elected president, C. E. Baker
vice president', and at the same time a treasurer, recording secretary
and a board of directors were elected.
On the 13th day of April, 1891, Secretary Sraith sent in his res
ignation, to take effect the first day of July following. In May,
negotiations were entered into to secure the services of A. M
Wight of Summerville, Massachusetts, as secretary, which resulted
in his coming to Sioux Falls and assuming the duties of the office on
the 1st day of October, 1891.

412 history of minnehaha county.

On the 6th day of October, 1891, at the annual meeting L. D.
Spragle was elected president, C. E. Baker vice president, P. C.
Pinkham recording secretary, L. T. Butterfield treasurer, and a
board of eight directors.
At a raeeting of the association on the 12th day of Septeraber,
1892, it was unaniraously voted to retain the services of Mr. Wight as
secretary for another year, at a salary of twelve hundred dollars.
At the October election in 1892, the president, vice president,
treasurer and recording secretary of the preceding }'ear were re
elected. At the annual meeting- in October, 1893, C. E. Baker was elected
president, J. H. Chapman vice president, L. T. Butterfield treas
urer, P. C. Pinkham recording secretary.
In October, 1894, the foUoAving officers were elected: C. E.
Baker president, U. S. G. Cherry vice president, L. T. Butterfield
treasurer, T. G. Brown recording secretary, and a board of di
rectors. On the 22d day of January, 1895, at a special meeting. Secretary
Wight tendered his resignation, which was accepted. On the 28th
day of January, 1895, P. C. Pinkham was elected general secretary,
to serve until May 1, and in April was elected to serve until October
1, 1895. There were at that tirae 328 raerabers of the association, but the
hard times made it irapossible to keep it up, and it gradually sub
sided into a state of inactivity, until January, 1899, when sorae young
men of Sioux Falls again organized an association, a constitution and
by-laws were adopted, and the following officers were elected: Geo.
P. Knappen president, B. C. Mathews vice president, Roy Wvraan
secretary, Chauncey Tuthill treasurer. Max P. Beveridge me^mber
at large. MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
Company B, Second Regiment Dakota National Guards. —
This company organized in Sioux Falls February 23, 1885, Avith the
following charter members: A. L. Curry, S. T. Clover, L. R. Root,
J. S. Lewis, R. J. Woods, Geo. Baldwin, C. H. Wallingford, Willitt
Skillman, Frank Allen, Paul Knowles, Merritt Hitt, W. H. Williams,
Louis Gilbert, Michael Blura, Ed. Dillabough, E. S. DeGoff, Joseph
Detzen, Louis Erby, Geo. Hoffman, Frank Hornefius, Homer Lloyd,
Walter Love, Guy Miltimore, Pelly Noble, Will Rounds, W. E. Rus
sel, J. B. Skinner, Emraett Skillraan, John Shorb, Earl Ulrich, Oscar
Williaras, R. WoodAvorth.
The officers frora February 23, to June 30, 1885 Avere: N. B.
Bailey, Captain; A. L. Curry, 1st Lieutenant; S. T. Clover, 2d Lieu
tenant. 1885-7, C. T. Jeffers, Captain; A. L. Curry, 1st Lieutenant;
S. T. Clover, 2d Lieutenant. 1887-90, C. T. Jeffers, Captain; E. H.
Sanford and S. T. Clover, 1st Lieutenants; R. J. Woods, Virgil
Avery and W. R. Skillraan, 2d Lieutenants. 1890-3, C. T. Jeffers
and L. D. Spragle, Captains; E. H. Sanford, 1st Lieutenant; Earl
Ulrich, 2d Lieutenant. 1893-4, L. D. Spragle, Captain; Earl Ulrich,
1st Lieutenant; A. S. Sherwood, 2d Lieutenant; 1894-S, same officers

history of minnehaha county. 413

as the year preceding. 1895-6, Earl Ulrich, Captain; A. S. Sher
wood, 1st Lieutenant; Ernest Lacey, 2d Lieutenant. In the latter
part of the year the corapany was disbanded.
In February, 1897, Company B was reorganized Avith about 40
members. Earl Ulrich was elected Captain; Willis Mayne, 1st Lieut
enant; John Fox, 2d Lieutenant. But it again disbanded during the
following suraraer, and the equipments were sent to Watertown.
On the 8th day of March, 1898, when a war with Spain seemed
probable, a large number of patriotic young- men raet in the Maca-
bees' hall, and Company B was again reorganized, and fifty of them
Avere enrolled and sworn into service by Lieutenant Frost, who was
present for that purpose. An election of officers took place and A.
B. Sessions was elected Captain, John Pox, 1st Lieutenant. E. D.
Aldrich, 2d Lieutenant.
It was only about a month later when war was declared with
Spain, and soldiers were called for by President McKinley, and South
Dakota's quota assigned her. The stern realities of war now stared
the members of Company B in the face. To their credit there was
no flinching manifested, but on the other hand everyone who failed
to pass the necessary and rigid physical examination was greatly
disappointed. On May 2, the First Regiraent of the South Dakota Volunteer
Infantry went into camp in Sioux Palls, and Company B, on the 13th
day of May was mustered into the United States military service.
On Sunday, the 30th day of May, 1898, the regiraent left Sioux Falls
for the Pa"cific coast to await transportation to the Phillipine Islands.
It reraained in San Francisco until July 28, Avhen it left for Manila.
The stearaer on Avhich the regiraent erabarked stopped four days at
Honolulu, H. I., and during this tirae the soldiers were raade happy
by the generous and unlimited hospitalities which were graciously
extended to them by the warm-hearted residents of this beautiful
city. They arrived at their destination on the 31st day of August, but
it was several months before the regiment was ordered to the front.
But their time came at last, and then their endurance and courage
were put to the severest test. All the ordinary hardships of war
they had to endure, and much more, for they were unacclimated and
compelled to march under the rays of a tropical sun through dense
and almost inpenetrable thickets where the wily Tagals were con
cealed with their deadly Mausers. But the regiraent had been
brought to a high state of discipline, and was led by Col. Frost, a
brave and corapetent coraraander.
South Dakota is proud of her regiraent, and Sioux Falls is proud
of Company B. The regiment is at this writing on its way home,
and Corapany B, will soon be in Sioux Palls. ,¦ , j
The following coraprises a list of those raerabers who enlisted
frora this county: Officers from Sioux Falls, Captain, Alonzo B.
Sessions; 1st Lieutenant, John C. Fox; 2d Lieutenant, Edwm E.
Hawkins; 1st Sergeant, Walter S. Doolittle; Quartermaster, Don H.
Fox; 2d Sergeant, A. R. Schlosser; 3d Sergeant, C. L. Butler; 4th
.ci^ro-oa^f w;ii;^m Hill:. Sth Sera-eant, Harry C. Schlosser; 1st Cor-

Sergeant, William Hill; Sth Sergeant, Harry

414 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

poral, Arthur W. Swenson; 2d Corporal, Carl W. Anthony; 3d Cor
poral, J. A. Jones; 4th Corporal, E. J. Aslesen; 6th Corporal, H. W.
Sirapson; Musician, J. B. Sessions; Artificer, Carl P. Roraan; Wag
oner, Angus P. Roraan.
Privates, frora Sioux Falls, A. Anderson, A. J. Anderson, A. B.
Bunts, B. W. Blackburn, J. E. Barlow, E. N. Cole, H. W. Powers,
W. E. Dickenson, Roy Ellis, A. J. Poster, S. A. Plaskey, H. B.
Sraith, G. H. Stone, R. Schuraan, A. Stringham, A. Carlson, Milton
S. Crandall, Thos. Haffey, H. A. Horaan, J. Johnson, Levi W. Jaraes,
J. O. McLaren, A. Garrigan, P. A. Gobel, P. Hengel, Wallace Hill,
J. J. Whalen, Charles B. Ward, M. M. Waite, E. Wehling, Fred J.
Watson, Geo. W. Zeigelmeier. Prom Valley Springs, Charles Esch
els, and from Wayne township, Charles Smith.
Jonas H. Lien whose residence was in Sioux Falls went out with
the First Regiraent as adjutant and was killed in battle. Charles
Eschels died from disease contracted in carap.
Third Regiment U. S. V. Cavalry. — At the first intimation of
a war with Spain, Melvin Grigsby of Sioux Palls, conceived the idea
that a regiment of cowboys would be raore effective than any body of
regulars, owing to their recklessness of life and lirab and daring
spirit. He coraraunicated this idea to the secretary of war, at the
sarae tirae tendering his own services, and received a favorable reply.
April 11, 1898, Mr. Grigsby went to Washington, and soon after his
arrival learned that a bill inspired by Theodore Roosevelt was before
Congress providing for the organization of a regiraent of cowboys.
Seeing that only one regiraent of special volunteers could be raised
by the president under the provisions of the bill Mr. Grigsby, in the
nick of tirae prepared, and through sorae of his friends among the
congressmen, secured the following araendraent to the army bill:
"Provided further, thatthe president may authorize the secretary of
war to organize companies, troops, batalions or regiments possessing
special qualifications from the Nation at large under such rules and
regulations, including the appointment of the officers thereof, as may
be prescribed by the secretary of war." This bill passed on April
22, and a week later Mr. Grigsby received his commission as Colonel,
with instructions to recruit the regiment of the Third United States
Volunteer Cavalry, now known throughout the country as "Grigsby's
Cowboys." His regiment Avas mustered into service May 19, and
the next day left for Chickamauga.
The following is a list of raerabers of Troop B, Avho were resi
dents of this county: Officers, 1st Lieutenant, George Grigsby; 2d
Sergeant, Peter Gardner; 6th Sergeant, Thomas W. Wilkes; Corpo
ral, Roy S. Avery; Trumpeter, Williara E. Wilkes.
Privates, Algernon Beech, Harry T. Brown, George E. Grimes,
T. Roderaaker, William P. Copelin, John McKeon, Thomas W.
Waring. This regiment reraained at Camp Thomas, until the close of the
war with Spain, and then was mustered out of the miltary service.
Two of the young raen Avho enlisted frora Sioux Palls, Algernon
Beech and William P. Copelin, died from disease contracted in
camp.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 415

Grand Army op the Republic, Joe Hooker Post, No. 10.—
This post was organized and mustered in on the 12th day of May,
1882, with the following charter members: Thomas S. Free, Wm.
Beckler, V. R. L. Barnes, Peter Gilraan, C. D. Rice, H. T. DeLong,
Henry Smith, J. B. Hawley, Wm. Mason, B. M. Stone, W. S.
Potter, E. M. Winslow, Henry Brislan, Job Gray, Oscar Hickox,
John Sloan, G. A. Campbell, P. M. Gee, L. Davis, A. H. Stone, Joe
Dunn, J. M. Zook, S. B. Owen, W. B. Jacobs, J. T. McGarraugh,
Thomas Leky, H. P. Hill, Benjamin West, J. B. Harris, B. P. Noble,
Robert Chisholm. The first Coraraander was Thoraas H. Free,
Adjutant, W. S. Potter.
The following comprises a list of the Commanders of the Post to
and including 1895:
1883, E. Parliraan; 1884, Wm. Beckler; 1885, L. D. Henry; 1886,
B. P. Campbell; 1887, H. W. Sraith; 1888, W. H. Stoddard; during
this year the membership increased frora 42 to 154 and became the
largest post in the territory; 1889, Porter P. Peck; 1890, Charles
Barrett; 1891, C. S. Palmer; but soon after his electien he was elected
coraraander of the department of South Dakota and A. Beveridge was
elected to serve out the balance of the year; 1892, A. Beveridge; 1893,
Geo. W. Mathews, who during the year moved out of the state, and
Porter P. Peck was elected to fill out the term; 1894, Porter P. Peck;
1895, C. H. Van Slyke.
The membership in 1895, was 127.
MINNEHAHA MEDICAL SOCIETY.
This society was organized May 16, 1883, and the following were
charter members: Drs. T. S. Roberts, J. B. LeBlond, J. C. Morgan,
S. Olney, O. O. Sawyer, C. P. Bissell, S. A. Brown and W. H. Ger
main. The officers Avere: Dr. T. S. Roberts president; Dr. J. B.
LeBlond vice president; Dr. W. A. Germain secretary.
1884. Dr. J. C. Morgan president; Dr. S. Olney vice president;
Dr. S. A. Brown secretary; Dr. O. O. Sawyer treasurer.
1885. Dr. S. Olney president; Dr. O. O. Sawyer vice president;
Dr. S. A. Brown secretary; Dr. T. S. Roberts treasurer.
1886 Dr. J. B. LeBlond president; Dr. W. A. Germain vice
president; Dr. S. A. Brown secretary; Dr. T. S. Roberts treasurer.
1887. Dr. A. H. Tufts president; Dr. H. W. Subera vice presi
dent; Dr. S. A. Brown secretary; Dr. T. S. Roberts treasurer.
1888. Dr. A. H. Tufts president; Dr. H. W. Subera vice presi
dent; Dr. S. A. Brown secretary; Dr. T. S. Roberts treasurer.
1889. The officers were the same as the year precedmg.
1890. Dr. S. A. Brown president; Dr. S. Olney vice president;
Dr. P. H. Piles secretary; Dr. A. H. Tufts treasurer
1891 Dr H W. Subera president; Dr. R. Woodworth vice
president; Dr. P. H. Piles secretary; Dr. A. H. Tufts treasurer.
1892 Dr O O. Sawyer president; Dr. Frances Kyle vice presi
dent; Dr.'p. H. Files secretary; Dr. A. H. Tufts treasurer
1893 Dr F. H. Files president; Dr. Frances E. Kyle vice
president; Dr. R. E. Woodworth secretary; Dr. A. H. Tufts treas
urer.

416 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

1894. Dr. Prances E. Kyle president; Dr. R. E. Woodworth
vice president; Dr. A. H. Tufts secretary; Dr. H. Hovde treasurer.
1895. Dr. R. E. Woodworth president; Dr. C. W. Locke, of
Garretson, vice president; Dr. P. H. Files secretary; Dr. Frances E.
Kyle corresponding secretary; Drs. A. H. Tufts, J. C. Morgan and
G. A. Dickson, of Valley Springs, trustees. Dr. Kyle died July 23
1895. . CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association. — Organized Novem
ber 24, 1873, with the following charter members: W. H. Corson, J.
Roberts, J. L. Phillips, C. K. Howard, Wra. VanEps, E. Sharpe, D.
H. Henry, H. Gilbert, B. P. Carapbell, John McClellan, E. A. Sher
man, B. P. Roderick, A. Gale,R. H. Booth, T. H. Brown, C. J. Had
ley, H. W. Lewis, True Dennis, W. R. McLaury, J. D. Cameron, J
W. Callender, W. H. Nelson, John McKee, C. W. McDonald, H. J.
Whipple. The trustees for 1873-4, were: Wm. VanEps, J. L. Phillips, J.
Roberts, Wra. Corson, Edwin Sharpe; 1874-5, E. A. Sherraan, W. H
Corson, B. P. Roderick, J. Roberts, J. L. Phillips; 1875-6, B. P. Rode
rick, N. E. Phillips, J. L. Phillips, Edwin Sharpe, J. Roberts; 1876-7
same officers; 1877-8, J. L. Phillips, W. H. Corson, E. Sharpe, T. H
Brown, E. A. Sherman; 1878-9, sarae officers; 1879-80, W. H. Corson,
J. L. Phillips, John McKee, E. A. Sherman, E. Sharpe. The offi
cers elected in 1880 were not changed until 1893, vvhen E. A. Sher
raan, W. H. Corson, C. C. Carpenter, A. Beveridge and H. M. Avery
were elected trustees. After the election of trustees in 1894, the
board elected J. T. Gilbert president, C. C. Carpenter treasurer,
and H. M. Avery clerk. In 1895, Andrew Beveridge was elected
president. Prank C. Angel vice president, D. L. McKinnev treas
urer, H. M. Avery clerk. In 1896, they were re-elected, a'nd they
Avith John Sundback constituted the board of trustees. In 1897, W.
L. Baker was elected president, P. C. Angel vice president, D. L.
McKinney treasurer, H. M. Avery clerk, and they with Andrew Bev
eridge constituted the board of trustees. In 1898, W. L. Baker Avas
elected president, P. C. Angel vice president, D. L. McKinney treas
urer, and H. M. Avery clerk. A. J. Rowland was elected trustee in
the place of Mr. Beveridge. Since 1893, the cemetery has been bet
ter cared for than formerly, and its appearance greatiy improved.
Roman Catholic Cemetery.— This cemetery is located about
tAVO mile northeast of the Roman Catholic church in section four,
SlOUX Palls township. It coraprises several acres of land, and of
late considerable interest is being manifested in beautifying the
grounds. FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.
masonic.
.o^o^^^'^'^'^'^rr ^^'''''^ ^°- S' ^- F- AND A. M.-In the fall of
1872, Ihomas H. Brown of Sioux Falls had a heavy stove to move,
and seeing Clark G. Coats going by, called to him and asked his
assistance. While they were engaged in moving the stove, Mr.

HISTORY'' OF minnehaha COUNTY 417

Brown noticed that Mr. Coats AVore a Masonic pin, and commenced
to question him in regard to the number of Masons in the settlement.
Mr. Coats replied that he knew of several, and raentioned the naraes
of Joseph Dickson, I. C. Dixon, C. K. HoAA'ard, and added that there
was "a fellow b}' the narae of Hawkins, who laid stone," whora he
thought was a Mason also. This was Judge R. C. HaAvkins.
Mr. Brown had conducted a school of instruction in Montana
during the years 1866-7, and he reraarked to Mr. Coats that they
ought to organize a lodge. In those days the store of C. K. Howard
AA-as the general rendezvous for the male population in the evening-,
and the next night found Mr. BroAvn there. Messrs. Dickson, Dixon
and Coats were also there, and after a short conversation Mr. Brown
reraarked that it would not take him long to find out who were Ma
sons, if there was only some secluded spot to which they could retire.
Mr. Howard suggested the oat bin in the rear of his store, and thither
they repaired. Mr. Brown then proceeded to test each one thor
oughly and although some were a little rusty, they were all Masons
sure enough. In this oat bin meeting there were besides Mr. BroAvn,
Jos. Dickson, R. C. HaAvkins and C. G. Coats, and from this humble
beginning twenty-seven years ago, sprung the flourishing Minnehaha
Lodge No. 5.
Some of these brethren thoug-ht it would be impossible to meet
together as Masons, but Mr. Brown told them they could raeet in
inforraal lodge, and the next meeting was held in Dixon's old furni
ture store, on the northwest corner of Main avenue and Eighth
street. At this meeting Mr. Brown was elected Master of the lodge.
Several meetings Avere held in this place, but the careless man
ner of some of the brethren Avho used tobacco so offended Mr. Dix
on's sense of cleanliness, that he refused to longer allow his store to
be used, and they were obliged to seek a lodge roora elsewhere.
After a few raeetings Mr. Brown wrote to T. S. Parvin Grand
Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, and a dispensation was at
once furnished, establishing Minnehaha Lodge No. 328.
After being shut out by Mr. Dixon, a roora was fitted up m a
building on Main avenue between Seventh and Eighth streets on or
near the present site of Wm. Van Eps old store. While this room
Avas being fitted up, the lodge met several times in a back roora of
Mr. Brown's house, but the first raeeting in the lodge room was also
the first meeting under the dispensation.
Mr. Brown tells a funny incident which occured while the lodge
roora was located in this building. The lower floor of the building
was used as a dwelling, and the faraily occupying it kept boarders.
In those days very little plastering was done, and this building Avas
not plastered. ¦ ¦•¦ , a
On a certain evening sorae new members were to be initiated,
and during the day a raan who boarded Avith the faraily just men
tioned, came to Mr. Brown and told him that the ladies of the family
had devised a scheme by which they intended that night to learn all
there was of Masonry. In the room under the preparation room,
they had placed a barrel directly beneath the stove pipe hole in the
floor above, and on this they proposed to stand.

418 history of minnehaha county.

Mr. BroAvn called together two other gentleraen who were pretty
bright, and a ceremony was prepared for the benefit of the listeners.
This ceremony was faithfulh' carried out until a shriek Avas heard
from below, the barrel went over, and then all was still.
Prom this building the lodg-e Avas moved to rooms over the land
office on the corner of Tenth street and Phillips avenue Avhere the
Masonic Temple now stands. While there the charter frora Iowa
was receiA'ed. In that building Harry Corson, Prank Pettigrew,
Andrew Peterson and George W. Skinner were raade Masons.
While an entered apprentice, Mr. Peterson made a 24-inch gauge,
and Mr. Weston raade a level, both of vvhich are still in the pos
session of the lodge and much admired.
T. H. Brown, J. W. Callender and R. F. Pettig-rew were sent as
delegates to a convention of lodges held at Elk Point June 22, 1875,
to take such raeasures as mig-ht be neccessarv' to form a Grand
Lodg-e of Dakota. At this raeeting- a constitution was drafted and
adopted. T. H. Brown Avas elected raost Worshipful Grand Master
of the Grand Lodge of Dakota, and araong his appointraents was that
of O. P. Weston of Minnehaha Lodge No. 328 as Grand Junior
Deacon. It AA-as at this point in the history of the lodge that the change
was raade in its narae from Minnehaha Lodge No. 328 to Minnehaha
Lodge No. 5. In point of order it Avas No. 4, but in sorae AAav, in
procuring- the seals for this lodge and the one at Canton, the mistake
was raade in designating the Canton lodge as No. 4, insteadof No. 5, as
it should have been.
In 1881 Thoraas H. BroAvn vvas again elected Grand Master.
Frora the land office the lodge Avas raoved to the Emerson block
in June, 1881. In 1883 the Masonic Temple Avas built, the corner
stone being laid August 8, of that year. This Avas an event hitherto
unexcelled in the history of Masonry in the NorthAvest. Grand
Master O. S. Gifford was assisted by the Grand Lodge of Dakota,
convened especially for that purpose, and the ceremonies Avere at
tended by about three hundred members of the fraternity and be
tween two and three thousand spectators. Eleven jurisdictions
Avere represented including sixty-three organizations. The proces
sion Avas forraed at the Masonic hall at 2 o'clock P. M., the escort
coraprising fifteen Knights Teraplars of DeMolay Coramandery No.
3, Yankton, and forty-three Knights Templars of Cvrene Comraand-
ery, Sioux Palls. Arriving at the site, the services Avere opened by
the choir singing Lohengrin's "Great Architect of Heaven and
Earth." The articles prepared were deposited in a copper box
made to receive them, and the corner stone, a piece of Missouri sand
stone weighing 5,200 lbs. was placed in position with appropriate
ceremonies. The oration was delivered by the Hon. A. C. Mellette.
After the exercises had been concluded, the visiting brethren were
conducted by the Cyrene Coramanderv to Germania hall, where a
banquet awaited thera. In the evening a Masonic ball Avas given,
with which the festivities of the day were carried to a close. The
raerabership of the lodge at that time Avas ninety-one. The building
was completed early in the year 1884, and all the Masonic bodies in
tne city took possession of the rooras constructed for their use.

HISTORY" OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 419

Thomas H. BroAvn Avas Worshipful Master of the lodge 1876-7-8
and 1881; John Bippus 1879; W. H. Nelson 1880; I. K. Buck 1882;
R. C. HaAvkins 1883 and 1886-7-8; W. A. Germain 1885; A. B. Kitt
redge 1889 and 1893; S. A. Brown 1890; P. W. Harrington 1891;
P. H. Piles 1892; J. B. Pox 1894; W. L. Baker 1895; M. R. Brown
1896; Frank Kunerth 1897; J. W. Jensen 1898. The raembership of
the lodge is upwards of 200.
Royal Arch Masons, Sioux Falls Chapter No. 2.— On the
8th day of April, 1879, upon the call of I. K. Buck Most Eminent
High Priest, W. D. Stites Most Erainent King, and E. P. Allen Most
Erainent Scribe, a nuraber of g-entlemen raet in convocation for the
purpose of organizing Sioux Falls Chapter No. 2, under dispensa
tion frora the general g-rand chapter of the United States.
The following Avere charter raerabers: I. K. Buck, W. D.
Stites, E. P. Allen, Kinzie Maxfield, D. S. Glidden, Decatur Stew
art, C. L. Norton, Frank Caldwell, Wra. H. Davenport, J. M. Rich-
ter, E. O. Kiraberly, Edwin E. Sage, J. W. Callender, Charles Bas
sett. At this meeting the following officers were elected: K. Max-
field Capt. of the Host, J. M. Richter R. A. Capt., D. S. Glidden P.
S., Wm. H. Davenport G. M. 3d vail, E. E. Sage G. M. 2d vail, Frank
Caldwell G. M. 1st vail, J. W. Callender tyler, E. O. Kiraberly treas
urer, C. L. Norton secretary.
I. K. Buck reraained High Priest, W. D. Stites King, and E. P.
Allen Scribe of the Chapter until January, 1881, when W. D. Stites
was elected High Priest, and re-elected in 1882. Edwin Sharpe was
High Priest in 1883, D. S. Glidden in 1884, T. Prank Hawley in 1885,
E. E. Sage in 1886, Prank Kunerth in 1887, Park Davis in 1888-9-90,
C. S. Palmer in 1891, H. T. Corson in 1892, S. A. Brown in 1893, W.
T. Doolittle in 1894, Eugene Coughran in 1895. There were 171
members in 1895.
Cyrene Commandery No. 2- — At the Masonic hall in Sioux
Palls, June 9, 1881, Sir Knights J. B. Hawley, E. E. Sage, W. D.
Stites, Prank Kunerth, Edwin O. Kimberley and Clark Keiser raet
for the purpose of considering a petition which had been prepared by
Sir Knight Hawley to be sent to the General Grand Coraraander,
asking for a dispensation for a coraraandery at Sioux Palls to be
called Dakota Commandery. The petition had appended to it fifteen
signatures. Sir Knight Hawley was named for Eminent Coraraander,
Sir Knight J. M. Richter Generalissimo, and Sir Knight W. D.
Stites Captain General. On the 14th day of August, 1891, a dis
pensation was issued by Benjamin Deane, Grand Master of Knights
Templars in the United States, granting to the petitioners the right
"to open a commandery of Knights Templars and Council of the
order of Knights of the Red Cross, subordinate to the Grand En
campment of the United States at the City of Sioux Palls, County of
Minnehaha and Territory of Dakota, to be called and distinguished
by the name of Gethsemane Commandery No. 2," appointing the
officers as requested in the petition. The first raeeting under this
dispensation was held on the 22d day of Noveraber, 1881, at Avhich
time Eminent Commander J. B. Hawley proceeded to appoint the

420 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

subordinate officers and committees. The third Tuesday of each
month was fixed for the regular convocation of the Commandery. At
its regular raeeting on Deceraber 20, a committee was appointed to
request the Grand Master of Knights Templars of the United States
to change the name of the Coraraandery Gethsemane No. 2, to Cyrene
Coraraandery No. 2, which was done accordingly the January follow
ing. A meeting of the Coraraandery was held June 21, 1882, to take
action in regard to the funeral of Sir Knight Thoraas C. Cochran,
Avho died at Minneapolis that day, and it was decided that the Cora
raandery should attend the funeral in a body.
Noveraber 6, 1883, W. D. Stites was installed as Eminent Com
mander, Wm. T. Doolittle Generalissimo, Benjarain P. Campbell
Captain General.
The Coraraandery attended the funeral of David Jackson Turner
on the 23d day of February, 1885. He died February 18.
In 1885, D. S. Glidden was elected Eminent Commander, William
T. Doolittle Generalissimo, and Benjamin P. Carapbell Captain Gen
eral. Since then the following naraed persons have been elected to
the above offices, in the order named: 1886, W. T. Doolittle, P. W.
Taylor, B. P. Campbell; (D. S. Glidden was elected Right Eminent
Coraraander of the Territory, May 12, 1886.) 1887, W. T. Doolittle,
P. W. Taylor, Eugene W. Coughran; 1888, P. W. Taylor, E. W.
Coughran, B. P. Campbell; 1889, E. W. Coughran, Henry T. Corson,
B. P. Carapbell; 1890, Henry T. Corson, Park Davis, B. P. Camp
bell; 1891, Park Davis, B. F. Campbell, W. H. Holt; 1892, B. P.
Campbell, W. H. Holt, H. L. Greene; 1893, W. H. Holt, H. L. Greene,
C. E. Baker; 1894, H. L. Greene, C. E. Baker, W. A. Germain; 1895,
C. E. Baker, C. S. Palraer, A. P. Pilcher.
Alpha Council No. 1, K. and S.M.— Organized April 11, 1891,
with the following charter members: Henry T. Corson, W. H. Holt,
P. W. Harrington, Samuel A. Brown, John B. Cloudas, Park Davis,
W. R. Pisher, O. L. Farnham, Frank Kunerth, Albert P. Pilcher,
Willard B. Walworth. The officers in 1891 Avere: S. A. BroAvn,
Thrice Illustrious Master, and A. P. Pilcher, Illustrious Deputv
Master; 1892 and 1893, Park Davis was T. I. M., and A. P. Pilcher,
I. D. M. The raerabership in 1895 was 25.
El Riad Temple A. A. O. N. Mystic Shrine.— The first raeeting
in Dakota, by the raerabers of the Order of Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine, under dispensation, Avas held May 25, 1888, in the city of
Sioux Falls, with thirteen charter member's, Avho had previoush' re
ceived their degrees at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A charter Avas granted
by the Imperial Council of Toronto, Canada, in June, 1888, W. D.
Stites, as Illustrious Potentate, having gone there for that purpose.
The charter raerabers Avere as folloAvs: W. D. Stites, N. E.
Phillips, Henry T. Corson, B. P. Campbell, A. B. Kittredge, W. R.
Burkholder, C. H. Vincent, J. E. Conklin, G. W. Burnside, C. H.
Winsor, D. C. Rice, Pickering Brown and Prank S. Emerson.
The officers elected Avere: W. D. Stites Illustrious Potentate;
A. B. Kittredge Chief Rabban; D. C. Rice Asst. Rabban; C. H. Win
sor High Priest and Prophet; Geo. W. Burnside Oriental Guide;
N. E. Phillips Recorder; C. H. Vincent Treasurer.

HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY. 421

C. H. Winsor was Illustrious Potentate in 1889-90-1-2, and Wm.
T. Doolittle in 1893-4. There were 507 members in 1895.
Eastern Star. — Jasper Chapter No. 8. Upon the petition of
several ladies and gentlemen of Sioux Falls, a dispensation for or
ganizing- a Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, was granted
by John H. Baldwin, Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of the
order for South Dakota, and on the 8th day of July, 1890, Jasper
Chapter No. 8 AAas organized.
The first officers were: Mrs. Mary Brown worthy matron; P. W.
Harrington Avorthy patron; Mrs. Luella Jones associate matron;
Mrs. Helen E. Bailey secretary; Mrs. Harriet Hawkins treasurer;
Mrs. Fannie A. Parmley conductress; Mrs. Eraraa C. Harring-ton
associate conductress; Mrs. Nellie C. Cloudas Esther; Mrs. Nellie
Holt Martha; Mrs. Ella M. Hubbard Electa; Mrs. Carrie Vincent
Ada; Frank Kunerth Sentinel; Mrs. Iraogene Phillips chaplain; Mrs.
A. D. Tinsley organist.
Mrs. MarA' Brown was AA-orthy matron in 1890-1-2; Mrs. Helen
Bailev in 1893"; Mrs. Margaret P. Phillips in 1894-5-6-7; Mrs. Amy
Skinner in 1898-9.
Jasper Chapter has a large membership, and has g-iven sorae
very fine banquets and entertainments. It meets the first and third
Monday in each month, at the Masonic Temple.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OP ODD FELLOWS.
Royal Purple Encampment No. 1. — This encampraent was
instituted at Verraillion, S. D., March 22, 1874, with the following
charter raerabers: R. R. Briggs, M. D. Thompson, M. Madison,
W. L. H. Owen, G. W. Pratt, P. McKirscher and R. D. Tyler. The
encampraent was removed to Sioux Falls May 13, 1879.
The following named persons have been Patriarchs of the En
carapraent since its organization; 1874, L. H. Owens, M. D. Thomp
son; 1875, R. R. Briggs, T. A. Robinson; 1876, W. D. Gould, G. H.
McDonald; 1877, W. D. Gould, G. H. McDonald; 1878, Geo. Koll, re
elected the second term, and the first term in 1879; second terra P. S.
Eraerson; 1880, E. Sharpe, C. H. Vincent; 1881, P. W. Wildt, J. W.
Odell; 1882, T. P. Leavitt, S. E. Blauvelt; 1883, N. S. Johnson, T. A.
Robinson; 1884, S. E. Blauvelt, N. S. Johnson; 1885, Esten Thomp
son, John Sundback; 1886, T. A. Robinson, C. M. Cummings; 1887,
T. G. Brown, A. C. Phillips; 1888, Dell Plantz, W. M. Cunningham;
1889, W. M. Cunningham, E. Russell; 1890, J. D. Howard, W. A.
Dow- 1891, J. A. Ward, E. S. McDonald; 1892, T. G. Brown, A. K.
Pay; 1893, W. A. Beach, P. G. Chaphe; 1894, T. R. Freeman, W. J.
Brandt; 1895, G. W. Fox, J. M. Woodruff. The raerabership in 1895
was 78.
Sioux Palls Lodge No. 9.— This lodge was instituted in Sioux
Falls May 24, 1876, with the following charter members: August
Ludwig, Herman Gilbert, Wm. VanEps, Z. P. Herrick, Augustus
Loneus, T. G. White, Wm. B. Dick, EdAvin Sharpe, N. Boucher,
Jaraes O. McWilliaras.
Since its institution the following persons have been Noble
Grands of the lodge: 1876, Augustus Loneus; 1877, Edwm Sharpe,

422 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Z. P. Herrick; 1898, J. W. Odell, T. H. Diefendorf; 1879, no record
of officers; 1880, P. W. Wildt, P. S. Eraerson; 1881, C. H. Vincent,
P. C. Angel; 1882, S. E. Blauvelt, Sara Hurst; 1883, Sam Hurst, O.
M. Dahl; 1884, S. E. Blauvelt, T. G. Brown; 1885, John Sundback, D.
Plantz; 1886, Henry Peterson, A. C. Barnes; 1887, A. C. Phillips, R.
N. Williams; 1888, "Wm. Beckler; 1889, R. J. McEwen, W. A. Dow;
1890, R. J. Woods, W. C. Bailev; 1891, W. A. Beach, J. A. Ward;
1892, W. M. Cunningham, Ira Gilraan; 1893, Wm. E. Russell, Geo.
T. Blackman; 1894, J. D. Howard, J. Woodruff; 1895, J. E. Shaw, A.
J. McLane. Harmonia Lodge No. 56, (German). — This lodge was insti
tuted in Sioux Falls on the 9th day of October, 1883, with seventeen
charter raerabers. M. W. Krudvig was elected Noble Grand, P.
Plaster Vice Grand, P. Kunerth secretary, J. Rummel treasurer;
second terra, July 9, 1894, P. Martin was elected Noble Grand, N.
D. Roster Vice Grand, W. Obert secretary, J. Rummel treasurer.
1885. N. D. Roster was elected Noble Grand, W. Obert Vice
Grand, P. Becker secretarA', J. Rumrael treasurer; second terra, W.
Obert Noble Grand, P. Becker Vice Grand, J. P. Fiedler secretary,
J. Becher, treasurer.
1886. P. Becker Noble Grand, Phil Eichhorn Vice Grand, J.
P. Fiedler secretary, J. Becher treasurer; second term, Phil Eich
horn Noble Grand, J. B. Dischner Vice Grand, P. G. Neisendorfer
secretary, J. Becher treasurer.
1 887 . N. B. Roster Noble Grand, John Garloff Vice Grand, M.
Krudvig secretary, J. Becher treasurer; second term, John Garloff
Noble Grand, Henry Besler Vice Grand, P. G. Neisendorfer secre
tary, J. Becher treasurer.
' 1 888. H. Besler Noble Grand, P. G. Neisendorfer Vice Grand,
P. Martin secretary, J. Becher treasurer; second terra, H. Besler
Noble Grand, Theo. Pankow Vice Grand, P. Martin secretary, J.
Becher treasurer.
1889. Theo. Pankow Noble Grand, E. G. Kreitz Vice Grand,
P. Martin secretary, J. Becher treasurer; second terra, P. Martin
Noble Grand, J. Heinback Vice Grand, W. Obert secretarv, J.
Becher treasurer.
1890. P. Eichhorn Noble Grand, R. Pankow Vice Grand, P.
Martin secretary, J. Becher treasurer; second terra, R. Pankow
Noble Grand, H. Pohle Vice Grand, P. Martin secretarv, J. Becher
treasurer. 1891. H. Pohle Noble Grand, Fred Kreiser Vice Grand, P.
Martin secretary, J. Becher treasurer; second terra, P. Kreiser
Noble Grand, L. Kohler, Vice Grand, P. Martin secretary, J.
Becher treasurer.
1892. L. Kohler Noble Grand, J. Becher Vice Grand, H. Pohle
secretary, John Schaetzel treasurer; second terra, J. Becher Noble
Grand, Werner Raabe Vice Grand, Herman Pohle secretary, John
Schaetzel treasurer.
1893. W. Raabe Noble Grand, John Zentel Vice Grand, H.
Pohle secretary, Theo. Pankow treasurer; second term, John Zentel
Noble Grand, Charles Rumrael Vice Grand, H. Pohle secretary,
Theo. Pankow treasurer.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNT/, 423

1894. N. D. Roster Noble Grand, Prank Kunerth Vice Grand,
H. Pohle secretary, Theo. Pankow treasurer; second terra, Fred
Kreiser Noble Grand, Peter Haas Vice Grand, W. Obert secretary,
Theo. Pankow treasurer.
1895. Peter Haas Noble Grand, Alex Stern Vice Grand, W.
Obert secretarA', Theo. Pankow treasurer; second terra, Alex Stern
Noble Grand, Jacob Schopf Vice Grand, Paul B. Meyer secretary,
Theo. PankoAv treasurer. The raerabership in August, 1895,
was 51.
Canton Veritas No. 2, Patriarchs Militant Avas instituted
March 27, 1886, Avith the following charter raerabers: R. R. Briggs,
Thoraas P. Deifendorf, Phillip Plaster, C. M. Curaraings, T. G.
Br9wn, J. J. Schumacher, Dell Plantz, I. M. Neher, Walter Crisp,
P. S. Emerson, Sara Hurst, T. A. Robinson, Jacob Becher, Will
Pelber, S. E. Blauvelt, C. H. Vincent, Prank Baker, Henry Peter
son, Wendell Obert, A. C. Phillips, J. T. Gilbert, W. R. Kenefick,
Sherraan A. Merrit, S. H. Burk, L. M. Bowen, John Sundback,
G. D. Maurer, Geo. Arneson, Andrew Thorapson, T. P. Leavitt,
J. B. Dischner.
The officers were in 1886: Capt., T. A. Robinson; Lieut., T. G.
Brown; Ensign, I. N. Neher. 1887, Capt., C. M. Curaraings; Lieut.,
A. C. Phillips; Ensign, S. H. Hurst. 1888, Capt., A. C. Phillips;
Lieut., E. S. McDonald; Ensign, Dell Plantz. 1889, Capt., E. S. Mc
Donald; Lieut., W. A. Dow; Ensign, Geo. Arneson. 1890, Capt.,
W. A. Dow; Lieut., W. M. Cunningham; Ensign, J. W. Craig. 1891,
Capt., W. M. Cunningham; Lieut., W. E. Russell; Ensign, W. C.
Bailey. 1892, Capt., W. E. Russell; Lieut., A. K. Pay; Ensign,
W. J."' Brandt. 1893, Capt., A. K. Pav; Lieut., W. J. Brandt; En
sign, J. M. Woodruff. 1894, Capt., W. J. Brandt; Lieut., J. M.
Woodruff; Ensign, G. W. Fox. 1895, Capt., W. J. Brandt; Lieut.,
J. M. Woodruff; Ensign, G. W. Pox. The merabership in August,
1895, was 65.
Evelyn Lodge No. 7, Daughters of Rebekah.— This lodge
Avas instituted in Sioux Palls April 10, 1890, Avith the following
charter raerabers: Geo. W. Matthews, Mrs. Jennie Matthews, E. S.
McDonald, Sarauel McCorraack, Eliza McCorraack, Silas E. Blauvelt,
Ralph R. Briggs, Sara J. Briggs, Frank S. Emerson, Charles M.
Cummings, Isabel Curaraings, Arthur S. Sherwood, Caroline L.
Greene. The Noble Grands and Vice Grands were in 1890, Etta C.
Bailey, May D. McDonald. 1891, first terra, May D. McDonald,
Polly Schuraacher; second terra, Polly Schumacher, Jennie B. Cun-
nino-hara. 1892, first terra, Jennie B. Cunningham, Lucy Plantz;
second term, Lucy Plantz, Jennie Sherwood. 1893, first term, Jen
nie Sherwood, Celia Ward; second term, Celia Ward, May A. Ricker.
1894 first term Lucy Plantz, Mollie Reilev; second term, MoUie
Reiley, Sibbie Pox. 1895, first terra, Sibbie "Fox, Clara A. Thorne.
The raerabership in 1895 was upwards of 100.

424 history of minnehaha county.

knights of PYTHIAS.
Granite Lodge No. 18. — This lodge was instituted September
10, 1885, with the following charter raerabers: B. P. Hornefius,
J. M. Bailey, Jr., H. L. Greene, C. H. Wallingford, A. C. Phillips,
T. A. Robinson, P. S. Eraerson, C. S. Buck, E. D. Morcora, John
Sundback, C. T. Jeffers, J. J. Lloyd, S. T. Elmendorf, S. E.
Blauvelt, J. L. Hadaman, C. P. Sischo, Roy Williams, M. Blura,
A. L. Curry, P. G. Neisendorfer, E. S. Savage, C. A. Maxon,
W. W. Van Horn, C. E. Hoffraan, J. M. Kiel, Jerry Carleton, C. E.
Martin, W. H. Booth, P. C. Angel, P. P. Angel, P. "S. Kiraball, Otto
Heynsohn, J. A. Scott, J. W. Hutchinson, D. Plantz, J. G. Strahon,
Frank B. Snook.
The Chancellor Comraanders of the lodge were in 1885, H. L.
Greene; 1886. first terra, J. M. Bailey, Jr., second term, C. H. Wal
lingford; 1887, Silas Blauvelt, second terra, P. S. Emerson; 1888, Dr.
H. W. Subera, second terra, W. L. French; 1889, E. D. Morcom,
second term, U. S. G. Cherry; 1890, R. J. McEwen, second terra, C.
P. Irvine; 1891, N. B. Bailey was elected Chancellor Coraraander and
J. H. Voorhees Vice Chancellor, but soon after the election Mr.
Bailey reraoved frora the city, Avhen J. H. Voorhees was elected to
fill the vacancy, second terra, C. P. Bates; 1892, J. W. Parker, second
terra, F. R. Hyde; 1893, J. M. Donovan, second terra, W. M. Cun
ningham; 1894, S. S. Childs, second terra, W. A. Beach; 1895, J. H.
J. Black. The lodge had 115 members June 1, 1895.
Damon Division No. 1. — Uniforra Rank. This lodge AAas in
stituted in Sioux Falls and received its charter January 16, 1886.
The folloAving were charter raerabers: C. T. Jeffers, C. H. Walling
ford, W. D. Blosser, Jno Briley, A. C. Phillips, S. A. Robinson, E.
D. Morcora. May 4, 1886, the folloAving were elected officers: C. T. Jeffers
captain-, A. C. Phillips lieutenant, C. H. Wallingford herald, S. A.
Robinson recorder, W. D. Blosser treasurer, E. D. Morcora guard,
Jno Briley sentinel.
1887. C. T. Jeffers captain, A. C. Phillips lieutenant, P.S.
Kimball herald, P. G. Neisendorfer recorder, W.D. Blosser treas
urer, Van Horn guard, C. P. Sischo sentinel.
1 888. Same officers as in 1887.
1889. A. C. Phillips captain, E. D. Morcom lieutenant, H. C.
Collins herald, C. H. Elmendorf recorder, G. H. Carpenter trea
surer, J. C. Parley guard, Theo. Wuest sentinel.
1890. J. C. Parley captain, Theo. Wuest lieutenant, C. F.
Irvine herald, Gus Gradinger recorder, G. H. Carpenter treasurer,
H. T. Parraley guard, P. J. Rodge sentinel, J. H. Scott standard
bearer. 1891. W. A. Dow captain, S. S. Childs lieutenant, Theodore
Wuest herald, Gus Gradinger recorder, H. W. Subera treasurer,
H. T. Parmley guard, W. A. Adams sentinel, G. W. LoAvry stand
ard bearer. 1892. Same officers as in 1891.
1893. W. M. Cunningham captain, S. S. Childs lieutenant, J.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 425

M. Donovan herald, Gus Gradinger recorder, G. W. Lowry treasurer,
A. T. Latta guard, Gus Orton sentinel, R. Marson standard bearer.
1894. "W. M. Cunningham captain, S. S. Childs lieutenant, J.
M. Donovan herald, E. C. Hinde recorder, D. B. Durant treasurer,
A. T. Latta guard, J. L. Glover sentinel, Roger Marson standard
bearer. 1895. A. E. Halsted captain, D. B. Durant lieutenant, J. M.
Donavan herald, W. J. Markhara treasurer, A. T. Latta guard, Gus
Orton, sentinel, Roger Marson, standard bearer. In 1895, the mera
bership was 46.
Benevolent Protective Order op Elks No. 262. — On the
6th day of May, 1893, District Deputy W. H. Caine of Stillwater,
Minnesota, accompanied by tAventy-six Elks, arrived in the city of
Sioux Falls for the purpose of instituting two lodges of Elks in
South Dakota, one in this city and one in the city of WatertoAvn.
These were the first lodges of Elks instituted in the state.
The exercises commenced in the raorning- and continued without
interraission until midnight, when, the work haying been completed,
one of the most elaborate banquets ever spread in the city Avas
served. The lodge started out with fifty members, and the first officers
under the dispensation were: A. B. Kittredge Exalted Ruler, B. H.
Lien Esteemed Leading Knight, S. E. Blauvelt Esteemed Loyal
Knight, J. H. Voorhees Esteemed Lecturing Knight.
At the first election Prank S. Eraerson was elected Exalted
Ruler, R. J. Woods Esteemed Leading Knight, T. C. Wuest Es
teemed Loyal Knight, E. W. Caldwell Esteemed Lecturing Knight.
At the annual election in 1894, Theodore C. Wuest was elected Ex
alted Ruler, R. J. Woods Esteemed Leading Knight, Frank L. Row
land Esteemed Loyal Knight, J. D. Howard Esteemed Lecturing
Knight. In 1895, A. B Kittredge was elected Exalted Ruler, S. E.
Blauvelt, Jerry Carleton and J. D. Howard Esteeraed Leading, Loyal
and Lecturing Knights, respectively.
Every year since the establishraent of the order of Elks in the
city of Sioux Falls, it has in the most substantial raanner demon
strated that it is in fact as Avell as in name a benevolent protective
association. February 5, 1894, by way of introduction to the public,
the Elks gave a charity ball in Germania hall. A large nuraber of
invitations were sent out, printed on shingles, and when the hour
arrived for the opening of the ball, Germania hall, beautifully dec
orated with evergreens, palms, foliage, potted plants and floAvers,
filled to its utmost capacity with a brilliant asserablage of richly
dressed people, presented a spectacle of beauty and loveliness never
before equalled in the state. It was a grand ball, artistic and elab
orate in all its appointments and most brilliantly executed. It was
a financial as well as a social success, the total receipts being mS
and of this sum $500 was turned over to the Woman s Benevolent
association of the city of Sioux Falls, which divided the araount
equally with the Children's Home. ,,,^^^, „,, , -^
Affain on the 2Sth day of February, 1895, the Elks gaA'e a charity
ball in Germania hall. The decorations and appointments were not

426 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

SO elaborate as the year before, but the attendance was large and the
ball one of the most enjoyable ever held in the city. It was a finan
cial success, and it was reported that in spite of the hard times
about $360 was realized, which was turned over to the Woman's
Benevolent association.
Another event in the history of Sioux Palls Elks that is worthy
of notice, is the dedication of their hall in the Gilbert block on Phil
lips avenue, Septeraber 13, 1894, when, the dedicatory exercises
being over, an "elaborate and inexhaustible banquet was spread"
followed by the usual toasts and responses, and when these carae to
an end, the Sioux Falls Elks collectively and individually believed
that they were the rightful proprietors of the upper story of the
Gilbert block. The raerabership in 1895 was 100.
KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES.
Minnehaha Tent No. 7, was instituted in Sioux Palls Septera
ber 19, 1894, with twenty-six charter members. The officers elected
at that time and reraaining as such until 1896 were as follows:
O. P. McNulty Coraraander; E. E. Harvey Lieut. Coraraander; J. M.
Hostetter Record keeper; Charles B. Peters Finance keeper; A. J.
Yeager Chaplain; T. E. Wright Sergeant.
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN.
Jasper Lodge No. 21, was instituted in Sioux Palls July 10,
1885, Avith the following charter raerabers: O. D. English, Fred
Kreiser, R. W. Bainber, Martin Olson, C. O. Henjum. H. D. Wil
liams, Geo. H. Adkins, Peter Olson, M. Faithful, Prank Kunerth,
Theodore Pankow, Dell M. Plantz, Jerry Carleton, Prank Spauld-
ing, W. S. Wynn.
The officers in 1885 were: Fred Kreiser Master Workman, A.
W. Faithful Recorder, C. O. Henjum Financier. 1886, Fred Kreiser
Master Workman, P. E. Spaulding Recorder, Geo. W. Peterson
Financier. 1887, Geo. W. Peterson Master Workraan, A. W. Faith
ful Recorder, P. E. Spaulding Financier. 1888, Fred Kreiser
Master Workman, A. W. Faithful Recorder, Dr. Geo. H. Pulford
Financier. 1889, Geo. W. Peterson Master Workraan, W. T.
Caraeron Recorder, Dr. Geo. H. Pulford Financier. 1890, William
George Master Workraan, Fred Kreiser Recorder, Eugene Reilev
Financier. 1891, J. W. Craig Master Workraan, Fred Kreiser Re'-
corder, Eugene Reiley Financier. 1892, J. D. Howard Master
Workraan, T. BusheU Recorder, Eugene Reilev Financier. 1893,
H. J. Hatch Master Workraan, T. Bushel! Recorder Eugene Reilev
Financier. 1894, A. Yeager Master Workman, T. BusheU Recorder,
Eugene Reiley Financier. 1895, E. H. Sanford Master Workman,
T. Bushel! Recorder, Fred Kreiser Financier. The merabership in
1895 was 300.
Germania Verein.— This societv was organized in Sioux Palls
January 11, 1880, by a nuraber of old settlers and residents of Ger
raan descent.
Their object in thus associating is briefly outlined in the consti-

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 427

tution of the society: "To foster art, to awaken the mind to liberty,
to create a love for all that is g-ood and beautiful, to encourag-e social
intercourse and to aid in preserving the fruits of German culture."
As a means to consuramate these objects of the society it was con
sidered necessary to encourage vocal music, dramatic entertain
ments, gymnastics, elocution and debates; and the society has es
tablished and supported singing, turning, dramatic, literary and
rautual aid sections, and organized classes for the pursuit of Ger
man studies under competent teachers. It also laid the foundation
for a circulating library.
In a financial way it has flourished beyond the fondest anticipa
tions of its founders, and easily leads all the civic organizations of
the state in the value of its holdings. It owns free of incumbrance,
and located near the business center of the city, its grounds and
building. The latter is generally known as Gerraania Hall, includes
a large and commodious theatre with well appointed stage, a gym-
nasiura, club rooms and a janitor's residence, valued conservatively
at $15,000. The aims of the society have already in a great measure been
realized, and its influence has proved beneficial not only to the mem
bers connected therewith and the Germans in this vicinity, hut also
to the city in which it is located.
FoUoAving are the names of the presidents of the society from
its organization to 1896: H. Gilbert 1880, P. Kunerth 1881, W.
Raabe 1882-3-4, John Zentel 1885-6, P. Kreizer 1887-8, M. Levinger
1889-90, J. Schaetzel Jr. 1891, W. Raabe 1892, M. Levinger 1893-4-5.
The membership in 1895 was 48.
Turn Verein. — The Turn Verein of Sioux Palls is a branch of
the upper Missouri district, Avhich is a part of the national organiza
tion called the North American Turner district. The upper Mis
souri district consists of two vereins, one at Yankton and one at
Sioux Falls.
The Turn Verein of Sioux Falls was organized as a separate
society. May 6, 1892, Avith sixteen charter raerabers, and the follow
ing officers were elected: Paul H. Hainan president, M. A. Walser
vice president, George Kuessner secretary, Wra. Richter treasurer,
M. A. Walser instructor. Second terra, Mat. Walser president,
Charles Spitznagel vice president, Wm. Popp secretary, Charles
Rumrael treasurer, Joe Walser instructor.
In 1893, Geo. Kuessner was elected president for first terra,
Wra. Wolff, second terra. Charles Spitznagel was president during
1894 and 1895.
The members meet on the second Tuesday of each month, but
athletic instruction is given to classes three tiraes a week. Two or
three exhibitions are given during the year, and the public has taken
great interest in seeing the progress of the pupils. All instruction
is given in the Gerraan language.
The classes are open to raen, woraen and children. Men belong
to the active class until they attain the age of 31, when they becorae
passive members. Youths, having been through the classes, becorae
active members when they are 18 years old.

428 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

The classes average as follows: Active members, men 20, women
14, girls 17, boys 14. The merabership in 1895 was 52.
Valhalla Club. — This club first organized 'for social purposes,
Deceraber 15, 1889, under the narae of "The Young Men's Scan
dinavian Club of Sioux Falls." The charter members were as fol
lows: J. S. Johnson, P. G. Rogde, G. H. Kiland, G. C. Christopher
son, A. S. Johnson, T. A. Sorura, Peter Haugen, E. K. Rogness, N.
M. Dahl, A. Kiland, John H. Solberg, P. H. Dahl, Ole Olson.
Later the club was reorganized and the name changed to "The
Scandinavian Club of Sioux Falls," which some time after, at another
reorganization, was changed to its present name, "Valhalla Club."
The presidents of the club have been as follows: 1891, Dr. J. S,
Johnson; 1892-3-4, B. H. Lien; 1895-6, A. T. Christopherson; 1897.
J. W. Jensen; 1899, C. C. Bratrud. The raerabership in 1897 was 26.
Marquette Club. — This club was organized January 6, 1890,
by the Roraan Catholics of Sioux Palls, for social purposes. The
following Avere charter raerabers: Rev. L. A. Ricklin, J. T. McCar-
rier, J. W. Sheridan, M. Gerin, J. K. Haughton, J. M. Donovan,
B. C. McCrossan, Joe Kirby, James Kearns, Henry Billion, J. D.
McDonald, James Regan, John Donahue, J. H. Tohey, J. J. Murry,
S. Donahue, J. T. Sanders, W, D. McDonald, T. P. Murphy, Angus
McDonald, Den Donahue, Jaraes Byrne, Joseph Schwarz, John T.
Farren, E. M. Sanders, P- V. Jones, Michael Gallagher, M. White.
In 1890-1, M.Gerin was president and Joseph Schwarz vicepresi-
dent; 1892-5, Joseph ScliAvarz president, B. C. McCrossan vice presi
dent, A. S. Kilroy corresponding- secretary, John Fitzg-ibbons finan
cial secretary. J. K. Haughton treasurer.
This club has given some very fine social entertainments, which
have been greatly enjoyed by the people generally, and the directors
have earned the reputation of knoAving how to please and delight the
guests on such occasions.
The Sunset Club.— This Club was organized in Sioux Palls at
the instigation of the Rev. A. H. Grant in Noveraber, 1892. After
Mr, Grant's departure frora the state, the affairs of the club Avere
raanaged by Mr. J. H. Gates. The charter members consisted of
the following- gentlemen:
H. L. Greene, T. H. Brown, Rev. A. H. Grant, W. H. Lyon, J.
H. Gates, W. L. Baker, Dr. P. H. Piles, Dr. S. A. Brown, Dr. S.
Olney, E. W. Caldwell, J. Tomlinson, Jr., W. A. Wilkes, H. J. Dav
enport, Prof. R. B. McClenon.
There was a sort of unwritten law that the members should meet
every alternate Tuesday evening during cold weather, and when they
did meet a banquet was spread, and after that had been disposed of
some topic Avas discussed. This club occupied about the same rela
tion to the other clubs in the city as the Universalist church does to
the other churches, a sort of go-as-you-please style.
During the last few years of its existence the officesof president,
secretary and steward were filled by the sarae person, and the club
met in some room that Avas Aucant evenings, and where no rent was
deraanded. Requiescat in pace.

history of minnehaha county. 429

LABOR UNIONS.
Sioux Falls Typographical Union. — Organized Septeraber
11, 1886, Avith the following charter raerabers: Frank Hoffraan,
W. A. Youker, L. B. Terhune, G. J. Willits, C. H. Craig, Jaraes
Woodruff, W. H. Thorapson, Harry C. Corey, J. S. Davidson and
Charles Porter. James Woodruff was elected president, C. P. Blair
vice president, Frank Hoffman secretary, Geo. J. Willits treasurer,
C. P. Allen sergeant-at-arms. In April, 1887, James Woodruff was
re-elected president and D. Haggerty Avas elected vice president;
Frank Hoffman secretary, Geo. J. Willits treasurer. In 1888, D.
Haggerty president, C. P. Allen vice president, Frank Hoffraan sec
retary, C. W. Tobin treasurer. In 1889, W. A. Youker president,
F. B. Ireland A'ice president, Frank Hoffraan secretary and treas
urer, P. L. Osgood recording secretary. In 1890, W. T. Drips
president, P. G. Herron vice president, J. H. J. Black secretary and
treasurer, A. P. Knowles recording secretary. In 1891, John T.
Cogan president, P. G. Herron vice president, P. L. Osgood, record
ing secretary, W. G. George financial secretary. In 1892, Will
Jaraieson president, P. G. Herron vice president, J. H. J. Black re
cording secretar}', W. G. George financial secretary. In 1893,
Jaraes Woodruff president, T. Haraann vice president, R. C. Al-
brook recording secretary, George Denyer financial secretary. In
1894, Jaraes Woodruff president, T. Haraann vice president, R. C.
Albrook recording secretary, Geo. Denyer financial secretary. In
1895, C. H. Craig president, P. T. George vice president, R. C. Al
brook recording secretary, Geo. Denyer financial secretary. The
membership in August, I89S, was 34.
Knights of Labor, Jasper Assembly 497. — Was organised in
Sioux Palls by Z. B. Scott, state organizer, June 22, 1889, with the
following charter raerabers: P. D. Gushard, Frank Morse, C. V.
Booth, Ole Olson, E. J. Sharon, P. L. Hartwick, Wra. Lass, Done-
gan Halligan. P. D. Gushard was elected Master Workman in 1889
and the first term of 1890; Joseph Sarapson, tAvo terras, 1890-91, and
J. T. Cogan; 1892, Geo. W. Burnside and J. E. Sides; 1893, A. H.
Grant; 1894, C. C. Peterson.
In 1892 the raerabership was nearly one hundred, but m 1894 so
raany members were out of employment and unable to keep up their
dues that the membership was reduced to about fifty. In 1895 the
nuraber of members had been reduced to eighteen, and the meetings
were suspended.
Federation op Labor. — Organized in Sioux Palls July 13,
1894, with the following charter raerabers: Eighteen raerabers of the
Knights of Labor No. 497, twenty members of the Tailors' Union
No. 221, thirty-five members of the Typographical Union Na 218,
fifty-five members of the Cigar Makers' Union No. 153. H H.
Schwartz, Jr., was elected president, Wra. Joiies vice president,
Aug-. H. Reichard recording secretary, Louis F. Gust treasurer
On the second Priday in July, 1895, Willis M. Pritchard was elected
president, C. F. Allen vice president, Aug. H. Reichard secretary,
J. H. Stout treasurer.

430

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Cigar Makers' Union No. 153. — Organized December 25, 1888,
with the following charter members and officers: Geo. Sutcliff
president, Charles Johnson vice president, John Wittell recording
secretary, Frank Carr financial secretary, John Stout treasurer, H.
Paulson sergeant-at-arms, W. Hagcuberth, John Schneider and P.
Pfeiffer trustees, Sam Ohlund auditor. J. L. Flynn was president
frora 1890 to 1895. At one tirae the raerabership was about 60, but
at this writing (1895) it is about 40.
In addition to the foregoing labor unions there are now estab
lished and in flourishing condition in the city, the Retail Clerks'
Union No. 218, the Barbers International Union No. 123, and the
United Commercial Travelers.

George W. Abbott.

BlOaRAPHICAIi SKETCHES.

Abbott, George W., was born in Sandwich, New Hampshire,
October 10, 1858. His father was a farmer, and the subject of this
sketch was reared on the farm and knows what farra work is from
experience. He was educated at the public schools and at the high
school and Phillips Academy at Exeter, N. H. At the age of twenty
he went to Colorado as secretary for a raining expert, and reraained
there until he reraoved to Dakota in 1882. He settled in what is now
Mcintosh county. North Dakota. He helped organize the county,
and was its first superintendent of schools. He was also appointed
postmaster at Ashley, and was the first postmaster in Mcintosh
county. During this tirae he had a cattle ranch and was also en
gaged in merchandising. In 1887, he sold out his interest and re
raoved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and engaged in the furniture and
hardware business until 1891, when he reraoA'ed to Sioux Falls and
became the general manager of the Co-operative Loan and Savings
Association of that place. He occupied that position until Septem
ber, 1894, when he resigned, and organized the Union Savings Asso
ciation of Sioux Falls, and since then has devoted his tirae in pro
moting the interests of this association as its general raanager. Mr.
Abbott is an active, energetic business man and an enterprising and
respected citizen.
Aikens, Frank R., the subject of this sketch — although he for
several years resided at Canton, Lincoln county, since coming to
Dakota — is so well known to the residents of Minnehaha county,
and has been so closely identified with her affairs, that he is entitled
to a more extensive notice than will appear incidentally upon the
pages of this work. He vA'as born in the city of New York, Decem
ber 14, 1855, and entered a laAV office so young, that he practically
received his education in a law office. After five years of study was
adraitted to the bar January 5, 1877, and coraraenced the practice of
law at Rome, N. Y., where he remained until August, 1880, when he
went to Sioux Palls, and frora there to Canton, where he opened a
law office on the 1st day of Septeraber following. Frora the first he
had a good practice, took an active part in politics, and in 1885 was
elected to the provisional state senate; was also elected to, and served
in the territorial assembly, 1887, and 1889; was chairman of the
judiciary committee in 1887, and served on the same committee in
1889, and was practically its chairman; was a prorainent and influen
tial member of the legislature during both sessions, and was recog-

434 history of minnehaha county.

nized as one of its ablest debaters. He is always clear, concise and
forcible in presenting his views, and has enough of the orator in his
composition to command the attention of any audience he may ad-;
dress. On the 19th day of March, 1889, was appointed associate
justice of the territorial supreme court, and the following October
was elected judge of the second judical circuit for the term of four
years. At the expiration of his term of office as judge he resumed
the practice of law at Canton until July, 1895, at which time he re-
raoA'ed to Sioux Palls and entered into copartnership with the firra
of Bailey & Voorhees for the practice of law, under the firra narae
of Aikens, Bailey & Voorhees, and was the trial lawyer of the firra
during its existence, Avhich terminated in October, 1897. On the 22d
day of that month he forraed a partnership with Harold E. Judge un
der the firra name of Aikens & Judge, which partnership still con
tinues. While upon the bench he Avas a g-ood listener, always self-possess
ed, and understood thoroughly the case he was trying, and if he had
not been so big-hearted would have laid down the law cold enough to
satisfy the raost exacting lawyer. Young, active and sagacious, with
strong inclinations to take a hand in the affairs of the state, it is not
too much to predict that thirty years from now the foregoing sketch
will be reraarkable for its brevity.
Aldrich, Herbert Clark, is a native of Vermont and was
born January 13, 1845. In 1850 he removed to Illinois with his par
ents, and resided a few years in Iowa, and finally in September,
1872, came to Sioux Palls and bought the southwest quarter of sec
tion 13, and settled down to farming. He has held several town of
fices. A few years ago he rented his farm and came to the city of
Sioux Palls and engaged in the grocery business. He was a good
farmer and is well liked as a business man, and is a thoroughly good
citizen. Almos, Andrew O., was born in Norway November 22, 1849,
and was raised on a farra. He eraigrated to Lansing, Iowa, in 1870,'
and worked there at the carpenter's trade seA'en years. He carae to
Sioux Falls May 12, 1878, and since then has been engaged as a
contractor and builder. He built the Lowell school house, and the
Lutheran Normal school buildings, and several of the best residences
in the city, and has also built a number of churches in the county.
He is a good citizen.
Archer, Thomas E., is a native of Stafforshire, England, and
was born February 12, 1837; attended the public schools, worked on
a farra and in the butcher business until he emigrated to this country
with his parents in 1851, and settled in Iowa; engaged in farming
until 1881, Avhen he went to Brule county, Dakota, and opened a meat
raarket, and also engaged in farraing until April, 1888, when he carae
to SlOUX Palls and opened a raeat raarket in the Waples block. In
1890 went to Rowena, and opened a raeat market there, but returned
to SlOUX Palls, and for several years has been established on Main
avenue m the meat business. He is a good citizen.

history of minnehaha county 435

Avery, Henry, M., was born at Newbury, Vermont, February
2, 1849. He reraoved with his parents to Walworth county. Wis., in
1857; was raised on a farm, attended public schools, and was a
student at Beloit college for some time. When he attained his ma
jority he removed to Jackson, Minn., and started a newspaper called
the Jackson Republic, and was its editor and publisher for five years.
He then sold out the paper, and engaged in the mercantile business
at the same place. In 1881, he removed to this countv, and located
in Sioux Falls on the 22d day of August. He was appointed deputy
clerk of the courts of Minnehaha countA', and held this position until
1888. Upon his arrival in Sioux Falls he purchased the abstract
business of Charles Webber, and has continued that business since
then. In 1892 it was incorporated under the name of the Sioux Falls
Abstract and Title Insurance Company, with a capital stock of
$50,000.00. In March, 1898, the narae of this corporation Avas
changed to the Sioux Palls Abstract Corapany, and Mr. Avery and
wife own the majority of the stock. He has been a member of the
Sioux Falls Fire Department fourteen years, and was its chief four
years. Mr. AA-ery is one of Sioux Falls most energetic citizens, and
an enthusiastic supporter of any project calculated to proraote the
prosperity of the city.
Bailey, Charles O., was born at Freeport, Illinois, July 2,
1860. He Avas a son of the late Judge J. M. Bailey of Freeport, who
was a circuit judge in Illinois for one year, ten years a judge of the
appellant court, and during the last eight years of his life was a
judge of the suprerae court of that state, and during- a portion of the
time was its chief justice. Charles O. during his youth attended
the city schools, and at the age of twenty was graduated frora the
university at Rochester, N. Y. He then entered the laAv department
of the Northwestern Railroad Company at Chicago, Avhere he re
raained until admitted to the bar in the spring of 1883. He was
admitted to the bar in Iowa and Nebraska the same year. He com
menced the practice of law in 1883 at Eagle Grove, Iowa, and re
mained there until the fall of 1886. While at that place he held the
office of mayor for one year and during all the tirae he resided there
was division attorney for the Northwestern railroad. Upon leaving
Eagle Grove he went to Chicago and reraained there six raonths, and
carae to Sioux Palls in April, 1887, where he opened a law office and
in August following forraed a copartnership with H. T. Root. In
February, 1888, this partnership was dissolved and he was alone un
til January, 1889, when he associated with hira W. H. Stoddard and
W. H. Wilson under the firra name of Bailey, Stoddard & Wilson.
This partnarship existed until May, 1890, when Mr. Wilson retired
from the firm and Bailey & Stoddard continued the practice to
gether until January, 1892, at which time the firm of Bailey & Voor
hees was established. In July, 1895, Judge Aikens became a raera
ber of the firm, under the name of Aikens, Bailey & Voorhees which
firm existed until the withdrawal of Judge Aikens October 25, 1897,
Mr. Bailey has been the attorney of the Illinois Central at Sioux
Palls since the road was built into the city. He has also been the
attorney for R. G. Dunn & Co. Commercial Agency, smce 1887, and

436 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

for the Western Union Telegraph Co., since 1890. He was elected
district attorney of Minnehaha county in 1888, by the Democratic
party, and held that office until the 21st day of August, 1890. In
1893 he was adraitted to practice in the United States supreme court.
He has one of the raost extensive law libraries in the Northwest, and
is recognized as one. of the most studious and well read lawyers in
the state. Since coming- to Sioux Falls the firras Avith AA'hich he has
been associated have asked but few favors of their opponents or the
court, and this in a g-reat raeasure is owing to the careful prepa
ration raade by hira in all the cases in which they have been eraployed.
The foreg-oing brief outline of Mr. Bailey's professional career is
sufficient Avithout coraraent to establish his standing at the bar, and
it only reraains to be added that he is at peace Avith his brother
lawyers and is a respected citizen.
Bailey, Jr., Joseph Mead, a brother of C. O. Bailey, carae to
Sioux Palls in June, 1885, and announced that he had corae to stay.
He was not quite twenty-one years old, short in stature, and looked
to be two or three years younger than he was. But it Avas soon
known in the city that he Avas a raan of affairs. He contracted for
the convict labor in the penitentiary, and comraenced at once to in
terest hiraself in the banking business. He was connected with the
German-Araerican Loan & Trust Co., and in 1886 became vice presi
dent of the Citizens National Bank, andwas instrumental in the merg
ing of that bank with the Minnehaha National in 1888. When the
consolidation had taken place he was elected its president, and held
the position until his decease. April 1, 1889, he vvas appointed treas
urer of the Territory of Dakota by Governor Mellette, and held the
office until a treasurer of the State of South Dakota was elected. He
was interested in banking at Huron, Parker, Valley Springs and
Garretson, and was concerned in several large enterprises during the
boom days in Sioux Palls. He was as active in political matters as
in business enterprises. In 1888, he was elected a delegate frora the
Territory to the Republican National Convention, and he found time
to devote to city, county, and state politics. But his slight physical
resources were not equal to the requirements of his active brain and
wonderful energy. He became broken in health early in 1891, and
went abroad to rest and recuperate, but never returned to Sioux
Falls. He was born November 4, 1864, at Freeport, 111., and died at his
birthplace on the 12th day of September, 1891. A large delegation
frora SlOUX Falls attended his funeral. He was educated at Mount
Morris Acaderay, Illinois, and was graduated from the University at
Rochester, N. Y., in 1882. In 1883, he was appointed swamp-land
agent for Iowa, to effect a settleraent for the Federal governinent,
and m February, 1885, was appointed swarap-land coraraissioner of
Ohio. These positions he held while engaged in the law business at
Eagle Grove, Iowa. He was companionable, generous and enterpris
ing, but the most reraarkable element in his raake-up, the one of all
others which arrested public attention, was the tireless activity of
his brain.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 437

Bailey, Dana Reed, Avas born in Montgoraery, Verraont, April
27, 1833; was reared on a farm, educated in the district schools,
Bakersfield Academy, Leland Seminary, and Oberlin College, Ohio,
where he took a tvvo years' course; taug-ht district schools three
terms, select school six months, and the Beekman school at Saratoga
Springs, Nevv York, one A'ear; coraraenced the study of law in June,
1856; entered the law office of the late Chief Justice Royce of Ver
mont in 1857, and the Albany Law school at Albany, N. Y., in 1858,
and was graduated in April, 1859. Comraenced the practice of law in
May of the sarae year at Underbill, Vt., reraoved to Highgate, Vt.,
in Pebruarv, 1860, and practiced law there until September 1, 1864.
While at Highgate was town agent Iavo years, and trustee of the
United States surplus fund two years; was deputy collector of the
United States customs, having charge of the office there three years
and three months; was special agent of the War Department six
raonths, and in 1863, was appointed secret aid of the United States
Treasury, and held this appointraent three years. Septeraber 1,
1864, opened a laAv office at St. Albans, Vt.; entered into a copartner
ship Avith Park Davis, February 3, 1865, and a year later H. C. Adaras
Avas added to the firm. Was delegate to the Republican National
Convention in 1868, and Avas a member of the State Central Corarait
tee two years; was elected to the office of state's attorney of Frank
lin county, two terras, and to the State Senate in 1870, and re-elected
in 1872; was chairman of the judiciary comraittee, and was appointed
chairman of a comraittee of five, by joint resolution of the legislature,
to investigate the Verraont Central Railroad, which investigation
Avas not concluded until July, 1873. Was one of the school directors
in St. Albans two years. In 1871, laid out and Avas the proprietor of
the villao-e of Baldwin, in St. Croix county, Wisconsin; built the
Matchless Flouring Mills at that place, and was the owner of three
saw raills, and half owner of two elevators, and for ten years was en
o-aged in raanufacturing flour and lumber, merchandising and farm-
fng, and for several vears had a large herd of Shorthorns, which in
1877 sold in Chicago for the highest average price of any herd in the
United States that year. Moved to Baldwin in 1874; Avas president
of the village three years, treasurer one year, and director ot the
village schools seven years. In 1877, was nominated for the State
Senate by acclamation by the Republican convention of the Iwenty-
fourth Senatorial District of Wisconsin, coraprising seven counties,
and received all the votes cast in the county where he resided, ex
cept 57 out of a total vote of 3,131, the Repubhcan nominee for the
Assembly having only 99 majority in the county; was chairraan ot
judicSry coraraittee of the Senate in 1879. In 1880, was elected one
of the county coraraissioners of St. Croix county, was re-elected m
1881, and again in 1882; resigned the chairraanship of the county
board December 19, and arrived in Sioux Falls December 21, 1882,
and had charge of' the Nortwestern Mutual Life In--nce Com
pany's businels in South Dakota untU March 1884. On the llth day
of March of that year opened a law office m the Ma^^'^l^^^emple and
was the first tenant to occupy that building^ H^rlTwal' added
forraed a copartnership with Park Davis, and W. H. Lyon was added

438 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY,

to the firm in 1888. Was city attorney from 1885 to 1889; on the 21st
day of August, 1890, upon the resignation of C. O. Bailey, was ap
pointed state's attorney for Minnehaha county, and by subsequent
elections held the office until 1895, since which time he has practic
ed law. In territorial days AA'as a raember for two years of the Re
publican Central Comraittee, and in 1895-6 was a raeraber of the State
Agricultural Board.
Baker, William L., was born in Madison county, N. Y., April
9, 1860; was educated in the public and norraal schools, and was grad
uated from the Rochester University, Rochester, N. Y., in 1885;
carae to Sioux Palls in the fall of 1885, spent the winter in Chicago,
returned the following spring, and was eraployed for one year and a
half in the Gerraan Loan & Trust Company's office; from October,
1887, until January, 1889, was cashier of the First National Bank of
Parker, in Turner county; in January, 1889, became cashier of the
Minnehaha National Bank of Sioux Palls, which position he still
holds. Mr. Baker is a social gentleraan and has a large circle of
friends. He belongs to the Masonic orders in the city, and has been
honored with official positions by the bodies to which he belongs.
He is a kind, obliging neighbor, and an esteeraed citizen.
Barrett, Charles, is a native of Mayo county, Ireland, and
was born in 1842. He eraigrated with his parents to the United
States in 1848, and lived in Buffalo, New York, until 1850, when they
reraoved to Wheeling, Virginia, where they reraained until in 1856,
and then removed to Freeport, Illinois. He attended school and
acquired a fair business education at that place. In September,
1861, he enlisted in the 46th Illinois regiraent and went to the front.
At the great battle of Shiloh he was seriously wounded in his hip and
so disabled that he was discharged from the service; the bullet which
disabled him not being removed until six vears and seven months
later. He went back to his old horae and resided there until in 1878,
when he carae to Sioux Falls and engaged in the real estate business,
and soon becarae known far and wide as the "Great Locator." He
engaged in farraing in McCook countv for awhile, but believing in
the future success of Sioux Palls sold out his farra and returned to
the real estate business at this place where he has ever since re
raained. He owns rauch valuable real estate, and has built a large
nuraber of buildings in the city, and has devoted his whole time and
attention to its iraproveraent. Mr. Barrett is a Mason, and a Noble
of the Mystic Shrine; has been Coraraander of Joe Hooker Post No.
10 G. A. R., is a prominent Odd Fellow, and a gentleman who is
highly regarded for his many excellent qualities. His standing is
that of an honest, upright business raan, a good citizen and a genial
liberal-hearted gentleraan.
Barrett, Ogden, was born at Patterson, New York, June 27,
1823, and lived in that state until 1837, when he removed to Janesville,
Wisconsin, where he resided for several years. In 1854 he went to
the Pacific coast. On the 4th day of July of that year he was in Salt
Lake City and heard Brigham Young deliver an address. After a
few years he returned to Wisconsin, enlisted in Company C, 2d Wis.

Charles P. Bates.

history OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 441

Cavalry, and served four years. After the war he engaged in farra
ing in Kansas for ten years. He came to SiouxPalls in 1878, and re
sided there until his death, Avhich occurred on the 31st day of Decem
ber, 1898. He Avas one of the best known men in the city.
Bates, Charles P., is a native of NeAv York, and was born De
ceraber 4, 1860, and although his father was a rainister of the gospel
Charles was reared on a farm. He completed his education at the
Genesee Wesleyan seminary, and commenced the study of law at
Rochester, N. Y. From the time he was eighteen years of age until
he was twent3'--three he taug-ht school and studied law in connection
Avith his course at the seminary. In 1883 went to Ipswich, S. D.,
and engaged in the hardware business for nearly two years. In
March, 1885, came to Sioux Falls, and entered the law office of H. H.
Keith. In January, 1887, was admitted to the bar, but continued in
the employment of Mr. Keith until January, 1889, at which time they
forraed a copartnership under the firra name of Keith & Bates.
This copartnership existed until January 1, 1893. He then engaged
in the practice of law by himself until January, 1898, when he formed
a copartnership with P. J. Rogde, under the firm name of Bates &
Rogde. In May, 1894, he was appointed city attorney of the city of
Sioux Palls, was reappointed in 1895, and held the office until May,
1896. During the campaign of 1894 he was chairman of the Republi
can county committee of Minnehaha county, and conducted the cam
paign with great credit and ability. After the nomination of Mc
Kinley for president in 1896, he joined the silver Republicans, and
received the nomination for state's attorney upon the Fusion ticket,
and, with all the rest of the candidates on that ticket, was elected.
In 1898 he was re-elected, and was chairman of the executive com
mittee of the Fusion party, and had the management of the campaign
in the county du-ring that year. Mr. Bates is a good lawyer, is care
ful in the preparation of his cases for trial, and is a good trial laAv
yer. In the performance of his duties as state's attorney he has
been faithful, energetic and successful. A few years ago he raarried
Miss Grace Chester, an estimable young lady, and they are now
bringing up two bright boys, possibly to enlarge the circle of the
legal profession, but probably for the ministry.
Bauch, Louis, was born in Stephenson county, Illinois, May 6,
1864; attended the public schools, but at the age of seventeen com
menced to learn the butcher's trade, and has followed this business
since then; came to Sioux Falls in 1887, and went into business for
himself in 1889, and recently erected a fine market building on south
Phillips avenue. He is a good business man and a good citizen.
Beach, William A., is a native of Sullivan county, Pennsyl
vania, and was born May 2, 1862; raoved with his parents to Des
Moines, Iowa, in 1869, and from there to Emmetsburg, sarae state,
in 1871; was educated in the public schools, and was graduated frora
a commercial college at Milwaukee, Wis., came to Sioux Falls, Sep
tember 10, 1883, and worked in P. W. Taylor's hardware store five
years. In 1888, bought a half interest in a job printing office m

442 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Sioux Palls, and in May, 1890, bought his partner's interest, and
since then has added to the business until now he has one of the best
equipped job printing, blank book manufacturing and stationery
plants in the state. He is a good business man, and a pleasant,
ag-reeable man to do business with, and everybody has a good word
to say of Will A. Beach'.
Bean, Levi V., was born at Corina, Maine, March 3, 1845; at
tended the comraon schools and worked on a farra during his youth,
and after attaining his majority engaged in milling and farming
until he removed to Osage, Iowa. In 1871, he commenced work as a
photographer, and was in business at Osage until October, 1880,
when he reraoved to Dell Rapids in this county. He remained there
engaged as photographer until January, 1882, when he located at
Sioux Palls and opened a photograph gallery. In 1889 he rented his
residence and business building until 1897, when he resumed busi
ness at the old stand. He is an artist of established reputation, and
a respected citizen.
Bear, Samuel M., was born at Postoria, Ohio, March 9, 1857.
When three years of age he reraoved AA'ith his parents to Olmstead
county, Minnesota. He worked on a farm, attended common schools
and graduated frora Chatfield Academy, at Chatfield, Minn. He
then worked as clerk in a dry goods store at Austin, Minn., for six
years, after which he removed to Sioux Palls, where he arrived Jan
uary 29, 1879, and has since remained. He engaged in the book and
stationery business with E. S. Ireland, under the firm narae of S. M.
Bear & Co. In the spring of 1883, the firm was dissolved, and Mr.
Bear continued in the business a few months alone, when the firm of
Emerson & Bear was forraed, which continued business until 1898.
Mr. Bear has been manager of the theatre business in Sioux Palls
for fifteen years. He is a genial, good fellow, a good citizen, and
has a host of friends.
Becher, Jacob, is a native of Germany, and was born March 3,
1840. He attended school from his sixth to his fourteenth year, and
then learned the tailor's trade. He emigrated to the United States
in 1863, arriving in New York on the 27th day of January of that
year. He resided in New York three years, and then went to Free-
port, Illinois, and worked at his trade until 1880, when he removed
to Sioux Falls, arriving there on the 10th dav of August, since which
time he has been engaged in the raerchant tailoring business at that
place. He is an honest man and a respected citizen.
Becker, Peter, who conducted the first train into Sioux Palls,
is a native of Germany, and was born August 15, 1845. He erai
grated with his parents to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1852- They soon
after raoved on to a farra a few miles out of the city, where the sub
ject of this sketch attended school and worked on the farm until
1871. On the I7th day of August of that year he commenced work
as a brakeman on a work train at St. James, Minnesota, and in 1873,
was raade conductor of the train. October 2, 1876, he ran the first
tram from Worthington to Luverne as its conductor. As this rail
road was built west his run was lengthened, and he had charge of the

Peter Becker.

Professor G. M. Binks.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 447

first train into Valley Springs, Brandon and SiouxPalls. After hav
ing had charge of this train for two years and three months, he be
carae conductor of a train running frora Sioux City to St. Jaraes
until May 14, 1883, when he was transferred, and raade conductor of
the daily train running frora Sioux Palls to Worthing-ton and back,
which train he Avas in charge of frora that time until the spring of
1896. Everybody in Minnehaha county knows Peter Becker and he
Avas deserA-edly popular Avith the traveling- public. Mr. Becker has
been iraportuned by his many friends to become a candidate for local
official positions, but has alwaj's declined. Upon the decease of Dr.
Livingston a few years ago, Avhich created a vacancy upon the school
board in the 4th ward, he was appointed to serve out the terra, which
he did, but refused to perrait his name to be used for the position at
the next election. He is an active raeraber of several secret societies
and in social as well as business circles has a host of friends.
Benson, Martin R., is a native of Norway, and was born Sep
tember 7, 1860. He emigrated to the United States with his parents
in 1865, and spent his boyhood days in Stoughton, Wisconsin, and
Winneshiek county, Iowa. In 1872 he came to this county with his
parents, who settled in Edison. He worked on a farra as a brick
mason until 1883, when he removed to Sioux Falls, where he has since
resided. In 1888, he went into the grocery business in Sioux Falls,
to which he has recently added a stock of boots and shoes, and is do
ing a good business. Mr. Benson attends strictly to business, has
no political aspirations, and is a respected citizen.
Binks, George Musgrave, was born in Castle Bolton, York
shire, England, April 16, 1836; attended school forty-two days; when
seven years old became apprentice to a butcher and reraained there
two years; then coraraenced to work in a lead raine, and later becarae
superintendent and manager of the Keld Helds mining works, Eng
land; in 1867 emigrated to the United States and located in Bureau
county, Illinois, and was eraployed in the coal mines for two years;
in 1869 went to Iowa and becarae a Methodist preacher; in 1871-2 was
located at Vermillion, Dakota; in 1873-4 went to England, urging erai
gration to Dakota, but returned in 1874, and since then his horae has
been in Sioux Palls; took up a horaestead and a tree-claim in Split
Rock township, and now has four hundred acres of land in this
county, besides some city property.
Professor Binks is a unique character, and well known all over
the Northwest; and notwithstanding his early surroundings being so
adverse to the development of literary tastes, he has becorae a popular
lecturer. He is a keen observer of man and nature, and is at horae
upon his theme— human nature. He was an early student of George
Combe, and is a phrenologist of acknowledged ability. It is rare
that one meets with a person endowed with so many gifts. As a
public speaker he is humorous, pathetic, and forcible, as occasion
may demand; and what is more, his whole life has been a constant
endeavor to elevate the standard of correct living among those with
whom he has come in contact. . , . i.r ,, , j
We will close this sketch with an incident in his life that needs

448

history of minnehaha county.

no coraraent. When the professor first arrived in western Iowa he
was in great need of an overcoat, and having earned $20.50, pur
chased one for $20. He put it on and went to the post office, where
he received a letter frora his mother in England asking him to send
her $20 to pay rent. He returned to the street, sold the overcoat,
and sent her the raoney.
Black, John Harley Jenkins, was born in Henry county,
Indiana, Septeraber 5, 1866, and attended school until he was four
teen years old. At that time he removed
to LeMars, Iowa, and comraenced his
apprenticeship at the printer's trade, and
since then has engaged in the printing
business. On the 15th day of October,
1889, he carae to Sioux Palls and entered
the employ of Brown & Saenger, and
remained with them one year. He was
then engaged by Wm. A. Beach in his
printing establishment, where he has
remained and is its foreraan. Mr. Black
is very prominent in labor circles, and
takes an active part in local politics. In
1898 he was nominated by the Republican
party for meraber of the house of repre
sentatives of the state legislature. He
raade an active carapaign and did some
good work, but it was not a Republican
year in Minnehaha county, and together
with his associates upon the ticket he was defeated. Mr. Black is a
good citizen, and highly esteeraed by all who know him.
Blackman, Frank L., was born at Batavia, Genesee county. New
York, August 13, 1855, but removed with his parents to Rockford,
111., where he attended the comraon schools and graduated from the
high school. He then assisted his father until he removed to Sioux
Falls, where he arrived in Septeraber, 1878, and since then has been
principally engaged in the real estate business at that place; was one
of the trustees of the Deaf Mute school four years; aldermam from
the First ward two terms, and city auditor of the city of Sioux Palls
tAVO terras, and was for sorae time traveling in the interest of the
Sioux Falls Press. Mr. Blackman is an energetic business man,
makes a good official, and is highly respected socially and as a
citizen. Blauvelt, Silas E., is a native of Wisconsin, having been born
at Fox Lake in that state October 26, 1851. He received his educa
tion in the coramon schools, supplemented bv a few terras at an
acaderay, and when nineteen years of age, went to Cherokee, Iowa,
and began business life for hiraself. He reraained there until Sep
tember, 1871, when he removed to Sioux Palls, where he has since
resided. He has always been an active, but conservative business
man, and has accumulated quite a large property. In 1891, he was
elected alderman from the Second ward, and served two years. He

J. H. J. black.

Silas E. Blauvelt.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTV. 451

Avas a charter member of Granite Lodge No. 18, Knights of Pythias,
Sioux Falls, and is a past chancellor of that order. He has held the
office of g-rand patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Odd FelloAvs
of Dakota, and represented that body in the Sovereign Grand Lodge
as grand representative at Denver, Colorado, in 1887, and also at
tended the Sovereign (xrand Lodge at Los Ang-eles in 1888. He is a
meraber of the Patriarchs Militant, and received at Los Angeles the
"Decoration of Chivalry." He takes an active interest in political
raatters. While alderraan, he was prompt in the faithful discharge
of the duties of the office. It is never a difficult matter to find where
he stands upon any question of public interest in Sioux Falls, and
usually the public is aAvare of his position without raaking- any at
terapt to ascertain what it is. The block at the corner of Main ave
nue and Fifth street in Sioux Falls, testifies to his loyalty to the
citA' and his confidence in its future prosperity. Nothing- needs to
be added to establish his high social and business standing in the
communit}'. Bleifuss, Otto H., is a native of Germany, and was born
Noveraber 26, 1859; emigrated to the United States with his parents
in 1863; lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota, engaged in farming until
he reraoved to Sioux Palls, where he arrived on the 13th day of
March, 1890, since which tirae he has been engaged in the grocery
business in the city. He is a good business man, active in local poli
tics, and a respected citizen.
Blomiley, Frederick William, was born in La Grange, Wal
worth county, Wisconsin, August 3, 1849. He was reared on a farm,
and attended the coramon schools, and for a short time an academy.
Before he was twenty-two years of age, he was elected town treas
urer of La Grange, and held this office six years. During this time
he was in poor health, but studied medicine when able. He Avas
then elected treasurer of Walworth county, and held this office six
years. During this time he turned his attention to dentistry, and
was graduated from the Indiana Dental College, and practiced his
profession at Elkhorn, Wis., one year. On the 17th day of January,
1883, he located at Sioux Palls, where he has since resided. Other
dentists have come and gone since he opened his dental office in
Sioux Palls, but he remains, and is recognized as one of the leading
dentists in the state. Dr. Blomiley is a highly respected citizen.
Blum, Jacob, is a native of Wurtemberg, Gerraany, and was
born October 26, 1826. He received his education in the public
schools, and when sixteen years of age he was eraployed by an uncle
to travel for him in the hide and wool business. At the age of
twenty-one years he emigrated with his wife to the United States,
and located in New Jersey. From that time on he has been engaged
in the hide and wool business in Philadelphia, then Pittsburg, St.
Louis, and Nebraska City, Nebraska, from which place he came to
Sioux Palls on the 26th day of August, 1882, where he has since re
sided He and his good wife celebrated their golden wedding on the
10th day of June, 1896. Mr. Blura is a good business raan, and a re
spected citizen, and notwithstanding his seventy-three years, is seen

452 history of minnehaha county.

daily at his place of business, actively engaged in managing his
affairs. Boe, Rev. Nils N., is a native of Norway, and was born April
1, 1863. He eraigrated to the United States with his parents and
located in Minnesota in 1868. He was reared on a farm, and during
his youth attended the common schools. In 1879, entered St. Olaf's
Academy, where he graduated in 1882; then took a four years' course
in Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, and graduated from that institu
tion in 1886. In the fall of that year entered the Lutheran Theologic
al Seminary at Madison, Wisconsin, and when that institution was
removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1888, went there and com
pleted his course, graduating in 1889. In August of that year he ac
cepted a call frora the raission comraittee of the Norwegian Lutheran
Synod to go to Montana and do raission work for the Lutheran
Church. He was the first Scandinavian Lutheran rainister in Mon
tana, and built the first Scandinavian Lutheran church in the state at
Helena, where he raade his headquarters. He also organized con
gregations in Great Palls and Sand Coulee, and remained in Montana
until in 1892, when he received a call from the Lutheran congrega
tions in Sioux Palls, Brandon and Springdale to become their pastor.
He accepted at once, and carae to Sioux Palls the latter part of March,
1892, where he has since remained. He is a indefatigable worker,
and a good pastor. He holds services once in two weeks at Brandon
and Springdale, and in Sioux Palls every Sunday, either morning or
evening and soraetiraes both raorning and evening in addition to his
Brandon or Springdale services.
Booth, Charles Vassar, was born in Poughkeepsie, New
York, Septeraber 12, 1833. When twelve years of age he moved to
New York City with his mother, where he received a common school
education; studied with an architect about three years, and then
served as an apprentice with a carpenter. When twentv-one years
of age he moved to Brooklyn, and followed the business of architect
and builder for awhile, and then was employed in the Brooklyn navy
yard until 1863. He was a raember of the 47th NeAv York State Na
tional Guard, which regiment was for a short tirae in 1863, in the
United States service. When his regiment was mustered out he re
suraed work in the navy yard. In 1866 raoved to Red Wing, Minn.,
and in'partnership with his brother Richard H. Booth Avas engaged
as architect and builder until the spring of 1870, when he reraoved to
Sioux City and engaged in the sarae business for one year. In the
fall of 1871, carae to Sioux Palls, where he has since resided. He
took up a horaestead about two miles east of the city, but continued
to work at his trade until 1880, when he went into 'the undertaking
business, which he has since followed. Mr. Booth enjoys the dis
tinction of being the first class-leader in the Methodist church in
this county. He has been elected coroner of the county three times,
and makes a good official. He is an upright business man, and a re
spected citizen.

Rev. N. N. Boe.

C. V. Booth.

R. H. Booth.

Mrs. R. H. Booth.

history of minnehaha county. 461
Booth, Richard H., was born at Poughkeepsie, New York,
September 20, 1826. His father Avas the proprietor of a cloth factory,
and had the latest and most approved machinery known at that date.
At the age of seventeen the subject of this sketch was apprenticed
to learn the carpenter's trade, and when he attained his raajority
coramenced business for himself as contractor and builder. In 1847
he removed to NeAV York City. On December 17, 1848, he was mar
ried to Miss Sarah C. Boulette, and celebrated his golden Avedding
in Sioux Palls December 17, 1898. He spent the suraraer of 1852 in
Minnesota. In 1855 he moved from New York to Milwaukee, Wis.,
Avhere he remained eight months, and then reraoved to St. Paul,
Minn. In April, 1861, he took up a farra in Goodhue county, Minn.,
where he engaged in farraing and worked at his trade until 1870,
when he reraoved to this county, arriving in Sioux Palls the llth day
of July of that year. He took up as a horaestead the northAvest
quarter of section twenty-four, in Sioux Palls township, but has
always been a resident of the city, and engaged as a contractor and
builder. He built the first church in the county — the Episcopal
church at Sioux Palls. He built the Cataract hotel, the VanEps
block, the Dpaf Mute school buildings, and other public buildings,
besides sorae of the finest residences in the city. He was one of the
directors of the South Dakota penitentiary at the tirae it Avas built,
holding that position four vears, and has been building inspector of
the city of Sioux Falls several years. Mr. Booth during his long
residence in the city has been a very active raan, and while not aspir
ing for political positions has nevertheless been an influential and
respected citizen.
Booth, Mrs. Sarah C, wife of Richard H. Booth, as raentioned
above, came to Sioux Falls with her husband in July, 1870. She is a
woman of domestic instincts and habits, kind and generous-hearted,
and has greatly endeared herself to her neighbors, allot whom greatly
rejoiced in having the opportunity of making the celebration of her
golden wedding an enjoyable event. She has the respect and esteem
of all who have the pleasure of her aquaintance.
Booth, Willis H., was born at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, April
23, 1859; attended the district and high schools, and at the age ot
fourteen years comraenced learning the jewelry business. On the
12th day of August, 1880, came to Sioux Falls with D J. Turner, and
remained in hil employ until Mr. Turner's death, which occurred in
the spring of 1885. He then bought the stock of goods of the estate,
and since that time has been in business for hunself Mr Booth is
a thirty-second degree Mason and a meraber of the Elks Me is
always genial, social and happy, and one of the raost agreeable raen
to do business with in the city of Sioux Falls.
Bowen, Abraham M., was born in Franklin county, Pennsyl
vania March 19, 1828; was reared on a farm, and educated m the
public schools in Ohio, where his parents raoved -Jen he was very
young. When twenty-one years old he took charge of the horae farm
L farther dying at thlt fJe. During the civil -- ^^^--J^^^ue
three years in the United States service, apart of the time as revenue

462 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

assessor. In 1882 came to this county and bought a farm in Wayne
township, and lived there several years, but sold it and moved into the
city of Sioux Palls, where he now resides. He has been upon the
school boards in the various places where he has resided nearly forty
years, has held township offices, and was one of the board of apprais
ers of daraages for right of way in this county for the Illinois Cen
tral and the Willraar & SiouxPalls railroads. Mr. Bowen has always
been an active raan, a thoroughly good citizen, and is highly es
teeraed. Bower, Charles P., Avas born in Glidden, Iowa, May 24, 1869;
was reared on a farra, and educated in the public schools and at the
Glidden Normal schools, where he was graduated. In 1884 moved to
Walworth county in this state, where he worked on a farm, attended
and taught school until Septeraber 9, 1890, when he carae to Sioux
Palls. The next three years he taught school near Valley Springs,
the two next at Ben Clare, then at Baltic two years, and in the vil
lage of Hartford one year, making nine successive years in all of
successful teaching in this county. In 1898 he was nominated county
superintendent of schools by the Republican party, and was one of
the three persons elected on that ticket. It was a great personal
compliraent, and can only be attributed to the fact that he was
popular araong the teachers with whora he had been associated for
nine years in educational Avork. He is genial and companionable, and
is faithfully perforraing the duties of his office.
Bowler, John A., was born at North Adams, Mass., April 8,
1861. He removed with his parents to Wisconsin in 1867, where he
attended school and worked on a farm until 1881. At that time he
was eraployed as salesman by a machinery house for two years, oper
ating in South Dakota the second year. In 1883 went into the farm
machinery business on his own account at Groton, S. D., in which
business he still continues at that point. Prom 1885-90 served as
member of the city council or mayor of the city of Groton. In 1894
was elected chairman of the central committee of the Democratic
party of South Dakota, and re-elected in 1898. In 1896 moved to
Sioux Palls, and in April, 1899, was elected warden of the South
Dakota penitentiary, and assumed the duties of this office in May
following. Mr. Bowler is a genial good fellow, a good citizen, an
astute politician, and has a wide circle of acquaintances.
Boyce, Prank L., was a native of Dane county, Wisconsin, and
was born March 7, 1854. He worked on a farra and attended district
school until fourteen years of age, when he entered the University
of Madison, Wisconsin, where he took a complete collegiate cours'e
and was graduated in 1873. Immediately thereafter he entered the
law department of this university, frora which he graduated in 1874,
and on the 20th day of June of that year was adraitted to the bar by
the supreme court of Wisconsin. He then entered the law office of
Baker, Buell & Wait of Chicago, where he remained until Septera
ber, 1875, when he was adraitted upon examination by the supreme
court of Illinois to practice law in that state, which practice he pur
sued in Chicago until May, 1878. At that time he went to Sioux

Prank L. Boyce.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 465

Falls on a visit, remaining- there about a month, and was so well
pleased with Dakota and its future prospects that he concluded to
make Sioux Falls his future home. He returned to Chicago, finished
up his business there and removed to Sioux Palls and opened a law
office the October following. In March, 1879, he formed a copartner
ship with John Bippus for the practice of law under the firm name
of Bippus & Boyce, Avhich partnership continued until Aug-ust, 1881.
He then practiced by himself until late in the year of 1883, when he
took his brother Jesse W. Boyce in with hira under the firm narae of
Boyce & Boyce. In the spring of 1884 the firra of Boyce, Noyes &
Boyce was established, vvhich continued until January, 1886, when
T. W. Noves removed to Washington, D. C. In 1879, Mr. Boyce
was elected secretary of the Board of Education, and in 1883 was
elected alderman from the third ward. In 1894 he Avas elected sen
ator from Minnehaha county upon the Republican ticket.
He is known as a most studious, painstaking, conservative lawyer,
and has been connected in his professional capacity with some of the
most important cases that have occupied the attention of the courts
of the state. His firm has had in charge the legal business of the
B., C. R. & N. railroad at this place from the time it was built into
Sioux Palls, and also that of the Northwestern Packing- Company.
As an official no one in the city has a raore enviable reputation. In the
performance of his senatorial duties in the legislature of 1895, he was
noted as being the most industrious raember of that body, and no
member brought to the discharge of his duties a more careful, con
scientious regard for the welfare of the state than Frank L. Boyce
of Sioux Falls. A man of this character is always a good neighbor
and a respected citizen, and nothing good could be said of him in
this respect that would not receive the unanimous indorseraent of
his wide circle of acquaintances.
The foregoing sketch was written in 1895. During the summer
of 1896, Mr. Boyce, being in feeble health, went to his old home in
Wisconsin to visit his friends and take a much needed rest for a feAV
weeks. Instead of recuperating, he became more enfeebled and on
the 19th day of December, 1896, he died at the horae of his parents.
His remains were brought to Sioux Palls and interred in Mount
Pleasant cemetery. Not only the legal fraternity with whom he had
so long been associated, but all who knew him, sincerely mourned
his death. Boyce, Jesse W., is a native of Wisconsin and was born De
ceraber 19, 1859. He attended school and worked on his father's
farm during his youth. Arriving at raore mature age he entered
the University at Madison, Wisconsin, where he remained three
years, leaving college at the end of the sophomore year. He then
read law in the office of J. H. Carpenter at Madison a little over a
year, and then took a year's course in the law departraent of the
University In 1881, he came to Sioux Palls and immediately upon
his arrival was admitted to the bar and entered into a copartnership
with his brother Prank. In 1884, when Mr Noyes was added to the
firm, Mr. Boyce went to the Boston Law University, where^hetook
the three years' course in one year, and was one of seven of ninety
30

466 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

students Avho graduated with honors. In June, 1885, he took his de
gree froni the law departraent in Madison University, and then re
turned to Sioux Palls and resuraed the practice of law with his
brother. Jesse Boyce was not only a partner in the law firm of
Boyce & Boyce, but shared with his elder brother Frank in the esti
raation of the legal profession in all the coraraendations which were
freely bestoAved upon and so Avell raerited by the firm. Since the
death of his brother Prank in December, 1896, he has continued in
the practice by hiraself. In March, 1893, he married Miss Etta A,
Estey, a lady of high social accomplishments and rare musical attain
ments, and his home life is exceptionally happy. Genial, honest and
enterprising he raakes a good citizen.
Boyce, Willis C, was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, Sep
tember 16, 1851. He worked on a farra and attended school during
his boyhood, and took a two-years' course in the Madison UniAersity,
after Avhich he g-raduated frora the NortliAvestern Coraraercial Col-
leg-e at Madison, Wis. He then worked on his father's farra until
23 years of age, when he rented and Avorked the farm for three
years. In September, 1878, he came to Sioux Palls and entered into
a copartnership with Daniel Scott in the feed and fuel business.
This partnership continued for one year, when Mr. Scott retired and
H. A. Pairbank took his place in the business for two years and a
half. After this Mr. Boyce carried on the business for a short tirae
and then took in W. H. Bryan as a partner for a little over two
years, when Mr. Bryan retired and Mr. Boyce continued the busi
ness until in 1884, at which time he sold out and bought a farra a
short distance west of the city for $3,235. In 1889, he sold the farm
for $24,000, and bought the McGarraugh stone quarry and a half in
terest in the North Sioux Palls quarries; the forraer of which he
operated three years and the latter about one year. In 1892, he be
carae state agent for South Dakota of the Aetna Life Insurance com
pany, and in 1894 became the district agent for the tAvo Dakotas of
the Mutual Life Insurance corapany of New York, and in 1895 re
moved to Fargo, N. D., to pursue this business.
Mr. Boyce while in Sioux Palls was active in promoting agricul
tural fairs and expositions, and was marshal of the first territorial
fair held at Huron. While upon the farra he bought some' very fine
stock, both horses and cattle. He brought the first high-bred Short
horns to this county, and he is entitled to a great deal of credit for
his enterprise in this direction, as this locality has been greath bene
fitted by it. He was always a good neighbor and citizen.
Brace, George H., was born in Orleans county. New York, on
the 26th day of July, 1838. He was educated in the public schools,
and when twenty-one years of age entered the raercantile business
in his native county, and remained there in business until he re
moved to SlOUX Palls, where he arrived on the 23d day of May, 1885.
He at once received the presidency of the Dakota National Bank at
this place, and remained its president until December 21, 1886.
Since then he has been engaged in the loan and real estate business,
and has large real estate interests. Mr. Brace is an active business

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTV. 467

man, with no political aspirations, an upright citizen, a g-ood neigh
bor, and has a large circle of friends.
Bratrud, Christin C, was born at Chatfield, Fillmore county,
Minn., December 27, 1855; was reared on a farra and educated in the
public schools. When 23 years old went to Nebraska and reraained
one yQar, and then was employed in Sioux City four years. In 1883,
Avent to Hamlin county, Dakota, and boug-ht grain at Estelline four
years, and was eng-aged in the real estate business at Bryant eight
3'ears and moved to Sioux Falls in 1896, and is engaged in the real
estate business there. He is not rauch of a political aspirant. He de
clined the nomination of state senator and county treasurer while in
Hamlin county; belongs to the Masons, Odd Fellows and the A. O.
U. W., and has during the short tirae he has resided in Sioux Palls
becorae known as an enterprising-, uprig-ht citizen.
Bridge, Mark, was born in Berry, Lancashire, England, Octo
ber 7, 1857, emigrated with his parents to Winneshiek county, Iowa,
in 1864, where he attended school and worked in his father's brick
yard until eighteen vears old; then worked on a farm two years; came
to Sioux Palls on the 20th day of April, 1878, and from that time until
1888, was engaged in various employments, at one tirae operating a
large farra and raising Holstein cattle; engaged in the livery busi
ness for several years, and in November, 1896, leased the Commer
cial Hotel in the city of Sioux Palls, and has since been the propri
etor. In 1885, was elected alderman from the First ward, and by re-
elections held this office until May, 1890; in 1892, Avas again elected,
and re-elected in 1899, holding this office nine years. He organized
Hose Company No. 1, the first hose company in the county and Avas
made its foreman; was also chief of the fire department two years.
He never secured an election without a contest, but in some way has
managed to defeat some of the best men in his ward, which settles
the fact that he has considerable sagacity and strength, and is a fac
tor in local politics not to be ignored. He is a popular landlord, and
has a wide circle of acquaintances.
Brockway, Charles L., was born in Homer, Cortland county.
New York, July 6, 1850, and came West with his parents in 1857,
locating at Whitewater, Wisconsin. He attended the comraon schools
and the University of Madison, and graduated from the state Normal
school. In 1872, went to Kansas, where he was admitted to the bar.
In 1883, removed to Sioux Palls, and engaged in the practice of laAv.
In 1890, was appointed city attorney and reappointed in 1891, and
served the city in that capacity until May, 1892. In 1898, was a mera
ber of the state senate, and was one of the most influential members
of that body. In 1896, was nominated by the Republican party of
Minnehaha county for the senate, but, like all others on that ticket,
was defeated. He is at the present tirae receiver of the land office
at Chamberlain, S. D. Mr. Brockway is well informed upon all the
public questions of the dav, and is one of the most effective speakers
in the state. He has a host of friends and is highly respected as a
citizen.

468 history of minnehaha county.

Brookings, Wilmot W., was born in Woolwich, Maine, Octo
ber 23, 1830. His father was of English descent, and his ancestors
came over in the early settlement of the Colonies. His great grand
father was killed in the British service while repelling an attack made
by the French and Indians on the fort of Phipps Neck, Woolwich,
Maine, in 1858. His mother, Susannah Bailey, was of Scotch and
Hugenot descent.
His early boyhood was passed on the farm, Avith the exception of
several short fishing- and sea voyages. In 1850, he determined on a
college course and in 1851 was admitted to Bowdoin college, and
g-raduated in 1855, supporting- himself larg-eh' by teaching during-
the annual vacations. After g-raduating and while reading law with
Hon. W. P. Fessenden of Portland, Maine, he taught at the Litch
field Institute, North Anson Acaderay and Wiscasset high school,
each one terra. In May, 1857, he was adraitted to the bar in Port
land. The June following, he started for the West, and on the 27th
day of August, 1857, reached Sioux Falls, then a part of Minnesota
Territory, with only nine white persons in all the country now con
stituting the two Dakotas.
Soon after his arrival, a county was organized and the subject of
this sketch was appointed district attorney. In 1859, he was elected
a member and president of the council of the People's Legislature
of Dakota, and by the same legislature, appointed governor. In
1861, v^^as elected to the council of the Dakota legislature frora the
first district for two years; to the house of representatives frora
Yankton county for three successive terms, 1863-4-5, and was
speaker in 1864; w'as appointed in 1865 to the superintendency of a
United States military wagon road frora Minnesota to Montana; in
1866, was norainated for Congress by the anti- Johnson branch of the
Republican party; was elected meraber of the council frora Yankton
county in 1867 for two years; elected president of the council in 1868;
served as district attorney for Yankton county in 1867-8. In March,
1869, was raarried to Clara A. Carney, daughter of Capt. William
Carney of Dresden, Maine. In April, 1869, was appointed by Pres
ident Grant associate justice of the supreme court of Dakota for four
years, and served until 1873; was a meraber of the constitutional con
ventions of 1883 and 1885 from Minnehaha county. He was the most
prorainent organizer of the Dakota Southern Railroad in 1871— the
first railroad to enter Dakota — and was either president, vice presi
dent or solicitor for raore than ten years of the Dakota Southern,
SlOUX City & Pembina, and the Sioux City and Dakota railroad, now
part of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul systera. Published the
SlOUX Falls Leader in 1883-5. In 1889, the Minnehaha Canning
i actory was built. He was the principal owner, and was president
of the company organized to conduct the business. He was pro
moter of the SlOUX Falls Linen Mills, and one of its directors; organ
ized the Minnehaha Trust Company, of which he was president, and
vvas tor sorae years a director in the Sioux Palls National Bank, Na
tional Reality Corapany and the Safe Deposit Company.
October 15, 1862, he pre-empted the northwest quarter of section
16, township 101, range 49, the first land ever entered frora the gov
ernraent in Dakota.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNtY 469

The activity and enterprise of Judge Brookings need no cora-
raents, and the various official positions he has held politically and in
connection with enterprises looking to the developraent of South
Dakota vouch for his ability and integrity. He is not only zealous in
whatever he undertakes, but is a raan of resource and courage. He
was "inat the beginning-" and has suffered raore than ordinarily
falls to the lot of the pioneer, and no person who is acquainted with
Judge Brooking-s and his actiAe work in behalf of the city of Sioux
Falls and South Dakota can for a raoment do otherwise than remem
ber him kindly, and hope that he may yet reap a rich harvest frora
his mauA' enterprises.
Broughton, Cass, Avas born in Wayne county. New York,
March 13, 1844. He attended school and worked on a farm until
sixteen years old, then engaged in railroad work seven years, and in
carpenter Avork until 1870, Avhen he came West. He reached Sioux
Falls on the 23d daA- of January of that year, and the May following,
his family arrived. He then opened a boarding house in the old
stone building- previously occupied by the surgeon who had been
stationed there with the soldiers. The building was then owned by
his brother Ed. Broughton. On the 30th day of January, 1870, he
took up a farm in sections thirty and thirty-one in Sioux Falls
township, AA'here he resided most of the time until 1889, Avhen he
raoved into the city of Sioux Falls. While a resident of the town
ship he held school and township offices, and made a good official.
He is a respected citizen.
Brown, Emmett J., was born in Saline, July 25, 1848. He was
reared on a farm, and received a comraon school education during- his
early youth, and at the age of sixteen years graduated frora the high
school at Ypsilanti, Mich. In 1865 he reraoved to Shakopee, Minn.,
and for a short tirae was employed in a bank, and then went into the
grocery business. On the 28th day of March, 1878, he carae to Sioux
Falls and opened a grocery store, and also a photograph gallery on
Phillips avenue. In 1881 he went to Brookings county and took up a
horaestead and lived there four years. He then returned to Sioux
Falls, where he has since been engaged principally in the real estate
business. Mr. Brown is a respected citizen.
Brown, Gustavus, was born in Ogdensburg, New York, Octo
ber 22, 1852; graduated from the city high school, and from the_ Bry
ant & Stratton commercial college; was then eraployed as cashier m
the Ogdensburg & Champlain Railroad Corapany's office, and frora
1872 to 1876 held the same position in the office of the Northern Pa
cific railroad at Duluth, Minn., was station agent at Hamburg, Iowa,
and Kenton, Ohio, three years; carae to Sioux Palls February 28,
1879, and was in the eraploy of the Phoenix Insurance Company and
the Omaha R. R. Co., until 1882, when he became the agent of the
U. S. Express Co., and remained in its employ until 1890, smce
which time he has been bookkeeper for the Hickey and McNamara
Mercantile Co. Mr. Brown has always been an efficient, capable man
in his work, and has a large circle of friends.

470 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Brown, Dr. Samuel Augustine, was born in North Carolina, June
25, 1848; was reared on a plantation, and attended the common schools,
and the Marion high school. In February, 1867, comraenced the
study of medicine, and was graduated from the Jefferson Medical
College at Philadelphia in the spring of 1871; took a special course,
and Avas exarained and adraitted into the United States navy as as
sistant surgeon; was assigned to duty in the navy hospital at Nor
folk for six raonths, and then on board the Marion a short time, the
Powhattan eighteen months, and the Kansas eighteen raonths, and
was on board this ship when it sailed into the harbor at Santiago de
Cuba and deraanded the prisoners taken from the Virginia, with
notice that the city would be bombarded in two hours if the request
was not complied with; was then in the hospital at Philadelphia eigh
teen months, and from there was transferred to the Pacific station;
was aboard the Independence at Mare Island two years and a half,
and was also surgeon of the Pensacola hospital in Florida, and re
mained there six raonths, when he reraoved to Dakota, and located at
Sioux Palls August 28, 1882, where he has since resided, practicing
his profession; has been city health officer two terras, superintendent
of Minnehaha County Board of Health two years; and on Noveraber
27, 1887, formed a copartnership with Dr. A. H. Tufts, which part
nership still exists. He has attained a high rank in his profession,
and the firm of Brown & Tufts gets its full share of professional
business. Dr. Brown has been advanced to the thirty-second degree
in Masonry, is of genial temperament, is a respected citizen, and has
a large circle of friends.
Brown, Samuel Lewis, was born in Genesee county, NewYork,
January 23, 1853. He was reared on a farm, and during his youth
attended the comraon and high schools. At the age of twenty years
went to Oregon, Illinois, where he entered a Norraal school to fit hira
self for teaching. The year following comraenced active Avork as
teacher in the town of Bonus, Boone county, Illinois. In 1875, was
elected principal of the schools in Union,"^ and two years later held
the sarae position in Capron, Illinois. Reraained in Illinois until he
reraoved to Sioux Falls in 1889. During the entire tirae of his resi
dence in that state he was engaged in teaching, and established for
himself a high reputation as a successful educator. The first year
after his coming to Sioux Falls he became a teacher in the high
school, and in 1890 was elected assistant principal ofthe city schools,
which position he occupied until he resigned in 1893, to take charge
of the Normal institute (which has since then merged into theDakota
Normal College.) At the expiration of two years he resigned, to
accept the chair of Mathematics and Pedagogics in the Sioux Palls
University, which position he held until July, 1897. During the
sumraer vacations for several years past, he has been engaged either
as instructor or conductor in a nuraber of county institutes, and has
become widely and favorably known throughout the state. He is al
ways a gentleman, and an exeraplary citizen.
Brown, Theron G., was born at Ithaca, New York, on the 21st
day of March, 1856. He was educated in the common schools, and

#il»"*^ ^l^>

Thomas H. Brown.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY 473

graduated from the high school in Rochester, Minnesota. He also
took a most thoroug-h course in shorthand. In August, 1879, became
to Sioux Falls, and in October of that year commenced work as of
ficial reporter of the courts in the fourth judical district of the Ter
ritory of Dakota. At that time Judge Kidder was presiding- judge in
that district, and Mr. Brown remained with him until he died. He
was reappointed by Judge Palmer, and held the position until 1888,
when he resigned. He was the first reporter in the district, and did
the first work in Lincoln, Clay and Union counties Avithout compen
sation. In 1879 the legislature fixed the compensation for court re
porters, and from that tirae he received pay for his work. In 1888
he went to Plandreau, Moody county, and was engaged in the County
Bank of that place for one year. He then returned to Sioux Palls
and becarae the secretary of the city school board and of the Mutual
Aid Building & Loan Association, and Avas also connected with the
Co-operative Savings & Loan Association for several years. He was
eraployed as stenographer by the county court and was deputy clerk
of the county and circuit courts frora 1893, to January, 1897. On the
2d day of August, 1897, he was appointed city auditor of the city of
Sioux Palls. In June, 1899, he removed to Howard, S. D. Mr.
Brown is a genial good fellow, active in political matters, and an
esteemed citizen.
Brown, Thomas H., was born in Portabello, Durham county,
England, August 17, 1837. In 1848 he came to the United States
with his parents, who settled in Wisconsin. Until the breaking out
of the war of the rebellion he was engaged in farming and mining.
In 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, Third Wisconsin Infantry, and served
until August, 1865. After the war he went to Montana, where for a
year and a half he engaged in mining. Hethen went to Brodhead, Wis.,
and engaged in the hardware business. In 1867 he was married to
Miss Mary Morse. In 1872, he carae to Sioux Falls, and raoved into
the first frame dwelling house built at that place, which was located
where his present residence now stands, on the corner of Phillips
avenue and Twelfth street. The next spring he entered into a co
partnership with B. F. Roderick in the lumber business, but during
the year following retired from the firm, and bought a half interest
in the business of Nye Phillips, who was dealing in hardware, drugs,
and leather. This firm was in existence about five years. He was
then employed by the Northwestern railroad company in obtaining
the right-of-way and locating town sites on the Dakota Central. In
1888, he bought the job office and bookbinding plant of Sara T. Clo
ver, and when the effects of the Insurance Corapany of the Dakota
were disposed of by its receiver, he purchased the printing outfit.
May 1, 1889, he took into the business Eugene Saenger, and the firra
of Brown & Saenger has now the largest and raost complete book
binding and printing establishment in the state.
Mr. Brown since coming to Sioux Falls, has been active in Ma
sonic matters. He organized the first lodge in the county, and was
its Master the first three years. He was the first Grand Master of
the Grand Lodge in the Territory of Dakota, and a few years later
was again elected to this office. He has taken an active part m edu-

474 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

cational raatters, and was president and raember of the school board
for several years. He took a prominent part in securing for Sioux
Falls the B.,C. R. & N. railroad, and has been a director of the cora
pany since that time. He was one of the South Dakota Commission
ers at the World's Pair in' 1893, and was the executive officer of the
coraraission. It is needless to add anything to the foregoing record
to establish the fact that Mr. Brown is a prominent raan of affairs,
and takes great interest in the welfare of South Dakota in general,
and Sioux Palls in particular.
Brown, Mrs. Mary, carae to Sioux Falls with her husband,
Thoraas H. Brown, in 1872. Her first horae was not in the barracks,
but on the contrary she resided in the first frame house built in the
little haralet. Mrs. Brown is prorainent in social raatters, and is
well known throughout the state, especially among the members of
the Eastern Star and the Woman's Relief Corps, in which organiza
tions she has held high official positions. During the World's Pair
at Chicago, she made her home at the South Dakota building, and
contributed largely to the corafort and entertainment of its visitors.
Rev. W. Howells Buchanan, D. D., was born at Florence,
Pennsylvania, in 1829; fitted for and entered Jefferson College, and
was a student there until the close of his sophomore year, then at
tended the Miami University, Ohio, until the close of his junior year,
and Avas graduated from Monraouth College, Illinois, receiving the
degree of A. B. The next two years was principal of the public
schools at Mount Vernon, Ohio; studied theology in Oxford, Ohio,
and Monraouth, 111., and was licensed to preach in the Presbyterian
church in 1859. He built the First Presbyterian church at Elvaston,
111., the Westminster Presbyterian church in St. Louis, Mo., and
the Madison Square Presbyterian church in San Antonio, Texas;
has been a raember of the Presbytery of NeAv York City and Boston,'
and during the past three years of the Presbytery of South Dakota!
In 1889, received the degree of D. D. from the trustees of Richmond
College, Ohio, of which the Rev. Dr. G. W. McMillan is president.
During the past three yeats he has been City Missionary in Sioux
Falls, and is known as an exemplary, earnest Christian worker.
Buchanan, Robert, the subject of this sketch was born in Glas
gow, Scotland, on the 26th day of March, 1836. He emio-rated to
Canada in 1842, where he resided until 1863. He graduated from
the Canadian University at Toronto. In 1863, he came to Appleton,
Wisconsin, and coraraenced the publication of a newspaper called
The Post, which he conducted for several years. He then went to
Michigan, but was soon after burned out and lost all his property.
In 1869 he went to Cherokee, Iowa, and started a newspaper called
lhe Cherokee Tiraes. His outfit was small, and so was the town,
but as Cherokee increased its population and commercial importance,
the limes plant also prospered. In short, he raade a business suc
cess of the enterprise. In 1875 he sold out the Times and carae to
Sioux Palls, and on the 21st day of February, 1876, purchased the
SlOUX Falls Pantagraph, and took an active part during the cam
paign which started a bitter factional fight in local politics. But

Mrs. T. H. Brown.

Robert Buchanan.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 479

Mr. Buchanan did not reraain long in Sioux Palls, as his Cherokee
sale fell through, and he returned there and again took charge of the
Times until 1884, Avhen he boug-ht the Gazette at Davenport, Iowa.
In May, 1886, he came to Sioux Falls and bought the Leader, which
he published for tAvo years, and then sold the plant to W. W. God
dard. The Leader was consolidated Avith the Argus, as the Argus-
Leader, and for a short tirae Mr. Buchanan had charge of the edi
torial colurans. After severing- his connection Avith this paper, he
engag-ed in the real estate business for several years in connection
with his son-in-law, J. H. GraA'. In 1890, he was elected to the legis
lature from this county, and was the caucus nominee of the Republi
can party for speaker, but the Republicans needed one raore vote
than theA" had, to secure his election. During that session of the
legislature he Avas the acknoAvledg-ed leader of the house. In 1893,
he coraraenced the publication of the South Dakota State Forum, and
continued to do so until his death, vvhich occurred on the 22d day of
June, 1895.
Mr. Buchanan vvas in many respects a remarkable man. As a
journalist he Avas Avell equipped, and the editorial colurans of his
paper bristled with sarcasm, wit, in\'ectives or logic, as suited him
best. He took an active part in politics and was a strong, sagacious
political manager, and brought great zeal and energy to his political
work. In brief, he Avas a strong raan, an enterprising citizen, and
had a host of admirers and friends who profoundly regretted his
death. Such raen as Robert Buchanan are rare in communities of
much larger size than Sioux Palls, and it is only recording what was
remarked by every one at the time of his decease, that Sioux Falls
had lost one of her raost A'alued citizens.
Buchanan, Ceylon W., was born in Tuckersmith, Upper
Canada, November 23, 1865. He was educated in the public schools
and graduated frora the Bryant and Stratton business college at
Chicago. He is a son of the late Robert Buchanan, and resided with
his parents until he was twenty-one years old. His first business
venture was in connection with his brother Williara. They estab
lished a Deraocratic newspaper at Luverne, Minnesota, and published
it three years. In 1888, he was eraployed as raail agent on the Cedar
Rapids and WatertoAvn route, and reraained in that position for
nearly a year. From there he went to Oregon and worked on a
newspaper about a year, and then returned to Dakota, worked m a
real estate office at Pierre for awhile and was clerk in the county
treasurer's office in Sioux Palls about one year. Upon the estab
lishraent of the South Dakota State Forura by his father he becarae
connected with it, and upon the decease of his father, entered into
copartnership with his brother Fred, and published the Forura until
the latter part of July, 1896. He was the business raanager, and it
was this firm that established the first patent auxiliary house in
Sioux Falls for furnishing ready prints.
Buchanan, Frederick, was born at Cherokee, Iowa, July,
23, 1872 He received his education in the schools at Cherokee and
Sioux Palls, and completed the same in the State University at Ver-

480 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

million. South Dakota. After this he engaged in newspaper work in
Sioux City and Chicago, until a short time previous to the decease of
his father, Robert Buchanan, when he becarae connected with the
Forura, and upon his father's death in June, 1895, entered into co
partnership with his brother, Ceylon W., under the firm name of
Buchanan Bros., and they continued the publication of the Forum
until about the last of July, 1896, when it was sold to Schwartz &
Grigsby. Soon after this sale he went to Yankton and commenced
the publication of a daily newspaper, but finding the field an un
profitable one discontinued its publication at the end of the presiden
tial campaign. In connection Avith the Forura plant the Sioux Falls
Printing Corapany furnished ready prints in Minnesota, Iowa and
South Dakota. Fred Buchanan is possessed of a good raany of the
characteristics of his illustrious sire, especially that of an indomita
ble will in carrying out his projects, and we will hazard the predic
tion that he will be a lively factor in any community where he may
reside. Burnside, George Washington, was born in Delaware county.
New York, November 3, 1858. His father was a farraer, and remov
ed to Lynn county, Iowa, in 1871 and, of course, the subject of this
sketch accompanied his parents to their western horae. Por three
years he worked on a farra, but at the age of sixteen years he went to
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and coramenced work at the mason's trade, and
continued in this business while residing in Iowa. On the 28th day
of April, 1883, he arrived in Sioux Falls and went to work at his
trade. In 1886-7 he was city raarshal. In 1888 he bought out the
bus line in the city of Sioux Palls and has had control of it since
then. He was elected alderraan from the Fifth ward in 1893, and at
the three succeeding elections was re-elected to the same office. In
1898 he was nominated for Mayor by the Republican party, but was
defeated by the present Mayor Lien by ten votes. He is a vote-get
ter if there is one in the city; but the corabination against him was
too strong to overcome. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., the B.
P. O. E. and the Masons, and was at one time Grand Eminent Com
mander of the Knights Teraplar of South Dakota. He is a man of
great energy, raakes a good official and has a host of friends.
Buscher, Rev. Gerhard H., was born at Wittlage, Hanover,
Gerraany, Deceraber 30, 1864. His parents, Avho Avere hon
est and well-to-do people, carae to this country when he was a small
boy. They settled at Beardstown, Illinois, and the subject of this
sketch for eight years attended the common schools of that place.
Being what they called a "bright and honest" boy it was decided by
his parents that he should study for the ministry, this decision quite
concurring with his own inclination. Consequently in 1880 he went
to Concordia Seminary at Springfield, Illinois, a t"heological institu
tion of the Lutheran Synod of Missouri. After two years he went
to Port Wayne, Indiana, where for four years he mainly devoted
himself to the study of ancient languages. Having in 1886 received
the diploma of B. A., he entered Concordia Seminary at St. Louis,
Missouri, where for the next three years he devoted his entire atten-

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 481

tion to the study of theology. In 1889 he accepted a call as pastor of
the German Lutheran Zion's Church of Sioux Palls, which charge
he still occupies. Mr. Buscher is a man of high scholarly attain
ments, an earnest, faithful pastor, and well liked by his congrega
tion. Butikofer, Hermann, was born near Berne, in Switzerland,
September 27, 1862; Avas educated in the public schools, and took an
academic course. His father was the proprietor of woolen mills, and
had a retail and wholesale dry goods house. The subject of this
sketch commenced at the bottora and worked up to the top through
all the g-rades of his father's business. Emigrated to this country
in 1882, arriving at Redfield, this state, Deceraber 25, of that year.
The following spring- broke twenty-five acres of prairie, eng-aged in
merchandising for aAvhile, then visited the old country; returned to
Redfield and engag-ed in raanufacturing- straw burning- stoves. In
1890 went to Mitchell, this state, and started the Sued Dakota Nach
richten, and published it at that place until May 15, 1896. Cora
menced the publication of the Nachrichten at Sioux Palls January
23, 1896, and soon after moved to this place, where he has since re
sided. Mr. Butikofer is a good business man and is publishing a
good newspaper, and is an enterprising, popular citizen.
Byington, Henry Clay, was born in Ontario county, NeAv
York, September 15, 1853; received a coramon school and academic
education and then clerked in a general store three years; engag-ed
in raising fruit five years; carae to Sioux Palls on the 30th day of
Deceraber, 1882, Avhere he engaged in the grocery business for five
years and then was eraployed by J. G. Strahon as collector. He took
up a farm in Brown county; traveled for B. C. McCrossan, the
Avholesale fruit dealer, for three years and then resuraed his old po
sition with Mr. Strahon until June, 1898, when he again opened a
grocery store in Sioux Falls. He is an industrious man, a good
neighbor and a good citizen.
Caldwell, Ernest W., the subject of this sketch, was born
June 13, 1846, at Chesterfield, Pa. He came West with his father
when quite young and until he Avas eleven years of age attended the
public schools where he resided. On the 12th day of August, 1857,
he began his newspaper career in a newspaper office at Boonsboro,
Iowa. At the age of fourteen years he published the Boonsboro
Times, on shares, at New Boonsboro, Iowa. This partnership
came to an untimely end by reason of one of the partners engaging
in a drunken frolic with a circus outfit which was temporarily stop
ping there. When sixteen years of age he started the Jefferson
City Star at New Boonsboro, for the purpose of printing the tax
list for five counties. This paper was the only one published in
western Iowa at that tirae between Sioux City and Des Moines. At
the expiration of three months, after having completed the tax lists,
he discontinued the publication of the paper and went to Des Moines
and entered the printing office of a daily paper. He remained there
until in 1864 when he enlisted in the 44th Iowa Infantry and went to
the front and helped clean up the rebellion. After his discharge he

482 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

spent a year in Pennsylvania, then went to Omaha, Neb., and at the
age of twenty-one years was foreraan of the Herald job office. In
1868, he joined a co-operative company in Omaha and assisted in
starting the Evening Times, but the enterprise failed in 1869, and
he says he "followed the debris to Sioux City and assisted at the
birth of the first daily newspaper ever published in that metropolis."
He sold his interest in this paper in 1870and became connected with
the Sioux City Journal, where he remained as printer, business raan
ager, local reporter and chief editor for eight years. In 1878 he
came to Sioux Palls and in connection with J. P. Stahl purchased the
Pantagraph, which in 1882 was consolidated with the Times and be
came the Press. In 1879 he was village clerk of Sioux Palls; was
postmaster frora 1883 to 1885, and was appointed territorial auditor
and insurance coraraissioner of Dakota in 1885, and held these posi
tions tAVO years.
In 1887 Mr. Caldwell and Charles H. Price were appointed to
compile the territorial laAvs. He was a meraber of the constitutional
convention of South Dakota in 1889 and was a member of the joint
coraraission to adjust the assets and liabilities of the territory be
tween the states of North and South Dakota. But it is as editor of
the Daily Press that he is best known. It is in this field he
has Avon his way to the hearts of the people, and no name in the state
is more farailiar than that of E. W. Caldwell. His editorials em
brace almost every topic of the day; sometiraes the great questions
of science are discussed; the literary subjects receive his attention;
theology is shaken up; political econoray elucidated. In short, the
subjects that corae to his editorial pen are too nuraerous to enumerate.
No line along which the average raind is accustomed to travel is with
out Caldwell's guide posts. But the best feature of his editorial
work is the spirit of fairness, good nature and kindliness which ac
companies his bright and vigorous style. As a raan he is generous,
genial and companionable; as a citizen, honest and enterprising; as
a politician—well, he generally helps to raake up the band wagon
tram, and is m the driver's seat before the raotive power is attached.
He IS "Cal" to everybody, rich and poor, old and young, and what is
raore — he is color blind.
Since the foregoing was written Mr. Caldwell has terminated his
connection with the Press and removed to Sioux City, Iowa. In the
Sunday raorning's issue of the Sioux Palls Daily Press Noveraber
15, 1896, Mr. Caldwell announced that his connection with the Press
as proprietor and editor had ceased and that he was about to remove
from the state. It occasioned great surprise and regret among his
thousWs of friends not only in Sioux Falls and its immediate vicinity
but throughout the state. The loss to the city of Sioux Palls was
deeply telt, and the high esteem in which he was held by her citizens
was shown by nuraerous testimonials by his former employes and or
ganizations with which he had been connected, and especially by an
elaborate banquet that was tendered him by the Comraercial Club of
the city. He is now in editorial charge of the Sioux City Journal at
oioux City, Iowa.

E. W. Caldwell.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 485

Campbell, B. P., Avas born at Machias, Maine, October 30, 1838,
and died at the city of Sioux Falls June 27, 1898. In 1852, he re
moved to Aurora, NeAv York, and from there to Aurora, Illinois, in
1856, Avhere he engaged in the hardware business until the breaking
out of the rebellion. He enlisted in the three months' service in the
Seventh Illinois infantry. Septeraber 23, 1861, he re-enlisted in
Company B, Thirty-sixth Illinois to serve three years, and was
mustered in as captain of that company Deceraber 10, 1862. He was
made lieutenant colonel of the regiment April 25, 1865, promoted to
colonel May 10, and mustered out of the service October 8, 1865. He
was wounded in the right thigh and taken prisoner at the battle of
Stone River, Tennessee, December 30, 1862; in April, 1863, he was
paroled, and on the 9th daA' of May following, was exchanged. On
September 20, 1863, he was again wounded in the thigh and body and
taken prisoner in the battle of Chickamauga, Ga., and was confined
in Libbey prison until paroled, December 10, 1864. March 20, 1865,
he was exchanged. In March, 1868, he reraoved frora Illinois to Ver
million, in this state, and in May, 1869, was appointed register of the
land office located at that place. In June, 1873, the land office was
removed to Sioux Falls, and Colonel Campbell came with it, and re
sided there until his death. For the last twenty years he was an
active worker in all the Masonic bodies; he was a charter meraber of
the El Riad Teraple and the Elks lodge of Sioux Palls, and was Past
Erainent Coraraander of Cyrene Commandery No. 2. He was an
esteemed citizen, and held many positions of honor and trust, among
thera that of postraaster of Sioux Palls for nearly five years; and only
a few days before his death he was elected president of the Minne
haha National Bank of Sioux Falls. Socially he was the peer of any
raan in the state, and in his death Sioux Palls raourns the loss of one
of her best citizens.
Carey, William J., Avas born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin,
in 1854; was reared on a farra and educated in the coraraon schools.
In 1873, he carae to this county and settled in Red Rock, taking up
as a horaestead one hundred and sixty acres in section twenty, where
he resided until he moved into the village of Valley Springs. He was
for a short time engaged in the butcher business, then m the raa
chinery business, and for several years in buying and shipping stock.
He now resides at Sioux Palls, engaged in the sarae business. For
five years he was deputy sheriff under Sheriff Sundback, and re
ceived the noraination for sheriff from the Republican party in 1892,
but it was a close vear for Republicans in Minnehaha county, and
there was a popular "independent republican candidate running for the
same office, and Mr. Carey was defeated at the polls, although his
vote was surprisingly large under the circumstances. He has held
various town offices, and was president of the village ot Valley
Springs in 1895 and 1896. He isa man of integrity, energetic and
enterprising, and justly popular with the people.
Carland, John E., was born in Oswego county. New York,
December 11, 1854. He attended the law school at Ann Arbor
Michigan, and was admitted to the bar by the supreme court ot that

486 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

state in October, 1875. The next two years he spent in the office of
the Hon. John G. Hawley, a distinguished lawyer at Detroit. In
August, 1877, went to Bismarck, North Dakota, and commenced the
practice of law; was city attorney of that place for about four years,
and also county attorney one year. In April, 1885, was elected
mayor of Bisraarck, but, receiving the appointraent of United States
district attorney for the Territory of Dakota, May 23, following, he
resigned the office of raayor and entered upon the duties of his ap
pointraent; reraained district attorney until March, 1888, when he re
ceived the appointment of associate justice of the supreme court of
the Territory of Dakota. Upon assuming the duties of this office he
became judge of the fourth judicial district. In April, 1889, he re
signed this office, and in May following was elected a member of the
constitutional convention which framed the constitution of North
Dakota; was norainated by his party for president of this convention,
but, as the party was in the minority, he was not elected. In
this convention he took a prominent part, receiving the appointment
of chairman of the judicial department. After the work of the con
stitutional convention had been completed, he removed to Sioux
Palls, and entered into a copartnership with T. B. McMartin for the
practice of law, under the firra narae of McMartin & Carland, which
continued until the 23d day of Septeraber, 1893. After the dissolu
tion of this firra he practiced by himself, having in charge some of
the raost iraportant litigation in the state. He was also employed in
sorae very iraportant cases in the United States courts, and gained
sonie notoriety in obtaining a large verdict in the case of Fullerton
against the Horaestake Mining Corapany, and more recently was
honored by the appointraent of special assistant United States "attor
ney to conduct the case of the United States against the Horaestake
Mining Corapany in which the government brought suit to recover
seven hundred thousand dollars for the illegal cutting of timber be
longing to the government. But before the trial of this important
case was reached he was appointed United States district judge for
the district of South Dakota. This appointment so gratifying to the
judge and his friends was raade on the 3d day of Septeraber, 1896.
The raerabers of the bar throughout the state congratulated the
judge upon his good fortune, and also themselves upon having se
cured a federal judge in the State of South Dakota in whora all
classes of people have the greatest confidence. He is not only a good
lawyer, but has a judicial temperaraent, and his integrity is beyond
question. His official career thus far has met the approbation of all,
and no one regrets that Judge Carland has a life appointment to an
office he IS so well qualified to fill. It onlv remains to add to his
many other good qualities, that he is a genial, kind-hearted man, and
highly esteeraed by all who know hira.
Carleton, Harry B., was born in Marshfield, Verraont, Octo
ber 10, 1867. When eighteen years of age he carae to Sioux Falls
^":-f ^oir 4 ^^^ °*'''' °^ ^°y^^^ ^ Boyce, where he remained
until 1888. He then spent a year with White & Brown, court re
porters. Upon the election of Albion Thorne as clerk of the courts,
Harry was appointed deputv clerk, and held this place during Mr.

HISTORY OF Minnehaha county, 487

Thome's administration of four years. In 1894, he received the
republican nomination for clerk of the courts, and ran about three
hundred votes ahead of his ticket. His conduct of the office was so
satisfactory that at the republican county convention in 1896 he re
ceived a renomination by acclamation, but was defeated at the elec
tion with the rest of his corarades on the ticket. At the expiration
of his terra of office he entered into a copartnership with Judge Par
liman for the practice of law, but after a few raonths abandoned the
profession, and accepted a good position with a large business house in
Chicago where he now resides.
Carleton, Jerry, was born at Montpelier, Vermont, October
10, 1865. He attended school andworked on a farra until he removed
to Dakota. He arrived in Sioux Palls, May 13, 1882, and was em
ployed as express messenger between Tracy, Minn., and Pierre, Da
kota, until the March following, at which time he returned to Sioux
Palls and entered the American Express office, where he reraained
several months. In November, 1882, he bought an interest in the
Peterson meat market, and continued in this business until January
1, 1890, when he sold out and engaged in farraing three years. Dur
ing 1894 and 1895 he was employed in the county treasurer's office of
this county. On the 1st day of October, 1897, he was appointed chief
deputy United States marshal under Marshal Kennedy. He has been
a very active member of the Sioux Palls fire department for several
years, and has been its chief. Jerry is well known in political circles
and could be removed from his present office of raarshal by an ad
verse administration for pernicious activity in politics under the civil
service rule. A trial would not be necessary as he would plead guilty.
However, he makes a careful, painstaking official, and has a host of
friends. Carr, Willard P., is a native of Ashfield, Franklin county,
Massachusetts, and was born August 4, 1834. Until seventeen years
of age he attended school and worked on a farm, and then comraenced
clerking in a store at Conneaut, Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he
reraained one year, and then went to Cleveland, Ohio, following the
same occupation until the spring of 1855. He then went to New Lis
bon, Wisconsin, and entered into a copartnership in the mercantile
business with a brother-in-law under the firm name of Surdara &
Carr. This firra was dissolved at the end of four years, and Mr.
Carr continued in trade twelve years longer at the sarae place. He
Avas city treasurer of Lisbon for four years. In 1871 he reraoved to
Verraillion, Dakota, and engaged in business as a merchant for nine
vears and came to Sioux Palls, August 13, 1882. He had been suc
cessful in business, and after having taken up his residence in Sioux
Palls he engaged in loaning money. He was appointed postmaster
of Sioux Palls by President Cleveland in 1885, and held this office the
full term of four years. In 1892 he removed to River Falls, Wiscon
sin, and in connection with Nelson B. Bailey started the Farraers
and Merchants bank at that place, of which he was president. Mr
Carr about the same time started another bank in Wisconsin, which
is managed by his son-in-law.

488 history op minnehaha county.

Mr. Carr has always been known as a good business man and re
liable citizen. Notwithstanding his residence in Wisconsin he has
retained a large and valuable property in Sioux Falls, and upon the
assessment roll in the araount of taxes set against his narae he is
nearer the head of the list than he is alphabetically.
Carter, Jervis W., was born in Benson, Rutland county, Ver
mont, May 18, 1830. His father was a merchant, and the subject of
this sketch attended the public schools, and fitted for entering the
sophomore class in college at Castleton seminary, Castleton, Vt.
When twenty 3^ears old he went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he was
employed in the office of the clerk of the circuit court for two years.
He then removed to Watertown, Wis., where he taught school three
years. He next engaged for one year in the newspaper business in
Portage county. Wis., and published a republican newspaper during
the Fremont campaign. After the election he entered the law office
of Sloan & Lander, at Beaver Dam, and after being admitted to the
bar, practiced laAv in New London and Waupaca, and was elected
county attorney four terms and Avas a raeraber of the legislature one
terra. Frora Wisconsin he reraoved to Gage county. Neb., where he
Avas judge of probate two terras. In 1885 he came to Dakota, re
mained at Yankton a few raonths, and then located at Canton, in Lin
coln county, where he practiced law until 1890. While a resident of
Canton he was county attorney six years, and district attorney of
the fourth judicial district four years. In 1890 he reraoved to Pierre
and was in the land office at that place four years. During the last
six raonths of Governor Sheldon's adrainistration, he was his private
secretary. In March, 1896, he reraoved to Sioux Falls, Avhere he now
resides. Judge Carter is a good lawyer, Avas a successful prose
cutor, is a genial gentleraan, a highly respected citizen, and has a
host of friends.
Cashman, Leonard, was born in Clinton county, N. Y., Feb
ruary 27, 1858. When fifteen years of age he commenced railroad
ing, but two years later engaged in carpenter Avork, and at twenty
years of age Avent to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and learned the mill
wright's trade. October 22, 1880, he came to Sioux Falls, and worked
for about tAvo years at the Queen Bee mill. The next seven years he
had a carpenter shop in Sioux Palls, and carried ona farra, and since
then has been engaged as a traveling salesman and collector. Mr.
Cashman is an active, enterprising citizen.
Cherry, U. S. G., was born near Belief ontaine, Ohio. He at
tended the district school when a lad, and corapleted his education at
the Ohio Norraal University at Ada, where he was graduated in 1895.
He then entered the law office of Judge West "The Blind Orator of
Ohio" where he reraained one year. From there he went to the
Columbian Law School at Washington, D. C, Avhere he was gradu
ated m 1887, receiving the first prize for legal essay. On the first
day of December, 1887, came to Dakota, and on the 21st day of Peb-
1 ooo^; *°l'°w'n8"' coraraenced the practice of law at Sioux Palls. In
1892, he was elected Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of
South Dakota. Mr. Cherry is a hard worker and a good lawyer and

,*v:^J^v-,^,'..j(ja

U. S. G. Cherry.

history of minnehaha county. 491

has a remunerative practice. He is quite active in politics, and
being a good speaker and well informed, his services are in demand
during political campaigns. Until 1896 he was a republican, but
after the adoption of the platform at St. Louis by the Republican
party that year, he became a Silver Republican, assisted in organiz
ing the Silver Republican party in South Dakota, and became the
chairman of the state executive committee, which position he still
holds. Christopherson, Anton, is a native of Norway, and was born
March 16, 1854. In 1868, he emigrated to Albert Lea, Minnesota,
and remained there on a farm until 1882, when he went to Grand
Porks, North Dakota, and in company Avith Peter J. Morstad went
into the clothing trade. On the 25th day of April, 1883, the firm re
moved to Sioux Palls, where it has been doing a successful business
since that time. Mr. Christopherson is a good business man and an
esteemed citizen. In 1884, he was elected alderraan from the First
Avard and served two years, making an upright, honest official.
Christoperson, Charles A., was born in Fillmore county,
Minnesota, July 23, 1871. He was raised on a farm and attended the
public schools during his youth. He came to Sioux Palls November
24, 1890, and entered the Sioux Falls Business College, from which
he graduated in 1891. He then commenced the study of law, and
was admitted to practice March 8, 1893. He entered Joe Kirby's
law office, where he remained one year, and then opened a law office
by himself, and has continued in the practice of his profession since
then. He has thus far been engaged principally in the line of collec
tions, and is an efficient collector. He is a young man of great in
dustry and perseverance, and is a growing lawyer.
Christopherson, G. C. — The subject of this sketch was born
at Amherst, Fillraore county, Minnesota, in 1865. He obtained his
early education in the district school, and in 1881 entered the
Decorah Institute; from there he went tothe LaCrosse Business Col
lege, and graduated from that institution in 1885. Two years later he
took a special teacher's course at the same college frora Professor
Wallace, and in 1887, when Professor Wallace purchased the busi
ness school at Sioux Falls, Mr. Christopherson was made principal
of the same, which position he held until in the spring of 1892, when
he became the proprietor.
Under Professor Christopherson's direction the Sioux Palls
Business College greatly extended its usefulness, and earned for it
self a large patronage and a wide reputation for thorough and prac
tical work. In the spring of 1894, the Sioux Palls Business College
and the Queen City Commercial College were consolidated under the
name of Dakota Normal College and Business University and Pro-
essor Christopherson was by the board of directors chosen business
manager of the institution, in which capacity he has since remained,
and it is due largely to his efforts that this college now takes a. lead-
ii}g place among this class of institutions in the Northwest in the
methods offered young people desirous of obtaining a thorough and
practical business education.

492 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Clark, James B., was born in Orleans county, Neyv York,
April 21, I860. He was reared on a farm, attended the public
schools, and corapleted his education at the University of Michigan,
where he was graduated in 1880. He then went to Mount Carroll,
Illinois, and engaged in the drug business one year. In the spring
of 1881 he carae to Sioux Palls with a car load of horses, and when
they had been disposed of he went into the real estate, loan and in
surance business, in which he has continued to the present time.
He was one of the organizers of the State Banking & Trust Com
pany and is one of its directors. He is one of Sioux Palls best citi
zens, and takes an active part in all public matters.
Cloudas, John B., was born in Pekin, 111., April 27, 1853. He
attended the coramon and high schools, but while quite young went
to work in a clothing store; in 1869 went to Sioux City where he was
eraployed in a clothing store for one year; in 1870 went to Yankton
and entered the employ of S. Eisman & Co., dealers in gent's cloth
ing and furnishing goods and remained with them several years;
then Avent into the grocery business, but sold out at the end of two
years, and went to Niobrara, Nebraska, and established the first
clothing house there. On the 16th day of March, 1880, came to
Sioux Falls, and opened a clothing store in company with S. Eisman,
under the firra name of J. B. Cloudas & Co., and continued this busi
ness for two years, Avhen he sold out, and was eraployed in the Queen
Bee raill until it stopped operation; since that tirae he has been en
gaged in the insurance, real estate and stone business. Mr. Cloudas
is a genial good fellow, a good citizen, and has a host of friends.
Coats, Clark G., was born at Mecca, Trurabull county, Ohio,
March 14, 1844, attended the public schools and worked in his fath
er's machine shop and novelty works until twenty-two years of age;
then went to Cleveland, Ohio, and worked in cooper shops seven
years; came to "Sioux Falls City," as it was then called, July 3, 1869,
and went to work for C. K. Howard and the next Avinter went to
Plandreau and took charge of C. K. Howard's general store at that
place; the last of March, 1870, returned to Sioux Falls afoot, wading
through water waist-deep in sorae places; in May went to Kalamazoo,
Mich., and got raarried, but returned to Sioux Falls in a few weeks;
his wife carae in August, and during the next winter they kept house
in the barracks, the next spring he commenced building the first
frame house in Sioux Palls, but W. S. Bloora, who comraenced soon
after to build the house afterwards occupied by T. H. Brown, fin
ished his first. Mr. Coats took up one hundred and sixty acres of
land in Sioux Falls township, and bought forty acres raore;two years
later he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land in Mapleton
township and reraoved there; bought eight hundred and forty acres
more and resided there until 1883, when he returned to Sioux Falls
and bought five hundred and forty acres of land situated mostly
within the city limits, and also acquired considerable city property.
Mr. Coats is a raan of great energy and enterprise, and has spept
large amounts of raoney in endeavoring to advance the prosperity of
the city of Sioux Palls. In 1890 he erected a large nuraber of build-

C. G. Coats.

Mrs. C. G. Coats.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 497

ings to accommodate the State Pair, and also constructed two race
tracks, one a half-mile track, the other a kite-shaped mile track,
supposing at that time that horse racing- would be generally sup
ported. He has contributed liberally to other public enterprises,
and is recognized as one of the best farraers in the county. He has
been alderman from the Third ward six years, and was a member of
the constitutional convention from Minnehaha county in 1889. He is
a good neig-hbor and a g-ood citizen.
Coats, Mrs. Ella P., wife of Clark G. Coats, carae to Sioux
Falls in August, 1870, and since then has resided there, except a few
years, when Mr. Coats was farming on a large scale in Mapleton
township. Before raoving to their farra Mrs. Coats was very active
in social affairs and was the first Sunday school superintendent in
the county, if not in the state. Mrs. Coats is quite an artist, and has
a large collection of fine paintings which are her own production.
Her maiden narae was Ella Pierson, and at the tirae of her raarriage
she was a resident of Michigan.
Cochran, Samuel J., was born in Muskingura county, Ohio,
Noveraber 20, 1834, and lived on a farra until twenty-tAvo years of age.
At that tirae he went to Dakota county, Nebraska, where he built a
saw raill and raanufactured luraber for about six years; Avent to Colo
rado and engaged in freighting and mining about the same length of
time, and then engaged in raining in Montana two years; returned to
Ohio and again took up farraing for twelve years; came to Sioux
Falls on the 4th of July, 1882, and engaged in the grocery business
with G. B. Sammons, in which he has since continued. He also owns
a nice farm in this county. Mr. Cochran is a careful, conservative
business man, and a highly esteemed citizen.
Cogan, John T., was born at Montello, Wis., May 21, 1855. He
attended school until fourteen years old, and then entered the print
ing office of the Montello Express. When twenty years of age he
purchased a half interest in the paper. Two years later he sold out
his interest and went to Mondovi, Wisconsin, and assisted in the
publication of the Mondovi Herald until 1879 when he reraoved to Ree
Heights, Hand county, S. D., where he published the Ree Valley
Free Press five years. In 1884 he went to Howard, Miner county,
and published the Howard Press one year, and frora there went to
St. Paul, Minn., and engaged in job printing until 1889, when he re
turned to South Dakota, and located at Sioux Palls, and published
the Sioux Palls Journal one year. In 1890 Avent into the eraploy of
Toralinson & Day and worked on the Argus-Leader nearly seven
years. Since coming to Sioux Falls he has been alderman from the
Second ward four years, and during two years was president of the
city council, and for nine raonths, during the absence of Mayor Wil
liams, was acting mayor. He was elected register of deeds of Min
nehaha county in 1896, and re-elected in 1898. While a resident of
Hand county 'he was a member of the legislature one term. In 1893
he was a delegate to the International Typographical Union, which
met in Philadelphia and was the first delegate ever sent frora the Da
kotas. He has been a member of the state central comraittee and

498 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

chairman of the county committee of the Populist party, and evinces
great activity in political and other public raatters. He is a good of
ficial and an esteeraed citizen.
Conway, Daniel J., is a native of LaSalle, Illinois, and was born
March 8, 1859. He was educated in the coramon schools, the North
ern Illinois Normal, and St. Viateurs College. He read law at Dixon,
111., two years, and then reraoved to Sioux county, Iowa, and while
residing there was deputy county auditor two years. In March,
1889, he carae to Sioux Falls, where he has since resided engaged in
the practice of law. At first he was in copartnership with D. E.
Powers, but in 1893 entered into a partnership with Henry A. Muller,
which still exists. Mr. Conway has been active in politics. In 1890,
was elected one of the state comraittee of the Deraocratic party, and
acted as one of the executive coraraittee that year. In 1896, was
chairman of the state central coraraittee, and in 1898 was elected
secretary of the sarae committee. In 1897, was appointed United
States commissioner, and in May, 1898, was appointed city attorney
of Sioux Palls, both of which offices he now holds. Mr. CouAvaA' is a
good lawyer as well as a g-ood politician, and takes an active part in
all raatters of public concern.
Corson, Harry. On the 6th day of Septeraber, 1836, Harry
Corson Avas born at Athens, Maine, and was named by his parents
Williara Henry Harrison. He has dropped the Henr}' and the public
have abridged the rest of his narae to "Harry Corson." At the tirae
of his birth his father "kept tavern" and Avhen eight years of age,
Harry reraoved with his parents to Monroe, Wisconsin, where his-
father engaged in the mercantile business. The subject of this
sketch attended the comraon schools during his youth and clerked in
his father's store until 23 years of age, when he went to Pleasant
Grove, Eldorado county, California, and engaged in the hotel busi
ness three years, and three years in raining and grain speculations,
and then returned to Monroe. Soon after, he Avas employed by a
Avholesale dry goods house, and was a commercial traveler for five
years. In 1870, he carae to Sioux Palls, and being acquainted with
the surrounding country, and recognizing- the natural advantages of
Sioux Palls, he carae to the conclusion that it would not be long be
fore it would be an enterprising city, and determined to become a
resident. In 1871, he settled permanently in Sioux Falls and com
raenced at once the building of a hotel. It was corapleted and opened
to the public on the Sth day of August, 1871, and Mr. Foster, com
missioner of immigration, who then resided at Rockport, Hanson
county, was the first to register at the Cataract House. In 1878,
Henry T. Corson, a brother of Harry, carae to Sioux Falls and from
that tirae the business was conducted under the narae of W. H. Cor
son & Brother, which partnership still exists. The sarae year they
raade quite an extensive addition to the Cataract House on t'he north,
and again, in 1882, remodeled the whole building, besides adding
largely to its capacity. The Cataract House is the most coraplete in
all its arrangements, as well as the best kept and most popular hotel
in the state, and while the Corsons live, it will in all probability re
main the hotel of South Dakota.

Harry Corson.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY SOl

"Harry" vvas not only born in a hotel, but knows how to "keep a
hotel," and his brother Henry is not only a brother in blood, but was
a full brother in the hotel business.
With good business qualifications, attentive to the wants of their
guests, always g-enial and pleasant, it is no wonder that they were
successful hotel keepers, and until the hotel was leased in January,
1894, stood at the head of the list of popular hotel keepers in South
Dakota. Mr. Corson at the present time is residing in his residence
in the city of Sioux Palls, and occupies his tirae in the manageraent
of a farm in Sioux Palls township, Avhich is owned by himself and
his brother Henry. He has always been active in promoting the in
terests of the city of Sioux Falls, and his friends are as numerous as
his circle of acquaintance is extensiAe.
Corson, Henry Tabor, is a native of Maine, and was born
November 8, 1837. He attended school during his youth, and when
nineteen years of age went to California, and remained five years.
During his residence on the Pacific coast he spent some time in the
mines, but during the larger portion was employed by a Chicago
store house at San Francisco. Upon leaving California he went to
Chicago where he made his home, remaining in the employ of the
same house as a traveling salesman until 1878. When his brother
Harry comraenced the hotel business in, Sioux Falls, he contributed
to the enterprise, and in 1878 removed to Sioux Palls with his family
and took up his residence at the Cataract, where he in connection
with his brother had the raanageraent of this famous hotel until it
was leased in January, 1894. Since then he has remained a private
citizen of Sioux Falls, taking things leisurely. Mr. Corson, al
though never an office seeker, has occasionally been energetic in
political affairs. He was a meraber of the board of directors of the
Dakota penitentiary in 1885-6, and took a very active part m procur
ing the building of the Willmar & Sioux Falls railroad into Sioux
Falls, and was one of the directors of the first railroad corporation
organized for that purpose, and the first railroad station out of Sioux
Palls received his name to commemorate his services in the enter
prise. He is a prominent Mason, a good citizen, and has a host ot
friends. Coughran, Eugene W., was born in Reedsburg, Wisconsin,
June 17, 1856; attended the common schools, and was graduated trom
the high school at Sparta, after which he entered the telegraph office
of the Northwestern Railroad Co. at that place. He was in Sioux
Palls a short time in 1875, but did not come there to locate perma
nently until November 10, 1876. He was at first employed m J. D.
Cameron & Co.'s bank, but near the close of the month was em
ployed by the Northwestern Telegraph Co in its office l^^t opened
at that time in a small frame building on Phillips avenue. The next
year Caraeron & Co. built the block now occupied by Charles V"
cent, just opposite this frame building and ^^e ba"k a^Velfnf^^^^^
office were moved into the new block. In the fall of 1877, he entered
the United States land office in Sioux Palls as chief clerk ^n^ re
tained this position until the office was removed to Mitchell. In

502 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY,

1880, he entered into a copartnership with T. B. McMartin, under
the firm narae of Coughran & McMartin, which continued until Octo
ber 1, 1889. The firra was engaged in the practice of law, real es
tate and loans. Since the dissolution of the firra, Mr. Coughran has
confined his business to real estate and loans. He is agood business
raan, and has been successful; is a good citizen, but has never been a
candidate for office.
Crisp, Jr., Walter J., was born at Marshall, Wisconsin,
March 4, 1870. His parents reraoved to this county and located in
Logan township when he was three years old. He was raised on a
farra, attended the public schools, and was a student at the State
Norraal school at Madison, So. Dak., for nearly three years. When
he attained his majority he entered a law office at Dell Rapids, and
studied law three months. During the fall of 1891 he purchased the
machine business frora the Jerry Law estate, and the following year
bought out H. K. Hobart in the same kind of business, and contin
ued therein until he was elected clerk of courts of Minnehaha county
during the fall of 1896. Upon assuming the duties of his office, he
reraoved frora Dell Rapids and took up his residence in Sioux Palls.
During his official career he has given universal satisfaction. He
was the norainee of the Fusionists for re-election in 1898, and not
even an old soldier candidate was successful against hira as Mr.
Crisp was re-elected. He is an all-around good fellow, and has a
host of friends.
Craig, Cyrenius H., was born at Greenbush, Rensselaer county,
N. Y., Noveraber 20, 1856; attended school until thirteen years old,
then worked in a foundry one year, and was one year on a stearaboat
between Greenbush and New York city. His father was captain of
the boat. When fifteen years old Avent into the printing office of the
Rensselaer Gazette, where he reraained until twenty-one years of
age. On the 18th day of May, 1878, arrived in Sioux Palls and
worked at the printer's trade four years. In May, 1882, went to
Decorah, Iowa, and purchased the Decorah Radical, and conducted it
for two years; sold out and returned to Sioux Falls, Avhere he has
since resided. Frora July, 1884, until 1888, worked on the Press,
then purchased the Sioux Falls Journal, and published it about one
year and then sold the plant to Cogan & Stebbins, and again was
employed on the Press until March, 1890, since which time he has
been on the Argus-Leader. He has been its city editor for several
years. Is a newspaper man, and knows how to gather news. Is a
genial good fellow, rainds his own business, but hates a "scoop" un
less he can raake it himself. His good citizenship is unquestioned.
Dalton, A. Edgar, was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1859,
and received a classical education. He engaged in the foundry busi
ness for several years at Lincoln, England, and came to the United
States with his brother Henry in 1880, and located at Le Mars,.Iowa,
where they engaged in farraing for five years; then lived at Luverne,
Minnesota, two years, and came to Sioux Falls in 1887, and estab
lished the Queen City Bottling works under the firm name of Dalton
Bros. During that year he raarried his present wife, and now has a

Edmund J. Daniels.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 50S

family of tAvo bright children, and a pleasant, hospitable home. He
is a kind neig-hbor, and a good citizen.
Dalton, Henry J. M., Avas born in Lincolnshire, England,
Noveraber 26, 1853, and received a classical education. He engag-ed
as broker in cotton at Liverpool for several years, and carae to the
United States in 1880. He first located at Le Mars, Iowa, where he
engaged in farming for five years; then reraoved to Luverne, Minne
sota, Avhere he resided two years, and carae to Sioux Palls in the
earh' part of May, 1887, accorapanied by his brother. During that
year they established the Queen City Bottling Works at Sioux Falls
under the firra narae of Dalton Bros., for the raanufacture of mineral
AA'aters of all descriptions; and since that time they have continued to
do a successful business. Henry still enjoys single blessedness, and
is a genial good fellow, and a good citizen.
Daniels, Edmund J., was born in St. Albans, Verraont, Novem
ber 22, 1855. When a lad he attended the village school, but at the
age of thirteen became a clerk in a dry goods store, and frora that
time to the present writing has been engaged in some capacity in the
dry goods business. Por a while he Avas a clerk in Providence, R. I.,
but in 1878 went to Minneapolis, where he reraained in the eraploy of
Goodfellow & Eastman for two years. He then entered into copart
nership with Harry Hornefius, and in the fall of 1880 they reraoved
to Sioux Falls and iraraediately commenced business in general mer
chandise on Phillips avenue in what has since been known as the
"Checkered Front," under the firm narae of Dan and Harry. The
firm was enterprising and soon commanded a large trade. On the 8th
dav of August, 1885, the firm was dissolved by mutual consent; Mr.
Da'niels continuing the business. He did not commence business in
Sioux Falls in a dugout, but the original little "Checkered Front" he
first occupied would bear no comparison to the splendid store he now
occupies, it being the finest and best equipped store in the city, if
not in the state. He is a merchant in all that the name iraplies. Al
though a good citizen, he never raeddles with anything but business.
He is a thorough business man.
Davis, Park, the subject of this sketch, is better known to the
writer than any other person whose name is mentioned in this book.
In the fall of 1853 we attended the Leland Seminary m Tovvn-
shend, Vt., and the acquaintanceship formed at that time resulted a
few years later in a copartnership for the practice of laAV at St.
Albans, Vt. Mr. Davis was born in Athens, Vt., Septeraber 24,1837
His father was a farmer, but died when Park was twelve years ot
age, and his mother died a year later. Under the direction ot a
guardian, he worked on a farm during his minority, except when at
tending school. He entered Middlebury college at Middlebury^ Vt
in 1858, and graduated in 1862. He studied law in the law office of
Butler & Wheeler, at Jamaica, Vt., and was adraitted to practice in
Septeraber, 1864. On February 3, 1865, he coranienced the practice
of his profession at St. Albans, Vt., with D. R. Bailey under the
firm narae of Bailey & Davis, and remained in the practice of law at
that place until the fall of 1879, when, in company with H. h . btevens

506 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

who was then his law partner, he changed his place of business to
the city of St. Paul, Minn., and there remained in practice under the
firra name of Davis & Stevens until September, 1881. At the last
raentioned date he entered into copartnership with a brother-in-law,
in the pork packing business at Albany, N. Y.. under the firra name
of Gray & Davis. On January 1, 1886, the old firm of Bailey & Davis
was renewed at Sioux Falls, and during the summer following Mr.
Davis built his residence on Dakota avenue and reraoved his family
to Sioux Palls, and commenced again the practice of law September
11. In January, 1889, W. H. Lyon was added to the firra, but soon
after Mr. Bailey's retiring in Noveraber, 1890, the firra of Davis,
Lyon & Gates vvas established, and they are now engaged in the
practice of law. Mr. Davis is a thoroughly well read lawyer, and
during his long practice has been eng-aged in a great raany iraportant
cases. He is a conservative, conscientious legal adviser, and when
eraployed, his client gets his services to the full extent of his ability.
His standing among the legal fraternity is evidenced by the follow
ing request, signed by thirty-six raerabers of the Minnehaha countv
bar July 26, 1889:
"Hon. Park Davis, Sioux Falls, Dakota:
The undersigned, raerabers of the bar of Minnehaha county, re
spectfully and earnestly request, that you permit yourself to become
a ca.ndidate for the office of judge of the circuit court of the second
judicial circuit of the state of South Dakota, at the election in Oc
tober next."
In 1874 he represented St. Albans in the Vermont legislature,
serving with recognized ability and influence. For several years he
was Grand Master of the Masons of Verraont, and was the author of
a treatise on Masonic offenses, trials and restoration, prescribing
full forras of procedure, which was adopted by the Grand Lodge of
Verraont and incorporated in the Monitor. Since coraing to South
Dakota he has held the office of Grand High Priest of Royal Arch
Masons, and other iraportant Masonic offices. He is a good neighbor,
a steadfast friend, a social, genial gentleraan, anda respected citizen.
Darling, Mrs. Mary H., was born in Belgrade, Maine, Decem
ber 29, 1801, and died in Sioux Falls March 26, 1898. Her maiden
name was Mary H. Buffington. In 1826, she was married to the Rev.
J. W. Darling, a Free Will Baptist minister, who died at Freeport,
Illinois, m 1868. In 1882, she came with her daughters, Mrs. Row
land and Miss Ella L. Darling, to Sioux Falls, where she resided
until her decease. " Grandraa Darling" as she was called by those
who knew her, was a woman of more than ordinary strength of char
acter. She had a purpose in living. Industry, frugality, and benev
olence, Avere the rules of her life. She took an active interest in all
the public questions of the day, and her syrapathies were keenly en
hsted m the Cuban cause during her last days. Living such a life,
covering nearly a century, raade rich and great by the devotion of
noble, good Avomen, it is no wonder that she was a grand good woman
herself. ^ ^

Park Davis.

C. M. Day.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. Sil

Day, Charles Manley, was born at Sidney, Iowa, November
4, 1863. He is a son of the Hon. James G. Day of Des Moines, Iowa,
who for fourteen years was one of the suprerae court judges of Iowa.'
During his early youth he attended the public schools and then en
tered Tabor college where he was graduated in 1886, and is at the
present time one of the trustees of this institution. His newspaper
work commenced while in college, by reporting for newspapers in
Iowa and editing the college paper. Immediately after completing
his course of study at Tabor college he came to Sioux Palls, arriving
on the 10th day of July, 1886. He was at once eraployed by the God
dard Brothers on the Argus, and from that tirae to the present writ
ing he has been connected with the paper, except for ten days when
the Argus-Leader was taking a vacation from the 1st to the lOth day
of November, 1889. During this time Mr. Day Avas at work on the
Sioux Falls Press. After the purchase of the Argus-Leader by
Toralinson & Day, and the responsibility of conducting a daily news
paper was assuraed by thera, Mr. Day developed into a strong news
paper man. He was equally at home as city editor or editor-in-chief,
and it required an expert to determine by a perusal of the columns
of the paper while he was actively connected with it Avhich one of the
two was in charge of the heavy work upon any particular day. In
1897, he was appointed deputy postraaster in the Sioux Palls post-
office, but he still retains his interest in the Argus-Leader and
Avrites its editorials. He is a man of excellent good sense, stands
well socially, is an obliging neighbor, and a thoroughly good citizen.
Detlie, Stengrim O.. is a native of Norway, and Avas born
April 17, 1842. He received a comraon school education, and worked
for an English carriage raanufacturer in Norway several years. He
emigrated to the United States in 1866, arriving in Chicago in April
of that year. He reraained in Chicago until August following, when
he went to Union county, Dakota, and took up a homestead and en
gaged in farming for ten years. In 1876, he was employed by the
government at the Crow Creek Indian Agency, and reraained there
until 1886, when he removed to Sioux Palls. In the fall of that year
he bought a half interest in Martin Olson's carriage and blacksmith-
ing business, and the copartnership of Olson & Detlie was then
formed. In 1894, the firm erected a store building SO by 90 feet,
three stories high, on Seventh street, between Main and Dakota
avenues, where they have since been engaged in the manufacture of
carriages. Mr. Detlie was instrumental in the organization of the
United Norwegian Lutheran church in Sioux Falls, and has been the
superintendant of its affairs since its organization, and the fact that
the congregation has a coraraodious church building in which to Avor
ship is largely attributable to Mr. Detlie's enterprise and efforts.
He is an energetic business man, and a good citizen.
Dickson, Joseph M., was born in Logan county, Ohio, January
14, 1840. Attended public schools and worked in a tannery for some
time, and then worked on a farm in Illinois until August 10, 1862,
Avhen he enlisted in Co. F, 125th Illinois Infantry, and served until
June 29, 1865, After his discharge he engaged in farming until 1867

512 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

when he moved to Bloomfield, Iowa, and went into the hotel and livery
business, in which he continued until he removed to this county. He
arrived in Sioux Palls the last day of February, 1871, and took up a
pre-emption and homestead in Mapleton township, in sections twenty-
nine and twenty-two, which he farmed until 1880, Avhen he assuraed
the duties of sheriff of Minnehaha county, to which office he was
elected in 1879, receiving the unanimous vote of the county; was re
elected in 1881 and 1883, holding the office six years; was then chief
of police in Sioux Palls three years and on the police force in all six
years. December 28, 1898, he reraoved to the State of Washington.
Mr. Dickson was one of the best known men in the county, a good
neighbor and a highly esteemed citizen.
Dixon, Simon H., was born in Star county, Ohio, October 13,
1832. He attended the public schools and Avorked on a farra until he
Avas twenty-three years old. He then went to Iowa and for three
years was engaged as a contractor and builder, and then resuraed
the occupation of farraing. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. G, 3Sth Iowa
Inf., and was elected captain of the company at the time it was organ
ized and served through the war. He then returned to loAva, and
remained there engaged in farming until he reraoved to Sioux Palls
in March, 1892. While a resident of Iowa he held several town offices
and was appointed by the governor as commissioner at large frora
the state of Iowa to the Cotton Exposition at NeAv Orleans. Since
coming to Sioux Falls he has been engaged in the real estate busi
ness. At the Republican county convention of Minnehaha county, in
1898, he was nominated clerk of the courts, but the Republicans Avere
in the minority. Captain Dixon is a good citizen and an active par
ticipator in all public matters, and, for the short tirae he has resided
in the county has a host of friends.
Donahoe, Den, was born in Canada February 14, 1861. He re
moved to Iowa with his parents Avhen only three years of age and
frora there removed to Chicago during the winter of 1871, Avhere he
worked in his father's brick yard when not attending school. In
1878 his parents carae to Sioux Falls, and Den Avas one of a large
family who accompanied them. Again Den went to Avork in his fath
er's brick yard, and continued in that occupation until he Avas ap-
appointed deputy warden at the penitentiary under Daniel S. Glid
den, who was then the warden. He held this position two years.
During the years 1893-4 was deputy sheriff under Sheriff George W.
Knott, and had his office at the court house. The following two years
he was engaged in the ice business in Sioux Palls. In 1896 he re
ceived the noraination for sheriff of this county by the Deraocratic
and Populist parties and waselected, and in 1898' wa"s re-elected. Mr.
Donahoe makes a good official, is a good citizen, and, as the official
returns m 1896 and 1898 demonstrate, has a host of friends.
Donovan, Joseph Mitchell, was born in the beautiful town of
Littleton, New Harapshire, on the 28th day of April, 1866. He was
graduated from the high school at Littleton in 1884; then went to
Georgetown, D. C, and attended the Georgetown University, re
ceiving the degree of A. M. in 1887, and the degree of LL. B. in

Den Donahoe.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. S15

1889. He Avas admitted to the bar of the District of Colurabia in
June, 1889, and in October of that year removed to Sioux Palls,
Avhere he has since been engaged in the practice of law. He has had
quite a large special practice, and if appearances are to count he is
not suffering for the wherewithal to clothe and nourish his body.
Ahvays a gentleman, genial and companionable, he is well liked by
the profession and a large circle of acquaintances.
Doolittle, William T., Avas born in Loudenville, Ohio, March
30, 1849. He attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and
then entered a railroad machine shop as an apprentice. When nine
teen years old he became a locoraotive engineer, and since March,
1873, has been engineer on passenger trains. He was in charge of
the first passenger engine that ran into Sioux Palls, and, except for
a little more than a year, has been the engineer on the passenger
train between Sioux Palls and Worthington, Minnesota, since then.
In 1879, an incident occurred Avhich gave him an unexpected va
cation for thirty days. He was engineer of the train Avhich during-
that year started out frora Worthington with R. P. Pettigrew and a
Mr. Bottineau on board, each of thera having in his pocket a deed
which he was particularly anxious to get on record in Sioux Palls
first, and was induced by Mr. Pettigrew to detach the engine about
two miles east of the city and bring Mr. Pettigrew in on the engine.
Mr. Bottineau made complaint to the superintendent of the road, Mr.
John P. Lincoln, stating the facts and demanding $50,000 daraages.
Superintendent Lincoln sent for Engineer Doolittle, and when he
appeared the following colloquy took place: "William, if Avhat is told
is true I ara afraid you have got the company into trouble. I ara told
you detached your engine and took a party into Sioux Palls that he
might get a deed on record before another passenger who had a deed
to the same property could do so. Is this true?" Mr. Doolittle —
"It is." Mr. Lincoln — "I could not believe you would do such an
act. The party having the other deed says he is damaged $50,000
by the transaction, and deraands your dismissal, and threatens to
sue the company for daraages." Mr. Doolittle — "If ray dismissal
will appease the wrath of the gentleraan it is a sraall raatter; but as
to the daraages, that is another thing." Here Mr. Doolittle, Avho had
been advised of all the facts in the case, related thera to the superin
tendent, and told hira it was simply a robbing scherae and so satis
fied the superintendent that it was true, that he ended the interview
by bringing his fist down on his desk, saying: "Let him sue, he
can't recover a cent; but William, you need a rest of thirty or sixty
days; take a vacation; I will see that your pay goes right along."
Mr. Doolittle resides Avith his family in Sioux Falls, and Avas
elected alderman from the First ward in 1896, and re-elected in 1898,
and has been president of the council since May, 1897. He is prom
inent in Masonic circles, and at this Avriting (1898) is (irand Com
mander of the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar of South
Dakota. Socially and as a citizen he stands well, and has a host ot
friends.

516 history of minnehaha county.

Dow, Wallace A., was born in Croydon, New Hampshire, Sep
teraber 21,1844. His father was a carpenter and building contractor,
and the subject of this sketch attended the village school and worked
at his father's trade during his youth. For awhile he was engaged
bythe War department in secret work, but before twenty-one years
of age he engaged in the steam heating business. Por three years he
was learning- Avhat he could of this business Avith the view of aiding
hira in what he proposed to becorae his occupation for life, namely
that of an architect. Por the next three years he vvas at Avork with
a competent architect at Concord, New Hampshire, and then, until
he came West, Avas engaged in architectural Avork and as a contractor
and builder at Newport, N. H. In the fall of 1880 he carae to Pierre,
in this state, and the following February was appointed by the Gover
nor one of the board of directors having in charge the building of the
state penitentiary at Sioux Falls. He Avas chairraan of the board
four years, and during that tirae the penitentiary was built and put
in operation. Since the completion of that institution he has been
engaged principally in architectural work, and has raade the plans for
nearly all the public institutions in the state. He is undoubtedly the
best known and raost corapetent architect in South Dakota. Mr. Dow
is a raan of positive character, and any project that he raay charapion
is sure ofpersistent, earnest support. He is an enterpirising, re
spected citizen.
Dunning, Lyman T., was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin,
July 26, 1847. He spent his rainority at work on a farra and in ob
taining an education in the district and city schools. At about twenty-
two years of age he entered eraployraent in a drug store, and worked
in the capacity of clerk until he came to Sioux Falls in July, 1873.
Soon after his arriA'al he opened a drug store at this place, and frora
that time to the present writing has done a successful drug business.
In 1880 he was elected one of the trustees of the Village Board, and
in 1881 was elected its president. He has never been a politician,
but has attended strictly to business and has been successful. He
can justly be numbered as one of our best citizens, not only on ac
count of his personal characteristics but because of his public-spirit
ed attitude on questions affecting the interests of the city.
Eddy, Jonathan G., was born in Jamaica, Windham county,
Verraont, August 27, 1844; he was reared on a farm and educated in
the comraon schools and at the Leland & Gray seminary, in Town
shend, Verraont. In 1865 he entered the laAv office 6i Hoyt H.
Wheeler, of Jaraaica (now U. S. district judge of the district of Ver-
raontj where he reraained until April, 1869, at which tirae he was ad
raitted to the bar. He then practiced law in Jamaica for six
years. In 1875 removed to Brattleboro and forraed a copartnership
with Charles N. Davenport under the firra name of Davenport &
Eddy, it Avas one of the strong, successful law firms of the state of
Verraont. Ihis copartnership continued until January, 1882, when,
owing to poor health, Mr. Davenport was corapelled to retire from
active work Mr Eddy then formed a copartnership with James L.
Martin, ot Brattleboro, which continued four years. In July, 1886,

William T. Doolittle.

history of minnehaha county. 519

he came to Sioux Falls and formed a copartnership with H. J. Daven
port, a son of his former partner. This firm coramenced the prac
tice of laAV, but soon drifted into the real estate business. Real
estate was at that tirae booming, and they raade sorae large deals and
built the Teraple Court on Main avenue, but the hard times vvhich
followed left them Avith the consolation only that they had been with
the crowd and had shown great faith in the future of their adopted
citv. While a resident of Jamaica, Mr. Eddy Avas elected represen-
tatiA-e to the legislature and served one term. He was highly es
teemed by the legal profession, and had the reputation of being a
thoroughly good laAvyer. He is now practicing law in Sioux Palls,
and has many friends who hope that Avhen prosperous times return
he may reap a bountiful harvest, such as will to some extent repay
him for his labor and outlay in advancing the raaterial interests of
Sioux Palls.
Edgerton, Alonzo J., was born at Rome, N. Y., in 1827, and
Avas educated at the Lowville acaderay at Lowville, N. Y., and at the
Wesleyan university at Middletown, Conn. In 1850 he came to Dodge
county, Minn., where he engaged in the practice of law. In August,
1861, he raised Corapany B, 10th regiment of Minnesota infantry, and
was elected its captain. He served in the Indian campaigns of 1862-
63, and then Avent south with his regiment, where he was in active
service during the remainder of the civil Avar. He Avas raustered out
in 1867, but before that tirae coraraanded a brigade during the riots
in New Orleans. He was a raeraber of the first legislature of the
State of Minnesota, and frora 1871 to 1874 was railroad coraraissioner.
In 1876 was one of the Hayes electors frora Minnesota. In 1881 was
elected United States senator to fill the vacancy created by Senator
Windom's accepting the office of secretary of the treasury in Presi
dent Garfield's cabinet. In December, 1881, Avas appointed chief
justice of the supreme court of the Territory of Dakota, and reraoved
from Minnesota to Yankton, Dakota. Was elected president of the
South Dakota constitutional convention in 1885 and 1889, and was for
a short tirae president of the state board of regents. Noveraber 19,
1889, was appointed United States district judge of the district
of South Dakota and held this office until his death, which
occurred on the 9th day of August, 1896. He resided in Yankton
four years, Mitchell four years, and Sioux Falls six years. Judge
Edgerton was a sagacious politician, an honest, upright judge, and
enjoyed the absolute confidence and the highest esteera of his fellow
citizens. Edmison, Percival H., is a native of Canada, and was born
February 24, 1844. He attended the public schools during his youth,
and then took a two years course in the Queen's University at Kings
ton. He taught school three years in Canada and Michigan, and dur
ing the sarae time attended the University of Michigan, at Ann
Arbor, one term. He next engaged in mercantile busmess at Win
throp, Iowa, remaining in trade about four years, and then traveled
for a coraraercial house for seven years. In Noveraber, 1871, he
started for Sioux Falls, but was caught in a blizzard at Beloit, and
did not get any further until April, 1872, when he agam started tor

520 history of minnehaha county.

Sioux Palls, this time arriving at his destination in due time. He
took up the southeast quarter of section thirteen in Sioux Palls town
ship, and bought the corner of Phillips avenue and Ninth street upon
Avhich the Edmison-Jameson building- now stands, where he built a
frame building in 1873, vvhich remained there until the present stone
structure Avas erected. In November, 1880, he reraoved his family
to Sioux Falls. In 1882, he built the European Hotel, and in 1883,
he erected the three story building on Ninth street, west of the
Edmison- Jameson block. In 1890, he built a stone front business block
on the west side of Phillips avenue between Ninth and Tenth streets,
and the same year, in connection with James Jameson, erected the
Edmison-Jameson building, a six story stone business block, the finest
and most costly in the city. One thing is certainly true of Mr. Edmi
son, he had great faith in the future of Sioux Palls, and has not
hesitated to invest largely in such enterprises as bid fair to return a
good income, and has added greatly to the iraposing character of the
improvements of the city. Por this he is entitled to great credit, and
it has stamped him as one of the most enterprising and courageous
citizens of Sioux Palls.
Ellis, Axel S., was born in Suraner, Oxford county, Maine,
May 2, 1851. His parents removed to Sparta, Wis., vvhen he was
quite young, and from there to Owatonna, Minn., where the subject
of this sketch graduated from the high school. He was reared on a
farra, and upon attaining his majority went to Minneapolis and for
two years was emploj'ed in the Pillsbury flouring raills; from there
went back to Sparta, Avhere he was eraployed in the post office as as
sistant postraaster until the last of January, 1887. At that time W.
P. Carr was postraaster at Sioux Falls, and at his solicitation Mr.
Ellis came to Sioux Falls January 31, 1887. The next day he went
into the post office as assistant, and reraained in the ofhce in that
capacity until he Avas appointed postmaster in June, 1896. He re
ceived his appointraent on the 10th of June, but did not take charge
of the office until the first day of August following. The office under
his charge has been conducted to the entire satisfaction of its patrons,
and a more efficient and obliging corps of employes would be diffi
cult to find. Mr. Ellis is a pleasant, courteous gentleraan to meet,
popular with his associates, and a highly esteemed citizen.
Emerson, Frank S., was born at Bangor, Maine, in 1847, but
was reared and educated at Melrose, Mass. In 1866, he went to
Memphis, Tenn., in 1869, to St. Louis, Mo., and in 1871, to Western
Kansas, where he engaged in the stock business six years. In 1877,
he fitted up a "prairie schooner" and Avith his wife and baby started
for Sioux Falls, Avhere they safely arrived, and where they have
since resided. Mr. Emerson has lead a very active life since coming
to Sioux Palls. He has not only engaged in business, but has been
enterprising in public affairs. He was an official under the village
organization, and city assessor in 1883-4-5, and also a member of the
board of education in 1887. On the 3d day of January, 1893, was ap
pointed county commissioner from the fourth commissioner district,
which office he has since held. Mr. Emerson makes a good official.
He is a charter meraber of Granite lodge No. 18 of the order of the

p. S. Emerson.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY 523

Knights of Pythias, has passed the chairs of the lodge, and Avas
elected Grand Representative in 1888. He has also passed the chairs
in the subordinate lodges in the order of I. O. O. P., and served as
secretary of both the Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment of Da
kota, Grand Master, Grand Patriarch, and Representative to the
Sovereign Grand Lodge, and has also the rank of Major in the Patri
archs Militant. He is also a Mason, being a meraber of the Blue
Lodge, Chapter, Coraraandery, and Shrine at Sioux Palls. No man
in the city is better or raore faA'orably knoAvn in social circles than
Prank S. Emerson, and if he is as happy as he always appears to be,
he is the most enviable man in the city.
English, Ovando D., was. born in Oswego county. New York,
October 19, 1841. He came Avith his parents to Mihvaukee, Wis., in
1849; graduated from the high school at that place and frora Delton
Acaderay at Delton, Wis. He learned telegraphy, and taught it two
years in a comraercial college, and became a telegraph operator on
the first railroad built out of St. Paul; established the officeat Shak
opee, Minn., and was the operator there for one year; was in the
same employment at Red Wing for a few raonths; in 1868 went to
Nashua, Iowa, and engaged in the furniture business until 1872; on
the 21st day of October of that year carae to Sioux Palls and took up
several claims on Nine Mile creek and in Grand Meadow township;
for the next few years was eraployed in freighting- and taking care of
his clairas; was engaged in the flour and feed business for two years
in the city of Sioux Falls, and for six years was the telegraph opera
tor at the Omaha depot. He is now employed in the county auditor's
office. Mr. English is highly respected as a neighbor and a citizen.
Ericson, Carl Oscar, was born in Sweden April 15, 1853. His
father was a manufacturer of tower clocks, watches and other clocks
on quite an extensive scale, and the tirae he could spare from his
studies was spent in the shops, where he soon learned to raaster the
intricacies of machinery and watchmaking with wonderful accuracy.
When only seventeen years of age he was eraployed to regulate and
remodela great nuraber of clocks of exceedingly fine workraanshipfor
the royal family of SAveden, and daily visited the royal palace at
Stockholm. In 1872 he Avas taken with the fever of seeing Araerica,
and setting out for that country landed in Quebec, Canada, where he
engaged in the watchmaking and jewelry business for about five
years; came to the United States and after looking the country over
located at Brodhead, Wis., until he removed to Sioux Palls, where
he arrived in the fall of 1879. He opened a jewelry store on Phillips
avenue, and soon after commenced building the tower clock which is
now doing duty in the Masonic Temple at Sioux Falls, and was the
first tower clo'ck in Dakota. In 1886 he was induced to take charge
of the Electric Light plant at Sioux Falls, which was then in its in
fancy, and he reraained its superintendent and manager through all
its stages of development until it became one of the largest and best
running plants in the Northwest, and gained for himself quite an en
viable reputation as an electrician. He was a mechanical genius and
made several inventions, one of which in particular attracted the at-

524 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

tention of the scientific world and was discussed at length in the Sci
entific Araerican and other kindred papers, and for which the Invent
ors' Acaderay of Paris, Prance, awarded hira on the 12th of August,
1893 the "Great Gold Medal," and conferred upon hira the title of
Member of Honor of the Academy. During the latter part of 1896
his health coraraenced failing- and he was compelled to resign his po
sition at the electric light works and went to California in the hope
of regaining his health, but after a few months stay in that country
returned to Sioux Palls, where after a lingering illness he died on the
4th day of February, 1898. Mr. Ericson was a conscientious, upright
and highly respected citizen, and his death was deeply regretted by
his large circle of friends.
Ericson, Miss Anna Bernardina, is a native of Sweden and
came to the United States in 1889, to visit her brother, Oscar Eric
son, of Sioux Palls. In 1890 she comraenced a course of phonog
raphy in the office of the court reporter, E. P. White, in order to
perfect herself in the English language. In 1891 she had become
so proficient in stenography and type writing that she obtained em
ployment as stenographer in a law office, and since then has been
employed by some of the best law firras in the city. She has also
devoted considerable tirae to the collection of data, and in prepar
ing- the raanuscript of this History for the press.
Estabrook, L. M., is a native of Platteville, Wisconsin, and was
born February 25, 1852. He received his education in the first State
Norraal School which was located at Platteville, and was graduated
from the law department of the Michigan University in the class of
1875. He then located at Logan, loAva, and practiced law for one
year, and then carae to Sioux Palls, where he engaged in the practice
of his profession and in the real estate business for several years.
Owing to poor health of hiraself and faraily he raoved out on his farm
in Brandon and reraained there until 1894, when he returned to
Sioux Falls, where he has since resided. He was appointed city
auditor in May, 1898. Mr. Estabrook is one of the leading politicians
in the state. He was one of the first men in this county to join the
Populist organization, and has grown up with it. During the presi
dential carapaign of 1896 he was chairman of the state comraittee,
and contributed largely to the success of the party. He is well
posted, and makes a good speech from his standpoint when cam
paigning, and is radical enough in his political views to be recognized
as one of the advance guard. He is a good citizen, and popular with
the laboring classes whose cause he raost heartily espouses.
Fernyhough, John Harry, was born in England, June 22,
1863. When about four years old he carae to the United States with
his mother; his father having previously died. After coming to this
country he resided with his mother in Wisconsin and Iowa, and came
with her to Sioux Falls, December 18, 1879, where he has since re
sided. He graduated from the high school in Sioux Falls, and then
entered the law office of Boyce & Boyce, and also attended a law
school in Chicago for one year. After being admitted to the bar he
was employed in Boyce & Boyce's office for two years. He then

L. M. Estabrook.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 527

Opened a law office for himself, but soon drifted into the real estate
business. After the boom was over in 1893, he resuraed the practice
of law, in Avhich he has since continued. Mr. Fernyhough is a
genial, good fellow, attentive to business, a good citizen, and has a
host of friends.
Ferris, James, Avas born in Belfast, Ireland, September 7, 1852;
attended school until twelve years old, and then entered Queen's
Island shipA'ard as a ship plumber apprentice, where he reraained
seven years. After this he worked at his trade in Liverpool, Glas
gow and Aberdeen. He emigrated to the United States, arriving in
New York March 24, 1884, worked there a short time, and then in
Detroit, Michigan, and St. Paul, Minnesota, and arrived in Sioux
Palls in August, 1884; was employed by W. A. Dow eighteen raonths,
and since then has been in business for himself. Mr. Ferris is an
industrious man, a competent plumber, and a good citizen.
Files, Dr. Frederick H., was born in Gorham, Maine, Decem
ber 1, 1862; was reared on a farm, attended the public schools, and
fitted for college at the Westbrook seminary, and was graduated
from Bowdoin college in 1883; the next three years taught the boys'
department in the Westbrook seminary, and studied medicine during
the same time; the next two years attended the school for medical
instruction at Portland, and the raedical department of Bowdoin col
lege, from which he was graduated in 1888; from August 1 of that
A-ear until August 1, 1889, was house surgeon in the Maine general
hospital at Portland; and then started west on an excursion, and fell
in with the Coraraercial Club of Sioux Falls, at Duluth, and carae to
SiouxPalls with them, where he has since resided engaged in the
practice of his profession. He is prorainent in Masonic circles, and
has been Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota. Was
appointed member of the State Board of Health for five years m 1894;
is now secretary of the board, and under the provisions of the laAv
establishing the board will be its president in 1899. Has been a
member of the County Board of Health for two years, and its superin
tendent one year. Has also been president of the Minnehaha County
Medical society; is now president of the board of trustees of the
Congregational church; and was a director of the Union National
Bank. Dr. Files is an enterprising citizen, a skillful physician, and
well liked by all who know him.
Fisher, Rev. Thomas L., was born at Hartford, Connecticut,
June 8, 1855. He attended the public schools, and graduated from
the high school at Hartford in 1874. He then entered Amherst col
lege, and was graduated frora there in 1878. During the next year
he studied medicine, and then commenced a course of study tor the
ministry. He was ordained deacon in May, 1883, by Bishop Hunt
ington of Central New York, and the following year was ordamed to
the priesthood by Bishop Paddock of Massachusetts. For fi^¦e years
he had charge of a parish at Maiden, Mass., and then became rectoi
of a parish at Clinton, Mass., where he remained fl^^^yi^;-^^^^
came to Sioux Falls in Deceraber, 1895, ^nd preached his^ first sermon
in the Cathedral December 22. The next Easter he became pastor

528 history of minnehaha county.

of Calvary church, and remained in charge until May, 1899. While
a resident of Sioux Falls he took an active part in all public matters
pertaining to the raoral welfare of the city, and did not hesitate to
express his views freely upon other subjects of public interest. As
a preacher, pastor and citizen he was highly esteemed, and his re
raoval from the city Avas sincerely regretted by all Avho had the pleas
ure of his aquaintance.
Fitzgibbon, John, was born near Troy, New York, Septeraber
25, 1856. He reraoved with his parents to Wisconsin when two years
old, and was reared on a farra. Received his education in the com
mon schools, and Avas graduated from a coraraercial college. On the
21st day of April, 1880, came to Sioux Falls, and was employed on the
Queen Bee raill a little OA'er a year, and then entered the eraploy of
M. Gerin in his grocery store, where he reraained five years. The
next three years he was steward at the Cataract hotel. On the first
day of August, 1890, the firra of Sheridan & Fitzgibbon was estab
lished, and it has since then been engaged in the coal, wood and flour
business in Sioux Palls. Mr. Fitzgibbon is a genial good fellow, a
good business raan, and a respected citizen.
Pleitz, Eihardt, was born in Baden, Germany, January 6,
1848. His early youth he spent in attending school, and boating on
the Rhine. In 1862 he eraigrated to the United States, and settled
in Louisville, Ky. Por awhile he was eraployed as a laborer in build
ing forts at that place, and then entered a brewery and learned the
trade of raalster. In 1866, he enlisted in Co. D, 2d Battalion, 13th
U. S. Infantry, but the company was soon after transferred to the
22d Infantry, and he carae to Sioux Palls with that companj' in
June, 1866. On the 7th day of May, 1869, his terra of enlistment
having expired, he was discharged. The same year he took up what
is known as the True Dennis place in Sioux Falls township, but sold
out his interest in 1873, and then took up a quarter section of land
about three railes north of the village of Hartford. In 1876 his crops
were destroyed by grasshoppers, and he removed to the city of Sioux
Palls, where he has since been engaged as a raalster in the Sioux
Falls Brewery. Mr. Pleitz is a quiet, unassuming man, and a good
citizen. PosDicK, Timothy J., is a native of LaPorte, Indiana, and Avas
born October 8, 1851; removed to LaPorte, Iowa, with his parents
when seven years old; was educated in the public schools, and grad
uated frora the high school at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. When seventeen
years of age coraraenced clerking in a clothing house. In August,
1875, carae to Canton, this state, and engaged in the clothing busi
ness, and for several years had branch houses at Alexandria, Mitch
ell, Plankinton and Woonsocket. In 1888, disposed of the clothing
business, and for two years engaged in banking at Canton; was pres
ident of the Dakota Loan and Trust Corapany. Came to Sioux Palls
in April, 1890, and bought out French's clothing house, and since
then has been in the clothing business at this place. He is a meraber
of the Masonic bodies, a successful business man, and a respected
citizen.

v

O. A. Fowler.

HISTORY' OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY S31

Fowler, Oshea A., was born in Pownal, Verraont, April 25,
1851. His parents removed to Illinois when he was only three years
old, and to Rochester, Minnesota, in 1865. He was reared on a farm,
attended district schools and g-raduated from the Rochester high
school in 1869. He then worked on a farm until he went to Sioux
Falls, Avhere he arrived on the 22d day of Deceraber, 1870. He re
mained in Sioux Falls until 1876, engaged in all sorts of employment;
taught school in the old barracks during the winter of 1871, and eight
miles north the following Avinter, in what was called the John Nelson
district. After leaving Sioux Palls he clerked in a hotel at Sibley,
Iowa, for one year, and then traveled in the nursery business until
the fall of 1880, Avhen he located at Aberdeen and built the first build
ing, there. He kneAV the Milwaukee road would soon be there, and
this building, was erected for hotel purposes and called the Alpha
House. The following- spring- he sold this building and in corapany
with a man by the name of Hazzard built the Hazzard House, but sold
out his interest in the fall. His first son Avas born September 3, 1881,
at Aberdeen, and was the first child born at that place. After having
sold his hotel interest he commenced the study of laAv Avith M. S.
Gordon and remained Avith him for about two years. His next ven
ture was the opening- of a land and loan office at Frederick, in Brown
county, and the establishing of the Frederick Herald, the first news
paper at that place. This plant he sold after having conducted it for
a few raonths. In 1884 he was adraitted to the bar; started another
newspaper, but disposed of it in a short tirae and gave his attention
to the practice of law. In 1886 he came to Sioux Palls and became
the attorney for the Insurance Company of Dakota. This relation
existed for a few months, when he entered the eraployraent of the
firm of Suraraers & Van Horn, of Sioux Falls, as their attorney and
collector. After a few raonths he again went to work for the Insur
ance Corapany of Dakota and reraained with the corapany until it
ceased to exist. He then resuraed the practice of laAv, but devoted
the greater portion of his time to collections until April, 1896, Avhen
he was elected police justice of the city of Sioux Palls for the terra
of two years and was re-elected for a second terra. Everybody in the
county knows O. A. Fowler, and his list of friends foot up about the
same as the population.
Pox, James B., was born in October, 1839, in Ohio, and lived
there until he was twenty years of age, when he reraoved to Iowa and
remained there until the breaking out of the Avar. In October, 1861,
he enlisted in the 14th Iowa Infantry and served two years and a
half, then enlisted in Company M, 7th Iowa Cavalry and served until
his discharge at Sioux City on the 22d day of June, 1866. Quite a
portion of the time his regiment was stationed on the frontier in the
northwest, he participated in a good many battles with the Indians.
He was with his regiment at Ports Randall, Thorapson, Sully and
Dakota. The winter of 1864-5 he spent in the barracks at Fire Steel,
and speaking of "blizzards" Mr. Fox said: "We had abhzzard that
winter that was a blizzard, nothing of the kind has happened in this
section of Dakota since then to be compared with it." During the
fall of 1865 he was at Port Dakota, where Sioux Falls is now located.

S32 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

and during the suramer of 1866 he says, "the water was so low in
the Sioux river that people could cross it where the Cascade mill is
now without getting their shoes Avet." At that tirae there were only
two small buildings within the present liraits of the city of Sioux
Falls, aside frora the buildings occupied by the military forces. One
building was located near where the Cataract hotel is now, and the
other on the west bank of the river, near the location of the Tenth
street bridge. The last mentioned building was very small and built
of stone, and was occupied by a white raan who had a turning lathe
and was engaged in raanufacturing ornaments of pipe-stone. This
was undoubtedly the first manufacturing industry in the County of
Minnehaha. After his discharge from the array, Mr. Pox remained a few
raonths in Sioux Citv and then returned to Ohio. In 1867 he went
to Illinois, where he married his present wife and lived two years,
then went back once raore to Ohio and reraained there until 1878,
Avhen he reraoved to Dakota. He arrived in Sioux Palls on the 15th
daA' of April of that year, and has been a resident of Dakota ever
since. He is a carpenter by trade, and for the last five years has
been eraployed as janitor for the Central school building in Sioux
Palls. He has always been an upright and respected citizen.
Frizzell, Alonzo, was born in Canaan, Verraont, the northeast
town in the state, on October 16, 1839. During his minority he
worked on a farm, attended the common schools and academic insti
tutions, and taught school several terms. He went to Wisconsin in
1855, and from there to Madelia, Minnesota, where for some years he
Avas engaged in the agricultural implement and luraber business. In
1874 he coraraenced the study of law in the office of H. S. Wilson &
Co., of the sarae city, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. After his
adraission he practiced law at Madelia for Iavo years, and reraoA'ed to
Sioux Palls in April, 1878, and coraraenced the practice of his pro
fession. In March, 1879, he entered into copartnership Avith Judge
Parliraan, under the firra name of Parliman & Frizzell, which co
partnership continued until January, 1883. He vvas elected village
attorney in December, 1878, and acted in this capacity during the
tirae Sioux Falls was a village, except one year. He vvas city attorney
in 1883 and 1884, during which time he had charge of some very im
portant suits in which the city was interested, and he conducted them
successfully. Again in 1889 he was appointed city attorney and held
the office for one year. In June, 1892, he went to Madison, S. D., and
practiced law until 1896. At that tirae he removed to Cripple Creek,
Colorado, where he remained one year and then returned to Sioux
Falls and practiced law until early in 1899, when he again went to
Cripple Creek, where he is at the present writing. He always feels
well, is genial and companionable, and has been known to put up a
strong fight in a law suit.
Pulford, Dr. George H., was born at Chittenango, Madison
county, N. Y., July 18, 1854. His father was a Methodist preacher,
and he obtained his early education in towns where his father
preached. In 1872 he graduated frora Ogdensburg Coraraercial col-

J. B. Fox.

f^"f

J

Alonzo Frizzell.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 537

lege; attended Ives Seminary, a literary and colleg-e preparatory
school, located at AndoA'er, N. Y., three j'ears; was graduated from
there in 1876, and won the gold medal offered for best development
in scholarship and deportment that year; attended Syracuse Univer-
sitA' in 1876-7, and during the fall of 1877 entered the raedical depart
ment of Boston University, took a three years course, and g-raduated
in 1880; took full course at the Ncav York Polyclinic in 1888-9, and a
clinical course in Chicago in 1893; practiced medicine in Ncav York
state five years, and located at Sioux Falls in Deceraber, 1885, where
he has since resided practicing his profession. He is a member of
the Lone Star Masonic lodg-e, of Adams, N. Y., and also of the A. O.
U. W., Woodmen of the World, Modern Woodmen, and the Tribe of
Joseph. He was nominated for coroner on the Republican ticket in
1898, but was defeated Avith the rest of the nominees of that party.
Dr. Fulford is the leading homeopathic physician in this part of the
state, and has a large practice.
Puller, Rev. Andrew King, was born March 3, 1855, in Mason-
A'ille, DelaAvare county, N. Y. His early life was spent on a farm,
and when sixteen years of age he taught a district school; Avas edu
cated at the Afton Academy and Colgate University, where he was
graduated in 1879, standing fourth in his class, and became teacher
in elocution for two years at the sarae place. In 1882 he was grad
uated from the Hamilton Theological Seminary. In June of that
year he married Phoebe E. Sisson, of Harailton, N. Y. During the
next seven years he had charge of the Wurts Baptist church, of
Rondout, N.'Y. He reraoved to Sioux Falls Septeraber 1, 1889, and
remained three years as pastor of the First Baptist church, of Sioux
Palls. He then 'returned East to NeAvburgh, N. Y., and on October
9, 1892, took charge of the First Baptist church of that place. While
in Sioux Palls, the church was prosperous under his charge— over
one hundred being received into its raerabership. He did not raistake
his calling, and it is not too rauch to say that he is a model pastor;
his kind, genial manners, his culture and ability, his admirable qual
ities as a preacher, together with his rare good sense as a citizen,
secured for hira vvhile in Sioux Falls a large circle of friends who
greatly regretted his departure.
Gale, Artemas, is one of the pioneers of Minnehaha county,
and if his prosperity is to raeasure his satisfaction for coming here,
he must be one of the raost contented of our citizens. He Avas born
on the 4th day of March, 1825, in New Jersey, and removed, when
thirteen years of age, with his father who was a raerchant, to Olean,
N. Y. In 1854 he came to St. Paul, and pre-empted 160 acres of land
where West St. Paul is now located, and was one of eight persons
who filed the first plat of West St. Paul, consisting of 640 acres. He
engaged in the mercantile and grain busmess on Third street m bt.
Paulf from 1854 until 1870. Visited Sioux Falls m 1868, also in 1869
and again in 1870, where he located 400 acres of land with half-breed
scriiD, and in 1870 broke up 180 acres. This scrip was located by an
agent for Mr. Gale in 1863, but the railitary reservation of 1864 kept
him from occupying it until 1870. The northwest one-fourth, the

538 HISTORY' OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

east half of the southwest one-fourth, andthe westhalf of the east half
of sections 21-101-49, coraprised the 400 acres. He raade his first plat
in the fall of 1870, on the east half of the northwest one-fourth. In
the spring of 1872 he built his house, and since then Sioux Palls has
been his home. He was one of the raerabers of the Congregational
church at its organization, and was one of its most liberal supporters.
He was chairraan of the board of county commissioners in 1877-8-9.
During the first few years of his residence in Sioux Palls he was ac
tive in school matters, and was a director in the Dakota National
Bank during the whole tirae of its existence. He was a conservative,
careful official, Avhen chairraan of the board of county coraraissioners,
and is a man of excellent business qualifications and an honest up
right esteemed citizen.
Garter, George V., was born at White Pigeon, Michigan, De
cember 17, 1860. When twenty-one years of age he carae to Dakota
and located in Brookings county, Avhere he engaged in the mercantile
business. In 1886 he came to Sioux Palls. In 1889 he secured a
position in the office of the register of deeds, where he remained un
til January, 1897. He Avas deputy register of deeds four years, and
the Republican party norainated hira for register in 1896, but he raet
Avith defeat, the same as all his associates on the ticket. He made a
good official; is a good fellow, and a respected citizen.
Gates, John Howard, was born at Waterloo, Iowa, October 28,
1865; was graduated frora the high school in 1882, and frora the State
University of Iowa in 1888; in Septeraber of that year carae to Sioux
Palls, and reraained one year as clerk in the law office of Bailey &
Davis; attended the laAv departeraent of the Columbia University, N.
Y., one year; returned to Sioux Falls, and entered the laAv firm of
Davis, Lyon & Gates in Deceraber, 1890, of Avhich firm he is still a
meraber; was appointed city attorney of SiouxPalls to fill vacancy,
from September, 1893, to May 1, 1894; Avas norainated on the Repub
lican ticket for state's attorney of Minnehaha county in November,
1896, and out of 5,108 votes received 2,426; was presid"ent of the Com
raercial Club in 1897. Mr. Gates is well posted in his profession; is
one of the "Big Pour" of the Sioux Falls Whist Club, social and
genial, and has a host of friends.
Gebert, Adam, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania,
April 8, 1823; was reared on a farra; learned the brickraason's trade,
and engaged in farraing and Avorked at his trade until 1852, when he
raoved to Maquoketa, Iowa, and went into the hardware business.
In 1862, he enlisted in Co. F, 31st Iowa Inf., and was in the military
service until June 27, 1865. He was captain of his company, and was
at the front at the time Vicksburg was besieged by Gen. Grant.
He Avas so afraid that the rebel array Avould escape that he watched
night after night at the foot of a big walnut tree, so that in case an
atterapt was made he could give the alarra. This fact becarae so
generally known that the big walnut was called " Captain Gebert's
tree." His corapany nurabered one hundred and one when it first
went out, but there were only twenty-seven left to be mustered out
in 1865; thirty-seven of the original number were dead. The regi-

Artemas Gale.

John Howard Gates.

history of minnehaha county. 543

ment was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, and a passenger car
was provided for the officers to come north, and cattle cars for the
privates; Captain Gebert rode with his men in the cattle cars. Upon
returning home he resuraed his mercantile business. In 1876, he
Avent to Colorado and engaged in the manufacture of lumber six
years; then reraoved to Louisiana and engag-ed in the raanufacture of
shingles on an extensive scale in corapauA' with his two sons. In
1889, having- secured a competence, he came North and located in the
city of Sioux Palls. The writer for several \'ears Avas his next door
neighbor, but it did not take long to discover that he and his good
Avife were royal g-ood neig-hbors. He is upright, enterprising, gen
erous, and in everA' way an exeraplary citizen.
George, William G., is a native of Ems, Germany, and was
born January 13, 1851; Avas educated in the public schools, and
when sixteen years of ag-e entered a printing office; eraigrated to the
United States and settled at West Bend, Wisconsin; worked at his
trade in Winona and St. Paul, Minnesota, and came to Sioux Palls
in April, 1886. In 1887, was employed by Caldwell & Bliss, and
took charge of the job department in their printing office until 1895,
when he opened a job printing office on his own account, and is con
ducting this business at the present writing. He is a raember of
the Modern Woodmen, the A. O. U. W., Germania Verein, and
Modern Brotherhood of America. Mr. George is a good business
man, and a respected citizen.
Gerin, Michael, was born at Donnybrook, Ireland, September
10, 1846, but removed to Canada when quite young. He attended
school for a short time, and when thirteen years of age comraenced
clerking in a grocery store. Prom that time he has continuously
been in the grocery business. He left Canada in June, 1878, and
came to the United States, and on the 8th day of August, 1878, ar
rived in Sioux Palls on the first train over the Omaha. He irarae
diately went into the grocery business, and built the building he noAv
occupies on Phillips avenue known as the Red Front Grocery. He
has been largely interested in real estate, and has a farra in Pali
sade upon which he has a very fine and valuable herd of registered
Shorthorns. He has built up a good business, is popular Avith his
customers, and is universally respected as a citizen and neighbor.
There is no person in Sioux Falls, raingling so much in society and
business circles as Michael Gerin, who meddles so little with the
affairs of others; he minds his own business, and in this respect he
is without a peer in the city. Always genial, pleasant and happy,
his list of friends is as extensive as his acquaintance.
Germain, Dr. William A., was born at Delafield, Wis., March
21 1855 Attended the public schools, and the State University at
Madison, where he graduated in 1878. The next tAvo years was
principal of the schools at Sharon, Wis. Studied medicine and was
graduated from the Butler Medical College at Butler, Ind., m March,
1882, and immediately thereafter left for Sioux Falls where he com
menced the practice of his profession the same month. He is con
nected with all the Masonic bodies located at Sioux 1^ alls, and has

544 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

been elected to the highest official positions in nearly all of the Ma
sonic organizations of the city; is president of the Board of Pensions
of this district, and local surgeon of the C, M. & St. Paul railroad
company. He has built up a large and lucrative practice, and is re
cognized as one of the most skillful practitioners in the city of
Sioux Palls. He is an active citizen and contributes his share to
all public enterprises.
Gilbert, Herman, is a native of Gerraany, and was born May
26, 1833. During his early youth he attended the public schools and
AVorked on a farra. In 1846 he eraigrated to this country and lived in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ten years; then opened a country store in
Sheboygan county and reraained there four years; the next six years
was engaged in the raanufacture of flour and luraber. His next busi
ness was that of a hotel keeper at Pon Du Lac, Wisconsin, where he
reraained several years. In 1873 he came to Sioux Falls and was in
business there until 1888, when he removed to Seattle, Washington,
where he now resides. He has considerable property in this county
at the present writing and has been spending a few months this sum
mer (1898) with his friends in Sioux Palls. He is an honest, upright
raan. Gilbert, Jacob T., was born at Rockville, Wis., August 17,
1861, and lived in that state until 1873, when he removed to Sioux
Falls where he has since resided. When fourteen years of age he
engag-ed in the raercantile business, and in 1881 opened a dry goods
and grocery store on his OAvn account, and continued in this business
until about three years ago. In 1884 he was a delegate to the Derao
cratic territorial convention at Pierre, and was secretary of the con
vention. In the fall of that year he was a candidate for the leg-isla
ture frora the district composed of the counties of Hanson, McCook
and Minnehaha, and was defeated by only twelve votes. In 1886 he
was again a candidate and was elected. In 1889 he Avas elected a
meraber of the school board and served on the board until 1895, two
years of which he was its president. The Gilbert block on Phillips
avenue was built by him. Mr. Gilbert makes a good official and is a
respected citizen.
Gillett, Frank H., was born in Oswego, N. Y., May 2, 1850,
and reraoved with his parents to Lake City, Minn., in 1856. In Sep
teraber, 1864, he enlisted in Co. A, Minn. Heavy Artillery, and served
until the close of the war. In 1865 went into a machine shop at Lake
City and remained in this business until he removed to this county.
He arrived in Sioux Palls April 23, 1878, where he engaged in the
farm implement business until 1895, since which tirae he has been
engaged in the marble business. Jolly, good-natured, an agreeable
business raan and a good citizen are' the principal eleraents in his
raake-up, and recognized by all who knoAv hira.
Oilman, Peter, is a native of Bavaria, Gerraany, andwas born
Deceraber 31, 1833. At the age of eleven years he carae to Washing
ton county, Wisconsin, and worked on a farra until 1863, when he en
listed in Co. C, 21st Wisconsin Infantry. Soon after, being disabled,
he was discharged, but recovering frora his disability re-enlisted in

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY 545

the 45th Wisconsin Infantry and reraained in the railitary service
until August 18, 1865, when he vvas discharg-ed at Nashville, Tenn.
In 1867 he went to Fon du Lac, Wis., and was eng-aged in the agri
cultural implement business nine years. On the 16th day of March,
1876, he arrived in Sioux Palls and has since resided there. He
owned for seA'eral years a farm in Lincoln county; was in the agri
cultural irapleraent business several years and for four years operat
ed a vineg-ar factorv' in Sioux Palls. He is a strong, vigorous raan
physically, a g-ood neighbor and an active, energetic citizen.
GiPSON, Arthur H., was born in Brandon, Vermont, December
4, 1856, and removed Avith his parents to Racine county, Wiscon
sin Avhen four A'ears of age. He worked on a farra and attended
school until he Avas eighteen Aears of age, g-raduating frora the Roch
ester Seminary. Hethen went to Colorado, Avhere he was engag-ed
in various pursuits for several years, and then carae to Dakota and
resided at Volga until the spring of 1883, Avhen he reraoved to Sioux
Falls, Avhere he has since resided engaged in the real estate and
collection business. He has taken quite an active part in local
politics, is a genial good fellow and a good citizen.
Glidden, Daniel S., was born in Clarendon, Orleans county.
New York, on the 24th day of February, 1844. He was reared on a
farra, attended the coramon schools, and corapleted his education at
the State Norraal school at Brockport, N. Y. He taught school one
terra in New York. In 1867, Avent to Anaraosa, Iowa, where he
taught school during the following winter. In 1868, Avent to Indian
Town, Iowa, where he was in charge of the public schools fiA'e years.
The next five years he was interested in a raercantile business at
Montour, Iowa, and during the same time was in charge of the public
schools at that place, and Avas a standing Deraocratic candidate for
county superintendent of schools. Right here it raight as well be
said that he is a Deraocrat of a mild type. In 1878, he carae to Sioux
Falls, and engaged in the boot and shoe business five years. Por
four years he was a raeraber of the territorial executive coraraittee of
the Democratic party, and treasurer of the organization. In 1887,
he was elected warden of the South Dakota penitentiary, and con
ducted that institution for two years Avith credit to hiraself and the
Territory Mr. Glidden has been an active Mason for raore than a
quarter of a century, having held nearly every office in his lodge
chapter and coraraandery; "is known" as a Past Master, Past High
Priest and Past Coraraander, and during 1887-8, he held the office of
Grand Commander of the Territory of Dakota.
He is one of the best informed raen in the state, his reading cora
prising about everything but theology, and it is entertaining to hear
him discuss any subject but that. He stands by his friends, especi
ally when they are in trouble, always feels well, is generous to a
fault, is a good, honest, upright citizen, and has hosts of friends who
are always ready to fall in line when Dan wants help.
Glidden, Mrs. D. S., whose maiden name was Josephine Mar
tin, was born in Clarendon, Orleans county. New York. She vvas
educated in the public schools, and took a two years course at a

35

546 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

school for young- ladies at Rochester. She was married June 22,
1871, and came with her husband to Montour, loAva, and resided there
until they moved to Sioux Falls. Although her name appears inci
dentally elsewhere in this work in connection with the literary and
musical org-anizations in Sioux Palls, the character of her services
to the public requires a more extensive notice. Nearly twenty years
ago she became interested in the establishment of a public library,
and from that tirae up to the present, has labored persistently in this
work. It is the raethod she adopted to accoraplish her purpose, and
the lesson it teaches, which we wish especially to call attention to.
The library is now an established institution, and through the mu
nificence of one of our citizens, W. H. Lyon, has one of the finest build
ings in the city for its home. But, as Kipling would say, "that is
another story." Mrs. Glidden did not procure large donations, but
went at the work before her upon the cumulative plan, and from a
small beginning gradually procured about four thousand well se
lected books which now belong to the Sioux Falls Free Public Li
brary Association. We do not mean to say that she accoraplished
this result alone, but we do mean to affirm that during all this tirae
she has been the central figure in the enterprise, and it affords a
splendid illustration of Avhat might be accomplished in time by the
constant, Avell-directed efforts of a person whose heart is in the work.
Mrs. Glidden has also done much to cultivate and expand the liter
ary tastes and attainments of quite a large circle of ladies in Sioux
Falls, and this has been accoraplished with such rare tact and gen
uine disinterestedness that she is adraired and loved by all her asso
ciates. Gliem, Charles C, of Gerraan parentage, was born at Charles
ton, South Carolina, Nov. 5, 1875. When only Iavo months old Avent
with his parents to Germany. In 1881, he returned to this country
with an uncle, who settled in Benton countA', Iowa. He Avas reared
on a farra and educated in the public schools, and was graduated from
Tilford college at Vinton, Iowa, in 1895. The next six raonths he
spent in Gerraany, then returned to Lyon county, Iowa, and studied
law, and was adraitted to the bar in South Dakota April 5, 1898, and
since then has been practicing law at SiouxPalls. Mr. Gliera attends
strictly to business, and will make a good lawyer.
GooDELL, Leicester B., was born in Buffalo, NeAv York, Decera
ber, 21, 1833. When twelve years old he comraenced work for hira
self at first in a box factory, then in a lath raill and ship yard, and
Avhen eighteen years old went to Illinois and worked on a farra five
years. He then worked at the mason's trade until the civil war
broke out, when he enlisted in the three months' service, and after
that re-enlisted in Corapany B, 34th Illinois infantrv, where he
served a little over three years, and then enlisted in "the Second
Minnesota battery, and served until the close of the war. He then
engaged in mason work and the scrap-iron business until in the
spring of 1883, when he moved to Dakota, and located at Howard on
the 7th of March of that year. He came to Sioux Palls on the I5th
day of Septeraber, 1891, where he has since been engaged in citv

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 547

farming-. He is an independent, positive character, and freely ex
presses his opinion upon public raatters, and is an honest, upright
citizen. Grant, Rev. Arthur Hastings, is a native of New York Citv,
N. Y., and Avas born November 16, 1865, He graduated from Cor
nell University in 1887, and was Registrar and Secretary of the same
in 1888-90. He was pastor of the Unitarian Society of Preeville, N.
Y., in 1889-91, and during this time vvas a regular correspondent for
the Nevv York Evening Post. He vvas on the editorial staff of the
Dryden Herald in 1891, until he removed to South Dakota in July of
that A'ear to assume the duties of pastor of All Souls church of Sioux
Palls, In this capacity his discussions on questions of public inter
est from the pulpit drew quite large congregations, and he fre
quently availed himself of the newspapers to put before the people
his A'ieAvs upon public affairs. He was as prominent as a citizen as
he was as a pastor. In 1892, he was elected president of the Sioux
Palls Library Association and remained as such, until he removed to
Newburgh, N. Y., in July, 1893, to take charge of the Unitarian
church at that place. He met with very flattering success at New
burgh, and at one time caused quite a sensation in that staid old town
by challenging the ministers of the orthodox churches singly or col-
lectiA-ely to a public discussion of some of the fundamental proposi
tions of evangelical religion, which challenge was accepted and a jomt
discussion Avith an iraraense audience was the result. Prom the
newspaper accounts that followed, it Avould seem that Mr. Grant was
Avell equipped both for attack and defense, and made quite a reputa
tion as a public debater. In October, 1898, he left Newburgh to
becorae rainister of Unity church, Montclair, N. Y. The sarae year
he published the Grant Faraily History, in which the decendants are
nurabered by a very ingenious raethod devised by hira. Mr. Grant
has a well stored and thoroughly disciplined mind, and with his
studious and persevering habits, will undoubtedly be heard from in
the future. Greene, Herbert Lawrence, Avas born in Boston, Mass.,
October 14, 1861, and removed with his parents to Iowa in 1866. He
received an academic education at McGregor, Iowa. At the age of
eighteen years he was appointed to a clerkship m the Interior De
partment at Washington and remained there nine months, lhe
chief clerk in the department accused hira one day of being sparing
of the truth, and a little episode occurred "then and there, and the
next day the chief clerk was well enough to get Mr. Greene dis
charged". He then went to Rock Rapids, loAva, and was engaged as
principal of the high school for one year, at the expiration of vvhich
time he came to Sioux Falls. While in Washmgton he attended lec
tures at the Columbian law school, and upon his arrival in Sioux i alls
in 1883, entered the law office of Winsor & Swezey and remained
with th^m until he was admitted to the bar April 7, 1884. After his
admission he practiced law in Sioux Falls for one year alone, and
then formed a copartnership with Judge Parliman under the name of
Parliman & Greene. This partnership continued for one year, when

548 history of minnehaha county.

Mr. Greene accepted the position of general solicitor for the Insur
ance Company of Dakota, and remained with this corapany two years.
After severing his connection with the insurance company he left the
practice of law and engaged in the real estate business in Sioux Falls,
in which he proved to be a successful promoter. During the dull
times of 1892, he, with one or two others, secured the town site of
Sisseton, in Roberts county, and this enterprise will undoubtedly
materalize to his advantage in due tirae. He is well up in Masonry,
and was one of the charter raerabers of Granite lodge No. 18, of the
Knights of Pythias, and was the first coraraander of the order in
South Dakota. He has been very prominent in political matters.
Por two years he was president of the State Republican league, and
received universal praise for a masterly thirty days' campaign, which
he conducted at the tirae of the first Congressional election in the
state. He was also at the Mitchell convention in 1890, and distin
guished hiraself by his adrairable conduct of J. M. Bailey's fight for
the noraination for state treasurer. His speech in placing his friend
in nomination before the convention was excellent, and called forth
the heartiest applause from his opponents. He is one of the finest
after-dinner speakers in the state. At the banquet upon the opening
of the Sioux Palls, Yankton and Southwestern R. R. he responded
to the toast "South Dakota and South Dakotans." It was a splendid
sp'eech and was pronounced by those Avho heard it as one of the finest,
most finished oratorical efforts that South Dakotans ever had the
pleasure of listening to. This sketch will close here, but the future
history of the county and state Avill undoubtedly have many lines
interwoven, inspired by the work of Herbert L. Greene.
Grigsby, Col. Melvin, was born June 8, 1845, at the village of
Potosi, Grant county, Wisconsin. When four years of age he moved
with his parents on to a farra, where he spent his early youth, at
tending district and village schools. At the breaking out of the war
in 1861, he was anxious to enlist, but his father thought hira too
young to enlist, and sent him to the Lancaster Institute at Lancas
ter, Wisconsin, which, however, did not quench the Avar fever, and
in November, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C, 2d Wisconsin Cavalry, and
reraained in active service or in confederate prisons until Ap^ril 13,
1865, when he received his discharge. He was taken prisoner near
Vicksburg, and spent eleven raonths in prison at Canton, Missis
sippi, Cahaba, Alabaraa, Andersonville, Georgia, and Florence, South
Carolina. About six months of his tirae he spent in Andersonville.
From the last prison at Florence, South Carolina, he escaped on the
10th day of January, 1865, and going south reached Sherman's army
on the first day of February. He reraained Avith the array until it
reached Goldsboro, and then got perraission to accorapany General
Sherraan when he went to Eagle Point to meet General Grant, and
from there he came on to Washington and horae to Wisconsin. His
experience while in prison, inspired him to write a book with the
title of Smoked Yank, which has brought him considerable notoriety.
After leaving the array he attended the university at Madison, Wis
consin, one year, and in 1866 went to the Normal school at Platte
ville, Wisconsin, where he remained until he graduated in 1869. He

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 551
then Avas employed for one year as principal of the public schools at
Horicon, Wisconsin, and held the same position at Darlington and
also at Delevan in that state. During this tirae he had studied law,
and at the end of his career as a teacher he entered the law office of
Pitt Dewey at Lancaster. In the spring of 1872, he was adraitted to
the bar, and immediately thereafter started out on horseback in
search of a place in which to locate. He arrived in Sioux Palls the
first Sunday in June, and soon settled the question of residence in
fa\'or of this place. He entered into a copartnership with R. P. Pet
tigrew for the practice of law and in the real estate business, which
continued until the fall of 1876. In 1877, in connection with Geo. M.
Smith, he established the Dakota Pantagraph at Sioux Palls, but
sold out a few months after. Mr. Sraith reraained in copartnership
Avith Mr. Grigsby for nearly six years, during Avhich tirae they
started the Bank of Egan, at Egan, South Dakota, with Mr. Grigsby
as president for the first year. He also started the Union County
Bank at Elk Point, and was its first president; was one of the prin
cipal promoters of the Dakota National Bank in Sioux Falls, and was
its first president. He has been very active in political life. In
1886, the Minnehaha county republican convention instructed its del
egates to the territorial congressional convention to present his narae
to the convention for nomination. In 1886, he was a pronounced can
didate for the congressional nomination. The convention Avas held
at WatertoAvn,and it was one of the notable conventions of territorial
days. He had a large following and nearly votes enough to secure
the nomination. The sarae year he was elected to the territorial
council, and served in that capacity with marked ability. He was
elected alderman from the Third ward at the first city election in
1883, and the sarae year was a delegate to the constitutional conven
tion held at Sioux Falls, September 4. Up to the time of the hold-
ino- of the republican state convention in 1894, he had been a Repub
lican, but not liking the financial plank in the republican platform
he joined the Populists, believing the free coinage of silver to be the
most important issue before the American people. He was nomi
nated by the party of his adoption for the state senate m 1894 but
went down before the republican majority which swept the political
ranks in Minnehaha county that year. In 1896 he was nominated on
the populist state ticket for attorney general. He stumped the state
for Bryan and free silver, and when the votes were canvassed he had
the pleasure of knowing that he had more votes than any other candi
date upon the ticket in his own county and in the state. He Avas
elected and perforraed the duties of his office until ^he war with
Spain broke out, when he promptly tendered his ^^'""'^^l.^'^.^^J'J^J:
ernraent, asked for a colonel's coraraission and proposed to rase a
cavalry regiraent of cowboys for the military service. April 11, he
went to Washington, where he learned that a bill '"fP^^^f^^y Theo
dore Roosevelt was before Congress providmg for the «Jf "'^^J^Y"
of a regiment of cowboys. Seeing that only one ^^/'f "^ .^^^.^P^^^^^^
volunteers could be raised under the P^^^^^o^f °V f fort;?ni?trtes
had his friends among the congressmen during the last forty mmutes
before a vote was taken propose an amendment which Avas adopted

552 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

"authorizing- the secretary of war to organize companies, troops,
battalions or regiraents possessing- special qualifications frora the
Nation at large, including the appointraent of the officers thereof."
This bill was passed on April 22, and a week later he received his
coraraission as colonel, Avith instructions to recruit the regiraent of
the Third United States Volunteer Cavalry. His force was raus
tered into service May 19, and the next day left for Chickaraauga,
the southern rendezvous. This regiraent, known as "Grigsby's
Cowboys" was a splendid regiraent, and before long had the reputa
tion of being the best drilled and equipped of any at the park, and
was frequently corapared Avith Col. Roosevelt's regiraent, known as
"Teddy's Terrors," who did valiant service in front of Santiago, and
made its colonel governor of New York. But, to the great dis
appointraent of not only Col. Grigsby but of the entire regiraent, the
Avar was brought to a close without this regiraent being ordered to
the front. But the promptness of Col. Grigsby in not only offering
his own services to the government, but in enlisting a body of raen
inured to hardship, with superior qualifications for the service ex
pected of them, is a tribute to his good judgment, courage and
patriotism that will not soon be forgotten in South Dakota. He was
popular with his men, and when the regiment was raustered out its
officers presented hira with a beautiful sword. During his absence
at Chickaraauga his son, Sioux K. Grigsby, as deputy attorney gen
eral, attended to the duties of this office with great ability.
The foregoing- comprises a brief sketch of the colonel up to date,
but when the tirae comes for the writing- of his obituary, raany things
will undoubtedly have to be added to make his record complete.
Haas, Peter P., was born in Detroit, Michigan, April 9, 1852.
While a lad he attended the city schools, and in 1874 was graduated
frora the Northwestern college at Napierville, Illinois. He then
taught school until 1878, studying laAv during the time. In 1879 he
was admitted to the bar, and practiced law at Grundy Center, Iowa,
until 1880. On the 22d day of February of that year he arrived at
Lennox, Lincoln county, Dakota, Avhere he reraained ten years, prac
ticing law. In February, 1890, he purchased the Dakota Deutsche
Zeitung, published at Sioux Palls, and after changing its name to
that of Dakota Staats Zeitung, has continued its publication to the
present tirae. Mr. Haas is quite an able editorial writer, and is not
only a good newspaper man but also a good citizen and takes an active
part in all local matters.
Rt. Rev. W. H. Hare, D. D., Missionary Bishop of South
Dakota, took up a profession which had been a favorite one with his
ancestors and connections. His father Avas the Rev. George Eralen
Hare, D. D., LL. D., late professor in the Philadelphia Divinity
school, and was one of the Anierican committee on the revision of
the Authorized Version of the Bible. His grandfather, on his
mother's side, was the celebrated Bishop Hobart, of New York;
his great-grandfather, the Rev. Thoraas Bradbury Chandler, D. D.,
famous as one of the stanchest churchmen of Colonial days. His
wife, who died a few years after their marriage, was a daughter of

Rt. Rev. W. H. Hare, D. D.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 555

the Rt. Rev. M. A, DeWitt HoAA'e, Bishop of Central Pennsylvania,
bv his first Avife, Julia Amory.
Bishop Hare vAas born in Princeton, New Jersey, May 17, 1838.
He took Holy Orders in the Episcopal church as soon as his age per
raitted, being ordained Deacon June 19, 1859, and Priest May 25,
1S62. After holding tAvo parochial cures he was appointed secretary
and general agent of Foreign Missionary work of the Episcopal
church. After he had been engaged in this work for a year, the
House of Bishops in the general convention of 1871 norainated hira to
the House of Deputies for the Missionary Bishoprick of Cape Pal-
raas, on the Avest coast of Africa, but withdrew their noraination on
the earnest representations of the deputies that his services Avere in-
A-aluable to the church in the office which he held.
A year later. All Saints Day, 1872, however, the Bishops elected
him Missionar\' Bishop of Niobrara, that being for ecclesiastical pur
poses the name of a missionary district of the church in Dakota
chiefly occupied by wild Indian tribes.
He Avas consecrated in St. Luke's church, Philadelphia, January
9, 1873, being next in order in the line of Bishops to his father-in-
law. Bishop Howe, and the one-hundreth Bishop in the American
line. On the 10th day of January, 1888, the fifteenth anniversary of
Bishop Hare's consecration was celebrated in Sioux Falls. Services
were held in Calvary Cathedral, on which occasion the Bishop gave a
brief account of his'election as Missionary Bishop and the work he
had done in performing the duties of this iraportant office. The
writer at the time was greatly irapressed Avith the idea that no per
son situated as Bishop Hare was at the tirae of his election, possess
ing such rare qualities to comraand the raost desirable positions in
his chosen profession, could possibly have accepted the office, advised
as he was of its privations and hardships, except frora a profound
sense that duty called hira to raake the sacrifice.
This address was published at the tirae, and the writer, recently
reviewing it, carae to the conclusion that he could do no better ser
vice to the readers of this work than to give thera the raam facts in
the language of the distinguished prelate, who has done so much to
advance civilization in the territory over which he was called to
minister. The Bishop spoke in substance as follows:
This anniversary, which you, mv dear friends, have kindly come
together to make raemorable, seems not only to justify, but to mvite
frora rae some personal reminiscences and sorae retrospective glances
at the work in which as a Bishop I have been engaged.
On all Saints Day (Nov. 1), 1872, I was Avaited upon by the raera
bers of the Commission then charged with the care of the Church
Indian Mission work, and informed that the House of Bishops had
elected me to be Missionary Bishop of Niobrara. ^, , , ..
Niobrara was the name of a river running along the border line
between Nebraska and Dakota, and had been chosen as a convenient
terra in Ecclesiastical nomenclature for the large tract of country ol
which then little was known, save that it stretched "o^-thAvard from
the river Niobrara, and was roaraed over by the Poncas and different
tribes of Sioux and Dakota Indians.

556 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

The Jurisdiction proper of the Missionary Bishop of Niobrara
Avas originally a tract of country bounded "on the east by the Mis
souri river; on the south by the State of Nebraska; on the west by
the 104th Meridian, the Territory of Wyoraing and Nebraska; on the
north by the 46th degree of north latitude; including also the several
Indian Reservations on the left bank of the Missouri, north and east
of said river." In order to give unity and compactness to the effort
of the church for the Indian tribes, the Missionary Bishop of Niob
rara Avas also authorized to take charge of the Rocky Mountains, as
might be transferred to his oversight by the Bishops within whose
Jurisdiction such work might lie.
The news was utterly unexpected, and fell upon me like a thun
derbolt from a clear sky. The honor was alraost too much for ray
sraall stock of virtue. I was at the tirae Secretary and General
Agent of the Foreign Mission Work of this Church, and deeply im-
raersed, body, raind and heart in the work of raaking known the
Gospel araong the heathen in distant lands. '"' "'" * * ""
My first thought was to decline; and I informed my visitors that
it would take me but a few hours to decide, and that if the House of
Bishops would reraain in session, they should have my answer without
delay. But the House had done its duty and adjourned, and left rae
to decide what was raine. The call was most soleran. It was frora
an authority that was next to that of the Head of the Church Himself.
It came to one who held the opinion that the opposition of the indi
vidual judgment and will to the summons of the Church is almost
fatal to her prorapt and efficient conduct of her Missionary campaign,
and should never be ventured except for reasons of paramount im
portance. As I afterwards came to see, I had been led through a course of
preparation for such a summons. Though born and bred at the East,
I had spent six months in Michigan and Minnesota, 1863, and there
seen something of the Indian problem.
I had seen that there Avas nothing in the van of civilization to
ameliorate the condition of the Red raan, because the van of civiliza
tion is often its vilest offscourings; that its first representatives gen
erally despise the Indians, and condescend to thera in nothing but
the gratification of inordinate appetites and desires; and that when
civilization of a better class appears, it is too often so bent on its own
progress, and so far frora helpful or kindly, that its advance, like that
of a railroad train at full speed, dashes in pieces those unlucky wan
derers who happen to stand in its way, and leaves the others with
only a raore discouraging sense of the length of the road, and the
slowness with which they make their way along it. -^- '* * * *
I thought then, I think now, that good and patriotic men cannot
blink the Indian problem. It stares thera in the face. If ever the
warning of the wise raan be in season, it is in this case. "If thou
forbear to deliver thera that are draAvn unto death, and those that are
ready to be slain; if thou sayest. Behold, we knew it not; doth, not He
that pondereth the heart consider it? and He that keepeth thy soul,
doth not he know it? and shall not He render to every raan accord
ing to his works?"

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 557

Discussions of the probable future of the Indians were, it seeraed
to rae, beside the question, and dangerous because they droAvn the
call of present duty. Suppose these people be designed by Providence
to be hewers of Avood and drawers of water. Our duty is to fit thera
for that lot. Suppose that they are to be merged in our more numer
ous race. Our duty is to fit thera for that absorption by interraar-
riage, and so arrest the present vicious intermingling. Suppose that
they are to die out. Our duty is to prepare them for their departure.
Our duty is the plainer, because the treatraent which will fit these
people for any one of these lots will fit thera for either of the others.
The issue of all my cogitating- was — I accepted the appointment.
The presiding- Bishop deterrained upon Thursday after the Feast
of the Epiphany, January 9th, 1873, as the time, and St. Luke's
church, Philadelphia, with vvhich I had been intimately connected in
my early ministry, as the place for my consecration, and I was then
and there duly consecrated. * * * * * ¦•' *
My grandfather. Bishop Hobart of Nevv York, had been distin
guished for his missionary efforts in behalf of the Indians, the Oneidas
and other tribes of the Six Nations in New York, and these Oneidas
had been removed to Wisconsin, and were to be placed under the
care of his grandson. In fact, my first visitation on leaving the East
was to the Oneida Mission. Many whom Bishop Hobart confirraed
in New York state fifty years before, brought their grandchildren to
be confirraed by his grandson.
VISIT TO THE INDIAN TERRITORY.
I was desirous of studying the condition of the semi-civilized In
dians before going to the wilder tribes of the Northwest, and there
fore first made a A'isit to the Indian Territory of the Southwest.
While I was ot route, the Avhole country was plunged into a frenzy of
exciteraent, and of denunciation of the Avhole Indian race, by the
Modoc massacre, and the mouths of raany sober raen were filled with
calls for revenge, such as at other tiraes they were wont to denounce
as the characteristic of the vindictive Sioux. The general of the
array telegraphed a subordinate that he would be "fully justified in
the utter exterraination " of the Modocs. Friends Avrote rae that a
blow had been struck at all efforts for the Indians which was siraply
fatal, conclusive; and that it Avould be folly in rae to persist. I
pressed on, nevertheless, only lamenting that the treachery of a
handful of Indians was allowed by an intelligent people to govern
opinion, while the good behavior of tens of thousands of Indians was
utterly forgotten.
Prom the Indian Territory I made my way to Dakota, like Abra
hara, who went out not knowing whither he went. I reached Yankton
City, April 29, 1873. A military officer, to whora I was there mtro
duced as being the Missionary Bishop to the Indians, soraewhat
bluntly replied: "Indeed! I don't envy you your task." I recalled
the words, "Let not hira who putteth on his arraor boast himself as
he that putteth it off," and simply replied, "A mmister, hke a mili
tary officer, obeys orders." Whatever was uncertain, I was at least
sure of my, commission. * * * " * '

558 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

THE NIOBRARA MISSION.
From Yankton I passed up the Missouri river, along which the
main body of the missionary enterprise of our church araong the In
dians was then located. I found that missionary work had been es
tablished on the Santee, Yankton, and Ponca Reserves, and three
brave young deacons, fresh from the Berkeley Divinity School, had
the previous fall, pressed up the river and begun the task of opening
the way for missionary effort among the Indians of the Lower Brule,
the Crow Creek and the Cheyenne River Reserves.
Altogether there were, besides three natives, five white clergy
men and five ministering women. I could not then, I cannot now,
admire enough the courage with which these Soldiers of Christ had
entered upon the work and the fortitude with which they persevered
in it. Their entrance upon it was largely, of necessity, a leap in the
dark, and their continuance in it a groping where there was no light
and no trodden way. They had raade the wild man their companion,
an unknown heathenism their field of labor, and the wilderness their
horae. Nor could I but wonder at the grand faith, the dauntless
conviction of duty and the tremendous moral energy of the one man
— Williara Welsh — who had both excited and backed their efforts by
his zeal, his counsel and his wealth.
The raissionaries above referred to have since been joined by
others of like spirit with the best of them. They deserve the en
comium which I admiringly bestowed upon thera in one of my annual
reports; "Brave leaders in the van-guard of civilization! Patient
pioneers removing prejudices and other obstructions, and preparing-
the way for day schools and boarding schools and all the good thing-s
that accompany the progress of the King! Faithful guides, too, to
the Indians amidst the perplexities Avhich surround thera, especially
as they pass through their present transition stage."
But Avhat about the Indians? I had read much of Avhat had been
Avritten by delighted visitors of the heartiness and reverence with
which the services of the church were rendered by these humble peo
ple. And all that was ever written I found raore than realized, Avhen
it was ray privilege to kneel with thera in their little sanctuaries. I
could understand how the brave, self-denying raissionaries to whom
I had corae could feel regarding their converts as the Apostle ex
claims, "What thanks can we render to God for all the joy where
with we joy for your sakes before our God?" I found that a great
deal of true and effective work had been done — work which affected
the whole after history of the Mission.
It was not long before I saw both sides of Indian life. The bet
ter side: Said a shrewd christian Yankton chief, as I was about to
leave the rude chapel erected araong his people: "Stop, friend, I
have a few words to say. I am glad to hear you are going to visit
the wild, upper tribes. Companies of thera often corae down to visit
ray band, and I always take thera to see this chapel. I think a good
deal depends upon the irapression ray chapel makes on them. I
think if it was put in better order it would make a better irapression
than it does. The rain and snow corae through the roof. This floor

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 559

is not even. Now, you are called an Apostle. That is a good narae.
I believe it means, 'one sent.' But there are raany people to whom
you are sent to Avhom you cannot go; for they are Avild people. But
these visitors of mine go everywhere and tell everywhere what they
have seen." The wilder side, too, I saw; for among the Lower
Brules, a fellow rode up by the side of our party with an airy, reck
less, dare-devil manner, and remarked, as he flourished his weapon:
"I Avant my boy to go to school, but /am an old man. I ara Avounded
all over. 1 like to fight. I love war. I Avent off the other day araong
some strang-e Indians. They said: 'Go aAA'ay, or we'll kill 3'ou.'
'Kill aAvay,' said I, 'that's what I like.' " He was a type of hundreds
and thousands. But is it an unheard-of-thing for white raen to hate
the restraints of religion and raorality for themselves, and yet wish
them for their children?
The scenes grew wilder as I pushed farther on. A service held
at the Cheyenne RiA'er Agency, in the open air, left a deep impression
on ray mind. It was a strange scene. In front of us, forty or fifty
feet distant, rolled the Missouri River. Nearer at hand, grouped in
a semi-circle, fringed with a few curious soldiers and employes of
the Agency, sat the Indians; many bedecked with paint and feathers
and carrying guns and tomahawks; some in a soraber guise, betoken
ing that they Avere inclining to the white raan's ways; while all gazed,
apparently half araused, half awe-struck, at the vested Missionary of
the station as he sang the hymns and offered the prayers of the
church, and then at the Indian Deacon arid at me as we spoke the
words of life. PLANS OF WORK.
After a study of the field, and rauch conversation with the clergy,
I reached some conclusions and began to lay out settled plans of work.
First — Mapping out the field. I soon saw that my w-ork was not
to be that of a settled pastor in daily contact Avith his flock; but that
of a general superintendent whose duty it would be to reach the
people through their pastors, not so much to do local work, as to
make local work possible and easy for others.
The whole field was therefore raapped out into divisions, these
divisions being ordinarily the territory connected with a United
States Indian Agency. The special care of each of thera was en
trusted to one experienced Presbyter, and around him were grouped
the Indian ministers and catechists, and others who Avere engaged m
evangelistic work within his division. Their pay I arranged should
pass to them not directly from me, or from the board, but through
the hands of the Presbyters imraediately over thera, that the respon
sibility of the assistants to their chief raight be duly felt. The
assistants were to reside near their several chapels and conduct the
services there, and raonthly the chief raissionary was to raake his
visitation, for the purpose of ministering the word and sacraraents,
and in inspecting the condition of his field. The whole field was soon,
in this way put in raanageable shape.
Second-Boarding Schools. My visit to the Indian territory
and my study of the Indian problem in my own field, convinced me

560 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

quite early that the boarding school ought to be one of the raost
prominent features of our missionary work.
I thought that children gathered in such schools Avould soon be
come, in their neat and orderly appearance, their increasing intelli-
g-ence, and their personal testimony to the loving and disinterested
lives of the missionaries with whom they dwelt, living epistles, known
and read of their wilder brethren. They would form the nuclei of
congregations at the chapels connected with the schools, and learn to
carry on with spirit the responses and music of the services.
I also proposed to establish a central boarding school of higher
grade, at the place of the bishop's residence, to be conducted under
his immediate supervision, to which the other schools should be trib
utary by furnishing their most promising boys for education as
teachers, cathechists, and missionaries.
The plan Avas carried out, and thus grew up the St. Paul's, St.
Mary's, St. John's, and Hope Indian boarding schools, which, under
their respective heads, have won a deservedly high reputation. St.
Paul's boarding school Avas the first venture in this line, araong the
Indians in South Dakota.
The last feature of the plan AA'as raodified later when the estab
lishment at the East of schools for the Indians, like Hampton Insti
tute, offered peculiar advantages in the way of higher education. It
seeraed wiser to send out of the Indian country, to these schools, the
pupils who had proved themselves of most promise and raost likely to
develop into teachers and ministers.
Third — Limitation. I next realized that, as no man can do
everything, I must eliminate from my plan of work those things
which it was not absolutely necessary for me to do, and devote ray
attention to those things which no one else could or Avould do, and to
the things raost essential in one holding the position and placed in
the conditions in which I found rayself.
There stretched before rae vast tracts of wild country inhabited
by roaming tribes. It was to be my duty to explore them and make
a way for the entrance of the church. There were in the whole dis
trict but five churches and but two dwellings for the missionaries,
and not a single boarding school. The missionary board employed
no business agent in the field, and I saw that I must be a builder of
parsonages, schools, and churches. There were but seven clerg}'-
raen in the raission; I saAv that I must seek out, or raise up, more.
Obstacles of varied and peculiar nature met the workers at every
turn. I saw that I must be their friend, counsellor, and comforter
—a real pastor of pastors— if I could be. Large funds would be
needed. I was made to feel that it Avas left largely to me to raise
them. "The raission had two ends," I was told; ""one was in the
East, where the money was, and the other was in the Indian Terri
tory, where the work was. I Avas expected to look after both ends."
K™ I ^^^^ "P' therefore, all thought of ever learning the several na
tive languages with which I vvas confronted, except so far as neces
sary in order to read the vernacular service. It is my associates,
and not I, who have mastered the native languages, and proclairaed it
to the Indians, in their own tongue, the wonderful works of God. * *

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY 561

From the first, I struggled against the notion that we were mis
sionaries to Indians alone and not missionaries to all men; I pressed
the study of the English langauge and its couA'ersational use in our
schools, and, however imperfect my efforts, the aira of them has been
to break down "the middle wall of the partition" between whites
and Indians, and to seek not the welfare of one class or race, but the
common good. NATURE OF THE MISSION UNDERTAKING.
The character of the work to be done appears frora the fact that
the Indians with whora the Mission has to deal, were sorae of the
most reckless and the wildest of our North American tribes, and
scattered over a district sorae parts of which were twelve days'
travel distant frora others. So desolate was the country that on one
of ray trips I reraeraber not seeing a human face or a human habita
tion, not even an Indian lodge, for eight days. Emissaries of evil had
reached the Indians long before the raissionaries of the Cross ap
peared. "All the white raen that carae before you," replied a chief,
" said that they had corae to do us good, but they stole our goods and
corrupted our women; and how are we to know that you are dif
ferent?" RESULTS.
Such were some of the difficulties, but notwithstanding them all,
and despite all shortcomings, the raissionaries have penetrated the
raost distant camps and reached the wildest of the tribes. We have
missions now among the Sissetons, Wahpetons, Blackfeet, Sans
Arcs, Oncpapas, Minneconjoux, Two Kettles, Upper Brules, and
Ogalalas. The blessing which has attended the labors of the missionaries
appears from the fact that in 1872 there were but six congregations,
and in 1887, there are forty-five.
Twelve years ago there was not to be found among any of these
Indians, a single boarding school! We have now four in successful
operation, with about forty children in each.
We have three commodious, substantial, boarding school build
ings, the fourth is conducted in a government building and a vast
and once desolate country is dotted over with thirty neat churches
and chapels, and eighteen small but comfortable raission residences.
No recess in the wilderness is so retired that you raay not, perhaps,
find a little chapel in it. All these buildings have been erected with
out government subsidies, by the gifts of generous friends.
The clergy have presented for confirmation during my Episco
pate, nearly fifteen hundred candidates; seven faithful Indians are
serving in the sacred ministry, four having died; and the offerings of
our native Christians have increased since we were able to make a
systematic effort in this behalf, as indicated in the following state
raent:

1881---  ---•  $ 585
1882-    960
1883    1,217
1884   --- ¦ -- 1,514

1885    $1,801
1886   ---- 2,000
1887  2,500

30

562 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

The raoney for all the thirty churches and eighteen parsonages
referred to above, except three, passed through ray hands, and the
buildings were put up under my supervision. I know, therefore,
their condition, and ara glad to report that they are all of thera en-
tAve\y free from encumbrance and debt of any kind, except one of the
Santee chapels, on which the Western Church Building society holds
a raortgage of $100. AN EASTERN DEANERY.
If I had not discovered it before, the events of 1875 raade it plain
that I should soon be the raessenger of the church to white people as
well as Indians.
The discovery of gold, in 1875, in a part of the great Sioux res
ervation known as the Black Hills, set a large part of our western
population aflarae, and hundreds of adventurers during that year, in
open violation of the law and the proclamation of the executive, in
vaded this portion of the Indian's land and took possession of it.
I was outspoken in denunciation of this flagrant violation of the
sacred obligations of a great to a weak people. I foresaw, however,
that no power on earth could shut our white people out frora that
country if it really contained valuable deposits of gold or other min
eral. I went, therefore, to Washington and urged upon the presi
dent that a commission of experts should be sent out to explore the
country, and that, should they report the presence of gold, steps
should be taken to secure a surrender of the tract in question from
the Indians, on equitable terms. This was eventually done.
The governraent had at first been prorapt and decided in requiring
the removal of intruders; then it weakened and preA'aricated; and
soon the desire for the acquisition of this country was so ardent and
influential that the governraent was practically driven to negotiate
with the Indians to secure a voluntary sale of the coveted territory,
as the only resort from the danger of a popular movement which
should snatch it from them by force.
The Black Hills were thus thrown open to settlement, and I raade
there ray first effort in the line of establishing the church among the
Avhite people of Dakota.
In 1883 an iraportant step was taken by the House of Bishops,
which gave ray missionary district its present size and shape. The
house passed the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the boundaries of the Missionary Jurisdiction of
Niobrara be so changed as to make it identical in outline and area
with that portion of the Territory of Dakota lying south of the forty -
sixth parallel of latitude, and so as to include the Santee Indian res
ervation in Nebraska.
Resolved, That the narae of this jurisdiction be changed from
Niobrara to South Dakota.
The change was altogether acceptable to me. It Avas an evidence
of confidence at a tirae when a nuraber of influences and scheraes, to
whose success ray presence and continuance in office were a raenace,
had corabined against rae, and had culminated in an onslaught which
had met a temporary success. The change detached frora ray dis-

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY 563

trict, territory on the north, remote, and, to me, difficult of access,
and it gave me country on the east, near at hand and on the line of
railroads, thus making it possible for rae to do twice the amount of
AAOrk Avith little increase of travel or labor, and it gave me the op
portunity and privilege of active intercourse with the people who are
to control the destiny of this part of our land, a people of high intel
ligence and Avonderful enterprise.
I received a cordial Avelcome to the neAv part of ray field, from the
clergy and the people. If preferences had been thwarted by my ap
pointraent, the fact was kindly forgotten, or considerately hidden
frora my eye. I had soon raet each and every one of the raissionaries
in their respective fields and drunk in their counsel. All felt cheered
that the Church had at last brought the Mission in Dakota out from
a corner, and all had a mind to work. * * * *
I found the condition of the new district assigned me that of de
pression. Dakota, in the days of its quickest growth, had been
allowed to remain as an appendage to Nebraska — of itself a huge dio
cese — and dragged after a Bishop whose rare gifts of raind and heart
Avere overtaxed by the imperative demands of his own diocese. When
opportunities had been great and others had been busy, our church
had been coraparatively inactive.
I thought that sorae one palpable want should be met in sorae
distinct, striking way, met immediately, met zcell, raet completely. If
this were done, it would show that, notAvithstanding past inactivity,
we were ready to raake brave ventures and could do good things well.
It Avould thus inspire enthusiasra and confidence.
With this end in vieAV, All Saints School was undertaken. I
hoped to be able to push it to corapletion Avithout delay, to raake it a
building which would attract the eye and win admiration, and dedi
cate it free from any and every kind of lien and encumbrance. The
enterprising and generous spirit of the people of Sioux Palls, and
the munificient gifts of friends at the East, enabled rae to carry out
my design. The corner stone was laid Septeraber, 1885, and stands
to-day, with the five-acre tract on which it is placed, free frora en
cumbrance of every kind. Better than this, a faculty has been drawn
thither which, in the best spirit, works together harmoniously and
efficiently, toward noble ends, in the developraent of the mmd and
character of the young. . , , ,
More iraportant, however, than this enterprise, though not a
work that could be taken in hand and completed with dispatch like
a buildincr was the reinforcement of the little band of faithful clergy.
There were but nine in the whole Eastern Deanery, and one of these
was preparing to withdraw. The securing of clergymen has been
ray most difficult task. There was but little, m a worldly way, to
offer. '" * -'•- ,,,•,,¦•
Nevertheless ray call was listened to, and there is nothing in ray
work which g-ives rae so much comfort, and so much raakes rae thmk
I raay ba good for soraething, as the character of the clergyraen who
have joined our ranks.
I beffin to have a feeling that, whatever difficulties are ahead, w-e
are dear brethren, "out of the woods." We know what we have to

564 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

do. We are resolved to do it. We feel the gloAv, at least sometiraes,
of new life. We are raaking headway. The accession to our ranks
of eleven valuable clergymen; the building of eight churches, five
more being under way; the erection of three rectories; the passage
of three missions from a state of dependence into a condition of self-
support; the establishraent of a boarding school of high grade, and
the erection of a noble building for its use, tell their own conclusive
story. CONCLUSION.
Por all this work in both Deaneries, and for all that the clergy
and my other fellow Avorkers have done to effect it, I am profoundly
thankful. I am not elated. One of my raaxiras has always been the
quaint old saying: "In woe, hold out; in joy, hold in."
As I look back upon the past, there rise up before ray raind's
eye, periods of physical inability which raust have raade rae seera a
drag upon the enterprises of ray brethren, and raust have sorely
taxed their patience; shortcoraing-s so grevious that I must have
seemed a curaberer of the ground; want of thoughtfulness for ray as
sociates, which raust have made them think rae hard-hearted. I can
only say, "Enter not into judgraent with thy servant, O Lord, for in
thy sight shall no raan living be justified." ¦" * ^
Since the delivery of the foregoing address, in addition to his
work in South Dakota, Bishop Hare has spent several raonths in
active work in Japan. He was elected on February 4, 1891, by the
House of Bishops, by a unaniraous vote, to proceed as early as possi
ble to the Erapire of Japan as its accredited representative in all
raatters and for all purposes that might arise, but especially to exer
cise such charge and oversight of the missionary jurisdiction of
Yeddo as might be practicable, and to act provisionally until a bishop
should be elected and consecrated for such jurisdiction, or until he
should resign his commission. This action by the House of Bishops
was heartily indorsed by the Board of Managers of the Doraestic and
Foreign Missionary Society.
Although at this tirae the South Dakota Mission under his charge
was passing through a depressing ordeal, resulting frora an out
break of the Indians in the Niobrara Deanery, and a severe drought
in the Eastern Deanery, Bishop Hare, in compliance with what he
thought to be his duty, set sail frora San Francisco on the 10th day
of March, 1891, and returned to Sioux Falls on the 20th day of Au
gust, following, having spent the raonths of April, May, June and
July in active work in the field. In Januarv, 1892, he again went to
Japan, remaining there until March 2, the'n visited China, and re
turned to Japan, March 25, and after holding a convocation at Tokio,
set sail for San Francisco, March 31, 1892. During his stay in Japan
he confirmed four hundred and fifteen persons, licensed "upAvard of
thirty Catechists, and ordained six Deacons.
This coraraission to Bishop Hare was a great corapliraent, com
ing from the source it did and the manner in which it was conferred.
Another very appropriate and beautiful compliment was paid the
Bishop at the great triennial convention of the Episcopal church held
at Washington, D. C, in October, 1898. In commemoration of the

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 565

twenty-fifth anniversary of his consecration, and the great work per
forraed b}' hira among- the Indians, he was presented with a "Loving-
Cup" engraved as follows: "The Right Reverend William Hobart
Hare, D. D. From Friends Who Love Him. 1873-1898." It is a
sih'er cup, or urn, Avith three handles, and stands eleven inches high,
with a Avidth of six and a half inches at the brim, and a depth of nine
inches to the bowl.
It would not be just to the Bishop, to orait raentioning the stand
he has taken upon the question of divorce. He has not only from the
pulpit severely criticised the laws of South Dakota in reference to
divorce, but has during the sessions of the legislature visited Pierre
and brought his great influence to bear upon the pending legislation
in reference to the subject. He is the recognized leader of those
persons in South Dakota who are opposed to the enactment of such
laws as Avould induce parties desiring a divorce to take up a tempo
rary residence Avithin her borders for such purpose.
In concluding this biographical sketch, it is a pleasure to add
that his multitude of friends in South Dakota are rejoiced that the
g-ood Bishop, notwithstanding the severe hardships and exposures en
dured by him, still retains such a measure of health and vigor as to
warrant the expectation that he will, for raany years to come, be
spared to work in the great field coraraitted to his charge.
Harris, Joshua B., was born at Franconia, Grafton county. New
Hampshire. He attended coramon schools and worked on a farm un
til twenty-one years of age, and then went to New York city where
he remained four years when he returned to his old home and worked
on his father's farm two years. In 1852 went to Watertown, Wis
consin, where he remained two years and then took up and lived on a
farm in Gooodhue county, Minnesota, four years. In 1858 he went
to Colorado, where he resided until 1861, then returned to Wiscon
sin and in October of that year enlisted in Co. D, 16th Wisconsin,
and served through the war. He held a non-commissioned office in
his company at the time of his discharge. At the close of the war he
returned to Watertown. Wis., and resided there three years, and
then went to Owatonna, Minnesota, where he lived until he renioved to
this county, arriving in Sioux Falls on the 20th day of March, 1877
He took up a homestead in Wellington township, where he resided
four years and then removed to Sioux Palls. On the 1st day of Feb
ruary, 1893 he Avent to the Soldiers' Home, and in 1895 was appointed
sergeant at the home, which position he still holds. His family re
sides in the city of Sioux Palls. He is an honest, upright man, and
a good citizen.
Harrison, Charles M., was born in Springfield, Ohio, June 22,
1857 In his early youth he attended the common schools and then
entered Moore Hill College, where he was ^-"^^.f^^^f °" !;^i^//7'\-
teenth birthday. He then studied law, was adraitted to the bar, and
practiced his profession at Lebanon, Indiana, until he reraoved to
Dakota He JIted at Huron on the 17th day of February 1882, as
th/raanacrer of the P. T. Day Loan Agency, and remained there in
the manager ot tne ^ . x member of the house of represen-
ta'tt^sTft'e sTurSkota legislature in 1891. On the 15th day of

566 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

April, 1893, he removed to Sioux Palls and opened a real estate and
loan office. He is the general manag-er of the loan department of the
Connecticut General Life Insurance Corapany of Hartford, Conn.,
for the states of Minnesota and South Dakota. Mr. Harrison is a
vvide-aAvake business man, an enterpising citizen and has a wide cir
cle of warra friends.
Hawkins, Robert C, was born at Plattsburg, Clinton county.
New York, July 23, 1825; removed to Illinois in 1844, and frora there
to Richland Centre, Wisconsin, a few years after, where he engaged
in farming and worked at his trade of mason. While there, held sev
eral local official positions, was chairraan of the town board of super
visors, town clerk, town treasurer, chairraan of the county board,
justice of the peace and sheriff of Richland county one terra. After
the breaking out of the war in 1861 he raised the first company from
Richland county and went out as captain of Co. H, "Sth Wisconsin and
served nearly two years, when he was discharged, owing to disabili
ties contracted in the service.
Soon after the close of the war he reraoved to Woodstock, Wis.,
Avhere he engaged in the raercantile business; carae to Sioux Palls
in Septeraber, 1872, and worked at his trade for two or three raonths.
His last job was at Joseph Davenport's place, where he was corapell
ed to remain two or three days after his work was done, owing to a
blizzard. He soon after started for Wisconsin, via St. Paul, and AA'as
a Aveek getting to that city. He finally arrived in Wisconsin and on
the 23d day of Deceraber raarried Harriet Albertson. The foUoAving
spring (1873), returned to Sioux Falls, where he has since resided.
He took up a homestead in Wayne, the south half of the southeast
one-fourth of section 33 and the south half of the southwest one-
fourth of section 34, which he now owns. He worked at his trade for
about two years, in Sioux Falls; in 1874 was elected justice of the
peace and held that office, except one terra, until elected police jus
tice when the city was incorporated in 1883, and held this office until
April, 1894. He has also held the office of probate judge of Minne
haha county eight years. He is well known in Masonic circles, and
the prosperity of this order in Sioux Palls is in no sraall raeasure
due to his untiring zeal in its behalf. He is highly respected as a
neighbor and citizen.
Higby, George M., was born at Shelburne Palls, Massachu
setts, Deceraber 20, 1854. In his early youth he attended the public
schools, but was thrown upon his own resources to obtain a liveli
hood when less than fifteen years old. In 1870, he went into the em
ploy of the Estey Organ Corapany located at Brattleboro, Vermont,
and remained with thera until he reraoved to Sioux Palls in January,
1890. While a resident of Brattleboro he was one of the trustees of
the village for three A^ears, auditor seven years, and treasurer and
clerk two years; the two last naraed offices he resigned when he went
West. Prom 1890, until 1894, he Avas engaged in stenographic work
in connection with E. P White. Upon Judge Jones assuming the
duties of circuit judge he received the appointment of stenographer
for the circuit court in the second judicial circuit, which position fie
now holds. He is a good citizen, and makes a good official.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 567

Herron, Frank G., Avas born at La Crosse, Wis., August 16,
1857; moved Avith his parents to Topeka, Kansas, and from there to
Ohio, and from Ohio to Indianola, Iowa, in 1869; Avas educated in the
public schools, and commenced to learn the printer's trade in 1874,
Avhich occupation he has since followed. On the 18th day of July,
1888, came to Sioux Palls, and was employed as foreraan by Sam T.
Clover, in his printing establishment, and reraained as such until T.
H. Brown went into the printing business when he becarae his fore
raan, and has held the sarae position with Brown & Saenger since
the firm AA'as established. He is a raeraber of the A. O. U. W., the
Typographical Union, and the Royal Arcanura, of which he is also
the secretary. Mr. Herron is socially up to the standard, is a pleas
ant man to do business with, and is a highh' respected citizen.
Hinde, Edmund C, Avas born in England June 16, 1854; received
a classical education, and upon attaining his majority entered the
civil service as assistant auditor in the post office departraent, where
he remained several years; came to the United States in 1886, and
engaged in farming in Minnesota until the fall of 1892, when he came
to Sioux Falls; in February, 1893, was eraployed in the county treas
urer's office as bookkeeper, and just before the close of Charles L.
Norton's term as county treasurer in 1894, was appointed deputy
treasurer, which position he held for a few raonths under John
Mundt's adrainistration, and then again becarae the bookkeeper of
the office. Soon after Mr. Langness assumed the office of county
treasurer, he was again appointed deputy treasurer, and has held
that position since then. Mr. Hinde is a gentleman on all occasions,
and is popular with the people with whora he has business relations.
He is highly respected as a citizen.
Hodge, George Albert, is a native of Ontario county, N. Y.,
and was born March 28, 1808. He attended school and worked on a
farm until fourteen years old, when he coramenced work at the black
smith's trade. Upon attaining his raajority he engaged in black-
sraithing in his native state for several years, and then moved to
Salem, Kenosha county. Wis., Avhere he continued in the same busi
ness until he had fully completed forty years in this trade. He was
postraaster at Salera eight years; justice of the peace twenty-two
years, and held other town offices. After leaving Salem he resided
in Chicago three years, and at Freeport, 111., and Sioux City, la., for
a short tirae. He carae to this county and located at Sioux Palls De-
comber 29, 1879, where he has since resided. Notwithstanding his
great age he is frequently seen upon the streets, and the elasticity
of his step and his general bearing would indicate that he was twenty
years younger than his actual age. He is a highly respected citizen.
Hollister, Frederick H., was born in Rockford, Illinois, Au
gust 21 1865 He attended the public schools and completed his
education at a business college, where he was graduated. In 1888
he came to Sioux Falls, and with his brother, W C, engaged m the
loan business. When the State Banking and Trust company Avas
oro-anized he becarae its cashier, and has reraained as such since that
time He is a first-class business raan and a popular citizen.

568 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Hollister, William C, is a native of Rockton, Illinois, and
was born on the 18th day of November, 1863. He was educated in
the city schools and at a comraercial college in Milwaukee, Wiscon
sin. In June, 1881, he carae to Sioux Palls and Avent into the First
National bank, where he held the positions of bookkeeper and teller
until Septeraber, 1885, when he went to Illinois and spent the winter,
returning to Sioux Palls in the spring of 1886. He then became con
nected with John Lewis in the loan and insurance business for some
tirae, and then engaged in real estate and loan business by hiraself
until February, 1891, when the State Banking and Trust corapany of
Sioux Palls was organized, and Mr. Hollister becarae its president,
which position he has since held. Although a young man he has es
tablished a good business reputation and is proving to be a success
ful banker. Socially he is up to the standard.
Holt, William H., was born in Connecticut, July 13, 1846.
When four years of age he removed with his parents to New York
city. He afterwards lived in Ohio and Iowa, and carae to Sioux
Palls in 1871 frora Cherokee with Williara VanEps. Por several
years after coming to Sioux Falls he Avas in the employ of Mr. Van
Eps, and also worked for C. K. Howard several years. He was
deputy county clerk in 1871-2- In 1873 he was appointed sheriff to
fill vacancy, C. A. Lindstrom, who had been elected, having failed to
qualify. Mr. Holt was village clerk for the years 1880-1-2, and city
clerk and auditor from 1882 until May 1892. He has for a good many
years been prominent in Masonic raatters, officially and otherwise.
He coraraenced in the insurance business in 1886, but abandoned it
to engage in farraing in 1893.
"Billy Holt" has sorae traits of character that raake hira popu
lar. He is a stayer in everything he undertakes, and no one will
ever charge hira of deserting a friend. He is a genial, good fellow,
and as full of sand as a man can be and have any reasonable pros
pects of a long life. It is not too rauch to say that there are but few
raen better known in the county, and he has a host of friends.
Howard, Charles K., a pioneer closely connected with the early
settleraent of this section ofthe country, was born in Delaware county.
New York, May 17, 1839. His father was a hotel keeper, and he
Avorked about his father's hotel and attended the district schools un^
til he was about eighteen years of age, when he went to an acaderay
at Harailton, New York, for one year. At twenty years of age he
went to Sioux City, Iowa, and comraenced trading in land and 'town
lots, raaking a little money, but losing it in the'fall of 1857, Avhen
everything became demoralized in the West. He then went into the
employ of the American Fur Company at Fort Pierre, where he re
mained two years. His next business was steamboating on the Mis
souri river — two years as a pilot and tAvo years as captain of the
boat, In 1863 he went into the drug business in Sioux City. Soon
after the establishment of a railitary post at Sioux Falls he became
interested in a sutler's store there. This business, however, was
in charge of his employes and Mr. Howard himself did not come to
Sioux Palls to reside until a year or two later.

„,. J, '«

-J.

i

^ >'

W-'J

!^ '

'^^Lj

fll^Pr^^
^,
\^^^p
f
i
1^
_
•
Charles K. Howard.
kiSTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 571

His history after coming to Sioux Palls is what we have princi
pally to record, and it is more unique and interesting than that of any
other person vA^ho has ever resided in Minnehaha county. When he
first came to Sioux Palls there were only the government buildings
and a stone building- in the rear where the Norton-Murry block now
stands. He first moved into the officers quarters, and afterAvards
lived in the stone house for a year. After the sutler's trade had
come to an end he kept on in trade mostly with the Indians until im
migration began to bring white people to Sioux Falls and vicinity.
He had a trading post at Plandreau, and his trade there and at Sioux
Palls was principally in furs. One spring he purchased not less
than 75,000 rat skins besides other furs. He remained in the mer
cantile business in Sioux Falls until he sold out to D. Elwell in 1883.
Mr. Howard erected the first frarae building in Sioux Palls on
the corner of Phillips avenue and Tenth street — a sraall building
for a store — and soon after he built a sraall residence near by.
During his residence in the city he built a large nuraber of building-s,
and the second brick building in the county.
Soon after the immigration had set in, and the settlers had com
raenced cultivating the soil, the grasshoppers carae and devoured the
crops. It was during that tirae that this big-hearted raan endeared
himself to the pioneer settlers of Minnehaha county. He not only
kept up his own courage, but encouraged others to hold on, and Avith
a generous hand helped them to do so. He said to the writer that at
one tirae he had at least one hundred thousand dollars charged on
his books. About this tirae D. B. Hubbard of Mankato shipped
in ten car loads of flax, and Mr. HoAvard distributed it araong the
farmers who had no seed. The stor\' is frequently told, and it is
strictly in accordance with the facts, that a farmer who resided
in Sverdrup went to Mr. Howard after having fought grasshop
pers in vain for two years in endeavoring to save his crops, and said
to him: "I have got 160 acres of land and a team. I am discouraged,
andl want to sell you my teara, and leave the country." Mr. Howard
told him to stay and put in his crops, and he would guarantee him thir
teen bushels of wheat per acre that season if he would give hira all he
raised in excess. The farmer agreed, and a contract Avas drawn up
to that effect and signed, and the crops put in. In the fall Mr. How
ard received about seven hundred bushels of wheat under the terras
of this contract. The farmer referred to still resides in Sverdrup
and is in good circumstances.
Mr. Howard was a pioneer in all that the terra implies. He has
seen quite a portion of the present site of Sioux City an Indian corn
field, and when he first camped at Yankton there was not a house
nearer to his tent than 65 miles, and the nearest railroad station was
St. Joseph, Missouri, and when he first carae to Sioux Falls there
was only one house on the road between here and Sioux City. Dur
ing the first years of his residence in Sioux Falls he did quite a large
business in freighting to and frora Sioux City. This was done Avith
ox-teams driven by Indians.
In speaking of blizzards he said: "The January blizzard of 1888,
was nothino- corapared with the blizzards of the sixties and seventies.

572 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

I was one time coraing frora Sioux City to Sioux Falls with a pair of
mules and got caught in one near Avhere Canton is now located. I
turned the mules loose and got myself into a hole in the ground — a
trapper's ranch — and reraained three nights and two days. I had
nothing Avith rae to eat, but the second day I found sorae kernels of
corn and sorae small traps in the dugout, and I set the traps in
front of the hole and succeeded in catching three prairie chickens,
Avhich I cooked and ate. After the storm was over I found my mules
safe; they had found shelter in some brush on the bank of the river.
I was caraped at Fort Thompson the year of the Sully Expedition.
There were 600 horses and mules killed in a blizzard at that place.
During the winter of 1866-7 I had about 1,000 head of Texas cattle
about five railes up the river frora Sioux Palls, and a blizzard carae
on, killing about 250 of thera — 65 being found in a little sag. It
Avas a curious sight to see the long horns sticking up through the
snoAV — the snow was deep that year. I reraeraber a blizzard in the
sixties that occurred on the 14th day of April, and about eighteen
inches of snow fell. Some Indian trappers were at Wall Lake and
five or six of thera died during the storra. I brought them in, made
a box and buried them. But the old-fashioned blizzards are among
the by-gones." Mr. Howard was the first president of the village board of Sioux
Falls, and was treasurer of the County of Minnehaha for eleven suc
cessive years. After disposing of his mercantile interests to Mr.
Elwell, Mr. Howard went on to a large farra about four miles west of
the city, where he reraained until the spring of 1890, at which time
he Avent to the Black Hills country in charge of the Dakota Cattle
Corapany, where he still reraains, and his host of friends are pleased
to know that he is having great financial success in the business.
No comments are necessary in writing a biographical sketch of a
raan like C. K. Howard, for the bare stateraent of his doings during
a busy life are raore explicit and satisfactory than any assertions or
conclusions of the Avriter could possibly be.
Howe, Solomon B., was born at McLean, Tompkins county,
N. Y., March 3, 1862. He attended the district school and the
acaderay at his horae until 1878; was then employed with his father
surveying- for five years, and taug-ht school for some time, until he
removed to Dakota. He arrived at Valley Springs in this county
April 11, 1884, where he was engaged as school teacher. When the
Illinois Central railroad was built from Cherokee to Sioux Palls, he
had charge of the surveying from Cherokee to Onowa. In the spring
of 1889 he entered the office of D. C. Rice, city eng-ineer of the city
of Sioux Palls, and remained his assistant until June 22, 1893, when
Mr. Rice died, and Mr. Howe was appointed city engineer to fill the
vacancy. During the next two years he held no official position, but
was engag-ed in surveying; in 1896 was again appointed city engineer,
and has held this position since then. Mr. Howe is of genial tem
perament, Avell liked, makes a good official, and is a respected citizen.
Howie, Matthew, is a native of Waukesha county. Wis., and
Avas born in May, 1851. He received a coramon school education, and

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 573

then engaged in the grocery business, and in buying and selling
stock. He came to Sioux Palls by stage frora Yankton in April,
1878, and soon after opened a butcher shop, and engaged in buying
and selling stock for twelve years. He then took up the real estate
business, in which he still continues. He is a respected citizen.
Howland, W. I., was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, Septeraber
14, 1859. He came to the city of Dell Rapids in March, 1883, and en
gaged in the mercantile business until 1895. At that tirae he re
moved to Sioux Falls to assume the duties of county auditor. In
1896 he AA'as renominated to that office by acclaraation by the Repub
lican party, but the fusion of the Democrats and free silver Repub
licans Avith the Populists defeated him at the election. He made a
good official and was deservedly popular Avith those doing business
with the office. After retiring frora office he engaged in the insur
ance business at Sioux Palls for about one 3^ear, and then Avas ap
pointed internal revenue collector, which office he still holds. Mr.
Howland is an enterprising, honest upright citizen.
Hubbard, C. W., was born at Vernon, Windham county, Ver
raont, February 22, 1849. He received a good education, and Avhen
he was twenty-one years of age coraraenced business for hiraself in
the vicinity of his birth-place. In 1875 he located in St. Paul, and
became secretary for J. H. Drake, then connected Avith the land de
partment of the Omaha railroad company. In 1880 he came to Sioux
Falls, and was secretary of the Queen Bee Mill corapany Avhile the
building VA'as in the process of construction, and Avhen completed,
was its superintendent for a few raonths. He next engaged in an
extensive stone business, getting out paving blocks and stone for
building purposes, and he also built several large public buildings
by contract. In 1890 he was elected to the lower house of the legis
lature of South Dakota, and in 1894 was elected sheriff of Minnehaha
county; was again norainated by the Republican party in 1896, but the
whole ticket was defeated. In January, 1897, he reraoved to Chi
cago, Illinois. He is a genial, kind hearted raan, an enterprising
citizen, and has a host of friends.
Hull, Rev. J. J., was born in OsAvego county, N. Y., March 9,
1847. When eight years of age he reraoved Avith his parents to Jef
ferson county, Wisconsin. His father, Avho Avas a Baptist rainister,
settled his farnily in a log cabin in the Avoods, while he gave his time
to preaching. The subject of this sketch being the oldest of four
children was corapelled to work hard to help support the family, ex
cept during the winter when he attended the district school. He
was converted at the age of twenty-two years.
In less than five weeks after this he preached his first sermon,
and within a few months received a call to becorae the pastor of two
churches, one at Grand Prairie, Wis., and the other at Colurabia m
the same' state. He remained with these churches five years, and
laro-e additions were made to the membership during his ministry.
He\lso organized a church at Marcelon, Wis., Avith sixty members.
In February, 1884, he came to Sioux Falls to attend the funeral of
his father The Free Baptist church of this place having just been

574 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

organized with nine members, he received a call to become its pastor,
Avhich he accepted, and took up his residence in SiouxPalls on the
13th day of May, 1884. The church flourished under his charge dur
ing the two years he reraained its pastor. At that tirae he removed
to Valley Springs, where he built up a prosperous church, remain
ing there until April 1, 1890. He then returned to Sioux Falls to
take charge of the Free Baptist church, which, during his residence
at Valley Springs, had greatly dirainished in merabership, but he
soon had it in a prosperous condition. In 1891 he went to New
England and in a short tirae raised $9,000 for the endowment of a
Free Baptist college at Winnebago City, Iowa. In October, 1892, he
was a delegate to a general conference of his denomination at Lowell,
Mass., and while there received the sobriquet of "Cyclone Hull."
He remained pastor of the Free Baptist church at Sioux Palls until
he removed to Winnebago City, Iowa, in June, 1893.
Hunter, Henry R., was born in Delaware county, N. Y., Nov
ember 19, 1840. He was reared on a farra, and attended the public
schools until sixteen years old, when he was employed about the
hotel business in which his father then engaged. During the last
year of the civil war he was connected with the quartermaster's
departraent of the Third Division of the Seventeenth Corps. After
the war he engaged in the hotel business in Wisconsin and Iowa un
til he reraoved to this county, arriving in Sioux Palls on the 17th day
of May, 1870. His father, who took up a quarter section in section
twenty-eight in Sioux Palls township, died in 1881, and the subject
of this sketch lived on this place until 1894, when he removed to Min
nesota. In March, 1899, he returned to Sioux Palls, Avhere he now
resides. During- his first term of residence in Sioux Palls he en
gaged in farming, and in the livery and real estate business, was in
the early seventies a newspaper correspondent, and held several
toAvnship offices. He is a good citizen, and has a wide circle of
friends. Hurst, Samuel H., was born in Rochester, New York, March
25, 1854. In 1862 he reraoved with his parents to Rochelle, Illinois,
where he attended the public schools, and Mount Morris Seminary.
When about twenty years of age, having become an expert baseball
player, he Avas employed by baseball companies for three seasons.
In Noveraber, 1877, he came to this county and located in Sioux
Palls, where he has since been employed in the lumber business.
He is now serving his seventh year as alderraan of the Fourth Avard.
He is a raan with positive eleraents in his raake-up, is a good official
and a good citizen. He is prorainent in the order of Odd Fellows,
and has a host of friends.
Hutchinson, John W., Avas born at ThorntoAvn, Boone county,
Indiana, on the I5th day of August, 1851. When three years of age
he removed Avith his parents to Winneshiek county, Iowa. He was
reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools
and in the high school at Decorah, Iowa. At seventeen years of age
he coraraenced teaching school, and taught five terms in all. At
twenty-one years of age he entered the employ of a firm of insurance

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 575

agents and dealers in agricultural implements, and remained there
until he removed to Sioux Palls on the 22d day of May, 1873. He
then entered the employ of C. K. Howard, having in charge his grain
and machinery business until October, 1880. He has always been
engaged in speculation, and his good judgraent and business qualifi
cations have made him successful so that for the last few years he
has been kept busy taking- care of his accumulations. He has always
taken a hand in local politics, but has never sought official promotion
and has held no office except that of chief of the city fire departraent
for three terras. Independent, energetic, possessed of rare good
sense and a thorough knowledge of human nature, he has become a
factor in the affairs of the city, and has a host of friends within his
extensive circle of acquaintances.
Hyde, Frank R., was born at Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois,
December 10, 1858; when six years old he removed with his parents
to Lincoln, in the same state, where he attended the district schools
and the Lincoln college; in 1878 became clerk in a drygoods store,
and remained five years; in 1883 went to Potter county, Dakota, and
took up a quarter "section of land, and remained there and at Blunt
three years; in 1886 went to Missouri and engaged in farraing two
vears; carae to Sioux Falls May 10, 1888, and bought Hills & Beebe's
abstract books, and opened an abstract office. In 1888 the Sioux
Falls Abstract and Title Insurance Company was incorporated, and
his abstract business was consolidated with it, but he and H. M.
Avery owned a controlling interest in the stock. In 1897 the com
pany was reorganized, and he still has an interest in it. In April,
1895, he was appointed superintendent of Bradstreet & Corapany's
business in South Dakota, and holds this position at the present
time. Mr. Hyde is an energetic, industrious business man, and a
highly respected citizen.
Jameson, James, was born at Rochester, N. Y., Septeraber 27,
1846, but went with his parents when a child to Wisconsin, where he
was reared on a farm and educated in the district and high schools
at Janesville. When twenty-four years old he went to Winthrop,
Iowa, and for seven years was engaged in farraing in Iowa, but sold
his farra and moved to this county and located at Sioux Palls, April
15, 1883, since Avhich time he has been engaged in the real estate
business. The Edmison-Jameson block was built by hira and Mr.
Edmison, and in other ways Mr. Jameson has shown hiraself to be
an enterprising citizen. He is a conservative, honest raan, and well
liked by all who know hira.
Jeffers, Charles T., was born in Danville, New York, Janu
ary 18 1837 ' At eleven years of age he took a fancy that stearaboat-
ing wa's about the thing for hira, and he was so anxious to lose no
time in satisfying his desire that he left home m the night. He
managed to obtain eraployraent, and durmg the eight years^ follow
ing was on the Mississippi river, the lakes, and at sea He then re
turned home and attended school for two years. On the 4th day of
June 1861 he enlisted in the Fourth Michigan Infantry. On the
Pth 'day of October, following, he was seriously Avounded while on

576 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

picket duty, and was discharged Deceraber 20, 1861. In Deceraber,
1862, he enlisted in the 27th Michigan Infantry, and was in active
service until May 12, 1864, at which time he was again wounded in
battle at Spotsylvania court house, and Avas sent to the hospital.
After a partial recovery from his wounds he was raade first sergeant,
and perforraed hospital duties until February 10, 1865, when he was
raustered into the 8th U. S. Artillery (colored) with a first lieuten
ant's coraraission. On the 10th day of February, 1866, he resigned
his coraraission at Victoria, Texas, and was discharged. He then
went to Michigan and engaged in farraing until March, 1879, when
he carae to Sioux Falls. During his residence in Sioux Palls he had
quite an official career. He was appointed special policeman on the
East side, and was assistant raarshal for two years, and when the
city of Sioux Palls was incorporated he was appointed city marshal,
which office he held for three years. During the next three years
he was engaged in farming, and collecting. On the 1st day of June,
1889, he was appointed deputy warden of the penitentiary at Sioux
Palls, which position he held for three years. Upon the resignation
of N. B. Bailey as captain of Corapany B, of the Dakota National
Guards; he was elected to fill the vacancy June 30, 1885. On the 12th
day of October, 1892, he was proraoted to major of the Second Bat
talion of the Second regiment of the D. N. G., and was inspector
general of the state for three years, being rauch interested in and
closely identified with railitary organizations. During his residence
in Sioux Falls he took quite an active part in politics. He was an
earnest worker and a good citizen, and when in 1894 he reraoved
frora the state he left a large circle of warm friends.
Jensen, John W., was born in Norway May 31, 1854. He spent
his early youth on a farm and attended the public schools. When
eighteen years old he came to the United States, and Avas engaged in
farra work at Algona, Iowa, until he attained his majority; was then
employed by a real estate firm in Chicago, 111., and acted as its field
agent at Algona and also at Jackson, Minn., for three years. On
the 1st day of March, 1886, he opened a bank at Toronto, Minn., and
was in the banking business there for six years. On the 1st day of
June, 1893, he came to this county and located in Sioux Falls, where
he has since resided, engaged in the lumber and fuel business.
While in Toronto he was elected mayor, and Avas also city treasurer.
In 1898 Avas norainated for the office of sheriff by the Republican par
ty of Minnehaha county, but was defeated Avith a large raajority of
his associates upon the ticket. Notwithstanding his short residence
in the county he has become well and favorably known as a business
man and citizen.
Jewett, Charles A., was born in Newark, Licking county,
Ohio, February 7, 1848. He attended school until seventeen years
old and then coraraenced work in his father's grocery store, where
he reraained until 1870, at which tirae he removed to Kansas City and
Avent into the wholesale grocery business by hiraself. At the end of
two years he sold and went to Independence, Kan., where he engaged
in the sarae business until 1875, when he disposed of it and during
the succeeding seven years traveled for wholesale grocery houses in

Capt. C. T. Jeffers.

history of minnehaha county. 579

Chicago and NeAV York. In July, 1882, he opened a grocery house in
Aberdeen, S. D. ,in company with his brother, Harvey, who came there
at that time. In March, 1883, he went to Aberdeen to reside, but in
June, 1888, removed to Sioux Palls, where he has since resided. The
firm of Jewett Brothers & JeAvett at that time bought the Ward &
Frick wholesale g-rocery business in Sioux Falls and coraraenced
business on an enlarged scale. In March, 1893, established a branch
house at Sheldon, Iowa. This firra was one of the first if not the
first strictly wholesale house in Dakota. In 1884 it shipped the first
carload of sugar into Aberdeen that was ever shipped into Dakota.
In 1897 it shipped in two hundred and forty carloads of sugar and
transacted business upward of $1,200,000 during the year.
Mr. Jewett is an active participant in political matters and was
president of the Sioux Palls Daily Press Company for two years.
He is noted for his energy and persistence in carrying out his pro
jects in Avhatever he undertakes, and is not only a good business raan
but a good citizen.
Jewett, D. Clinton, Avas born in Newark, Ohio, Deceraber 9,
1854; attended the public schools until February, 1869, when he en
tered his father's Avholesale grocery store as shipping clerk. In 1870
he entered the employment of the Adams Express Co. and remained
Avith the company twelve years. In Septeraber, 1882, was elected
secretary of the Newark Building Association and during the nex,t six
years paid out $750,000 for the construction of five hundred houses.
On the 25th day of May, 1889, came to Sioux Palls, Avhere he has
since resided, and is one of the firm of Jewett Bros. & JeAvett. He
was never a candidate for a political office, and has refused to permit
his narae to be used in that connection, but he is an enthusiastic Re
publican and endeavors to neutralize as far as he can the labor of his
brother, C. A. Jewett, in the interest of the opposite parties. He
is a thorough business man and an enterprising, esteeraed citizen.
Johnson, Nels S., better known as N. S. Johnson, was born
near the city of Risoer in NorAvay, August 5, 1833. In early life he
was a sailor, and carae to New Y^ork for the first tirae when he was
twenty years of age. During the eighteen years he was a sailor he
filled about all the positions there were, frora cabin-boy to captain.
He has sailed pretty nearly everywhere, and there are few European
ports he has not visited. At one tirae he was a gold-digger in Aus
tralia. He carae to the United States the second time in 1865, and
during the next few years was at work upon the rivers and lakes in
this country. In 1868 he took up some land in Iowa, but left there
for Dakota in the fall of 1872, when he secured land in Lincoln
county, which he afterwards disposed of and came to Sioux Palls
and opened a paint shop, and when that did not pay him enough, he
went to work in a luraber yard. He was industrious and econoraical,
and Avhenever he could saA-e a dollar he put it into real estate, and is
today "well fixed " as the saying goes. He is a' man of positive con
victions, and always ready to stand by them. He has written sev
eral books in the Norwegian language, which haA'e been published in
this country. They are upon religious subjects, and his views, as

580 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

set forth in his publications, are of the liberal order. He is a thor
oughly honest raan and a good citizen, and although he never held
any political office, still, he is quite a factor in Minnehaha county
¦politics. Johnson, Orris, was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, August
10, 1853. He received a coramon school education, and worked on a
farm until the spring of 1880, when he removed to Lincoln county,
Dakota, and took up a farm. He reraained there engaged in farraing
until 1893, when he reraoved to Sioux Falls and opened up a livery,
feed and sale stable, in which business he still continues. He also
has a farm in the township of Hartford, this county, but resides in
Sioux Falls. While in Lincoln county, he held township offices. He
is a good citizen, and liked by all Avho know him.
Johnson, Watson W., is a native of Williaras county, Ohio, and
was born October 5, 1846. When five years of age he removed with
his parents to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he attended the pub
lic schools and worked on a farm until a few months before the close
of the civil war, when he enlisted in Co. I, 22d Wis. Inf. After the
close of the war he returned to his home and engaged in farraing
until 1873, when he reraoved to Dakota, and arrived at Sioux Falls on
the 5th day of February of that year. The first two years heAvorked
for Skinner & Austin in the raachinery business, and then fanned
the northeast quarter of section eight in Split Rock for seven years.
In 1882 he again moved into Sioux Palls, and has since resided there.
For several years he engaged in the feed business, but for the last
few years the hack business has received his undivided attention.
He is a good neighbor and a good citizen.
Jones, Edward H., is a native of Wisconsin, and was born in
Deceraber, 1852. He received a high school education. In 1873, he
carae to Minnehaha county, and took up the northwest quarter of sec
tion twenty-four in Benton township as a pre-emption. Besides at
tending to his claim he worked as collector for C. J. Skinner, who at
that time kept an agricultural warehouse in Sioux Palls. He also
engaged in breaking and freighting, hauling luraber from Sibley, Iowa,
and other places, before the railroad reached this section of the
country, and slept about five nights of the week on the ground under
his lumber wagon. He lived with R. W. Talcott, kept a cow, and
received corapliraents of the housewives in the village for his skill in
butterraaking. A few years later he took up as a horaestead the
southwest quarter of section twenty-six in Grand Meadow township,
Avhere he resided with his faraily for about ten years. He was the
first assessor of Grand Meadow, and Avas a raeraber of the town
board for several years. He sold his farra to Mr. Hirsch, the pres
ent owner, and bought a relinquishment comprising a tree claira in
the northwest quarter of section four in Hartford township, where
he resided until the fall of 1893, when he rented his farra and re
raoved to Sioux Palls and for three years was engaged as clerk in the
grocery departraent of the Bee Hive. Mr. Jones is a good citizen,
and has a large circle of acquaintances.

N. S. Johnson.

HISTORY OF MInNEHaHA COUNTY. 583

Jones, Joseph W., who has resided in the city of Sioux Palls
since April, 1883, is a native of Indiana and was born December 10,
1845, His early life was spent on a farm and in attending- the cora
raon schools. Afterwards he attended De Paunt University at Green
Castle, Indiana, where he was graduated in 1870. Iramediately there
after he Avent to Danville, Illinois, and was admitted to the bar in
October, 1870, and comraenced the practice of law at that place; was
elected state's attorney of Vermillion county, Illinois, and at the ex
piration of his terra of office was re-elected and held the office four
years. In April, 1883, iramediately after his arrival in Sioux Palls he
opened a law office and practiced law until he assuraed the duties of
circuit judge of the second judicial circuit of South Dakota, on the
2d day of January, 1894, to which office he had been elected in No
vember, 1893. He was re-elected in Noveraber, 1897. He has the
reputation of being a very careful, painstaking lawyer, and has been
eraployed in sorae of the most important cases tried in Minnehaha
county. As a judge he is industrious, and disposes of matters that
corae before him as soon as he has time to properly consider the
questions involved, Avhich raeets with the hearty approbation of the bar.
It is not too much to say that he brings to his work a thorough
knowledge of the principles upon which all law is founded, and en
deavors to the best of his ability to perforra the duties of his hig-h
office Avithout fear or favor to any one. Judge Jones is not only a
good lawyer and judge, but a good neighbor, a g-enial corapanion and
an upright citizen.
Jordan, Charles E., was born at Cantebury, England, Janu
ary 2, 1856, and when two raonths old carae with his parents to this
country, and located in Carlinville, 111., where he attended district
schools until sixteen years old; then serA'ed an apprenticeship at the
carpenter's trade three years; came to Sioux Falls on the 15th day
of May, 1878, and for six years worked for T. C. Marson, and on the
Queen Bee mill; in 1883, entered into copartnership with his brother,
E. P. Jordan, under the firra narae of Jordan Bros., and since then
they have been engaged as contractors and builders, and are doing
an extensive business. Mr. Jordan is an esteemed citizen.
Jordan, E. P., brother of Charles E., was born at Carlinville,
Illinois, in 1859. He served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's
trade, and carae to Sioux Palls in 1883, and is one of the firm of
Jordan Bros. He is a good citizen.
Rev. W. H. Jordan, D. D., was born October 16, 1857, in
Cherry Valley, a suburb of Worcester, Mass. His father was a
Methodist minister. In 1869 raoved with his parents to northern
Illinois; in 1874 entered the preparatory departraent of the North
western university, and in 1876, the university proper, where he re
raained until his senior year. During this year he accepted the
position of instructor of Simpson college, Indianola, loAva, where he
completed his course and was graduated in 1882. Upon his gradua
tion was elected to the chair of Natural History in his Alma Mater,
which position he held until 1885, when he entered the ministry. He
received the M. A. degree from the Northwestern university. He

584 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

joined the Des Moines conference and entered upon the work as a
raissionary in Dakota. His first pastoral appointraent was at Mil-
bank, where he remained four years, and advanced his charge from
a low grade to one of the first in the conference. On the 17th day of
October, 1889, was appointed presiding elder by Bishop Vincent, and
assigned to the charge of the Sioux Palls district, which position he
lield until October, 1895. During this time he not only succeeded in
advancing his district frora the smallest to the first in the confer
ence, but raade it the leading district in the two Dakotas in the raat
ter of pastoral support In October, 1895, became the pastor of the
First M. E. church in Sioux Falls, and still retains this charge. In
1896 he headed the Dakota delegation to the general conference of
the M. E. church, which is one of the largest legislative bodies in
the world, and was made a raeraber by that body of the National
Board of Control of the Epworth League. During the sarae year the
degree of D. D., was conferred upon hira by Cornell college, Iowa.
He was for three years a member of the State Board of Regents of
South Dakota. He represents the ninth general conference district,
which includes Wisconsin, Minnesota, the tvvo Dakotas, Sweden and
Norway, and Burmah, and is the Fourth upon the Advisory Literary
coraraittee, coraposed of ten raerabers.
Although Mr. Jordan is an ideal pastor and an eloquent
preacher, it is not alone in this field that he has attained distinction.
As a lecturer upon topics requiring scholarly attainments, keen dis
cernment, wit, logic, and a high order of oratorical abilitA', he stands
in the front rank of platform lecturers. His g-reat influence is also
felt upon all raatters affecting the welfare of the coniraunity in Avhich
he lives, in his earnest, courageous and fearless efforts to elevate the
moral standing of the public. Thus far Mr. Jordan has refused flat
tering invitations to high positions of honor in the scholastic field,
and it is to be hoped that he will reraain a citizen of South Dakota,
where he has by his great natural ability, aided by his industry and
devoted work, built up for hiraself an enviable reputation, and se
cured the friendship and loA'e of all good citizens.
Judge, Harold E., was born at Floyd, Floyd county, Iowa,
February 7, 1873; attended the public schools, and corapleted his
acaderaic education in the Collegiate institute at Fort Dodge, Iowa;
studied law, and was graduated frora the law department ofthe State
University of Iowa; carae to Sioux Palls, July 24, 1894, and entered
the law office of Bailey & Voorhees; July 15, 1895, becarae a partner
of the firra of Aikens, Bailey, Voorhees & Judge; October 22, 1897,
retired frora the firra, and forraed a copartnership for the practice
of law with Judge Aikens, under the firra narae of Aikens & Judge,
Mr. Judge stands well with the legal profession, is a close student,
and will raake a good laAvyer.
Kaufmann, Moses, has been too busy whenever interviewed in
regard to his biography to give any inforraation, but notwithstanding
his early life is a sealed book to the writer, enough is knoAvn of his
recent history to make a short sketch possible.
He has lived in Sioux Palls since the early eighties, and is a well-

Rev. W. H. Jordan, D. D.

history of minnehaha county, 587

known citizen. When the Sioux Falls brewery passed from the con
trol of its original owners he purchased a larg-e block of its stock,
and since then, in connection Avith Moriz Levinger, has had the man
agement of its affairs. He travels about the state, and is acquainted
Avith the people, especially Avith all those who have been members of
the legislature or are likely to becorae such in the future. He at
tends the sessions of the legislature, arrives there early, secures
rooms at the principal hotel, and then quietly, but in a systematic
Avay, goes about his work of preventing legislation hostile to his busi
ness. In this he has been remarkably successful, and at no tirae
more so than during the session in 1899. He is always quiet, cool
and self-possessed, but he is "sawing wood" as the saying goes, all
the time, night and day. At his rooms, in the corridors of the hotel,
in the comraittee rooms, and sometimes in the legislative halls he is
untiringly pushing his scheme to the front. What seem to be insur
mountable obstacles at twilight are frequently overcome before the
daAvn of the following day. As a lobbyist he is the smoothest man
in the state. He is an enterprising citizen, and responds liberally
to all calls for help in public affairs; is a good business raan, social
and companionable, and has a host of friends who delight in helping
him to accomplish whatever he raay desire.
Keith, Hosmer H., was born in Nevv York, July 12, 1846. His
father was a farmer of Scotch ancestry. Mr. Keith received a thor
ough academic education, and has not only worked on a farm, but
has, like most of the energetic young men of his tirae, taught school.
He studied law for a time and then entered the law school at Albany,
N. Y., graduating in 1870. He was admitted to the bar at a general
term of the supreme court of New York, in June, 1870, and has
since then, first in New York and then South Dakota, been in the
active practice of his profession. He came to Sioux Palls in the
spring of 1883. At the election of officers for the proposed State of
South Dakota under the Sioux Falls constitution, he was elected
judge of the circuit court of the second district. At the election in
the fall of 1888, he was elected a member of the territorial legisla
ture, from the counties of Hanson, McCook and Minnehaha, receiv
ing a majority of 498 over his competitor J. T. Gilbert, who had been
elected the term previous by a majority of 165. He was elected
speaker of the house of representatives, and had the honor of presid
ing over that body during its last territorial session. He is at the
present tirae a trustee of Colgate University, N. Y., and for severa.1
vears was president of the board of trustees of the Sioux Palls Uni
versity. Por three years, after coming to Sioux Palls, he was in
practice by himself, but during the year 1886 he was associated with
S. E. Young, under the firm name of Keith & Young. In January,
1889, he formed a copartnership with C. P. Bates, under the firm
name of Keith & Bates, which continued until January, 1893, when it
was dissolved. As speaker of the house of representatives the
writer can say from personal knowledge that he filled the position
with marked ability. But as a lawyer Mr. Keith is best known.
Where he is employed in a case, his opponents know that there is to
be a contest frora the beginning to the end. He is a sagacious trier

588

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

of cases, a good advocate, and when suramoned to a court of last re
sort, he is well equipped, and able to make the very best presenta
tion of his case. He has a large and lucrative practice, and is em
ployed in a g-ood many iraportant cases, not only at horae but
throughout the state. As a citizen he is independent and enterpris
ing, and takes an active part in all public matters.
Keller, Dr. Alvin H., was born in Rimersburg, Clarion coun
ty, Penn., April 4, 1853; attended the comraon schools and the Clar
ion Collegiate Institute; when sixteen years of age coramenced work
in a drug store in Philadelphia; graduated from the Philadelphia
College of Pharmacy and then had charge of a drug business at a
salary of $1800 and commission on the
sales until 1879, when he removed to Has
tings, Neb., and engaged in the drug
business for himself; completed a course
in raedicine and graduated from the Oraa-
ha Medical College in 1883, and then took
up the practice as a physician in connec
tion Avith the drug business at Hastings.
Later took a post graduate course in
Chicago; carae to this county and located
in the city of SiouxPalls in 1890 and open
ed a drug store in connection with A. P.
Abbott, and practiced his profession; in
1892 he disposed of the drug business
and has raade the treatment of diseases of
the nose, throat and lungs a specialty; in
1898 took a special course at the Poly
clinic college hospital in Chicago, organ
ized the Dr. A. H. Keller Chemical Co. in Sioux Palls in 1897 and
raanufactures the Sylvan Ozone and other remedies, and confines his
practice to special work. He is a man of great industry and his
Avhole time is devoted to his professional work, at the present time
in connection with his brother. Dr. W. P. Keller, and they have a
large and growing practice.
Kendall, Prank A., was born in Powlerville, Livingstone
county, N. Y., August 31, 1848; raoved with his parents to Sparta,
Wis., in 1854; was educated in the public schools and graduated frora
a commercial college at Milwaukee, Wis. When sixteen years old

entered a drug store at Red Wing, Minn., where he remained eight
years, then for three years was in the drug business at Prescott,
Wis. The next seven years traveled for Noyes Bros. & Cutler of
St. Paul. In 1884 went to Howard, Miner county, S. D., and was
there engaged in banking until 1895, when he moved to Sioux Falls.
While at Howard was mayor one year. Since coming to Sioux Palls
he has had charge of the Syndicate block, and is now also in charge
of the Edmison-Jameson and Gilbert blocks. Mr. Kendall is a good
business man, pleasant and affable, and highly respected by a wide
circle of acquaintances.

H. H. Keith.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 591

Kidder, Jefferson P., was born in 1816 at Braintree, Verraont,
Avhere he recei\'ed a coramon school education; was trained to agricul
tural pursuits, and taught school. He prepared for college at the
Orange county Gramraar school, graduated at the Norwich universi
ty and was a tutor therein. In 1848 he received the degree of Master
of Arts from the University of Vermont; studied and practiced law;
was a raember of the state constitutional convention of Vermont in
1843; was state's attorney in 1842-9; was a raember of the state sen
ate of Vermont in 1847-8; was lieutenant governor of Vermont in
1853-4; removed to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1857; was elected a pro
visional delegate frora Dakota territory while visiting there in 1859;
Avas a member of the Minnesota house of representatives in 1861-3-4;
Avas appointed associate justice of the supreme court of Dakota ter
ritory in 1865, and reraoved there; was reappointed in 1869 and again
in 1873, and resigned after having discharged the duties of that office
for ten years; was elected to the Forty-fourth Congress in October,
1874, as a Republican, receiving a raajority of 2,408 votes over Moses
K. Armstrong, a Democrat; was again, in 1876, elected delegate and
served until 1879, when he was reappointed associate justice of the
supreme court of Dakota territory and held this office until his death,
Avhich occurred October 2, 1883. " He held his first term of the dis
trict court in Minnehaha county in June, 1879, and reraained Judge
of this court until his decease. He was an honest judge and greatly
respected by all who knew him.
Kiland, Gustav H., was born at Manitowoc, Wis., March 2,
1862. He attended school until twenty-one years of age, graduating
from the Luther college, at Decorah, Iowa, in 1883; then returned to
his native town; was elected justice; coramenced the study of law, and
was graduated from the law department of the State University at
Madison, Wis., in 1889. In July of that year came to Sioux Palls,
and entered the law office of Boyce & Boyce, where he remained
three years; then opened a law office by himself, but soon after
forraed a copartnership with Wra. Puerste; in 1890, was appointed a
member of the board of trustees of the State University at Vermil
lion, S. D.; in 1896-7 was city assessor of the city of Sioux Palls; is
secretary and treasurer of the City Hospital, and of the Scandina
vian Publishing Co., and was elected clerk of the school board of the
city of Sioux Falls in 1899, and is practicing law. Mr. Kiland is a
good official, a good business raan, and an esteeraed citizen.
Kirby, Joseph, like other people was at one tirae a mere child,
in fact, he was a very sraall child October 5, 1863, when his parents
began to care for hira at Chickasaw county, Iowa. He worked on his
father's farm, taught district schools, and studied law a little in New
Hampton, Iowa. On the 28th day of June, 1886, he arrived in Sioux
Falls, and within thirty minutes after his arrival was reading law in
Bailev & Davis' law office. He was admitted to practice November
12, 1886, but was eraployed by Bailey & Davis until March 17, 1888,
since which tirae he has been practicing law by himself. There is
not a more untiring, indefatigable and persistent (right or wrongj
lawyer in the city of Sioux Palls. He has a great faculty of getting

592 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

business, and since 1888, it is probable that no attorney's name has
appeared in so raany cases in the courts of Minnehaha county, and
possibly in the suprerae court as that of Joseph Kirby. During the
last three years he has had quite an experience. The post offices at
Waubay, Miller and Highmore in South Dakota, had been robbed,
and quite an araount of postage stamps taken. On the 2d of July,
1896, a detective called at his office and demanded the stamps stolen.
Mr. Kirby turned over a package he had received twenty-two days
before. He was indicted in the United States district court that
fall, charged with haA'ing received all the stamps stolen from the
offices above naraed, knowing thera to have been stolen, with the intent
to appropriate thera to his own use. The indictraent was held to be
bad on demurrer, and he Avas again indicted and brought to trial.
When the evidence was all in, the court directed a verdict of not
guilty as to the stamps stolen at Waubay and Miller, and the High-
more branch was submitted to the jury. The jury disagreed. The
case was again tried, and the jury after being out fifty-two hours
brought in a verdict of guilty as to the first count in the indictraent,
and he was sentenced to the penitentiary for the terra of two years.
A raajority of the jurors raade affidavits after the verdict had been
rendered, that they did not intend, and did not suppose that in ren
dering the verdict they had found hira guilty of intending to appro
priate the stamps to his own use, which was essential to the finding
of a A'erdict of g-uilty. The case was appealed to the United States
suprerae court, and was heard in January last, and this court found
that he had been erroneously convicted, and sent the case back to the
trial court for a neAv trial. The case will be on the calendar of the
October, 1899, terra of the United States district court held at Sioux
Falls. In consequence of the conviction, Mr. Kirby was disbarred
frora the practice of law in the state and United States courts, but
iraraediately after the decision was rendered by the United States
supreme court, the state supreme court reinstated him. The United
States through its officials prosecuted Mr. Kirby with great vigor,
and nothing was left undone that could possibly aid in his conviction.
Mr. Kirby is a man of wonderful energy, takes a hand in all public
affairs, and is an enterprising, generous citizen.
Kingsbury, Walter R., was born in Andover, Connecticut,
Deceraber 25, 1832. He was reared on a farra, attended the public
schools, and was graduated frora the State Norraal school. He taught
school in Connecticut and Illinois for thirteen years, and then en
gaged in the raercantile business for the same length of time, first in
Adams county, Illinois and then in Chicago. On the 4th day of
April, 1878, he arrived in Sioux Palls, and until 1883 was engaged in
the real estate business, and was the promoter of some of the large
business enterprises of the city. He has always been an industrious,
enterprising citizen, and greatly esteeraed by a large circle of
acquaintances. He is one of those persons who has raerited greater
success in his atterapts to build up Sioux Palls than has fallen to his
lot, but this has not been owing to want of courage and ability in his
raanageraent. A loyal friend, a first-class citizen, and a generous
neighbor, are the most prominent characteristics of the subject of
this sketch.

Joseph Kirby.

history of minnehaha COUNTY' 595

Kittredge, Alfred B., is a native of Cheshire county. New
Hampshire, and was born March 28, 1861; received his early educa
tion in public schools and by private tutor; in 1878 entered Yale and
graduated frora that institution in 1882; then coraraenced the study
of laAV in the office of Judge Veasey, at Rutland, Vermont, and also
studied in the office of Bachelder & Faulkner of the same place, until
1884, when he entered the Yale law school from vvhich he graduated
in the spring of 1885; was admitted to the bar by the suprerae court
of Connecticut the following June; then carae to SiouxPalls, and sub
sequently entered into a copartnership with C. H. Winsor, which
copartnership existed until Mr. Winsor reraoved to New York in
October, 1895.
It is only fourteen years since Mr. Kittredge carae to Dakota,
but he is one of the best known men in the state. This is largely
due to the part he has taken in politics. He soon became very popu
lar Avith his associates, and nothing, in the estimation of his friends,
was too good for hira, which resulted in his being pushed to the front
in political circles. Possessed of good sense, and a rare faculty of
organization, he soon exercised a controlling influence over the po
litical conventions of the Republican party, and persons desirous of
political proraotion in South Dakota corae to Sioux Palls at their
earliest convenience to consult Mr. Kittredge.
He was elected senator frora Minnehaha county in 1889 and re
elected in 1891, and was one of the most influential men in the senate.
At the national republican convention in 1892 he Avas elected a mera
ber of the national republican coraraittee from South Dakota and re
elected in 1896. He has never been a trifler in political matters, and
if any criticism is to be made upon his political methods, it is that he
has pushed aside from political preferment all such persons as would
not fight in the ranks with the same zeal as they would if their names
appeared upon the roll call of the acknowledged leaders of the party.
He is the local attorney for the Great Northern and the Chicago,
Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad companies and has a large law
practice which he is industriously looking after; and with his
thorough legal attainments and wide acquaintance it is not too much
to expect that he will become one of the most successful lawyers in
South Dakota.
Klauson, William, was born on a farm in the province of
Soderraanland, SAveden, July 22, 1862. He attended the public
schools and the University at Stockholra, Avhere he was graduated in
1883; worked as foreraan for a building contractor three years, and
then carae to this country and settled at Salera, McCook county, this
state, Deceraber 11, 1886; worked as stone raason until 1892, when he
located at Sioux Falls, where he has since been engaged in the real
estate business. Mr. Klauson is a conservative, safe business man,
and a good citizen.
Knapp, Dexter J., Avas born at Dura raer ston, Vt., Noveraber
30, 1844; was educated in the public schools, and when onlv sixteen
years of age Avent to New Haven, Conn., and engaged in the silk
trade for about six years; then went to Minneapolis, Minn., Avhere he

596 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

engaged in the loan and lumber business until he removed to Sioux
Palls in October, 1877. At first he bought city lots and did some
building, but his principal business from that time to the present
writing has been dealing in real estate. He has been a great adver
tiser, sending out circulars by the thousands at times, in which he
portrayed the advantages of the country in his peculiar and attrac
tive style. He has also written articles for the newspapers which
were sure to catch the public eye. But he has not confined himself
to literary efforts in the interest of the public. Four years ago it
occurred to him that the ponds and rivers in southeastern Dakota
were not yielding their proportion of food supply for the inhabitants.
With hira to conceive of a project, especially where the public good
is concerned, is to act. He studied the subject and carae to the con
clusion that the streams ought to be stocked with fish, and without
any aid or any hope of gain to himself, he interceded with the United
States commissioner of fish and fisheries for a supply of fry. He
has received six large consignments, and distributed them in the
lakes, rivers and streams throughout this part of the state, not for
getting Minnehaha county. He put three millions of black bass,
croppies and other garae fish into Wall Lake, and the Split Rock re
ceived a large supply of speckled and rainboAV trout. He was ap
pointed fish warden of the state by the late Governor Sheldon, and
has received two appointments to the sarae office by Governor Lee.
Mr. Knapp is an industrious, enterprising and esteemed citizen.
Knowles, Edward S., was born in Rigo, N. Y., February 24,
1861; attended the coraraon schools, and the Rochester academy in
New York; moved to Danville, 111., in 1878, and after having attended
the high school at that place for some time, engaged as clerk in a
grocery store one year; came to Sioux Palls on the 14th day of April,
1882, and engaged in the grocery business under the firm name of
Mighton & Knowles; in 1884 was employed by the Insurance Cora
pany of Dakota, and in 1885, by the Luverne Granite Corapany, at
Luverne, Minn.; subsequent to this was eraployed by Avery & Er
skine, Walter French, and T. J. Posdick in Sioux Palls, as clerk in
their raercantile business; in 1893 went into the insurance business,
and is now a raeraber of the firra of Morcora & Knowles in the sarae
business. Mr. Knowles is a Knight Templar and Shriner, and has
been the recorder of the Chapter in Sioux Falls since 1890. He is
prominent in social circles, and is a respected citizen.
Kreiser, Frederick, was born in Germany, January 6, 1851;
emigrated to the United States in 1868, and located in Mihvaukee,
Wisconsin, where he remained until he reraoved to Sioux Palls May
1, 1883. Has nearly all his life worked at his trade, which is that of
carpenter. In 1889 was elected alderraan frora the Second ward in
the city of Sioux Falls and served one year. In 1894 Avas elected
alderraan from the Sixth ward for a two years' term. In May, 1898,
was appointed chief of police of the city of Sioux Falls. He is a good
official, a good neighbor and an upright citizen,

Alfred B. Kittredge.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 599

Kuh, Solomon, is a native of Saxony, Germany, and was born
Aug-ust 19, 1825. He received a common school education, and when
cjuite young- became clerk in his father's store, and remained there
until twentA'-two years old, vvhen he eraig-rated to the United States;
was clerk in a store of g-eneral raerchandise in Baltiraore, Md., for
several years, and a commercial traveler for about ten years; re
raoved from Baltiraore to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he clerked in a
store for about two years; then went to Milwaukee; carae to Chicago
in 1859, just as the cholera epidemic broke out; there were no rail
roads at that time, and he took the stage for Dubuque, Iowa, where
he remained two years; then embarked on the War Eagle, which had
the famous statesraan Charles Suraner on board, and went to St.
Paul, and during the trip saw the present site of Minneapolis, where
at that time nothing could be seen but endless prairie and a land
office down in a ravine; returned to Dubuque, got married, and en
gaged in the mercantile business there for seA'eral years; then re
raoved to Des Moines, Iowa, where he opened a broora factory and
resided for about eight years; in April, 1889, he carae to Sioux Falls,
where he has since resided. Since his coraing- here he has invested
heavily in real estate. He also opened a broora factory in connection
with his two sons, Julius and Louis Kuh, under the firra narae of
Kuh Bros., and they are doing an extensive and successful business.
Mr. Kuh has always been an active business raan, and notwithstand
ing- his age takes active interest in everything- calculated to proraote
the prosperity of the city in which he lives. He is an enterprising
raan, and a good citizen.
Lacy, John S., was born in Portagecounty. Ohio, Septeraber 30,
1831. He received a good education, and after haA-ing become of age
engaged in farming in Ohio, Iowa and Minnesota until 1887, when
he reraoved from the last inen,tioned place to Dakota. In 1889 he
carae to this county and settled in Clear Lake township, taking up
the northwest one-fourth of section 28 as a horaestead, and the south-
AA'est of section 21 as a tree claira. Sorae years afterward he sold
this land and purchased the west half of the northeast one-fourth of
section 30, where he resided until 1895, when he reraoved to the
city of Sioux Falls. Before coming to this county he had held town
and county offices where he forraerly resided; was assessor of Clear
Lake in 1891, and served upon the grand jury the sarae year. Mr.
Lacy is a thoroughly well inforraed man, an upright, honest citizen
and greatly respected by all who have the pleasure of his acquaint
ance. Lamb, Richard, of colored parentage, was born at New Castle,
Indiana, in 1832. He came to Sioux Falls in April, 1879, and resided
at this place until his death, which occurred February 7, 1897.
While a resident of Sioux Palls he conducted a barber shop, and
practiced medicine to a liraited extent. He was a well informed
man and took an active interest in public affairs, and, Avhat was
more, he had positive convictions and was always ready to raain
tain thera. He was highly respected as a citizen and it will be a
long time before the acquaintances of Richard Lamb will forget
his polite and kindly greetings.

600 history of minnehaha county.

LanGvSETH, Peder, is a native of Trondhjem, Norway, and
was born October 6, 1858. He was graduated from the State Nor
mal School in 1879, and frora the Latin department in the college
at Christiana in 1884 and passed the philosophical examination in
the State University at that place in 1886. During this time he was
also a teacher in a private college in Christiana. In 1887 carae
to the United States and entered the Lutheran Seminary at Mad
ison, Wisconsin, where he took a theological course and was grad
uated in 1890. Soon after he became pastor of a Lutheran church
at West Tacoma, Washington, and reraained there three }'ears. In
1893 came to Sioux Falls and since then has been one of the able
corps of teachers at the Lutheran Normal School.
Larson, Edward, Avas born in Norway on a farm near Christi
ania, on the 9th day of January, 1838. He never attented school a
day in his life. After working on a farra until fourteen years of age,
he Aveiit into business for hiraself in a sraall Avay in the country. At
sixteen he Avent to Christania, and eng-aged in business there until he
eraigrated to this country. He arrived at Rushford, Minnesota, on
the 16th day of Aug-ust, 1869, and took employment in a tin shop. He
continued in this work until he removed to Sioux Palls, where he ar
rived on the 10th day of August, 1876. He then secured by pre-emp
tion a quarter section of land in Benton township; built a sod house,
and moved into it; but the following- spring he came to Sioux Falls
and put up a building on Phillips avenue, sixteen by thirty feet, and
opened a tin shop. Por ten years he did business at this place, and
then reraoved to his present location on Eighth street. Prom the time
he coramenced business down to the present writing, he has been
constantly adding to his line of business, so that to-day he has every
thing that a person Avould be liable to call for in a hardAvare store.
His energy, thrift, and enterprise in business is proverbial, and it
has resulted in his accumulating quite a large property. Besides
his business property he owns at the present tirae a fine residence,
five farms, and more than a dozen tenement houses. He ncAer med
dles with politics, and would as soon think of lecturing upon scientific
subjects as to run for office. There are but few raen like hira in any
community. He lets other people's affairs alone, attends strictly to
business, and is a respected citizen.
Lawshe, Isaac Grantham, was born on a farra in northAvestern
Illinois, on the 15th day of March, 1860. He graduated frora the high
school of Sharon, Wisconsin, taught school for two years, and then
engaged in railroad work in the southern states. In 1889, he carae to
Sioux Palls, studied law with G. P. Nock, and Avas adraitted to the
bar November 17, 1891. Since then he has been in the practice of his
profession at Sioux Falls, devoting his time almost exclusiA'ely to col
lections. He is an honest, upright lawyer, and a good citizen.
Leakey, Levi, a brother of Milton R., Avas born in Henry county,
Indiana, February 23, 1824, and died in Sioux Falls September 13,
1898. He was raised on a farm, and when he attained his majority
purchased a farra on which he resided until he reraoved to Iowa in
1877. While in Indiana he was prorainent in the affairs of the toAvn

history of minnehaha county 601

in which he lived. He came to Sioux Palls in the fall of 1879, and
soon after purchased a farm a feAv miles out of the citv, and aside
from the care of this farm had little to do with business affairs.
When the Illinois Central and the Willraar & Sioux Palls railroads
were being- built into the county, he was appointed by the court, and
serA'ed as one of the appraisers of daraages for the rig-ht-of-Avay.
Quaint in his raanners, and raanner of speech, still, he had such a
direct, honest Avay of expressing himself upon public questions, na
tional and local, that it Avas a pleasure to raeet and converse with hira.
He Avas an exceptionally kind neighbor, an honest man and a hig-hly
esteeraed citizen.
Leakey, Milton R., was born in Henry county, Indiana,
August 26, 1834. He attended the public schools and worked on a
farra until eig-hteen years of age, when he coraraenced work at the
carpenter's trade, and continued in this eraployraent in his native
state until he reraoved to Sioux Falls, where he arrived in February,
1882, and eng-aged in the same work for six years, but by that time he
had secured a good farm, and haA'ing other property interests to look
after, abandoned his trade. Mr. Leakey is a well known citizen of
Sioux Falls, and is highly esteeraed as an upright, honest raan and
a good citizen.
LeBlond, Dr. John B., was born in Ohio, February 27, 1825,
and died at Sioux Falls, July 24, 1895. He studied raedicine at Cleve
land, Ohio, and practiced in his native state until 1856, Avhen he moved
to Brownsville, Minnesota. He was a meraber of the first and second
legislature of that state. When the civil Avar broke out he was ap
pointed surgeon, and was in the service during the entire war. He
carae to Sioux Falls in 1880, and practiced his profession until the
tirae of his decease. He was a good physician, a skilful surgeon, a
splendid neighbor, and a highly esteeraed citizen.
Levinger, Moriz, is a native of Bavaria, and was born March
28, 1852. He received his school education in the old country and
eraigrated to the United States in 1869. He has always been in the
brewery business, working in New York, Chicago and in Oskaloosa,
Iowa, until the fall of 1884, when he carae to Sioux Palls as superin
tendent of the brewery at this place, in Avhich position he reraained
until he and Moses Kaufmann purchased it on the 17th day of Feb
ruary, 1886. He is a practical brewer, and understands the busi
ness in all its details. Since the purchase of the brewery, Levinger
& Kaufmann have managed the business with raore than ordinary
business ability. Mr. Levinger is not only a good business raan, but
is public-spirited and generous, and his influence, although quietly
exerted, is felt upon the public issues of the day.
Lewis, Mrs. Clara, carae to Sioux Falls in 1872, and taught a
select school in the barracks during the Avinter of 1872-3, and also
the following suraraer. In the fall of 1873, she taught the first term
of the district school in the Libbey hall. During the fall the first
school house was finished. It was located on the grounds where the
Central school house now stands, and H. J. Whipple taught the first
terra. Mrs. Lewis was in the barracks with her scholars when the

602 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

great blizzard of the 7th of January, 1873, SAvept over this section of
the country. She succeeded in getting horae that night with great
difficulty, although she had but a short distance to go, residing atthe
tirae where the Syndicate block now stands. The sraall children
were cared for at the barracks for three days. Mrs. Lewis has re
sided in Sioux Palls since first coraing here, and has always taken an
active part in proraoting the welfare of the city.
Lewis, George W., is a native of Malone, Franklin county, N.
Y., and was born on the 3d day of January, 1844. His father was a
merchant. When the subject of this sketch was quite young he re
moved with his parents to Canada, where he reraained until he was
twenty-one years of age; then Avent to Worcester, Mass., where he
was employed as clerk in a hardware store for five years; then went
to Faribault, Minn., where he remained eight years, clerking in a
store, working in an insurance office, and for two years was steward
of the Institute for Deaf and Dumb located there. In the spring- of
1878 he carae to Sioux Falls. He took up a horaestead in Hartford
township upon which he resided for awhile and then carae to Sioux
Falls and went into the Sioux Falls Bank (Young & Hollister) and
reraained in its eraploy one year. In the fall of 1879 he engaged
in the insurance business in which he has continued until the pres
ent Avriting-. Mr. Lewis is a methodical, conservative business man,
and is held in high esteem as a neighbor and citizen by all who know
hira. Lien, Burre H., was born at Spirit Lake, Iowa, Deceraber 21,
1859. His parents Avere driven away by the Indians in 1863, and
lived at Jackson, Minnesota, a short time, and then AA'ent to Decorah,
Iowa, Avhere they resided until 1873, at which time they removed to
Faribault county, Minnesota. The subject of this sketch received
his education in the Norraal school at Mankato, Minnesota, and in
1879 raoved to Brookings county, Dakota, where he taught school and
farraed until 1883. Frora that time to 1885 he was deputy register
of deeds in that county, and in November of that year was elected
probate judge. At the next general election he was elected register
of deeds, and re-elected two years later, and was a member of the
city council of the city of Brookings three years. He removed to
Sioux Palls in 1891; was one of the charter raerabers of the Co-oper
ative Savings and Loan Association, and has been its treasurer since
its organization; was elected alderraan frora the Third ward in 1894,
and mayor of the city of Sioux Palls in 1898; in March, 1899, was
appointed a raember of the state board of charities and corrections,
and was elected its chairman. Mr. Lien is a successful business
raan, an enterprising citizen, and his political influence is felt
throughout the state.
Lien, Jonas H., was born in Faribault county, Minnesota, De
cember 12, 1874. He was reared by his brother, B. H. Lien, their
father having died while Jonas Avas quite young. He was a student
in the Agricultural College at Brookings, S. D., and there fitted for
a collegiate course. He entered the Nebraska University in 1894,
but dropped out to take part in the presidential campaign in 1896.

Jonas H. Lien.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 605

He was employed by the State Central Comraittee of the Populist
party in South Dakota, and spoke during the carapaign in alraost
ever}' county in the state east of the Missouri river. He was at once
recognized as a strong political speaker. Such was his success in
this carapaign that he soon became known as the "Boy Orator of the
Sioux." At the next session of the legislature he was elected chief
clerk of the asserably, and then for a short tirae was the city editor
of the Sioux Falls Daih' Press. During the spring of that year he
resumed his studies at the Nebraska University, where he was grad
uated in the spring of 1898. Again for a short time he worked upon
the Press, but when the war with Spain broke out he enlisted in
Company I, First Regiment South Dakota Volunteers, and was mus
tered into service May 4, 1898, as First Lieutenant and Adjutant.
His purpose had been to become a private and earn promotion if
possible. His friends persuaded him to accept the commission, and
he entered upon the discharge of his duties with the energy and
ability which always characterized him. In the Philippines he was
in the hottest of every fight, frora Block House No. 4 where the first
battle occurred between the Araericans and Filipinos February 4
and 5, 1899, to Marilao where he was killed March 27, 1899.
Of hira his colonel said: "He was the bravest man I ever knew,
and one of the best officers." He had been promoted to the rank of
captain, but had not received his coraraission when he raet his death.
No one of his age was better and more favorably known throughout
the state, and his untimely death was raost sincerely deplored by all
Avho knew him.
Look, August, is a native of Gerraany, and was born Noveraber
24, 1842. He emigrated to the United States in 1871, and resided in
Wisconsin and Iowa until 1883, at which time he reraoved to Sioux
Falls. He purchased the southwest quarter of section thirty, and
the northwest quarter of section thirty-one, in Split Rock, and re
sided there a few years. He then rented his farra and reraoved to
the city of Sioux Palls and engaged in the raeat raarket business, in
which he has been very successful. Mr. Look is up to the standard
of good citizenship, and is well liked by his neighbors.
Look, Carl, was born in Gerraany, August 25, 1861; was edu
cated in the public schools. In 1883 came to the United States, and
arrived at Sioux Palls, Septeraber 25, and iraraediately Avent to
work for his brother, August Look, in his raeat raarket. He re
raained in his employ until 1891, when he comraenced business for
hiraself, in which he has since continued. No man in the meat busi
ness in the city has furnished better meats to his customers than
Carl Look, and as he is a pleasant, honest man to do business Avith,
he is prospering.
Ludlow, George A., Avas born at Ithaca, NeAv York, August 31,
1840. He attended the common and hig-h schools, and worked on a
farm until he became of age. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. E, First
Penn. Rifles Bucktails, and served six years, seven months and four
teen days. After having completed his military service he engaged
in manufacturing lumber in Steuben county. New York, for tAvo

606 history of minnehaha county.

years, and then kept a hotel at Sabinsville, Penn., for one year. His
next eraployraent was in the U. S. Mint at Philadelphia, where he
reraained five years; then for four years was a commercial traveler,
and deputy sheriff of Tioga county, Penn., the same number of
years. In 1892 he came to Fort Pierre, S. D., and removed from
there to Sioux Palls in June, 1895, where he has since resided; was
for a number of years proprietor of the Central House; is deputy
U. S. Marshal, and department Commander of the U. V. Union of
South Dakota. Captain Ludlow is a very energetic, enterprising
man, a respected citizen, and has a large circle of acquaintances.
Lyon, William Hoyt, was born at Carrol, Carrol county, Iowa,
Noveraber 26, 1858. His father, Sarauel Lyon, was a physician, and
removed from Iowa to Vermillion during the summer of 1860. The
subject of this sketch attended the district school during his boy
hood, and in 1874-5 attended the academy at Newton, Iowa. In 1876
taught school at Verraillion, and the following year entered the
United Presbyterian college at Monraouth, Iowa, where he was grad
uated in 1881; then entered the law office of Garable Bros, at Yank
ton, South Dakota, where he reraained one year, and then attended a
laAV school at St. Louis, Mo., one year; was admitted to the bar at
Yankton in 1882; in the fall of 1883 came to Sioux Palls and entered
the law office of M. Grigsby, and in 1885 the law firm of Grigsby &
Lyon was established. On the 7th day of January, 1888, the firm of
Grigsby & Lyon having been dissolved, Mr. Lyon entered the law
firra of Bailey & Davis, and is now a raeraber of the firra of Davis,
Lyon & Gates. Soon after coming to Sioux Palls he published a
book which caused sorae coraraent. It was entitled The People's
Problera, and took advanced ground in favor of the ownership of rail
roads by the governraent, and other kindred topics. In 1892 he was
an independent candidate for the lower house of the legislature upon
the issue of the sale of intoxicating liquors by raunicipal corpora
tions, and the large vote he received was a surprise even to himself.
He is a raan of positive convictions, and when he emphasizes his re
marks by an occasional "by hirarael" the hearer is convinced that
he should never be eraployed to drive an ox-team. He is a good law
yer, and socially he is in the front rank, and is one of those persons
who know raore at the end than at the beginning of the year.
Magner, Samuel H., was born in Peoria, Indiana, August 27,
1844. At the age of six years he reraoved with his parents to Paris,
Illinois, and received his early education in the coraraon schools at
that place. In 1861, he enlisted in Company E, 12th Illinois for
three raonths, and at the expiration of the terra of his enlistment,
re-enlisted, but Avas transferred to the U. S. Signal Service corps,
and reraained in the service until October, 1865. He then engaged
in the dry goods trade at Paris, until 1870, when he removed to 'in-
dianapolis and engaged in the same business until 1885. He then
went to Pierre, in this state, and removed frora there to Sioux Palls
in November, 1886, where he has since resided. Mr. Magner is an
active, enterprising citizen, and takes a prominent part in public
raatters. He is greatly interested in the welfare of the public

HISTORY OP minnehaha COUNTY. 607

schools, and has been on the school board for the last seven years,
and its president since 1897. He is also quite a factor in politics,
and is regarded as one of the prominent raen of the city and county.
Marson, Thomas C, is a native of Nottingham, England, and
was born January 4, 1834. In 1846 he emigrated with his parents to
the United States and settled in Rochester, New York. In 1855 he
went to Rochelle, 111., Avhere he worked at the carpenter's trade,
which he had learned in early life. He remained there until he re
moved to Sioux Falls in August, 1876, where he has since resided,
engaged in contracting and building. He w-as a meraber of the Ma
sonic order before coming- to Dakota, and is one of the oldest Masons
in Sioux Falls. He is a good citizen.
Marty, Rt. Rev. Martin, first bishop of the Catholic diocese
of South Dakota, was born in Schwytz, Switzerland, January, 12,
1834. There was a Jesuit college at that place, where he began the
study of Latin when nine years of age. He took a philosophical and
theological course in the Benedictine Abbey of Einsiedeln, becoming
a member in 1854, and was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic
church in 1856. After teaching for some time in the college he came
to the colony which the Abbey had started in St. Meinard, Spencer
county, Indiana. When this colony was made an Abbey by Pius IX
in 1870, he was by hira appointed its first Abbot, and reraained there
until 1876, when he carae to Standing Rock Ag-ency, Dakota, to con
tinue among the Sioux Indians the work begun by Father DeSmet,
S. J. In 1879 Dakota Territory became a Vicariate Apostolic, of
Avhich he was put in charge as Bishop of Tiberias, and when Leo
XIII erected the Diocese of South Dakota in 1889, he became its first
Bishop. His field of labor Avas a large one, extending over more
than 150,000 square miles, with a population of less than one white
person to the square raile, and his labor was greatly enhanced by
the difficulties in reaching the people he had in charge. Until the
27th of December, 1889, when the Rt. Rev. John Shanley was conse
crated bishop for North Dakota, Bishop Marty had perforraed the
duties of his office Avith great energy and fidelity in the whole of the
Territory of Dakota, suffering raany wants and privations with
true apostolic spirit. He remained Bishop of South Dakota until
about the first of January, 1895, when he was transferred to St.
Cloud, Minnesota. He left behind him the evidence of having per
forraed a great work, for under his administration over one hundred
churches had been built, and sixty stations, seven academies, eigh
teen parochial schools and six Indian Missions had been established.
It is no wonder that the health of the good bishop had been irapared,
and he had richly earned a transfer to a diocese raore corapact, whose
care would require less physical exertion, where he could spent the
declining years of a busy life surrounded with such comforts as a
frontier diocese had denied hira. Bishop Marty was well and favor
ably known throughout the Dakotas, and during the few years he
raade his residence in Sioux Palls he greatly endeared hiraself to his
people, who deeply regretted his departure.
Since writing the foregoing biographical sketch, the devout

608 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

bishop has gone to receive the reward awaiting those who have
labored faithfully in the Master's vineyard. He died at St. Cloud,
Minnesota, on the raorning of Septeraber 19, 1896, where, during his
short residence he became greatly beloved not only by the people of
his church but by all with whom he carae in contact. The funeral
Avas held frora the cathedral in St. Cloud, Septeraber 23, and was the
largest that had ever taken place in that city. Bishop Ireland
preached the funeral sermon and about 100 priests were in attendance.
The remains were escorted to Calvary cemetery by the four local
Catholic societies, followed by a procession which called into requisi
tion every vehicle in the city.
May, Edward, was born near New Orleans, La., November 6,
1855; was educated at the public schools and at the University of Vir
ginia and then engaged in the cotton trade with his father at his native
city. When twenty-two years old he became a meraber of the Board
of Trade in Chicago and also of the Union League Club, Avhich raem
bership he retained until 1895. In 1883 he established the Turner
County Bank at Hurley, Turner county, this state, where he remain
ed until July, 1889, Avhen he reraoved to Sioux Palls, Avhere he has
since resided engaged in the real estate business. He is very popu
lar in social circles, is a good business man and highly esteeraed as a
citizen. McGtArraugh, John T., was born in Ohio July 13, 1842, and
moved with his parents to Iowa when seven years of age. In 1861 he
enlisted for three years in the 14th Iowa Infantry, and served as a
non-coramissioned officer three years and three raonths. In 1869 he
Avent to Clay county, Dakota, and in the fall of 1870 carae to SiouxPalls
and pre-empted the southeast one-fourth of section 28, in the town
ship of Sioux Falls, where he has since resided. He has a A'aluable
quartzite stone quarry on his farm and is the owner of 480 acres of
land in Lincoln county. During his long residence in Sioux Falls he
has been highly respected as a neighbor and a citizen.
McKee, John, is a native of Belfast, Antrim county, Ireland,
and was born June 5, 1847. He worked on a farm and attended school
until sixteen years of age when he commenced work in a harness
shop and continued at this work until he was twentA'-one vears old,
at which time he eraigrated to the United States. He came first to
New York city, Avhere he worked for awhile at his trade, but conclud
ed that he Avould not settle down until he had seen soraethino- of the
country. He then went to Pennsylvania, Illinois and loAva, A^orkino-
at his trade, and arrived in Sioux Falls in Septeraber, 1871. Soon
after he pre-empted the south half of the northwest one-fourth and
the east half of the southwest one-fourth of section 31, in Benton
township, hved m a dugout for about six months and then Avent to
Sioux Falls and opened a harness shop in the barracks. Prom that
time until the fall of 1892 he continued in this business. He has been
successful m business and owns some fine city property as well as
large tracts of farm land in this county, Avhich he manages hiraself.
In the tall ot 1883 he was elected county coraraissioner from the city
and by re-elections continued inoificeuntil Januarv, 1893, havi ner been

Rt. Rev. Martin Marty.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 611

chairman of the board since January 1, 1886. During the tirae of his
chairmanship the court house was built, and while it was being con
structed he could be found more frequently at the court house site
than at his own place of business, and Avas universally aclvUOAvledged
to be a careful, painstaking official. The writer has been a near
neighbor of his for several years and can testify that no one could be
raore accoraraodating- than Mr. McKee, and all who know him will ad
mit that he is a g-ood citizen.
McKeever, Patrick W., Avas born in Dixon, Illinois, January
11, 1868. When four vears of ag-e reraoved with his parents to St.
Louis, Mo., received a coramon school education, worked ashort time
for a tobacco house and then learned the tailor's trade. On the 12th
day of Aug-ust, 1888, came to Sioux Falls with E. R. Barnes, the
tailor, and Avorked with hira at his trade for nearly two years; then
Avith Porseth for a short tirae and then with Jacob Becher for sever
al years. He has been a raember of the fire departraent for several
years, two years as chief of the department and two years as assist
ant chief. He Avas for some tirae joint proprietor of the Oxford Ho
tel Avith Rog-er Marson, under the narae of Marson & McKeever, and
then conducted the Central House for a few raonths. In 1897 he
was elected alderman from the First ward. He is one of the most
active and enterprising political workers in the city.
McKinney, Charles E., is a native of Ulster, Pennsylvania,
and was born March 16, 1858. He worked on a farra and attended
the district schools during his youth; attended school at Harailton,
N. Y., one year, and the Cook Acaderay at Havana, N. Y., three
years, where he graduated; studied law one year at Detroit, Michigan,
and one year at Ann Arbor, Michigan; then went to Lanesboro, Min
nesota, where he reraained one year, and came to Sioux Falls in No
vember, 1880. After his coraing to Sioux Palls he entered into a
copartnership for the purpose of doing a banking business. The
narae of the firra was Easton, McKinney & Scougel, and it established
banks at Sioux Palls, Yankton and Dell Rapids. In Deceraber, 1882,
Mr. McKinney organized the Sioux Palls National Bank, and frora
then to the present time he has been its president. He vvas admitted
to the bar in 1889; has been a member of the city school board, and
was a raember of the coraraission appointed to adjust the financial
matters between North and South Dakota when they assuraed state
hood. In 1891 and 1892 he Avas one of the railroad coraraissioners of
South Dakota. He has always been an enterprising-, active, energetic
citizen, occasionally taking a hand in local and state politics, but has
devoted his time principally to financial matters, in vvhich he has the
reputation of being cool-headed and successful.
McKinney, Dennis L., was born in Ulster, Bradford county,
Pennsylvania, October 14, 1855. During his youth he worked on a
farm, and knows Avhat it is to bind grain by hand with a sprinkling of
Canada thistle intermixed. He received a com mon school and academic
education and graduated from the Lewisberg- University in 1872. He
then took a course in raedicine, and graduated from the medical
department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, in

612 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

1878; after Avhich he practiced medicine in Oneida county. New York,
until he reraoved to Sioux Palls, where he arrived on the 6th day of
May, 1881, and has reraained there since then. He became connected
Avith the bank of Easton, McKinney & Scougal, and manager of the
McKinney Loan & Investraent Corapany, which position he still holds.
He has also been connected with the Sioux Falls National Bank since
its organization, of Avhich he is a director, and has been its vice
president since 1890. He was the first president of the Sioux Palls
Business Men's League, and was alderraan from the Sixth ward for
three years, but is best known as one of our prominent business
raen, taking great interest in promoting the prosperity of South Da
kota. Positive, energetic, and enterprising, he is widely and favor
ably known in business circles.
McKinnon, Thomas, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1860,
and carae to this country Avith his parents Avhen nine years of age,
and located at Evanston, 111., where he received his education. In
1876, he went to Wisconsin, where he resided until he reraoved to
Sioux Palls in 1879, which place has since been his horae. He was
employed in carpenter Avork until 1886, and since that time has been
a contractor and builder. In 1889, he was elected alderraan frora the
Fourth ward, and through re-elections served as such until Mav,
1896. He was a representative frora this countv in the legislature in
1895, and Avas elected county commissioner in Noveraber, 1898, for
the terra of three years. He is a conservatiA'e, careful official, a good
citizen, and is a hard man to beat at the polls.
McMartin, Thomas Bell, was born in Fairfield, Iowa, Octo
ber 30, 1857; reraoved with his parents to Dixon, Illinois, in 1865,
Avhere he received his education, studied law, and was adraitted to the
bar March 18, 1879; practiced law at Dixon for about one year, and in
April, 1880, carae to Sioux Falls, where he has since res'ided, devot
ing his tirae to his profession. He was clerk in the law office of Ker
shaw & Plagg for about nine raonths, and then formed a copartner
ship with Eugene Coughran, which continued until October, 1889.
During this tirae he had a constantly groAving practice, and was em
ployed in some very iraportant cases which he conducted with a good
deal of ability. During the year 1889, he formed a copartner'ship
Avith Judge Carland under the name of McMartin & Carland, Avhich
firm existed until the 23d day of Septeraber, 1893, when it was dis
solved, and Mr. McMartin has since been in practice by himself. He
has had considerable experience as attorney for receivers of insol
vent institutions, having- been eraployed by the receivers of the First
National Bank of Sioux Falls, the "Chamberlain National Bank, the
Madison National Bank, the Bank of South Dakota at Madison, Lake
county, the Dakota National Bank, and the Insurance Corapany of
Dakota. In the case of the Sioux Falls National Bank vs the First
National Bank of Sioux Palls, which grew out of the attachment of
the assets of the First National by the Sioux Falls National, Mr.
McMartin Avon the admiration of the bar by his persistent and suc
cessful prosecution of the case on the part of the defendant bank. He
was defeated in the circuit and supreme courts of the state, but took

Charles E. McKinney.

Dennis L. McKinney.

T. B. McMartin.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY 619
tlie case to the United States supreme court and there prevailed. He
did this ag-ainst the advice of the comptroller of the currency and the
opinions of distinguished lawyers. Since his residence in Sioux Palls,
he has been United States Coraraissioner several years. He is Avell
liked by the legal profession, is genial and companionable and has a
host of friends.
McNulty, Oaa'EN T., was born at Delavan, Wis., Pebruarv 20,
1864, Avas reared on a farra and educated in the public schools, and at
the college of the Sacred Heart at Prairie De Chien, Wis., where he
Avas graduated in June, 1887. On the 13th of October, following-, he
arrived in Sioux Palls; taug-ht school in Benton during the fall and
Avinter, and then carae back to Sioux Palls, and when W. W. Cooke
was appointed county auditor went into his office as chief clerk, and
reraained there six raonths. In Deceraber, 1888, he went to Wiscon
sin, but returned the following spring and taught school at Rowena.
During- the fall of that year he becarae proprietor of the hotel at South
Sioux Falls, but left it soon after and taught school in the Oaks dis
trict in Wayne. During the spring of 1890, he went into the restau
rant business in Sioux Palls, and has been engaged in this and the
hotel business since then. He is an enterprising, good business man,
Avell informed, and is a respected citizen.
Meredith, Rev. Evan Bradley, was born April 19, 1853, in Ken
osha county, Wisconsin. His father was a Baptist minister, and moved
to Colurabia county in the same state, in 1855, where he continued to
preach, and conducted the affairs of his farra Avith the aid of hired
help. The subject of this sketch worked on the farm, attended
school, and taught district and sing-ing schools until he was nineteen
years of age, at which time he becarae a student in Wayland Acad
eray at Beaver Dara, Wisconsin, graduating in 1875. Iraraediately
thereafter, he entered the University of Chicag-o, Avhere he gradu
ated in 1879, and then entered the Baptist Union Theological Serai-
nary at Morgan Park, Chicago, where he graduated in the spring- of
1882. During the seven years he was pursuing his studies at Chi
cago, he was also actively engaged in a varietv' of enterprises, with a
view of defraying his expenses, which he successfully accomplished.
During the vacations he sold goods in no less than thirty-three states
and territories, and was quite extensively engaged in the publishing
business. The Chicago Grocer and Mercantile Review was estab
lished by a stock company, having 200 shares of stock, of which he
owned 196 shares. He was connected with and had an interest in
the Western Druggist and Medical Review, and also in the Biblical
World. In the fall of 1882 he sold out his Chicago interests and ac
cepted a call to become the pastor of the First Baptist church at
Sioux Palls. He arrived in this city on the 23d day of December of
that year and iraraediately entered upon the duties of his pastorate.
Soon after this he was elected one of the directors of the Sioux Falls
College and was raade chairraan of the executive coraraittee. At the
expiration of two years and a half he resigned his charge over the
Baptist church, and accepted the presidency of the college.
The difficulties surrounding the early days of nearly all institu-

620 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

tions of like character, have not been wanting in the history of the
Sioux Falls College, but Mr. Meredith for ten years with g-reat
zeal and g-enerosity, labored in its interest. He also contributed
several thousand dollars of his OAvn raeans to its support while he
was president. Mr. Meredith for several years was one of the largest
real estate dealers in Sioux Falls, and had charge of some of the
raost iraportant transactions in that line. He was a director and
president of the Security and Guaranty Company, director and vice
president of the Commercial Trust Corapany, director of the Union
Trust Company and one of the directors of the Union National Bank;
all of these institutions having their business headquarters in the
city of Sioux Falls. He was also a director, and largeh' interested
in the Eureka Milling Company, and was one of the promoters of the
AVagon and Carriag-e Corapany, located west of the city.
That Mr. Meredith led an active, busy life, and was energetic
and enterprising Avhile a resident of Sioux Palls the foregoing raost
amply demonstrates. As a citizen he was well liked and highly re
spected, as a neighbor none could be more kind and obliging, and
when he left the city of Sioux Palls in 1895, the expression of regret
at his departure was universal.
Mikkelsen, Rev. Amund, was born in Norway in 1835, and emi
grated to the United States in 1853; taught in the public schools for
three years; studied for the ministry at Port Wayne, Ind., and at
St. Louis, Mo., and was ordained and entered the ministry in 1864.
During that year he was raarried to Miss Ingeborg- Nelson of Wis
consin, and reraained in the sarae state in charge of a congregation
until 1874, Avhen he reraoved to Chicago to take charge of a congre
gation, and reraained there until 1889." During that year he received
a call to corae to Sioux Falls and becorae principal of the Lutheran
Norraal School, which he accepted, and held this position until 1891,
when he resigned, but remained as one of the teachers in the school
until 1896, when he again assumed the duties of principal, and has
since been at the head of the faculty. Professor Mikkelsen is pos
sessed of all the requisites for the successful adrainistration of this
mstitution of learning, is scholarly, of equable temperament, com
panionable with the teachers and scholars, but firm in raatters of
discipline. He quite frequently supplies the pulpit in the St. Olaf's
church m the city, and is an able preacher. He is an earnest Chris
tian worker, and since coraing to Sioux Palls he and his estimable
Avife have greatly endeared themselves to a large circle of acquaint
ances. Mills, Thomas Jefferson, is a native of Illinois. His parents
came to New York with four other farailies and settled in Chicago
for sorae tirae, and then removed to what is now the city of Aurora,
Kane county, Illinois, where the subject of this sketch was born on
the 22d day of Septeraber, 1837. When two years of age he reraoved
with his parents to a farm in Lake county, Illinois, and lived there
until he was seventeen years old. During the winters he attended
the district school m a log school house, with slabs for seats, and re
ceived for any dereliction of duty the customary punishments in vogue

Owen T. McNulty.

Rev. E. B. Meredith.

Rev. a. Mikkelsen and Wife.

T. J. Mills.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 629

at that tirae from the Atlantic ocean to the Mississippi river — of sit
ting betAveen two g-irls, holding- his fing-er on a nail in the floor, or
standing on a dunce block with a long- paper hat on his head. In this
raanner Thomas receiAed an education. When seventeen years of
ag-e he Avent to Chicago and Avorked as an apprentice at the carpen
ter's trade for three years, and then returned to farm life at his old
horae until October 9, 1861. At this date he enlisted in a caA'alry
corapanA' attached to the 52d Illinois infantry regiraent. In 1863 this
corapanA' becarae Company G, of the I5th Illinois cavalry. On the
22d day of August, 1864, he received his discharge and went horae,
Avhere he reraained one year and then Avent to Oskosh, Wisconsin,
where he resided until the first day of January, 1870. At the last
mentioned date he reraoved to Olmsted count)', Minnesota, and resided
there until he came to Sioux Falls on the 31st day of May, 1871,
AA'here he has since resided. He has worked at his trade since living
in Sioux Falls, and during six years of the time was in the eraploy of
C. K. Howard. Mr. Mills has always been regarded as a kind neigh
bor and exeraplary citizen.
Monson, Martin, was born in Skien, Norway, July 13, 1870, and
eraigrated to the United States, arriving at Sioux Falls in this county
on the 6th day of June, 1888, where he has since resided. He worked
at his trade of carpenter until March, 1898, when he became clerk in
the county auditor's office, and on the first day of June following, was
appointed deputy auditor, which position he held until the spring- of
1899. He is quite active in political matters, makes a g-ood official,
and is a good citizen.
Morcom, Edmund D., was born in Lafayette county, Wiscon
sin, Septeraber 5, 1859, but vvhen quite young moved with his parents
to Hazel Green in the same state. He attended the common schools,
and completed his education in the Norraal school at Platteville, Wis
consin, and then engaged in teaching school for two years; clerked
aAvhile in a general store, and for a few raonths traveled for the An
dreas Publishing Co. of Chicag-o; solicited insurance in Iowa a short
tirae, and then was eraployed as secretary by the superintendent of
the comraissary departraent of the C, B. & Q. R. R. Co. until he re
raoved to Sioux Falls in February, 1883, and entered the eraploy of
the Insurance Corapany of Dakota; remained with this corapany until
1887, and then becarae the assistant secretary of the Western Fire
& Marine Insurance Co., and held this position until it went out of
business. In 1891 went to New Orleans in the employ of the Mil
waukee & Mechanics Insurance Co., and reraained there one year;
then returned to Sioux Falls, and engaged in the insurance business
with John S. Lewis, under the firra narae of Morcora & Lewis. On
the 1st day of Deceraber, 1895, entered into a copartnership with
E. S. Knowles in the insurance business, under the firra narae of
Morcom & Knowles, which copartnership still continues. He is the
special agent for South Dakota of the National Pire Insurance Co. of
Hartford, Conn.; has been a member of the school board of the city
of Sioux Palls four years, three years of which he was its president.
Mr. Morcom is a good business raan, an enterprising citizen, active
in political matters, and socially — well, he has been king of a
carnival.

630 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Morgan, Dr. John Cass, was born on a farm in Portage
county, Ohio, on the 4th day of February, 1843. While quite young-
he moved with his parents to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he re
mained until twelve years old. In 1855 went to Minnesota, where he
resided until 1859, and then returned to his old home in Wisconsin.
During- his youth he worked on a farm, attended the common school,
and took a partial acaderaic course, and at the tirae of the breaking-
out of the rebellion had coraraenced the study of raedicine. In 1861,
he enlisted in Co. D, 7th Wis. Inf., and remained in the service until
July, 1865; Avas wounded in the battle of Gettysburg, and on the
31st daA' of March, 1865, was ag-ain wounded while in battle, and this
tirae so seriously that an amputation of one of his feet became neces
sary. After the war he resuraed the studj' of raedicine, attended
the Medical University of Michigan, and finally graduated at Rush
Medical College in 1869. Iraraediately after his graduation he com
menced the practice of medicine in Frankville, Iowa, where he re
raained until he reraoved to Sioux Falls in April, 1873. When he
arrived in Sioux Palls there were three other physicians in the
county. Dr. J. L. Phillips and the two Drs. Roberts, father and son.
Dr. Morgan took up a tiraber claira in Lincoln county, and a home
stead and pre-emption in Benton township, this county, and has also
purchased other real estate so that at the present time he is the
owner of 1,010 acres of land. Since his residence in Sioux Palls, he
has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession, and a
long list of the early settlers will always eraploy him when needing
medical attendance. He was county physician ten years, and for the
same length of time the only pension examiner at Sioux Falls, and
then one of the board of pension examiners, consisting- of himself.
Dr. LeBlond and Dr. Olney, for ten years raore; was the health officer
of the city of Sioux Falls several years, and the physician at the pen
itentiary and the school for deaf rautes since the' location of these
institutions until June, 1899. He has been a prorainent raember and
official of the Minnehaha County Medical Society since its organiza
tion, and its president one year. He never could balance himself on
a fence for a rainute. He is always on one side or the other of every
proposition that is of public interest, and within his circle everybody
is aware which side he is sustaining. He is an energetic, honest cit
izen, a good friend, and, for a short time, a fairly good hater. As a
neighbor he is kind and obliging.
Morstad, Peter J., was born near the city of Christiania, Nor
way, on the 27th day of December, 1853. He came to the United
States m 1870 and worked on a farm near Albert Lea, Minnesota for
about five years; was traveling agent for a machine company known
as Puller, Johnson & Co., four years, and was clerk in a mercan
tile store tAVO years and a half. In 1881 he moved to Grand Porks,
North Dakota and engaged as clerk in M. I. Mendelson's clothing
store for about seven months, Avhen he and A. Christopherson
bought the stock and continued the business under the firm name
of Morstad, Christophers(m & Co. for about three months. On the
18th day of December, 1882, the building occupied bv them was
destroyed by fire and being unable to rent another building- at that

Dr. John C. Morgan.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 633

place they renioved to Sioux Falls, Avhere the clothing- firm of
Morstad & Christopherson has done a successful business since
then. Mr. Morstad AA'as elected alderraan from the Fifth Avard in
1894, and Avas re-elected in 1896 and in 1898, although his politics is
not in accord with the raajority of the voters of that ward, but he is
a good official, a good business man and a respected citizen.
Muller, Henry A., Avas born in Cassville, Wisconsin, August
3, 1865. He Avas raised on a farra and attended the coraraon schools
during his youth. When twenty years of age he carae to Dakota
and entered the Brooking-s Agricultural College, where he reraained
tAVO years and then Avent to Scotland, in this state, and was a stu
dent in the acaderay at that place four terras. Then entered the
university at Verraillion, and after having- reraained there a few
terms carae to Sioux Palls and coramenced the study of laAV in D. E.
Power's office. He Avas admitted to the bar November 16, 1892, and
since then has been in the practice of his profession at Sioux Falls.
He is now associated with D. J. CouAvay in the practice of law un
der the firm name of Muller & Conway. Mr. Muller is a studious,
well-read lawyer and deservedly popular among his professional
brethren, and is one of the young men of the Minnehaha county bar
Avho is expected to attain a high standing in his profession.
Nelson, Charles M., was born in Mount Carroll, 111., Septera
ber 11, 1867. In June, 1872, he came Avith his parents to this county
and has since then resided here. He was reared on a farra, attended
school and fitted himself for teaching-; has taiightschool twelve years
in the county; w^s appointed deputj' sheriff by Sheriff Donahoe in
June, 1898, and is in charg-e of the jail. Mr. Nelson is honest, indus
trious, and one of the growing young raen of the county.
Nelson, W. H., Avas born in Somerset county, Maine, on the 5th
day of March, 1842. He worked on a farra and attended the public
schools until twenty years old; then went to California and engaged
in the luraber business until 1870, when he reraoved to Dakota. He
arrived in Sioux Falls on the 10th day of April, 1870, and for seven
years was bookkeeper for B. P. Roderick, Avho at that tirae was
in the lumber and grain business. In 1878 the subject of this
sketch opened a drug store, in Avhich business he has since con
tinued. He was president of the city school board eight years,
and took a lively interest in educational raatters during his term
of office. He is a good neighbor and a respected citizen.
Newell, Harrison C, was born at Westfield, Wis., June 13,
1863. He was reared on a farra, attended the public school and
gratuated from the high school at Baraboo, Wis., and was a student
at the University at Madison a short time. In 1883 went to Pierre,
S. D., and worked for Ward & Frick in the wholesale grocery busi
ness until June, 1886, when he removed with them to Sioux Falls, and
remained in their employ until they sold out to Jewett Bros. & Jewett
in 1888, and was in the employ of this firm until 1889, Avhen he en
gaged in the real estate business for one year. In 1890 he went into
the wholesale fruit business, but sold out in 1893, and then, in con
nection with Charles Ransom, operated the canning factory in Sioux

634 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Falls one year. In 1894 they forraed a copartnership under the firra
name of Ransora & Newell in the retail grocery business, in which
they have since continued. Mr. Newell is a genial good fellow, a
g-ood business man, and a good citizen.
Nichols, George E., Avas born near Watertown, Wisconsin,
March 15, 1842. He was raised on a farm and attended the public
schools until fourteen years of age, when he entered the machine
shops of the Milwaukee Railroad Corapany. In 1863, enlisted for one
year in the U. S. navy, and served out his tirae on the boat Pittsburg.
In an engagement on Red River he was severely wounded. In 1864,
received a recruiting- coraraission frora GoA'ernor Lewis of Wisconsin,
and enlisted three hundred and twenty-seven men; was raade first
lieutenant, and AA'as in coraraand of Co. H, Slst Wisconsin infantrv'.
In 1866 he and his brother built a large saw and stave mill at Kauk-
auna, Outagamie county, Wisconsin, which was destroyed by fire in
1871, causing thera a loss of several thousand dollars. He then went
back to the Milwaukee shops, and remained in the employ of the Mil-
Avaukee Railroad Corapany until he removed to Sioux Palls in the fall
of 1882. His first work in Sioux Palls was to fit up the first steam
laundry in that place, situated at the foot of Ninth street, on the bank
of the Sioux river. He worked several raonths in doing this, and
only received a cap and a suit of clothes in payraent. He afterwards
rented and run the laundry for about a year, when he established a
dyeing- and cleaning house, which he run for about four years. He
then engaged in the raercantile business, and Avhen he sold this out
conducted a butcher shop for aAvhile. The phj'sical disabilities from
Avhich he is suffering, resulting- from railitary service, have taken hira
from the field of active work, but he is neA'erthelessable to participate
in public raatters.
NiEL, James M., was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Deceraber 25,
1854, and eraigrated with his parents to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1857;
attended the city schools until eleven years old, Avhen he entered a
paint shop and learned the painter's trade, in which he has contin
ued since then. On the 12th day of March, 1884, he came to Sioux
Falls, where he has since resided. He is an expert in his business,
as the signs and decorations in the city Avill fully demonstrate. He
is a genial good fellow, and a good citizen.
Nolan, Rev. William V., was born at Niagara Falls, NeAv
York, April 17, 1854. He attended the public schools until sixteen
years old and for the next five years Avas a student at the seminary
and college of Our Lady of Angels, where he Avas graduated. He
then took a special course for the priesthood at Philadelphia, Pa.,
and Avas ordamed a priest June 24, 1880. Prom this time until 1883
he was connected with St. John the Baptist church and college at
New York, teaching and doing rainisterial work. From there he
went to Cape Girardeau, Mo., where he was engaged in teaching and
parochial work until he removed to South Dakota in November, 1891,
with the exception of one year, which time he spent in St. Louis and
LaSalle, 111. When he first came to this state he vAas located at
Huron, and had charge of all the Catholic churches and missions in

Charles L. Norton.

John Francis Norton.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 639

Beadle county until April 13, 1893, Avhen he reraoved to Sioux Falls,
and since that tirae has had charge of the St. Michael pro-cathedral
church in Sioux Falls. Father Nolan is a scholarly raan, an eloquent
preacher, a devoted pastor, and greatly beloved by the people over
Avhora he is placed.
NoRBERG, S. Albert, was born in SAveden, April 12, 1859. He
worked on a farra and attended the public school during his rainority.
He then learned the painter's trade, and in 1882 eraigrated to the
United States, where he arrived June 5, of that year. He AVorked on
a farm one year, and as a painter tAvo years, and then returned to
Sweden, but after residing- there a year again came to this country,
and has since worked at his trade, at first in Chicago, but since 1887
at Sioux Falls, where his brother Peter is associated with hira under
the firm narae of Norberg Brothers. They are both enterprising-
good business raen and respected citizens.
Norton, Charles L., was born at Glens Falls, New York, May
26, 1852, and reraoved with his parents to Edgerton, Wisconsin, in
1860. In 1869 he came to St. Paul, Minnesota, and went into a tele
graph office in connection with a railroad. He engaged in the sarae
business at Duluth and Minneapolis, and finally becarae the "end
raan" of the St. Paul and Sioux City Railway Corapany, or, in other
Avords, was the terrainal box car agent of the company. He vvas at
Sibley and Luverne and was finally run into this county on the 1st
day of August, 1878, and dumped, with the title of station ag-ent, at
Sioux Falls. He kept this position for two years and then for a
short time became the assistant cashier of the First National Bank,
and then a director and cashier of the Sioux Palls National Bank and
has been from its organization and is now the cashier of this bank.
He served several years on the school board; was alderraan two
years; and was appointed county treasurer upon the resignation of
C. K. Howard in January, 1886, and remained in that office during
the year. He Avas elected county treasurer in 1890 and 1892, and
again in 1898. Although the office of county treasurer was not cre
ated for hira, still he fills it admirably and gives general satisfaction.
After his term of office expired January 1, 1895, he engaged in the
insurance business in addition to his official duties as cashier of the
Sioux Palls National Bank. He is one of those genial good fellows
who is liked by everybody, and any person having trouble with hira
must originate it hiraself. In addition to his adrairable social quali
ties he is an enterprising-, level-headed citizen.
Norton, Eben S., was born at Glens Falls, N. Y., February
11, 1846; raoved to Edgerton, Wis., with his parents in 1860; was
reared on a farm and received his education in the public schools
and in Milton College at Milton, Wis. When twenty years old was
employed as telegraph operator at Edgerton, and after working at
several places was appointed station agent atToraah, Wis., where he
reraained until he raoved to Sioux Palls, where he arrived October
15, 1880, and since then has been station agent on the Omaha road.
Mr. Norton has been on the school board two terms, is a member of
the Masonic order and the A. O. U. W. He is a good business man

640 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

and pleasant to do business with, is a good neighbor and a highly re
spected citizen.
Norton, John Francis, was born in Schenectady, New York,
Noveraber 14, 1843, and lived there until he was three years of age,
Avhen he reraoved with his parents to Rouse Point, N. Y., where they
resided for a few years and then reraoved to Union Prairie, Alaraa-
kee county, Iowa. He attended the city schools at Rouse Point. In
Iowa he worked on a farra until twenty years of age. While residing
at Union Prairie he held the offices of town clerk, assessor and col
lector, g-iving an official bond of $50,000 as collector when he was only
twenty-one years old. At the age of twentv-eight years he engaged
in the implement business at Lansing-, Iowa, carrying on the busi
ness for two vears alone and then with a copartner for one year.
When this copartnership Avas dissolved he entered into another co
partnership in the implement and livery business, which continued
until 1878. He reraoved to Sioux Palls in October of that year,
where he at once eng-aged in the irapleraent business in connection
with John J. Murry, under the firra name of Norton & Murry. Since
taking up his residence in Sioux Falls he has been a verA' active citi
zen. In 1884 he was elected alderraan from the Third ward for tAvo
years, and in 1886 he was re-elected, serving three years in all. In
1887 he vvas elected mayor and served the full term of two years. He
was elected a representative to the first legislature of South Dakota
and at the expiration of his terra vvas re-elected. In 1892 Avas ap
pointed deputy collector of the internal revenue, Avhich position he
held for two years. In January, 1895, when C. W. Hubbard assura
ed the office of sheriff of Minnehaha county Mr. Norton was appoint
ed deputy sheriff, Avhich position he held until the suraraer of 1896.
He is now in the real estate business. As a business man he has al
ways been well liked; as a citizen he has been active and enterpris
ing, and as an official he won the respect of his constituency. He is
a good neighbor and a steadfast friend.
O'GoRMAN, Rt. Rev. Thomas, second bishop of the Catholic
diocese of South Dakota, is a native of Boston, Mass., and vvas born
in 1843. His parents moved West, and his boyhood Avas spent in
Chicago and St. Paul successively. Upon reaching the proper age
to enter a theological seminary (after receiving a collegiate course
and graduating Avith high honors) he Avas sent to France to be edu
cated for the priesthood. He Avas ordained in St. Paul in 1865, and
until 1876 had charge as missionary of a district in southern Minne
sota which noAv comprises fifteen separate parishes. In 1877 he
joined Avith the Paulist Fathers in their missionary Avork, and dur
ing a portion of two years preached in the Cathedral in New York.
In 1885 he was made president of the seminary of St. Thomas in
St. Paul, and also occupied the professorship of philosophy and doo--
matic theology. In 1890 he was appointed professor of ecclesiastical
history ot the Roraan Catholic university located at Washington, D.
Von " T^^ '-^ remained until he was mad'e Bishop of South Dakota in
18 JO. During his residence in Washington he was selected to Avrite
a history of the R<,man Catholic church in the United States, and

Rt. Rev. Thomas O'Gorman.

41

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 643

Volume IX of the series of denominational church histories, pub
lished under the auspices of the American Society of Church His
tory, AA'as written by hira. This volurae evidences the fact that no
raistake AAas raade in his selection for the work. It covers a wider
field than any other volume of the series, commencing with the first
landing of Columbus on this continent, and, advancing step bv step,
gives a complete account of the development and growth of the
church to the present time. It is a great work, Avritten in a most
attractive and scholarly style, and places the Bishop in the front
rank of historical Avriters.
On the 2d day of May, 1896, Bishop O'Gorraan arrived in Sioux
Palls, accorapanied by Archbishoj) Ireland, of St. Paul, and other
hig-h dignitaries of the church, and the reception, the ceremonies
of the installation the day following- in St. Michael's church, and the
banquet tendered him, Avill always be remembered by its partici
pants as among the grandest events in the history of the city. It is
not too rauch to say that a raore cordial and elaborate welcome was
neA'er g-iven to anyone in Sioux Palls; and one of the most pleasant
features attending the coming of this eminent prelate to our midst,
Avas the hearty co-operation of the clergy of other religious denomi
nations in inaking the event a notable one. Since coming- to South
Dakota he has labored with great zeal and ability in adAancing the
Avelfare of his church, and under his administration some of the
finest and most costh' church buildings in the state have been
erected. The bishop is greatly beloved by his people; and through
out the state, regardless of denominational preferences, he is highly
esteemed, and the city of Sioux Palls is especially proud of her dis
tinguished citizen.
Olney, Dr. Stephen, was born in Warren, Pennsylvania, on the 2d
day of March, 1846. He attended the city schools at Warren dur
ing his early youth, and then Avent to Poland, Ohio, and attended the
Union Seminary, Avhere he graduated. He remained in Poland about
six years, and after graduating from the seminary studied medicine
in Dr. Truesdale's office. He attended the Medical University in
Michigan one year, and then Avent to the Western Reserve Medical
College at Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated in 1868. He then
practiced raedicine about one year at Struthers, Ohio. In the spring-
of 1869 he came West, and located at Sioux Rapids, Iowa, Avhere he
remained in the practice of raedicine until the spring- of 1875, when
he reraoved to Swan Lake, Turner county, this state, where he was
engaged in his profession until he remoA'ed to Sioux Palls in August,
1877, where he has since remained. He was the first treasurer of
the Territorial Medical Society, and was active in the organization
of the Minnehaha County Medical Society, of which he was the presi
dent in 1885. He has been city physician of Sioux Falls, chairman
of the city board of health and also an officer of the county board of
health. He is not only learned in his profession, but well inforraed
upon topics engaging public attention, especially those of a scientific
character. But he is best known and raost appreciated in the sick
roora, where his patients are encouraged by his quiet, assuring raan
ner and attentive consideration of their ills. His practice is quite

644 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

extensive, and he is acknowledged by his colleagues to be one of the
raost skillful and successful practitioners in the state.
Olson, John, is a native of Sweden, and was born March 22d,
1838. When he was only three years old he lost his father, and as
soon as he was able to earn wages worked out on a farra. When he
was seventeen years old he eraigrated. to this country and settled in
Carver county, Minnesota. He took up a claira and opened a country
store. Por ten years he was a justice of the peace, and for several
years was deputy postraaster, having charge of the office. He also
held the offices of town assessor and treasurer several years. He had
an interest in a raill that was erected at the place of his residence,
and was treasurer of the corapany. In the spring of 1883, he carae to
Sioux Palls, where he has since resided. In August of that year he
opened a store on Phillips avenue, and had a stock of raerchandise
valued at ten thousand dollars, but on the 6th day of Noveraber, fol
lowing, it was destroyed by fire, and it was a total loss, except $1,000
of insurance. He then coramenced business in a small way in the
confectionery line, and gradually worked into the grocery business
in which he is now engaged. In 1897, he was elected city treasurer,
and Avas re-elected in 1898. Mr. Olson is an upright, honest man, and
a respected citizen.
Orr, Alpha P., was born in Jersey City, NeAv Jersey, April 28,
1860; when two years old Avent to Florence, N. Y., Avith his parents;
vvas educated in the public schools, Whitestone seminary and Hamil
ton college, where he was a student for two years; studied laAV and
Avas admitted to the bar at Rochester, N. Y., in 1882; comraenced
practicing his profession at Rome, N. Y., Avhere he reraained one
i'Iqo' ^t^ ^^^^ ^^"^ ^° Caraden, N. J., where he practiced law until
188J. In the fall of that year he came to Sioux Palls, Avhere he has
since resided engaged in professional work. Mr. Orr is a o-ood law
yer, and although he has not been a candidate for office he is ahvavs an
active participator m political carapaigns, taking the sturap in the in
terest of his party, and always raakes a good speech. He tries his
cases well, is well liked, and is a good citizen.
Palmer Cornelius S., was born in Underbill, Vermont, No
vember 2, 1844. His father was a farmer, and the subject of this
sketch worked on the farm until he enlisted in the railitary service in
his seventeenth year. He enlisted in the name of, and took the place
of an elder brother, Simeon M. Palmer, and served out the term of
his enhstment. Returning to his horae he attended the Underbill
Acaderay, and studied law with L. P. Milbur, Esq., of Jericho, an
adjoining town. In 1872, was adraitted to the bar, and iramediately
comraenced the practice of his profession at Jericho. Six years after
was elected state s attorney for Chittenden countv, and held this
office lor two years. During the administration of this office he gained
considerable notoriety for vigorous prosecution of all classes of
offenders, and especially violators of the law prohibiting the sale of
intoxicating liquors. In 1880, was elected to represent the town of
Jericho in the yermont legislature. In 1882, was appointed assistant
Lnited States district attorney for Dakota territory, and reraoved to

history of minnehaha county, 645

Yankton on the 22d day of Juneof thatyear; reraained at Yankton in the
discharg-e of the duties of this office until he received the appoint
raent of associate justice of the suprerae court of Dakota territory in
February, 1884, for the term of four years. He served out his term,
although three years of his official life was under Cleveland's admin
istration. While judg-e he was assigned to and presided over the
fourth judicial district, and during that tirae was appointed one of
the commissioners of revenue by the governor. In 1884, he removed
to Sioux Palls and has since resided there. After the expiration of
his judicial terra in July, 1888, he coraraenced the practice of law in
Sioux Palls, and on the first day of January, 1889, forraed a copart
nership Avith P- J. Rogde under the firra narae of Palraer & Rogde.
This copartnership continued until February, 1895, when H. C.
Preston of Mitchell was taken into the firra and the business was
conducted under the firra narae of Palmer, Preston & Rogde until
January, 1896, Avhen Mr. Palmer retired, and is now practicing laAv
by himself. In 1891, was elected deputy commander for South Da
kota of the Grand Arm}' of the Republic, and the same year was ap
pointed one of the commissioners of the Soldiers' Home. In 1893, was
appointed by the governor to respond in behalf of the state, on South
Dakota day at the World's Columbian Exposition, and his address on
that occasion received warm commendations. In Noveraber, 1894,
Avhen the Union Savings Association was organized in Sioux Palls,
he was elected its president. In 1896, was elected senator from
Minnehaha county upon a fusion ticket composed of Democrats, Pop
ulists and Silver Republicans. Considerable comment was caused at
the time he comraenced holding terms of the district court by his
action, in accordance with the prevailing- custom in New England, of
inviting one of the resident clergyraen to open each terra of court
Avith prayer, but he persisted in it to the end of his term of office.
He Avas an industrious, able and upright judge. He engages sorae
what in politics, and when he does take a part, his great industry
and sagacity are felt by all parties interested; while he is a fairly
"good hater" he does not permit his principles to be sacrificed in
the punishment of his political eneraies. He is now in the prirae of
manhood, and being an exceptionally strong man every way it is not
too rauch to predict, that he Avill continue for a long- tirae to corae to
be an iraportant factor in public affairs.
Patterson, Hibbard, was born at Harris Corner, Michigan,
June 2, 1859. When ten years of age he reraoved with his parents
to Marshall county, Illinois, and after having lived there two years
returned to Michigan, and during the next five years attended school
and worked in a shingle raill, and then coraraenced to learn the print
er's trade at Big Rapids; in 1879 went to Hamburg-, Iowa, and was
eraployed upon the Hamburg Deraocrat until 1881, when the pro
prietor, being- in poor health, decided to reraove to Colorado with his
newspaper plant. Everything was packed, when news carae of an
Indian uprising in Colorado, and fearing- that the favorable climatic
conditions of that country might be raore than offset by the Indians,
it was decided that Mr. Patterson should take the plant to Sioux
Palls. He arrived in June, and in August, 1881, coramenced the

646 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

jiublication of the Sioux Palls Argus. In November the proprietor
died, but Mr. Patterson continued the publication of the paper until
the following- February, Avhen it was sold. He remained in Sioux
Falls until the fall of 1889, eng-aged in newspaper AVork; three years
of the time being city editor of the Sioux Palls Press. He then went
Avith Mark Scott to LaGrande, Oreg-on, and assisted him in publish
ing- the LaGrande Journal until the spring of 1890, when he returned
to Sioux Palls and was associated with Mark Scott in publishing the
Real Estate Review for a few raonths; then engaged in newspaper
work outside the state until 1894, Avhen he returned to Sioux Palls,
and since then has been employed on the Sioux Palls Journal. Mr.
Patterson is not only a competent printer, but is a good all around
neAvspaper raan. He is president of the Federation of Labor of this
county. Parker, Herbert E., was born at Sparta, Wisconsin, July 22,
1863; was raised on a farra, attended the district schools, and was
graduated frora the high school at Boscabel, Wisconsin; came to this
county in June, 1882, and located at Sioux Falls, Avhere he has since
resided. He worked at the carpenter's trade a short time, and for a
few months Avas in the restaurant business; Avas employed as a
guard at the South Dakota penitentiary five years; Avorked for J. W.
Parker one year, and for Mark Randall in the oil business tAvo years,
after which he engaged in the sarae business on his own account for
the same period. He is noAv engaged in the flour and feed business.
In politics he is an out and out middle-of-the-road Populist, and his
views upon finance are Avell knoAvn in South Dakota. He is the state
central comraittee raan of the fusion party frora this county, and is
always actively engaged whenever there is a carapaign in progress-
city, county, state or national— and it is a difficult raatter for an un-
regenerate Republican to get past his place of business without be
mg advised in regard to his duties as a citizen. He is a thoroughly
good citizen. '' "
Parker, Joel W., was born in Oneida county, NeAV York,
March 28, 1817, but early in life raoved to Ohio. In 1850 he settled
m Warren, Illinois, and engaged in the raercantile business. In
1875 went to MilltoAvn, Wisconsin, but his health failed hira, and he
reraoved to this county and located at Sioux Palls in 1879, where,
with his son James W. Parker and J. W. Leverett, he engaged in
the luraber business. He had not been in Sioux Falls long before
he endeared himself to everyone with whora he becarae acquainted.
He Avas a kind, generous man, a public spirited citizen, and an
earnest advocate of such raeasures as would proraote the welfare of
the people^ He was a leading raember of the Free Will Baptist
church m Sioux Palls, and a deacon of the church at the tirae of his
death, Avhicli occurred on the 14th day of April, 1893. His son
Jaraes VV. Parker succeeded hira in the luraber business, in which
he is still eng-aged.
,P^^L™AN' Edwin, came to Sioux Palls during the suraraer of
i i' r[^- ^^^s born m Stark county, Ohio, December 21, 1832, and
died at SlOUX Palls, June 5, 1899, His father was a physician. In

Hibbard Patterson.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 649

1850, the subject of this sketch g-raduated frora Alleg-hany Colleg-e
at Meadville, Pa. When twenty-one years of age he reraoved to De
corah, Iowa, Avhere he learned the watchmaker's trade, and in 1854
eng-ag-ed in the jewelry business at that place; raoved to Austin,
Minn., in 1857, and from there to Hastings in the sarae state. Sep
tember 30, 1860, was admitted to the bar, and practiced law at Hast
ings until he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Cavalry in 1862. De
cember 31, 1863, he received a commission as First Lieutenant of his
corapany, and May 15, 1865, Avas proraoted to a captaincy. Deceraber
2, 1865, he was mustered out as Brevet Major. He then resumed his
laAV practice at Hastings, and remained there until he removed to
Sioux Palls. While a resident of Minnesota he held the office of dis
trict attorney of Dakota county two terras. After coming- to Sioux
Palls he AA'as in active practice until assuming the office of county
judge in 1890. Was the first village attorney of the village of Sioux
Falls, and was appointed county attorney three years by the county
board. Was elected county judge at the first election after South
Dakota became a state, and retained this office until he was defeated
by Br5'an and free silver in 1896, holding the office seven consecutive
years to the g-reat satisfaction of his constituents. After leaving-
the bench he resumed the practice of law, at first in copartnership
with Harry B. Carleton, and later on with his son Ralph. Judge
Parliman was a good laAvyer and a good citizen, and one of the most
genial men in the city of Sioux Palls. His judicial integ-rity was be
yond question, and his death was sincerely mourned bA' a larg-e circle
of friends and acquaintances.
Parmley, Harry T., was born at Center, Rock county, Wis
consin, August 7, 1860, and resided there until he attained his ma
jority. He was educated at Janesville, Wisconsin. In 1881 he came
to Sioux Palls, and since then has been the junior raeraber of the
firm of R. G. Parmley & Brother, engaged in handling coal and Avood.
He received two elections to the city school board, and in 1897 was
elected alderraan frora the Second ward. Mr. Parraley makes a g-ood
official, is a good business man, and a highly esteemed citizen.
Parmley, Russell G., is a native of Janesville, Wisconsin, and
was born November 13, 1851. He Avorked on a farra and attended
the city schools and Janesville Academy until twenty-one years of
age. In March, 1878, he arrived in Sioux Palls, and at once engag-ed
in the wood and coal business. In 1881, a younger brother, Harry
T., came to Sioux Falls, and the two brothers entered into a copart
nership under the firm narae of R. G. Parraley & Brother, Avhich co
partnership still exists. The firra has been successful in business
and has always maintained an excellent reputation in commercial
circles. Mr. Parraley has been on the citj' school board several
years and was alderman frora the Third AA'ard in 1885 and 1886. He
has been president of the Coal Dealers Association of the North
west, and was a director and the vice president of the Union Na
tional Bank of Sioux Falls. He is one of the raost genial men in the
city, and although conservative, is an energetic, enterprising citizen.

650 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Peabody, Miss Helen S., is the daughter of the Rev. A. B.
PeabodA', for forty years a well known clergyman in the Diocese of
Milwaukee. After her preliminary education in the public schools
of AVisconsin, she took up the work of a teacher, and trained herself
in practical Avork. Then, at the Avell known St. Mary's School, Fari
bault, Minnesota, she accomplished in three years the ordinary four
years course, and after a career of extraordinary distinction — hav
ing- taken the "Nellie Dearborn" and the "Bishop Pinkney" gold
medals, given for scholarship in different branches — Miss Peabody
was aAvarded the honor of the valedictory and was graduated in 1881.
She then took up school work in a private institution in St. Paul.
Here it was that Bishop Hare first raet her several years before All
Saint school was begun. He at once raade up his raind that if ever
he should establish a young ladies' school he would offer to Miss
Peabody the principalship. This he accordingly did when All Saints
School was opened in Septeraber, 1885. She has remained in charge
as its Principal ever since, and the reputation of the school is due
chiefly to the rare union in her of the qualities which go to make a
successful head of an institution for the training of the raind and
heart. Peck, Porter Pascal, was born at Caledonia Springs, Canada,
April 1(), 1843. His father vvas a native of Massachusetts, and Avhen
the subject of this sketch was ten years old, reraoved frora Canada to
Southport, Wisconsin. Porter Avorked on a farra, attending school
but a sraall portion of the tirae, until he was eighteen years of age,
vv-hen he enlisted (in April, 1861) for ninety days in the Geneva Light
(Tuards, and served in the 4th Wis. Infantrv. ' Iraraediately after his
term of service had expired, he enlisted in Co. K, 2d Wis. Cavalry
for three years, and re-enlisted in the sarae company and regiraent
m the fall of 1863 and served until the fall of l'865. This was
one of the best cavalry regiments in the service during the war,
and was under the command of all the noted cavalry leaders, except
(xeneral Pleasanton. At the close of the war it was under General
Custer. Mr. Peck was never seriously wounded, and Avas never
taken prisoner. He vvas 1st Lieutenant of his company at the tirae
of his discharge. Soon after the war he went to Iowa, and engaged
m the hvery business and farraing. In 1872 he visited Sioux Falls,
and then deterrained to remove to Dakota. Early in 1873 he carae to
SlOUX i alls and at once engaged in the livery business. He brought
the first two-seated covered carriage into the state, as well as the
first omnibus, and brought the first landau to Sioux Palls. Peck &
Grigsby erected the building on Phillips avenue opposite the Cataract
house m 1878, and the first pressed brick, metalic cornice and plate
glass^used m the city of Sioux Palls, were used in its construction.
Mr. I'eck has done a good deal of building in the city, having erected
more buildings than any other raan, except C. K. Howard. He has
also done his share in farming, having broken 1,400 acres of prairie
land contiguous to the city. He is a raan of great energy and force,
'''^f 1X7^"^?" identified with nearly all the public enterprises of the
city. While m Iowa he was deputy sheriff several years, and after
coraing to Sioux Palls was constable several years. The Dakota

Miss Helen S. Peabody.

HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 653

National Bank was organized throug-h his and Mr. Grigsby's efforts,
and he Avas its first cashier. He was director and vice president of
the Minnehaha National Bank at the time of tlie death of its president,
J. M. Bailey, Jr. , was subsequently elected president and held this office
until June, 1898. He has also been prorainent in city matters, serving
as alderman and treasurer, and has received two elections as mayor.
No one will claim that Sioux Palls ever had a resident of greater
activity and energy than Porter P. Peck. He "never sent a boy to
raill." Asa "sing-le-hand talker" he stands in the front rank, and
the language that he raakes use of on extra occasions, although sorae
tiraes unique, is always explicit and full of raeaning. His adrainis
tration as mayor of the city of Sioux Palls, was beset with difficulties,
owing in part to the great desire of some of the good people that
public enterprises should be pushed, while others wanted to "go
slow." Again, the enforcement and non-enforceraent of the prohib
itory law, had been zealously championed by friends and foes of the
measure, and he had this disagreement to contend Avith. But he has
never been found on the fence. He is always, right or wrong, on the
ground fighting it out. At his first election to the mayoralty he de
feated Capt. AVilley, and at the second the Rev. E. B. Meredith,
which alone makes full proof that he has a host of friends araong the
people who know him best. Still in the prirae of life, with unabated
zeal and enterprise, it can safely be predicted that he will for a long
time to come, be an important factor in public affairs.
Pendar, Oliver S., was born in Salem, Massachusetts, Sep
tember 29, 1857. During his youth he attended the coraraon schools
and graduated from the high school of his native city. When twenty
years of age went to Minneapolis, where he reraained one year. In
1878 came to Dakota and took up a homestead in McCook county. In
1879 a post office was established where the city of Salera is now lo
cated, and Mr. Pendar was appointed its first postraaster. He gave
the name of Salem to the post office, and when the town AA'as platted
the same name was adopted for the town. In addition to his duties
as postmaster he engaged in the mercantile business frora 1879 to
1886, at which time he went into the real estate and loan business,
which he continued until 1890, when he removed to Sioux Palls. On
the 30th day of January, 1890, he was appointed clerk of the United
States district court for the district of South Dakota by Judge
Edgerton, and on the 17th day of June following, Avas appointed clerk
of the United States circuit court for the same district by Judge
Caldwell, which office he still holds. The clerkship of the district
court he held until October, 1891, and Avas again appointed to that
office by Judge Carland on the 26th day of December, 1896, and is at
this writing the clerk of both the United States district and circuit
courts. Mr. Pender is a genial good fellow, well liked by everybody,
and is a corapetent official.
Perry, George H., was born in Oneida county, N. Y., Febru
ary 11, 1850; came to Beloit, Wis., in 1869 and entered Prof. Kerr's
high school, where he was a student two years; then went to Sibley,
Iowa, and during the next four years teaching school was his prin-

654 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

cipal employment; in 1876 went into the livery business, and in 1878
added that of real estate; in February, 1880, took his livery to Heron
Lake, Minn., Avhere he also conducted a real estate business; in 1882
reraoved to Woodstock, Minn., and took charge of the land and lura
ber business of Sarapson & French. In March, 1892, came to Sioux
Palls, and was the manager of the East Sioux Falls Granite cora
pany until 1894, Avhen he was elected president of the Iowa Invest
raent corapany, and is now closing up its affairs. In 1896 he organ
ized the East Sioux Falls Quarry corapany, and is its secretary and
manag-er. Mr. Perrj' is a good business man, energetic and enter
prising, and is an esteemed citizen.
Peterson, Andrew, \A'as born in Norway, March 3, 1833; at
tended the coraraon schools, and studied three years in the high
school at the city of Hamraar, frora which he graduated; Avas super
intendent for an English raining corapany for three years; engaged
in the raercantile business for the sarae length of tirae, when he sold
out to his brother and engaged in farming, which occupation he fol
lowed for eight years; was timber marker for a large tiraber ship
ping company two years, and in 1866 emigrated to Araerica. He
landed in Quebec, Canada, but Avent through to Chicago, Avhere he
reraained eraployed in one of the largest door and sash factories for
two years; then went farther west, and lived in Sioux City, loAva, for
awhile; then to Port Sully in Dakota, Avhere he was employed by the
governinent as superintendent of the carpenters and builders for
three years. Once during that tirae they were A'isited by such num
erous swarms of grasshoppers that the raen working on the roofs of
the buildings Avere obliged to abandon their Avork, as the grasshop
pers were so thick as to prevent them from driving the nails in the
boards. In the spring of 1872 Mr. Peterson came to Sioux Palls and
engaged as a carpenter and builder; he also secured a quarter section
of land, which he afterwards sold. In the spring of 1874 he engaged
in the furniture and carpenter business with O. P. Weston, and they
continued in business together until in 1880, Avhen Mr. Weston sol'd
his interest to Mr. Peterson, Avho continued the business alone for
several years; he then engaged in farming for a number of years
near Madison in Lake county, but in 1890, after having spent a short
time in California, returned to Sioux Palls, Avhere he has since re
sided. He was one of the trustees of the village of Sioux Palls in
1880 and 1881, and coroner of the county for tAvo' terms. Mr. Peter
son is a good citizen, and has a host of friends.
Peterson, George R., was born in the village of Trenton On
tario, Canada, May 21, 1846. He attended the common schools, and
graduated frora the Newberg Acaderay. Frora the tirae he was six
teen years of age until he was eighteen, he was employed upon the
lakes His father was a civil engineer, and for aAvhile he studied
with him. In 1864 he removed with his parents to Wabasha county,
Minnesota and engaged in farraing until 1878. In Septeraber of
that year, he carae to Sioux Palls, and very soon after opened a meat
market on Nmth street, and in corapany with his brother Blake car
ried on the business, together with the shipping of live stock, for

Porter P. Peck.

CoL. Melvin Grigsby.

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 659

nine years, under the firm narae of Peterson Bros. At the end of
that tirae thej' sold out the raeat raarket, and have since engaged in
farming, shipping- Ha'c stock, and buying grain. They built elevators
at Shindler, Granite and Ellis, and also have an elevator at Sioux
Palls. Mr. Peterson is an enterprising business man, a good citizen
every way, and well liked by a large circle of acquaintances.
Peterson, Joseph Blake, was born in the village of Trenton,
Ontario, Canada, on the 14th day of December, 1848, and removed
with his parents to Wabasha county, Minnesota, in 1864. He at
tended school until sixteen years old, completing his education at
Lake City, Minnesota. He then engag-ed in farraing- until 1875, when
he opened a raeat market in Lake City, and remained there until he
removed to Sioux Falls in November, 1878, and forraed a copartner
ship Avith his brother Georg-e R., under the firm name of Peterson
Bros. This firm is still doing business as appears in the biograph
ical sketch of his brother. The firm is well and favorably known in
business circles. Blake Peterson, as he is called, is a raan of energy
and enterprise, is a good citizen, and, like his brother, has no aspi
ration for office. ^
Peterson, Henry, is a native of Denmark, and was born Au
gust 1, 1858. His father Avas a captain in the array, and was killed
in the war between Denmark and Gerraany in 1864. In 1870 he emi
grated Avith his mother to the United States, and located at Verrail
lion, Dakota, Avhere he worked on a farra. In October, 1879, he came
to Sioux Falls, Avhere he has since resided. He worked on the Queen
Bee raill during its construction, and then in the raill, in all about
three years. Was foreman under H. M. Stearns during the con
struction of the polishing works. In 1889 was appointed guard at
the penitentiary for six months, and then superintendent of the
stone works until appointed deputy warden, which position he held
seven years, ending June 1, 1899. Mr. Peterson is an energetic citi
zen, active in politics, and well liked by a large circle of acquain
tances. Pettengill, Captain, Andrew J., was born at Portland,
Maine, May 6, 1829. In his early youth he attended the public
schools, but at the age of tAvelve years went to sea, and for forty-
four years was a sailor. In 1850, when only twenty-one years of
age, he became master of a ship, and during the succeeding thirty-
five years he was engaged in the European, South Araerican, East
India, and California trade. During all this tirae he Avas captain of
the ship in which he sailed. In speaking of Manila where he has
'oeen several times he said, "it is a fine city, the climate is good; the
Phillipine Islands have great possibilities; their developraent in the
next ten years will be wonderful; if I was young- I would go there."
In 1885, he was half owner of a ship, but having acquired consider
able propertv, he concluded to spend the reraainder of his life upon
land, and sold his interest in the ship and settled down in Portland,
which had always been his horae. But it was impossible for hira to
lead a quiet life. In 1890, he was induced to corae to Sioux Falls and
take an interest in the stock yard project. He invested largely in

660 history of minnehaha county.

the enterprise and becarae the superintendent of the construction of
the buildings. After the company had become financially embar
rassed he reorganized it in order to push the enterprise to comple
tion. He is a raan of great activity and energy, and an honest, up
right, public-spirited citizen.
Pettigrew, Richard Franklin, was born at Ludlow, Ver
raont, July 23, 1848; carae to Dane county, Wisconsin, Avith his par
ents in 1854, where they reraained a few raonths and then located on
a farm in Union, Rock'county. When sixteen years of age he en
tered Beloit college where he remained two years; in 1866 went to
Iowa, studied law, and taught one terra of school; in the spring of
1867 entered the law school at the state university at Madison, Wis
consin. His father died in December, 1867, and during the next
year — his elder brother having left home — he carried on the farm
and cared for the family. The winter of 1868-9 he taught school,
and during the spring of 1869 hired out as chainman to a party hav
ing a surveying contract in Dakota, and imraediately came to Sioux
Palls, and during the spring and suramer was engaged in surveying
in Minnehaha, Moody and Brookings counties. After acting in the
capacity of chainman for about two weeks, he took the compass the
remainder of the season. In Noveraber he returned to Madison and
attended the law school. In March, 1870, he again came to Sioux
Falls and engaged in surveying during that year, and since that time
he has resided there. In 1871 he erected a frame building on the
Avest side of Phillips avenue, just south of the barracks, draAving the
luraber frora Sioux City with a pair of bronchos, and frequently
being obliged to unload and carry it across the sloughs himself.
The timber for the frame of this building was sawed by John 0.
Langness with a whipsaw. He practiced law two years, but has de
voted a great portion of his time since 1871 in procaring immigration
to Dakota and building up Sioux Palls. In the field of politics his
career has been remarkable. In 1872 he was an independent can
didate for raeraber of the territorial legislature, and received a cer
tificate of election and took his seat, Avhich AA'as contested, and at the
end of about fifteen days his opponent Avas seated. The next day
this action was rescinded by the assembly, and he took his seat
again, only to be unseated soon after. At the election quite a num
ber of railroaders voted in Deuel county, and Avithout the vote of this
county he was defeated. This entire vote was throAvn out by the as
sembly. It is only fair to Mr. Pettigrew to state that he Avas in no
way responsible for this vote, and also that the legal A'otes cast were
not counted. In 1876, 1878 and 1884 he was elected to the territorial
council, and in 1880 was elected delegate to Congress from the Ter
ritory of Dakota. He enjoys the distinction of being the first United
States Senator of the State of South Dakota, and in drawing lots for
the term he should serve with the newly elected senators from the
states of Montana and North and South Dakota he drew the long
term. In 1895 he was re-elected by the Republican party. In 1896
was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at St. Louis,
but upon the adoption of the platform ignoring the free coinage of
silver left the convention and joined the Free Silver Republican

R. P. Pettigrew,
United States Senator.

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 663

party and supported Bryan for president in the presidential cara
paign of 1896. Mr. Pettig-rew has been a tireless worker in his sen
atorial capacity, not only in the interest of his constituency but upon
all national issues. AVell inforraed, resourceful, Avith a splendid
memory, Avithout a trace of timidity in his make-up, he has forced
himself well up in the front rank of the ablest debators in the senate.
If the State of South Dakota elects a Republican leg-islature in 1900
he will not be re-elected, otherwise his senatorial career will un-
doulitedly be extended six years.
To g-o into a detailed stateraent of what he has done toward the
growth and development of the county, and especially the city of
Sioux Palls, would to a certain extent be a duplication of what al
ready' appears, for he has been connected with and taken a promi
nent part in securing the educational institutions, the manufacturing
industries, and especially the railroads, which have contributed
largely in making Sioux Palls Avhat she is to-day. In all these mat
ters he has spent his tirae and money, not begrudgingly but volun
tarily, and as the acknowledged leader, taking upon hiraself personal
responsibilities which a less courageous man would haA'e declined to
assume. The foregoing is only a brief outline of his career thus far,
and Avhat the future will add to his history no one would dare to pre
dict. He is in the prime of life, his energy undiminished, his spirit
of enterprise unabated, and in the field of public affairs no one in the
state is so fully equipped for aggressive Avork as Sioux Palls most
distinguished citizen, R. P. Pettigrew.
Phillips, Dr. Josiah Lake, was born in Farmington, Maine,
June 8, 1835, and was educated at Bowdoin college. He studied med
icine with his father. Dr. Allen Phillips, and then went to Chicago
where he graduated from Rush Medical college at the early age of
twenty-one years; spent one year at Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin;
was one of the party sent out by the Western Town corapany to
start a town at the falls of the Big Sioux. He arrived at Sioux Falls
on the 27th day of August, 1857, and was araong those who spent the
following Avinter at the falls. Upon the organization of Big Sioux
county he Avas appointed justice of the peace bythe governor of Min
nesota. In 1861, having returned to Dubuque, Iowa, he enlisted in
the 16th Iowa regiraent, and was appointed assistant surgeon and
soon after promoted surgeon of that regiraent, and reraained in the
service until the close of the war. In the fall of 1869 he returned to
Sioux Falls and perfected his title to the quarter section of land on
which the original village of Sioux Falls was located. The first vil
lao-e plat within the present limits of the city of Sioux Falls was
made bv him, and comprised nine blocks, 1 to 3 and 10 to 15 inclu
sive including the territory between Sixth and Ninth streets and
Phillips and Minnesota avenues. This plat was called "J. L. Phil
lips Sioux Falls" and was recorded August 10, 1871, in book 1, page
1 In June, 1870, he reraoved his family to Sioux Palls and resided
for three years in the building forraerly used as the officers quarters;
frora there they reraoved to the corner of Phillips avenue and
Eleventh street, where he resided until his death, June 12, 1882.
Upon the incorporation of the village of Sioux Palls in 1877, he

664 history of minnehaha county.

was elected one of its trustees, and was re-elected in 1878 and 1879.
Although a good physician and surgeon he practiced but little after
coming to Sioux Falls. While in the army, and during his march to
the sea under General Sherraan, his eyes becarae greatly inflamed,
and he never fully recovered from this disability. Owing to this
fact, and the time he necessarily had to devote in caring for his large
business interests, he refused to answer professional calls Avhen the
services of other physicians could be procured. He was an out
spoken, upright man, and always manifested a lively interest in pub
lic affairs. He was taken sick on Saturday the 10th day of June,
1882, and, as stated above, died on the following Monday. His loss
as a husband, father, neighbor and citizen was keenly felt, for in all
these relations, he was a kind and honorable raan.
Phillips, Mrs. Hattie C, the only daughter of Dr. Daggett,
of Lockport, Illinois, married Dr. Josiah L. Phillips at Houston,
Texas, on the 1st day of July, 1867, and has been a resident of Sioux
Palls since June, 1870. She came there from Dubuque, Iowa, with
her husband, with a view of raaking it their horae. Upon their ar
rival in Sioux Palls there were only six white women in the little
village, Mrs. Franklyn, later the wife of C. K. Howard, Mrs. Samuel
Huckins, Mrs. Jephta Duling, Mrs. Delaney, and the two Mrs. Har
thorn. Dr. Phillips had secured the building known as the officers
quarters for a residence. It was in this building Mrs. Phillips com
menced keeping house in Sioux Palls, and it remained her home for
three years. In 1873, Melvin Grigsby commenced the erection of a
residence on the corner of Phillips avenue and Eleventh street, and
Dr. Phillips purchased this building and raoved his family into it the
sarae year.
After the death of her husband in June, 1882, Mrs. Phillips has
had the care of a large farail}' of children, and the management of a
large amount of property. Mrs. Phillips has, without question, done
raore benevolent work in Sioux Palls than any other woraan whoever
resided here. She has seen the little haralet without schools or
churches, and at times alraost debarred frora coraraunication with
the outside world, gradually becorae a city with all the advantages
the term iraplies. Her interest in its welfare has grown Avith its
groAvth, and as new fields for benevolent Avork have developed she
has entered thera as a laborer and benefactress. This Avork so con
scientiously engaged in has greatly endeared her to the people of
Sioux Palls. But not this alone has raade her the foremost Avoman
in the city, for she has contributed liberally to the support of all
such institutions and enterprises as had for their object the ira
proveraent and elevation of society.
Phillips, Nyrum E., is a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, and
was born May 5, 1842. He worked on a farra and attended school
until 1861, receiving an academic education. In May of that year he
enlisted for three months in the 19th Ohio regiment, and re-enlisted
in 1862 as a private in Co. C, 125th Ohio, and remained in the military
service until the close of the Avar. When the regiment was organized
he was elected 1st Sergeant and afterAvard promoted to 2d Lieuten-

Nyrum E. Phillips.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 667

ant, 1st Lieutenant and Captain; was Adjutant and Quartermaster
of the reg-iment, and vvas on General Updyke's staff, filling the j)osi-
tions of Aid-de-cainp and Brigade Inspector. He was in the western
army during- the entire Avar. After having- been mustered out at
Nashville, Tenn., he went to Ohio and from there to Pit Hole, Pa.,
where he engag-ed in the raercantile business in the fall of 1865, but
in the g-reat fire at that city in March, 1866, lost everything- except a
pair of horses and a wagon. He then returned to Ohio and reraained
there until late in the fall of 1867 Avhen he Avent to Oraaha, Neb., and
spent the Avinter. The spring- following, incompany with Ed. Brough
ton, Avith Avhom he becarae acquainted Avhile in Pit Hole, heAvent down
the riA'er to St. Joseph and from there to Selina and Fort EUsAvorth,
concluding his tour of inspection at Fort Hayes in Kansas. From
there he and Mr. Broughton returned to Port Ellsworth with a mule
train and then went to Omaha and from there to Sioux City, where
Mr. Broughton secured eraployraent with C. K. Howard. Early in
the spring of 1868 he again went to Oraaha, having just ten dollars
Avhen he arri\'ed there. He was seeking- eraployraent and accepted
the first job offered him, which was that of going out to North
Platte with a gang of men for a contractor on the Union Pacific rail
road. He worked at the carpenter trade for awhile and finally
brought up at Julesberg, where he worked at the same busi
ness, except during the last thirty days of his stay at this place,
Avhen he worked on the grade of the railroad. Prom Julesberg he
went to Cheyenne on foot, and ag-ain worked as carpenter. At this
time Cheyenne had only five or six Avooden buildings, the greater
portion of the population living in tents. He had been at this place
onlv a short time when he learned that the quartermaster at Port D.
A. Russell needed a clerk and he iramediately put his Avorldly goods
into a satchel and "footed it" to that point, Avhere he secured employ
ment until May, 1869. At this place he cast his first vote in the fall
of 1868, and it Avas the vote at the fort that elected Spink, the Repub
lican nominee, as delegate to Congress. Mr. Phillips took an active
part in this carapaign, and was greatly pleased Avith the result of the
election. In May, 1869, he went to Ohio on a visit, and when return
ing to the West he concluded to stop at Sioux Palls and see Mr.
Broughton, who was then running the sutler's store for C. K. How
ard. '^Arriving at Sioux Falls on the 30th day of May, 1869, he learn
ed that the troops had received orders to vacate, and thinking- the
railitary reservation would soon be opened for settlement he reraain
ed and took up the northeast one-fourth of section 20, in Sioux Palls
township. After the reservation had been opened in 1870 he offered
to take $125 for his claim, but could only get an offer of $75; so he
concluded to stay awhile longer — and is still a resident of Sioux
Palls. In June, 1869, the troops were ordered away, and then the
barracks were taken possession of by the people who had corae to
Sioux Falls to reside. At this tirae there were no buildings in Sioux
Falls except the government buildings, and Mr. Phillips, of course,
lived in the barracks. He has been personally cognizant of and par
ticipated in all the events and enterprises of public interest which
have taken place in Sioux Palls since the soldiers raarched out of the

668 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

barracks and left her future to be cared for by the civilians who
came after thera.
Mr. Phillips was elected register of deeds in 1872, and held the
office until April, 1876, Avhen he resigned and John Bippus was ap
pointed to fill the A'acancy. Duringthe time he held this office he was
also ex officio county clerk. In 1878 he was elected one of the trus
tees of the A'illag-e of Sioux Palls, and when the city was incorporat
ed he vvas elected alderman from the First Avard and re-elected in
1884. He has also been quite active in school raatters. He was one
of the building coraraittee at the tirae of the erection of the Central
school house in 1878, and was a raera,ber of the first Board of Ed
ucation after the corporate limits of Sioux Palls had been raade an
independent school district and a board established. He held this
position for tAvo years and was the first secretary of the board.
Frora April 7, 1882, until Januarv, 1883, he was one of the county
coraraissioners. In 1884 he was again elected register of deeds, and
by re-elections held this office eight years, and until April, 1888.
When the office of auditor Avas created he was ex officio clerk of the
board of county commissioners.
In 1872 he AA'as elected a delegate to the Republican national con
vention frora the Territory of Dakota, and was also elected a dele
gate from South Dakota to the national convention in 1892. He was
one of the Republican executive comraitte for Dakota for several
years during its territorial existence. On the 3d day of April, 1893,
he Avas elected Warden of the state penitentiary at SiouxPalls, which
position he held until May, 1899. But it is in the field of politics
that he is best known, and as a politician he is recognized as one of
the raost capable managers of a carapaign that has ever resided in
Dakota. He is of a quiet, unassuming- demeanor, a raan of few
words, but vigilant and tireless in his efforts to succeed. True to
his friends and possessed of a reraarkable faculty for making cora
binations, it is seldora he fails in accomplishing Avhatever he under
takes. As a neighbor and citizen he is generous and enterpris
ing, and no person in Sioux Falls has a longer list of friends.
^Pilcher, Albert P., Avas born at Plainfield, Illinois, March 12,
1857; attended the district schools and graduated from a high school.
When nineteen years old entered a railroad telegraph office, where
he remained until twenty-two years old, when he took charge of a
station at Maynard, Iowa, and since then has been station agent at
Dows, Clarion, Eraraetsburg, West Union and Independence, Iowa,
and SlOUX Falls, S. D., Avhere he arrived January 12, 1890. and took
charge of the B., C. R. & N. railroad station, which position he still
holds. He is an obliging official and Avell liked bv the traveling pub
lic; belongs to the Masonic order, has been Eminent Commander of
the Knights Teraplar of Sioux Palls, and is at the present time
Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Commandery of South Dakota.
He IS a royal good fellow, and a highly respected citizen.
Place, Charles Edwin, was born at South Berwick, Maine,
October 26, 1839, but the followihg year reraoved with his parents
to Lowell, Mass., where thev lived until 1847. At that tirae they re
raoved to Milwaukee, where the subject of this sketch received his

history of minnehaha county. 669

education, and later Avas employed on the C. & N. W. railroad,
Avhere he reraained until August 1, 1861, when he enlisted in the 24th
Wisconsin Volunteers, and served nine raonths. He then became sta
tion agent at New Libson, Wis., Avhere he married Miss Susie
Emery, and remained ten years. In 1880, removed to South Dakota
and engaged in the fuel business at Sioux Palls for several years;
then becarae interested in the La Belle Ranch Horse Iraporting
CorapauA', and reraoved to Madison, S. D., but a feAv raonths later
the company failed, and Mr. Place again located at Sioux Palls. He
then engaged in the insurance business with W. H. Holt for two
years, but his health coraraenced failing-, and he Avent to California.
After a short stay at that place he returned to Sioux Palls, but finally
died at Hot Springs, S. D., on the 20th day of July, 1896. Mr. Plac'e
AA'as a kind neighbor, an upright business raan, and a highly re
spected citizen.
Polk, Albert A., was born in Indiana, February 17, 1853, and
carae to Iowa with his parents in 1856, where he resided until he
came to Sioux Falls in 1880. He soon after became a partner of the
late Major T. S. Free, in the practice of law, under the firm name of
Free & Polk, which copartnership existed until the death of Major
Free in December, 1886. After this Mr. Polk continued in the prac
tice of law by himself. He held the office of district attorney of Minne
haha county for two years, 1887-9. Mr. Polk is an honest, upright
man, and an industrious lawyer. He does not seek to raake rauch
display, but does his work thoroughly and to the satisfaction of his
clients. In April, 1899, he re¬raoved with his faraily to Kansas.
Potter, Wesley S., was born at Burling-ton, Otsego county.
New York, on the 5th day of July, 1836. He attended the public and
high schools and Avorked in a tannery until tAventy years old. At that
tirae he remoA'ed to Rock county, Wisconsin, and Avorked as a carpen
ter and joiner. At the commenceraent of the war he vvas in Mis
souri, and during the month of April, 1861, enlisted in a Missouri regi
ment, which, however, was soon disbanded. In 18.63, he enlisted in
the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, but before seeing any service he was
made 1st lieutenant of Company D, 36th loAva Infantry, and serAed
through the war. He Avas wounded in his right shoulder on the 18th
day of May, 1864, by a cannister shot. After the Avar he was en
gaged in buying grain in Iowa and Minnesota until he reraoved to
Sioux Palls, where he arrived on the llth day of May, 1881. For tvvo
years and six raonths he Avas the assistant adjutant general of the
G. A. R., for the departraent of Dakota; and has been for several
years and is now engaged in the collection business. He is an active
and respected citizen.
Powers, David Edward, was born in Annsville, Oneida county,
NeAV York, Noveraber 25, 1857. He spent his boyhood days on a farm,
attended the common schools and during the balance of his minority
taught school and attended the Niagara University. At the age of
twenty-one he entered the law office of Walter Ballou at BoonviUe
and read laAv until 1880, when he was admitted to the bar at Roches
ter, N. Y. After his adraission to the bar he practiced his profes-

670 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

sion for two years at BoonviUe and during this tirae was associated
with L. W. Fisk. He then Avent to Rome, New York, and there formed
a copartnership with J. P. Olne}' and for two years was engaged in
active professional work. After the expiration of this copartner
ship he practiced alone until the summer of 1889, and then forraed a
copartnership with H. S. Wilson of Rome, and Avas associated with
hira until he came to Sioux Falls, where he arrived on the llth day
of December, 1890. Iraraediately thereafter he opened a laAv office in
Madison, S. D., but reraained only two raonths and then returned to
Sioux Falls, where he resided until March, 1899, vvhen he reraoved to
New York. AVhile a resident of Sioux Palls he vvas associated Avith
U. S. G. Cherrv one year, and with D. J. Conway two years. He
Avas appointed city attorney in May, 1892, and held the office until
Septeraber 20, 1893, and in May, 1896, was again appointed to the
same office. Mr. Powers is a good lawyer, and while practicing in
Sioux Falls was connected Avith several important cases, one of thera
being the defense of Plenty Horses in the federal court, in Avhich he
won considerable farae. He was one of the raost courteous and ac
commodating laAvyers in Sioux Falls, and was held in high estimation
as a successful trial laAvyer before a jury.
Powers, Fred A., was born in Oneida county. New York, No
vember 17, 1853. He resided in his native state until he moved to
Dakota, where he arrived January 4, 1882- He located on the James
river, near Milltown, in Hutchinson county, where he bought consid
erable land, and engaged in farming until the fall of 1893. On No
vember 8, of that year, he came to Sioux Palls. He boug-ht and noAv
owns block thirteen in RiA'erside addition, where he resides and has
a commodious residence. He is the proprietor of the Riverside Nut-
butter Factory, is an enterprising, upright citizen, and is one of the
Elders of the Seventh Day Adventist church of Sioux Falls.
Pruner, Thomas H., one of the early settlers in this county,
Avas born in Knox county, Ohio, May 10, 1855; was reared on a farm,
and received a coraraon school education; on the 14th day of October,
1871, carae to Sioux Falls, and took up three hundred and twenty
acres of land in Wayne township, Avhere he lived one year; then carae
to Sioux Falls and Avorked for True Dennis in a blacksmith shop for
three years, and then, until 1884, Avas in the blacksmith business for
himself; during the next feAv years Avas in the employ of the Sioux
Falls Brewing Co., and in the livery business; in 1889 'opened a store
on Ninth street, but sold out in 1891, and became the bookkeeper and
cashier of the Singer Manufacturing Co., vvhich position he now
holds. He is a good neighbor and a respected citizen.
OuiNCY, W. R., is a native of England, and was born April 27,
1839. He carae to the United States Avhen seventeen years of age,
lived for awhile in Rockford, Illinois, then went to Mason City, loAva,
Avhere he engaged in the hotel business tvvo vears, and farming thir
teen years. Removed to Austin, Minnesota, and resided there sev
eral years. Came to Sioux Palls in the fall of 1881, and rented Joe
Carpenter's farm for about three years, then bought a farm in Sioux
Palls township, but sold it at the tirae of the boom, and is noAv en-

history of minnehaha county. 671

gaged in the feed business in the city of Sioux Falls. He is an in
dustrious, g-ood citizen.
Ramsey, William H., was born in Crawford county, Ohio, May
15, 1851; was raised on a farm and educated in the common and hig-h
schools, and Avas for tAvo years a student in Oskaloosa college, and
also in the Bryan and Stratton Business college, Chicag-o, where he
Avas graduated. After attaining- his majority eng-aged in farming in
loAva until 1878, when lie Avent into the clothing- and boot and shoe
business Avith his younger brother John H., at Harlan, Iowa. April
(), 1889, he came to Sioux Falls, and for three years was a dealer in
real estate. Since 1891, he and his brother have been eng-aged in
the boot and shoe business in Sioux Palls, under the firm name of
Ramsey Brothers. Mr. Ramsey is well and favorably known as a
citizen, and the firm has an excellent reputation in commercial
circles. Ransom, Charles H., was born at Chazy, New York, October
5, 1853. When sixteen years of ag-e he was appointed chief clerk of
the post office at Plattsburg, N. Y., which position he held thirteen
vears. In 1885 went to Omaha, Neb., and resided there until he re
raoved to Sioux Falls, where he arrived on the 10th day of February,
1887. Since that time he has been engaged in various enterprises at
this place. He engaged for awhile in the pork packing business,
and was the OAvner of the axle-grease factory at South Sioux Falls
at the tirae it was destroyed by fire. During the last three years he
has been engaged in the grocery business under the firra name of
Ransom & NeAvell, and is also operating the Sioux Palls candy
factory. He has taken quite an active part in politics, and Avas chair
man of the Republican county committee in the campaign of 1892, and
was again elected to that position in 1896. He is an enterprising, in
dependent, outspoken, citizen, and Avas never known to be on the
fence in reference to any public matter. He has a large circle of
warra friends.
Ravndal, G. Bie, is a native of Norway, and was born June 27,
1865. He received his early education from a private tutor; then at
tended two different colleges and took the deg-ree of B. A. at the
University of Christiania, Norway. In 1885 he carae to the United
States and went to the Black Hills in Dakota, where he engag-ed in
lumbering, raining and freighting for about tAvo years and a half;
then went to Wisconsin and worked as assistant civil eng-ineer in the
pineries of that state. In 1888 studied civil engineering- for a short
tirae in the Minnesota State University, and then becarae editor of a
newspaper in Fargo, North Dakota, for tAvo years. In the spring of
1891 carae to Sioux Falls to take editorial charge of the Syd Dakota
Ekko, in which capacity he was engaged nearly seven years. In
1893 he was elected a meraber of the house of representatives of the
legislature of South Dakota on the Republican ticket. He was the
first president of the NorthAvestern Scandinavian Singing Associa
tion, and also of the Minnehaha Mandskor, and was one of the chief
promoters of these enterprises. As an editor he had the reputation
of being a keen, vigorous writer, and his treatraent of the topics of

672 history of minnehaha county.

the day proved hira to be a close observer and well informed. In De
ceraber, 1897, he received the appointraent of consul to Beirut, Syria,
and the followine" FebruarA' left Sioux Palls to assume the duties of
this office. He is an energetic man, a thoroughly good citizen, and
when his terra of office expires will be warraly welcomed back to
Sioux Falls.
Reid, Alexander, was born August 13, 1856, at Aberdeen,
Scotland, and carae to the United States in 1880. He learned the
trade of ornamental stone cutter in his native country, and the first
five years after coming here, worked at his trade in Rhode Island.
The next two years he was engaged in the same business in Wiscon
sin. In 1884 he came to Sioux Palls, and since then has been oper
ating stone quarries. In 1890 he was elected alderman from the
Fourth ward, and again in 1891-3-8. He is a good business man, a
good citizen, and a faithful, honest official.
Reiley, Eugene, was born at Burlington, Iowa, February 11,
1864. During his early youth he attended the public schools, and
Avas also a student at Elliott's business college at Burlington. His
first business was that of a traA'eling salesman for a wholesale shoe
house, and he continued in this eraployraent until 1888. On the 27th
day of August, of that year, he carae to this county and located in the
city of Sioux Palls and for six years conducted the Rag Baby shoe
store. He was appointed deputy clerk of courts under W. J. Crisp,
Jr., which position he still holds. Mr. Reiley is a good citizen,
raakes a good official, and is well liked by the patrons of the office.
ReQua, Benson H., was born at Juneau, Wisconsin, Deceraber
3, 1858; was educated in the public schools and the Syracuse Univer
sity, at Syracuse, New York, Avhere he was graduated in 1882; taught
school two years in Washington, Pennsylvania, then Avas in the drug
business at Rochester, NeAv York, two years, and on the 20th of Sep
teraber, 1887, arrived in Sioux Falls and for one year engaged in the
drug business. When the Union Trust Company Avas organized in
1888, he becarae one of its officers and managers; Avas elected cashier
of the Union National Bank in 1893, and remained its cashier until it
went into liquidation, since which time he has been assistant cashier
of the Minnehaha National Bank. For the last four years he has
been treasurer of the independent school district of Sioux Fall^.
Mr. ReQua is an honest, upright business man, and well liked as a
neighbor and citizen.
Rice, Oscar E., Avas born at Wheeling, West Virginia, March 7,
1839; attended the city schools and worked in his father's store dur
ing his youth; when he attained his majority he took an interest in
his father's business, and reraained with hira "until 1870; then Avent to
Cherokee, Ifjwa, and engaged in the hotel business for a short time;
was in the lumber business in Sioux City until 1877, and then opened
a millinery store at that place; during the summer of 1879 removed
to Sioux Falls, where he engaged in the same business for about ten
years. Mr. Rice is a conservative man in business, a good neighbor,
and a highly esteeraed citizen.

G. Bie Ravndal.

HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY. 675

Richardson, Frank L., is a native of Bangor, Maine, and was
born December 5, 1852. He was raised on a farm, and received a
coramon school education. When fourteen years of age he com
menced learning the trade of foundry-man, and at the age of twenty
years went to Massachusetts, and worked at his trade until 1876;
came to Sioux Falls November 25, 1877, but his family did not arrive
until the 12th day of April, following, when they reached Sioux Palls,
coming- bv team from Owatonna, Minnesota. In July, 1878, he took
up a claira on the northeast quarter of section one, in Humbolt town
ship, Avhere he built a house and kept up a residence in order to hold
his claim, but lived principally in the city of Sioux Falls, where he
had also erected a house. He has been engaged in the real estate
business more or less duriijg the whole time of his residence in this
county. He is well known as a raan of raore than ordinary energy
and ability, and is a good citizen.
Ricker, D. C, was born in Galesburg, Illinois, June 29, 1860;
moved with his parents to Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1868, where he
received his education in the comraon and high schools; Avas clerk in
a grocery store at Worthington, Minnesota, and at Plandreau, South
Dakota, for some years, and located at Madison, South Dakota, in
1881, where he engaged in business with T. J. Lannon until 1885,
Avhen he moA'ed to Vilas, this state, and kept a general store until
June, 1887. At that time he removed to Sioux Falls, where he en
gaged in the grocery business for ten years, and for the last two
years has been engaged in the wholesale cigar business Avith S. P.
Greenleaf, under the firm narae of The Greenleaf Cigar Corapany, of
which he is also the secretary. He has been a member of the board
of education two years, and is at the present time serving- as alder
man from the Third ward. Mr. Ricker is an energetic, enterprising
business man, and a highly respected citizen.
Robbins, James L., was born in Montgomery, Vermont, Novem
ber 28, 1859. He attended the district schools and worked in a shop
as a raechanic until November, 1878, when he removed to Sioux Palls,
where he has since resided. He has been an active raeraber of the
fire departraent for nearly fifteen years, and superintendent of the
fire alarm system from August 3, 1888, until May, 1897. He is a good
citizen and has a host of friends.
Robie, Hial P., was born in Eaton, Madison county, Nevv York,
January 8, 1851. He removed with his parents to Minnesota in 1855.
t In 1865 he went to South Bend, Indiana, and commenced to learn the
printer's trade in the office of the St. Jo Valley Register, then edited
by Schuyler Colfax. In this office he remained for several years.
In 1869 he was at work in Kansas. In 1870 went to Taylor Palls,
Minnesota, where he worked on the Reporter. In 1873 established
the Pine County News at Pine City, Minnesota, but sold out this
paper at the end of two years, and started the Rush City Post at
Rush City, Minnesota, Avhich he published fourteen years. In 1876
started the Mora Tiraes at Mora City, Minnesota, which he published
until 1879. Not finding the publishing of two newspapers sufficient
to satisfy his ambition for work he established the Pine County Rec-

676 history of minnehaha county.

ord at Pine City in 1877, Avhich he published until 1881. In 1889 re
raoved to Pierre, South Dakota, and bought the Pierre Signal, which
he published for one year. His next newspaper work was at Yank
ton, where he vvas connected first with the Yankton Herald and then
Avith the Yankton Journal. When the Forura was started by Robert
Buchanan he carae to Sioux Palls, and was connected with this news
paper as long as it Avas published by Mr. Buchanan and Buchanan
Brothers. In October, 1896, he purchased the Successful Farmer of
J. A. Lucas, and is now publishing this newspaper in Sioux Palls.
Mr. Robie is a good newspajier man, and is making a decided success
of the Successful Farraer.
Rogde, Peter J., was born in Lee county, Illinois, February 4,
1864. He was a student at Monana acadeiliy, at Madison, Wisconsin,
and at the Northwestern college at Mapleville, Illinois, and also at
the Luther colleg-e, Decorah, Iowa. In 1887 he graduated frora the
law departraent of the University of Iowa, and Avas admitted to the
bar at the sarae tirae. He carae to Sioux Palls in October, 1887, and
comraenced the practice of his profession. Ih JanuarA', 1889, he
forraed a copartnership with C. S. Palraer under the firm name of
Palmer & Rogde. In February, 1895, H. C. Preston of Mitchell was
taken into the firra under the firra name of Palraer, Preston & Rogde,
which copartnership continued until 1896, when Judge Palraer re
tired frora the firra. The firra of Preston & Rogde continued in the
practice until the suramer of 1896, Avhen Mr. Preston accepted a po
sition as attorney for a corporation in Chicago and removed there.
Mr. Rogde was then practicing by hiraself until he entered into co
partnership with C. P. Bates in January, 1898. At the general elec
tion in Noveraber, 1894, he was elected state's attorney for Minne
haha county, and perforraed the duties of this office until January,
1897. Mr. Rogde is one of the raost industrious and energetic laAv
yers in the city of Sioux Falls, and is recognized as one Avho is bound
to succeed in his profession.
Rogness, Andrew H., is a native of Norway, and was born Sep
teraber 29, 1858. He Avas reared on a farm, and received a comraon
school education. He emigrated to the United States in 1878, and
located in Lincoln county, this state. On the 9th day of Septeraber,
1881, he entered the eraploy of P. W. Taylor, and is "his head-raan in
his extensive hardware business. Mr. Rogness has not lost a day
since he engaged with Mr. Taylor, and for industry and diligence in
business he undoubtedly stands at the head in this county. He is as
genialand pleasant as he is industrious, and is one of Sioux Falls
best citizens.
Ronlund, Nels J., is a native of Sweden, and was born Sep
teraber 20, 1846. After having eraigrated to this countrv he resided
in New York, Ohio and Chicago until in the suraraer of 1872, when
he reraoved to Union county, Dakota. In the spring of 1873 he carae
to Minnehaha county and took up a horaestead in Brandon, but sold
it and raoved to the little village by the Brandon station, where he
engaged m the grain business, and was postmaster for six years.
He now resides in Sioux Palls, engaged in the real estate business.
Mr. Ronlund is well known as an active and enterprising citizen.

H. W. Ross.

History of minnehaha county. 679

Rounds, William H., was born at St. Johns, Province of Que
bec, Canada, NoA'ember 26, 1865. When one year old he carae to the
United States Avith his parents, who settled at Malone, N. Y., where
the subject of this sketch received his education in the coraraon and
hig-h schools. When eighteen years old he came to Sioux Falls, and
was eraployed as clerk in the Livingstone clothing store and Waters'
dry goods store, and then worked for Pixley & Co. five years, vvhen
he boug-ht the stock of this corapany and engaged in the clothing-
business for hiraself, in which he has since continued, and is doing- a
good business. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order
of Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, is a Mason, and sec
retarA' of the Knights of Pythias, Uniforra Rank. Mr. Rounds is a
successful business man, energetic and enterprising, is a good citi
zen and sociallA' up to the standard.
Ross, Hiram William, was born in Wauwatosa, Wis., in 1840;
attended the public schools at that place, and took a higher course at
Milwaukee. His first business was that of keeping books for a com
mission house in Milwaukee; then engaged in the produce business
at Berlin, Wis., but at the end of four years returned to Milwaukee
and engaged in the commission business again for several years. His
next business venture was in the wool trade with Casper Sanger, of
Milwaukee, but at the end of two years went into the fancy wholesale
grocery business under the firm name of Bowker, Ross & Co. Five
years later he sold out his interest and traveled for a short time for
the Sanger, Rockwell Lumber Co. ; was then connected with the R.
McMillan Lumber Company of Oskosh, Wis., and in 1879 came to
Canton, S. D., and started a luraber yard. The next year he came
to Sioux Palls and engaged in the luraber business, in which he has
since continued. Mr. Ross resided in Sioux Palls until 1894, when
he reraoved to Minneapolis, Minn. In addition to his luraber busi
ness at Sioux Falls, he has six lumber yards in Minnesota, and is a
very successful business man. While a resident of Sioux Falls he
was prorainent in public affairs, was a public-spirited citizen and
highly esteeraed. In 1885 he was elected mayor of the city and
served in that capacity two years, and his adrainistration raet with
the approval of his constituency.
Rowland, Andrew J., was born in Sherburne, Chenango
county, Nevv York, Deceraber 21, 1841. His parents were of English
descent. He attended the public schools at Sherburne until about
twenty years of age, when he entered the Binghampton (N. Y.) Com
mercial college, where he graduated. October 26, 1876, he raarried
Miss Caroline Darling, of Freeport, Illinois; reraained upon the old
homestead until 1879, when, upon the death of his parents, he sold it
and removed to Worthington, Minnesota. In April, 1882, became to
this county and located at Sioux Palls, where he at once engaged in
the real estate business, and has platted four additions to the city
which bear his name. He has frora time to time held positions of
trust. When the financial panic of 1892 struck the country it found
him, like many others, with sails wide-spread, but he applied himself
manfully to the oars, and has succeeded in maintaining a good stand
ing in business circles. He is an honest, upright citizen.

680 history of minnehaha county.

Rowland, Mrs. Caroline D., was bom in Spafford, Onondaga
countv. New York, January 25, 1845, and died in Sioux Palls, Janu
ary 5, 1897; was a daughter of Mary H. and Rev. J. W. Darling, a
Free Will Baptist rainister; received a liberal education, being a
classical graduate at Norwich, N. Y., in the class of 1863; for thir
teen years was engaged in teaching; was a writer of considerable
note, in both poetry and prose, and her writings appeared in eastern
journals under the nom de plume of "Edith Gray." She vvas raarried
October 26, 1876, to Andrew J. Rowland. After coraing to Sioux
Falls, for several years she took an active part in the reading circles
and History Club, but her true worth was best knoAvn and appreci
ated in religious circles. She was an ideal Christian woman, and
worked faithfully to maintain a high standard of Christian life among
those with whom she Avas associated. She Avill long be remembered
in Sioux Falls as a kind, generous, exemplar}' Christian woraan.
Russell, Marcus, was born June 17, 1846, in Illinois; was
reared on a farm, and received his education in the district schools;
in 1855 reraoved Avith his parents to a timber farm in Michigan,
and remained there until 1869. At that tirae he went to Hastings,
and engaged as clerk in a hardAvare store, and after having been
there about nine raonths bought out his eraployer, and continued the
business twelve years. In 1882, he went to Grand Rapids, and be
carae the secretary and treasurer of a large raanufacturing estab
lishment for two years. He then left Michigan and went to Ne
braska, where he resided until he came to Sioux Palls in 1886. In Octo
ber of that year he organized the Sioux Palls Savings Bank, and has
been its cashier since then. Mr. Russell has the reputation of being
a careful, conservative business man, and is greatly respected as a
citizen. Saenger, Eugene, was born at Freeport, Illinois, February 3,
1860. He attended the city schools until fourteen years of ao-e, and
then coramenced work in the office of the Freeport Journah'^w'here
he reraained until the spring of 1880; was eraployed at bookbinding
for three months at Dubuque, Iowa, and then worked in the printing-
office of the Cedar Rapids Republican until he removed to Sioux
Palls in 1889. On the 1st day of May of that year he entered into a
partnership with Thomas H. BroAvn of Sioux Palls in the printing
and bookbinding business, under the firm narae of Brown & Saenger,
and the firra has the largest business of the kind in the state. On the
30th day of Septeraber, 1891, the subject of this sketch raarried Miss
Alice Richardson, one of Sioux Falls most highly esteemed young
ladies. Mr. Saenger is a respected citizen, and socially one of the
"four hundred."
Sammons, George B., was born in Oneida county, NewYork,
April 24, 1835. He received a good education, and when the time
carae to act for hiraself he removed to Illinois, thence to Iowa, and
came to Dakota m 1873. He located in Minnehaha county, taking up
as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 13, in Benton town
ship. He afterwards sold his farm, and since 1881 has been engaged
in mercantile busmess. He was the first treasurer of the village of

Jacob Schaetzel, Jr.

history of minnehaha county. 683

Sioux Palls, and held the same position for six vears after Sioux
Palls became a city. He is a kind neighbor, and a good citizen.
Sanford, Edward H., is a native of Buchanan county, Iowa, and
Avas born April 1, 1863. Was graduated from the high school at In
dependence, Iowa, in 1880. Soon after was employed as clerk in a
store, but six months later joined a railroad surveying- party locating
the road frora Yankton to Scotland, and also the Sioux City and
Manila road. Was then eraployed as bookkeeper for the Indepen
dence Mfg. Co. at Independence, Iowa. Carae to Sioux Falls on the
24th day of July, 1884, and was eraployed in real estate and insurance
offices until 1888, when he becarae the bookkeeper for the Sioux Falls
Press, which position he held eight years. He then becarae con
nected with the Argus-Leader, and is at the present time the busi
ness raanager of that paper. He was for a long- tirae 1st Lieutenant
of Co. B, and was appointed adjutant of the second battalion. South
Dakota National Guard, by Gov. Sheldon, and received a regular dis
charge in February, 1898. He has been M. W. of the A. 0. U. W.,
passed through the chairs of the Modern Woodraen, and is at the
present time Chancellor Commander of the Knights of Pythias; has
been a member of the city school board five years, and is a popular,
enterprising and respected citizen.
Schaetzel, Jr., Jacob, is a native of Washington county, Wis
consin, and was born May 16, 1850; was reared on a farra, attended
district and high schools, and two terms at Lawrence University.
When nineteen years of age was employed as clerk in a general
store at Freeport, Illinois, where he remained six years. On the
23d day of February, 1876, he came to this county, and settled in
Sioux Palls. For the first few years he was engaged in insurance,
real estate, and shipping in horses, and for two years kept a livery
and sale stable. In 1882, upon the death of T. T. Cochran, he was
elected president of the village of Sioux Falls, and immediately cora
menced to agitate the question of changing the incorporation of the
village to that of a city. He called a meeting of the citizens, and
steps were taken during the fall of that year to draft a city charter.
When this had been accomplished he went to the legislature and se
cured the passage of the act of incorporation. He was elected the
first mayor of the city for the terra of two years, and pursued a vig
orous policy in the administration of city affairs. He was county
commissioner for the Fifth district in 1893-4-5, and was a very active
and influential meraber of the board. Was one of the stockholders
and officers of the German Bank for several years, and has been con
nected with a large number of important business enterprises.
There are no negative elements in his make-up; he is energetic and
enterprising, and a good citizen.
Schaetzel, John, was born in Wisconsin, December, 25, 1862.
In 1878 he came to Dakota and took up a horaestead, pre-emption and
tree claim in Lincoln county. This property he disposed of in 1880,
and removed to this county and engaged in farming on section six in
Sioux Falls township. In a few years he had one of the best farms
in the county, but its proximity to the city of Sioux Palls, and the

684 history of minnehaha county.

possibility entertained by some people during the boom times that
there Avould be a scarcity of land for platting purposes, enabled him
to sell it for a big price. He then raoved into the city. During- his
residence in the township he was elected to various town offices, and
made a good official. He is a thrifty, industrious man, and a good
citizen. Schwarz, Joseph, Avas born in New York City, February 24,
1858. When three years old he removed with his parents to La
Crosse, Wisconsin, and becarae a student in the office of an architect
at an early age. On the 15th day of May, 1884, he carae to Sioux
Palls and opened an office, and since then has been engaged in
his professional AVork as an architect, and has established an excel
lent reputation in his profession. Mr. Schwarz is a genial, sociable
gentleman, a good neig-hbor, and a respected citizen.
Scott, Daniel, is a native of Montgomery county. New York,
and was born February 19, 1841. While a small lad his parents re
raoved to the city of Utica. At the ag-e of ten years he coraraenced
his newspaper career by becoming- a newsboy, and fiA'e years later
removed to Polo, Illinois, and Avent into a newspaper office where he
reraained until 1861, learning- the printer's trade. At this date he
enlisted in Corapany H, 15th Illinois infantry, and reraained in the
railitary service until discharged on account of disability. Upon his
return frora the array he established the Ogle County Press at Polo,
Avhich he published for one year and then sold out; got raarried, and
Avent to Clinton, Iowa, and engaged in the insurance business for one
year; and then went to the Pennsylvania oil regions and established
the Union Mills Star at Union Mills, Avhich he published for one
year. His next venture was the publication of the Corry Republi
can, at Corry, Pennsylvania. When through Avith this enterprise,
he Avent to Wisconsin and spent one summer, and finally in 1869 con
cluded his roving about at Sioux City. He became citA' editor of the
Sioux City Journal with its first issue, and the greater portion of his
tirae until 1876 he spent upon this Journal. While at Sioux City he
made several excursions into the Indian countrv trading- Avith the In
dians, and Avas the first white raan who ever sold them goods on the
Yellowstone river. During these trips he learned from sources
raore or less reliable, that there was gold in the Black Hills, and he
raade the raost out of what he had heard, through the colurans of the
Journal, and he enjoys the distinction of being- the first newspaper
man Avho called attention to this fact, the announcement of which
aroused so much interest that in 1873, in connection with Charles
Collins who OAvned the Sioux City Tiraes, this paper AA'as raade the
organ of the Black Hills, and so industriously did they push the pro
ject of taking possession of the reservation" that thev were threat
ened with prosecution by the United States governraent. He was
elected alderraan in Sioux City for one term, and as the raayor did
not attend the council meetings, he was elected mayor pro tem. The
winter of 1876-7 he spent in St. Paul, but in March went to Dead-
wood, South Dakota, Avhere he helped establish the Deadwood Daily
limes, and was its chief editor until he went to Bismarck, North Da-

Daniel Scott.

history of minnehaha county 687

kota, in 1882, where he was connected with the Bismarck Tribune
about one year. On the 5th day of July, 1883, he came to Sioux Falls,
and becarae the city editor of the Sioux Falls Press, Avhich position he
retained until 1886, Avhen he went to Rapid City, South Dakota, and
started the Rapid City Daily Republican. After spending the win
ter of 1887-8 in Texas he returned to Sioux Falls and opened a real
estate office and participated in the real estate boom which cora
raenced about that time, and like .all participators he learned that
real estate booms originate frora no known cause, and depart for less
tangible reasons than thev corae. He Avas elected alderraan from the
Third ward in 1895, and re-elected in 1897. He has been city editor
of the Sioux Falls Press both under the former and present raanag-e-
ment. As Avill be seen Mr. Scott has been a frontier raan, and there
are a good many stories afloat of his exploits and adventures, but
none of them mark him as a timid man. He is an enterprising, in
dependent citizen, progressive and aggressive in raunicipal raatters,
a good neighbor, and has a host of friends.
Scott, Rev. Darius B., the subject of this sketch AA'as born at
Bloomfield, N. Y., October 27, 1843. His father was born in Con
necticut, and his mother, a native of Verraont, was a granddaughter
of the Hon. Darius Bullock. They raoved to New York soon after
their marriage, and subsequently to Kentucky, where the father
taught school for four years. During this time Mr. Scott, then a
sinall lad, saw enough of the cruelties of slavery to incite in him
great hostility to the institution. Prom Kentucky he went Avith his
parents to Illinois, where he was living when the war broke out in
1861. He was anxious to enlist in the military service at once, but
was prevented by his parents, who needed his services at horae. In
1864, however, he enlisted in the 17th Illinois cavalry. While in the
army, he resolved that if he was spared, he would devote himself to
the ministry, believing that in so doing he could best serve God and
humanity. ' In the fall of 1865 he entered Wheaton college, where he
reraained four years. After this he took a theological course at
Andover, Massachusetts, for three years. Upon receiving his ordi
nation to the Congregational ministry he was settled over a church
at Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Subsequently he became pastor of
churches at Hollis, New Hampshire, and Clinton, Massachusetts.
After twenty years of hard labor in the ministry, he becarae satis
fied that, owing to an impaired constitution resulting from array life,
he would have to leave his calling, or seek AVork in a more invigor
ating climate. Receiving a call from the First Congregational
church of Sioux Falls during the sumraer of 1892, he accepted it
Septeraber 1, and brought his family to the city the 1st of November
following, where he has since resided as pastor of the church. His
installation took place December 22, 1896.
Mr Scott since his residence in Sioux Palls, has not only en
deared himself to his parishioners, but is highly respected by all who
have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Diligent and conscientious
in the performance of his pastoral duties, active m forAvardmg all
coramendable enterprises for the advancement of society, a strong,
forceful and fearless preacher, united with high social qualities, are
the prominent characteristics of the raan.

688 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Scott, Delos A., was born in Erie county. New York, March
23, 1846; was reared on a farm, and received an academic education;
engag-ed in farraing- until thirty years of age; and then engaged in
the drug business for two years at Rockford, Iowa. Por the last
twenty years he has been in the real estate business, and during all
this tirae has been handling real estate in South Dakota. Came to
Sioux Falls in June, 1893, where he has since resided, and has made
himself knoAvn as a good business raan and a good citizen.
Scott, Mark D., Avas born in Wisconsin, April 7, 1866. He
attended the coraraon schools and commenced work in a printing
office before he was ten years of age. In 1878 he Avent with his par
ents to Deadwood, S. D., where he became a neAvspaper carrier and
also the proprietor of some newspaper routes. In 1883, he came to
Sioux Palls and engaged in printing-office work, and in 1885, in con
nection with Hibbard Patterson, did the mechanical work on the
Argus for six raonths. During- 1886 he was advertising solicitor for
the Rapid City Daily Republican, and worked on the Lead City
Tribune for six raonths. In 1888 he went to Burke, Idaho, and
started the first newspaper at that place, but sold out the plant after
six raonths. He then Avent to LeGrande, Oregon, where he and Mr.
Patterson started a neAvspaper which they sold in March, 1890. Mr.
Scott remained at that place engaged in business until 1892, when he
returned to Sioux Palls, and on January 1, 1893, became the city
editor of the Sioux Falls Daily Press, and remained as such until
August, 1894, at which time he became, and still is, the proprietor
and editor of the Sioux Palls Journal. During the presidential cara
paign in 1896 Mr. Scott issued a daily paper called the Daily Journal.
There were sixty-two issues of this paper, and every one of thera
Avas filled with Avhat newspaper raen call "hot stuff." It Avas pub
lished in the interest of Bryan and his adherents in South Dakota,
but Avhen it had becorae settled that McKinley was elected, the daily
issue Avas discontinued. Mr. Scott is a great newsgatherer, and
always has soraething to say upon the issues before the people. He
is strictly in the newspaper business, and is an earnest advocate of
econoray in public affairs.
Sexton, Thomas W., Avas born at Davenport, loAva, August 14,
1861; raoved with his parents to Minnesota in 1869, and lived ona
farra until 1875, At that tirae they renioved to Red Wing, in the
sarae state, and remained there four years. In 1879 he came to Sioux
Falls, but reraained only a short tirae, and then engaged in the hotel
business with his parents at Caraeron, Marion Junction and Bridge-
water. In 1886 he went to Kansas and remained a year and then
came to Sioux Falls in May, 1888, and went into the real estate busi-
.ness, m which he has since continued. Mr. Sexton is an active, en
ergetic business man, and an enterprising, esteemed citizen.
Shakstad, Erick, is a native of Norway, and was born October
3, 1855, was reared on a farm and attended the public school; emi
grated to the United States in 1880, and settled in Chatfield, Minn.,
where he reraained until he reraoved to Sioux Falls, where he arrived
on the 1st day of Septeraber, 1881. He worked at his trade that of

Rev. Darius B. Scott.

Mark D. Scott.

history of minnehaha county. 693

carpenter and joiner, and was a ccmtractor and builder for several
years in the city, then went to Pierre for two years, but returned to
Sioux Falls, and during- the last ten years has owned and operated a
planing- mill. Mr. Shakstad is a very industrious, successful busi
ness man, Avell liked as a neighbor, and is an esteemed citizen.
Sheppard, William James, Avas born at Quebec, Canada, July
24, 1862. His father Avas one of the oldest settlers of Quebec, and
held prominent offices in the Canadian government for over twenty-
two years. The subject of this sketch received a collegiate educa
tion at Ottawa. In 1879 he came to the United States, and entered
the Second National Bank of Detroit, Michigan, where he reraained
until in 1883, vvhen his father died, and he returned to Canada. Sub
sequently he went into the auditor's office of the Araerican Express
Co. at Montreal, where he reraained about a year, and then was book
keeper for the Woods Manufacturing Co. until the outbreak of the
Riel Rebellion, when he went out Avith the Winnipeg- Field Battery,
of AA'hich he Avas a raeraber, and served through the carapaign of 1885.
He was in the famous battles at Pish Creek and Batoche, and re
ceived Avith all those participating- in these battles, as a mark of dis
tinction a silver raedal from the Queen. After the close of the re
bellion went to St. Paul, and became traveling salesman for the Ber-
risford Biscuit Manufacturing Co. He reraained with this corapany
seven years, and then entered the service of McKibbin & Co. of St.
Paul, in the sarae capacity, where he still reraains. He is also inter
ested in farming, and is the owner of a fine 480-acre farra in McCook
county, South Dakota, besides having sorae city property in Minne
apolis, Minnesota. In 1888 he Avas married to Miss Caroline Harder
of Winnipeg-, daug-hter of William Harder, general traffic raanager of
the Canadian Pacific railroad. In 1896 located at Sioux Palls, Avhere
he has since resided. In Septeraber of that year he, Avith four
others, instituted a Council of the Order of United Coraraercial
Travelers in Sioux Falls, which was the first instituted in South
Dakota, and is called Sioux Falls Council No. 100. He was raade its
first Past Councilor; is one of the executive committee, and was also
elected on the same coraraittee of the Grand Council of Minnesota
and the two Dakotas. Mr. Sheppard is a gentleraan of high social
attainments, a progressive and wide-awake business raan, and an
esteeraed citizen.
Sherman, Edwin A., was born June 19, 1844, in Massachusetts.
His early years were spent at school, and at the age of sixteen he
graduated frora the high school. The next four years he carried on
a farra. In his twenty-first year he went to Boston and engaged m
clerking for a commission oil house. Two years later he became a
partner in the business under the firm name of Capen, Sherman &
Co. Four years later, his health failing, he retired from the firra
and went West. During the first winter in the West he taught school
in Sioux City. In June, 1873, he carae to Sioux Palls, where he has
since resided. His first business transaction was to purchase a half
interest in The Independent, a newspaper published by C. W. Mc
Donald. He was engaged in newspaper work for one year and a

694 history of minnehaha county.

half, when he sold his interest to T. J. White. In 1874-6 he was
county superintendent of schools, and organized during that tirae a
large nuraber of school districts. Since his arrival in Sioux Falls,
he has been one of the raost active, enterprising and successful bus
iness raen of the city. He built the first brick building in the city
in 1875, and is the third building on Phillips avenue south of the Ed
mison-Jameson block. John Bippus was then postmaster, and the
post office was located on Phillips avenue north, and Mr. Sherman
put up this building with the understanding that Mr. Bippus would
raove the post office into it when completed, which arrangeraent was
carried out. In 1877 he bought what is now the Cascade Milling
property. It comprised five acres of ground. In this enterprise
Isaac Emerson and J. G. Botsford were associated with him, and
built the stone dam and the Cascade mill. Botsford afterwards sold
his interest to George E. Wheeler. In 1887 the electric light Avorks
were added to their business, and the Cascade Milling Corapany was
incorporated with a capital of $150,000, but the ownership of this
property is practically unchanged. This manufacturing establish
ment has been in operation nearly twenty-three years, and has been
prosperous frora the beginning, in fact, in this respect it challenges
comparison with any manufacturing establishment in the state. Mr.
Sherman has engaged quite extensively in the building of residences,
as well as business blocks. In 1878, he built a stone building on the
southeast corner of Main avenue and Ninth street and he also built
all the buildings east to the alley on Ninth street, and all the build
ings south on Main avenue, except the Schaetzel building at the
south end. The stone building was rented to the county for the county
officials and a court room, before it was built. In 1883 he erected the
building occupied as a post office until the 18th day of May, 1895, and
this was also built for the use of the countv. The Cascade block was
built by him, and also the Union Trust Company block; and a feAv
years ago he built a very fine and attractive residence on block one,
Sherman's addition to Sioux Palls. He was instrumental in procur
ing the location of the Deaf Mute school at Sioux Palls, engineering
the bill through the legislature; and gave to the institution five acres
of land, the sarae on which it is now located. He was one of the first
trustees of this institution and president of the board. He organ
ized the Minnehaha National Bank in 1886, and was its president two
years. In 1887 he organized the Union Trust Company, and in 1888
resigned the presidency of the Minnehaha National Bank to conduct
the business of the Union Trust Company, which soon after trans
ferred its banking business to the Union National Bank, of both of
which corapanies he was at all tiraes the president. In 1887 he be
carae associated with John M. Spicer of Willraar, under the direction
of Jaraes J. Hill of the Great Northern railway line, to build the
Willraar & Sioux Palls railroad. Together they located, naraed and
platted all the toAvns along this line, a distance of 149 railes. He has
a large interest in the Willmar & Sioux Palls Townsite Co., incor
porated. Although engrossed in such extensive business transac
tions as his record shows, he has found time to perform such official
duties as have been assigned him by the people. He was territorial

1^ s

E. A. Sherman.

W. J. Sheppard.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 699

treasurer in 1877-8, and territorial auditor in 1879-80, and was ten
dered the same office in 1881, vvhich he declined. When Sioux Falls
became incorporated as a villag-e lie was elected one of its first trus
tees, and Avas frequentl}- on the school board. He has also served as
president of the Commercial Club. The success of his business en
terprises, his fidelity to official duties, his constant zeal in promoting
the g-rowth of the city, stamp hira as one of the most successful and
reliable men in the state.
Sherman, Paul P., was born in Houlton, Maine, May 7, 1855.
He went Avith his parents to Minneapolis, Minn., in 1866, and from
there to Shakopee in the same state. He was reared on a farm, and
received a common school education; was clerk in a store, and for
some tirae conducted a business of his own. On the 21st day of No
veraber, 1877, he arrived in Sioux Falls, and Avithin ten days took up
a tiraber claira in Huraboldt, and a horaestead in Hartford, this
county, and engaged in farraing for several years; in 1887, went into
the agricultural implement business at Jasper, Minn.; in 1893, came
to Sioux Falls to locate, but retained his business at Jasper. He is
a member of the firra of Sherraan Bros. & Bratager, and since locat
ing at Sioux Falls this firm has built the largest agricultural imple
ment Avarehouse in the state. Mr. Sherman is an energetic, success
ful business man, has a host of friends, and is a respected citizen.
Sherrard, William B., is a native of Ireland and Avas born
June 8, 1837. Attended school and worked on a farra until nineteen
years old, and then engaged in the dry goods business; in 1864, emi
grated to the United States; lived a few months in New York, and
then went to Chicago where he reraained about fifteen years. Dur
ing that time he clerked in a store two years, and then coraraenced the
work of founding a horae for newsboys and bootblacks, and labored
in their interest while he reraained in Chicago. In 1879, he went to
Kansas and engaged in stock raising until 1889, when he removed to
Clark county, this state, and until 1893, was engaged in merchandis
ing and the shipping of stock. In January, 1893, he came to Sioux
Palls, and since then has devoted his tirae to caring for friendless
children, and has been the manager of the Children's Horae at Sioux
Falls since it was established. Mr. Sherrard is a raan of tireless en
ergy, and devoted to his work. Of course, he has been raaligned,
and a raan of less courage would have abandoned his good work long
before this, but it has only served to make him the raore zealous and
determined to secure for this institution the respect and hearty sup
port of the people of South Dakota. It is sufficient, to assert that a
large majority of the people of the state are heartily in sympathy
with Mr. Sherrard and his work, to establish the fact that he is a
good raan and a good citizen.
Shotwell, Ezra M., was born in Washington county, Ohio,
October 28, 1845, and worked on a farra until twenty years of age
when he engaged in business. In 1869, he came to Iowa and engaged
in the produce business, and reraained in that state until August
1879, when he removed to the city of Sioux Palls, and engaged
in the coal business for five years, and then in the ice busi-

700 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

ness

nes^ for four years. Since then he has been engaged m shipping-
stock, when not acting as street commissioner. While a resident ot
Iowa he served as alderman four years in the city of Perry, and has
served in the same capacitv two years in Sioux Falls. He was street
commissioner of the citv in 1894 and 1895, during the admmisti-ation
of Mayor Williaras, and was again appointed to the same office by
Mayor Lien in May, 1898. He is an enterprising, energetic citizen,
and raakes a g-ood official.
Simpson, James, is a native of Milford, Oakland county, Michi
gan, and was born on the 21st day of January, 1855. He Avorked on
his father's farra during his youth, and did not attend school until
fourteen years of age, when he went to Flint, Michigan, where he re
raained in a school for the education of deaf-mutes for five full ternis,
having been born deaf. From Flint he went to a similar institution
in New York city, Avhere he took a three years course in two years,
and was selected valedictorian of his class, graduating at the age of
twenty-one years. He then learned the jeweler's trade, and Avorked
at this business for about four years and a half, and then engaged in
farming in Michigan. In 1878 'he went to Council Bluffs as a teacher,
and remained there in that capacity three years— the last year having
in charge the highest class. The following year nine students from
the loAva school were adraitted to the National Deaf Mute College at
Washington, D. C, eight of thera having been Professor Sirapson's
pupils. In June, 1881, he carae to Sioux Palls to visit E. G. Wright,
aud was pleased Avith the prospects of the Deaf Mute school which
had been established the year previous and he at once became con
nected Avith the school and assumed its raanageraent, which he has
since retained. Professor Simpson is not only a successful teacher
in his line, but is an all around raan and highly respected as a busi
ness man and citizen. The writer, while at Bismarck attending a
session of the legislature in 1887, was more than pleased with the
ability displayed by the professor, who was there to procure an ap
propriation for his school. He endeavored to obtain the appropria
tion he desired without making any combination with other state in
stitutions, and he persisted in his purpose until the band wagon was
nearly out of sight and his appropriation liable to be lost in the shuf
fle, Avhen, with the celerity of a veteran in politics, he mounted the seat
Avith the driver. In July, 1880, he raarried Miss A. L. Simpson, who
came to Sioux Falls with hira, and who has been of great assistance
in the conduct of the school. Mrs. Sirapson is an estimable lady, and
three bright boys gladden the hearts of their parents.
Skillman, William J., was born April 19, 1838, in Somerset
county, NeAV Jersey, six miles from Princeton on the old post road
from New York to Philadelphia, that region being one where his an
cestors had lived and died for nearly 200 years. He obtained his
early education in the country schools in the neighborhood. Later
he was a student at the venerable Grammar school at New Bruns
wick, New Jersey, and frora there entered the sophomore class of
Rutger college, then under President Prelinghueysen, where he was
graduated in 1860. The sarae year he entered the Theological semi-

p. p. Sherman.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY 703

nary of the Reforraed church at NeAv Brunswick, whence he Avas
graduated in 1863. The auturan following he was called to take
charge of the Reforraed church of Macon, LenaAvee county, Michi
gan, where he reraained for over five years, serving also part of the
time the Congregational (afterwards Presbyterian) church of Raisin.
In 1868, he removed to South Bend, Indiana, and was pastor of the
Reforraed church of that city for nearly five years, reraoving from
there in 1872, to the Hudson Valley, and' to(jk charge of the old First
Reforraed church of Bethlehem, immediately below the city of Al
bany on the river, where he remained for eleA'en years. In 1883 he
carae to Sioux Falls, Avhere he organized the Presbyterian church,
vvhich he served for one year; then supplied for nearly tvvo years al
ternately the Presbyterian churches of Dell Rapids and Plandreau;
was acting professor of Greek and English literature in the North
Avestern acaderay at Orange City, loAva, for a few raonths; and in the
opening of 1886 took full charge of the First Reformed church of
Sioux Falls, where he remained until in June, 1894, Avhen he removed
to Philadelphia, having accepted the pastorate over a large congrega
tion at that city. Mr. Skillman took the regular acaderaic degrees of
A. B. and A. M., in course — because he couldn't help it — but has
never sought or desired any other. All his life he has been a writer
for the press, being a correspondent of such papers as the New York
Evening Post, The Nation, Christian at Work, Christian Intelli
gencer, Christian Union, besides various literary, scientific and theo
logical periodicals and reviews. Por nearly four years of the tirae
he resided in Sioux Palls, he was in editorial charge of the Sioux
Falls Journal, and its editorial colurans from its first pag-e to its last
issue while under his control fairly bristled with the sharp, incisive
arraignment of the follies of the day. He believed in prohibition and
in the enforcement of the laws for the suppression of the sale of in
toxicating liquors, and while he resided in Sioux Falls if he left any
thing undone that he could possibly do to starap out the saloons, it
does not occur to the writer. His scholastic acquirements were not
limited to theology but embraced a thorough knoAvledge of all the ira
portant topics of the time. He hated vice and all its accompani
ments; despised all pretense and hypocrisy; loathed all such persons
as pretended to be for the right and did not have the raoral courage
to fight for their convictions; vvas possessed of good health, a combat
ive temperaraent, a well disciplined, analytical raind, and was a mas
ter of invectives; and still people wondered why the editorial fraternity
in South Dakota let him so severely alone. He was true to his con
victions and fought desperately to maintain them. His departure
brought relief in certain quarters, but it raust be acknoAvledged that
the ministerial association of the city lost one of its strongest sup
ports, and the city one of its raost independent and fearless citizens.
Smith, Edgar L., was born at Cabot, Washington county, Ver
mont, April 10, 1850. He was educated in the public schools, and
worked on a farm until twenty-one years old. He then engaged in
manufacturing lumber at Marshfield, in his native county, until 1884.
During that time he was town clerk twelve years, and superintend
ent of schools several years. On the 31st day of October, 1884, he

704 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

carae to Sioux Falls, where he has since resided, and was for several
years engag-ed in the coal and wood business. He has contributed
iarg-ely to the appearance of Phillips avenue by the erection of two
brick business buildings with stone fronts. He is a thoroughly good
business man and a good citizen.
Smith, Elgin B., is a native of Canada, and Avas born November
17, 1851. During- his early youth he Avorked on a farra and attended
school. In 1871 he went to Cherokee, Iowa, and engaged in farming
for about three years, and then boug-ht out a furniture store. Prom
that time to the present Avriting- he has been in the furniture busi
ness. During the spring- of 1884 he removed to Sioux Falls and com
menced business in the Leader block, where he has since remained.
He has always carried an extensive stock of goods and is a good busi
ness raan. He is well liked as a business raan and neighbor, and is
a good citizen.
Solem, Rev. Henrik M., was born in the province of Sondfjord,
Norway, June 21, 1862. His parents, eraigrated to the United States
in 1870, and located in Union county, Dakota, where the subject of
this sketch received his early education in the coramon schools. In
the spring of 1887 he Avas graduated from the Augustana college at
Canton; in 1890 Avas graduated from the Augustana Theological
Seminary at Beloit, Iowa; the following year attended the Augsburg-
Seminary of the United Lutheran church in Minneapolis, where he
took a final theological examination in 1891, and Avas ordained min
ister in June of that year at Kenyon, Minn. He then began work as
pastor in the inner mission on the Sioux reservation, which he con
tinued for five years. In 1896 he received a call from the United
Lutheran church at Sioux Falls, Avhich he accepted, and has since
reraained the able pastor of that church. He is a faithful Christian
Avorker, and greatly beloved by his congregation.
Soule, Ira T., was born in NeAv York, November 14, 1848, and
attended school and worked on a farm until he Avas tAventy-one years
old. He then engaged in farraing on his own account, residing sev
eral years in Lake county, Illinois. On the 27th day of Deceraber,
1875, he arrived in Delapre toAvnship, Lincoln county, where he en
gaged in farraing until 1890, when he reraoved to Sioux Palls and
opened a livery and feed stable. While in Lincoln county he held
township offices, and since he becarae a resident of Sioux Falls has
been street commissioner two years, and in 1899 was elected alder
raan frora the Sixth ward. He is a good citizen, and Avell liked.
Stanfield, John A., a few days after the 23d of February,
1846, a little boy in the State of New "York was named John A. Stan-
field. After he was grown up to raanhood he resided for awhile in
Minnesota and carae to Dell Rapids in the fall of 1883, where he filled
the position of station agent for the Milwaukee Railway company.
In 1889 he removed to Sioux Falls to perform the duties of auditor of
Minnehaha county, to which office he had been elected at the general
election in 1888. He Avas re-elected in 1890, and again in 1892, at
which time he was norainated by the Independent party, and was
elected by a plurality of three hundred and eighty-six. Only one

J. A. Stanfield.

15

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 707

other of the nominees of that party Avas successful. Mr. Stanfield
was the great Aote-getter of that campaign. In 1894 the Democratic
and Independent parties in Minnehaha county united upon a county
ticket, and Mr. Stanfield received the nomination for treasurer, but
it Avas a Republican year and he Avas defeated. In March, 1895, his
term of office expired, and since then he has resided only a part of
the time in the state. Mr. Stanfield raade a competent official.
Stern, Alexander, is a native of GerraauA', and was born No
vember 5, 1851. When about fourteen years of age he entered as an
apprentice in a cloth house, where he remained three A'ears, and then
vvas employed in a broker's office. In 1870 he carae to the United
States, and lived a fev\ months in Ohio, but engaged as clerk in a
store the sarae year at Neenah, Wisconsin, where he reraained about
one year and a half. He then went to Waupaca, in the sarae state,
and entered a store as clerk, but soon after bought an interest in the
business. In 1876 he sold out and went to Yankton, S. D., where he
Avas engaged for six years as clerk in a store. In the spring of 1882,
he carae to Sioux Palls, and took charge of a store for a firra whose
principal place of business was at Council Bluffs, loAva. In 1884, he
married Miss Augusta Blura of Sioux Falls. In 1885 he Avent to
Pipestone, Minnesota, and engaged in business until 1890, vvhen he
returned to Sioux Falls and engaged in the clothing- business. In
1894 the firm of Buxbaum & Stern was forraed, and they have now
one of the larg-est clothing establishraents in the city. Mr. Stern is
a good fellow socially, a good business raan, and a good citizen.
Stevenson, Thomas Young, was born May 25, 1859, at St.
Charles, Minnesota; was reared on a farm and educated in the dis
trict' and high schools; studied raedicine and was graduated frora the
Bennett Medical College of Chicago in 1885; practiced raedicine at
Pulda, Minnesota, and at Wentworth, South Dakota, about seven
years; came to Sioux Palls in 1891, where he has since been practic
ing raedicine; was countv physician in 1895-6; in 1897 was graduated
frora the Harvey Medical College. Dr. Stevenson belongs to the
Masons, Odd Fellows, and A. O. U. W., and takes a lively interest
in public affairs, as well as attending carefully to his large practice.
Stevenson, Romeo R., brother of Thoraas, was born at St.
Charles, Minnesota, July 16, 1865. He studied raedicine and was
graduated frora the Northwestern University of Chicago m 1893.
He is now located at Sioux Palls, and raakes a specialty of diseases of
the eye, ear, nose and throat. He has been abroad twice since cora-
ino- to Sioux Palls, and has taken post-graduate courses m London,
(Terraany, Norway and Sweden. He has already established a repu
tation as a skillful physician in his line of practice.
Stickney Moses A., was born in Athens, Windhara county,
Verraont, on t'he 10th day of Noveraber, 1846, and was reared on a
farm. After he becarae of age he went to Minneapolis Minnesota,
and entered a commercial college, where he graduated. He then
learned the miller's trade, and for seventeen years worked atthe
sarae in Minnesota and Dakota. In August, 1877 he came to .Sioux
Falls and engaged in milling in the Webber & Shaw raill until that

708 history of minnehaha county.

concern Avas swept away by the high water of April, 1881. He was
employed at the Queen Bee mill from its start, and when that stopped
doing- business Mr. Stickney's milling career vvas at an end, except
to go to Minnesota for a few months to start up a new mill. When
L. D. Henry removed from Sioux Falls he purchased his real estate
and loan business in Avhich he still continues. He Avas appointed
city justice to fill the vacancy created bv the resig-nation of Mr.
Henry, and held the office for five years and a half; was assessor of
the city of Sioux Falls in 1886 and 1887. Mr. Stickney is a good
neighbor, an honest raan and an exeraplary citizen.
Stinson, Daniel Sylvester, was born in New York, March 4,
1854, but came Avith his parents to Dodge county, Wisconsin, in
1856. He Avorked on a farm, attended the comraon schools, graduated
from the hig-h school at Colurabus, Wisconsin, and' attended the uni-
A'ersity at Madison, in the same state, for tAvo years. He was en
g-aged in teaching- school before he was tAventy years old, and fol
lowed that vocation in Wisconsin until he reraoved to this countv in
July, 1879, and located at Dell Rapids, where he taught school two
years. In 1881 he built a ferryboat at that place, and took in $87
during the afternoon of the first day he run it. It continued a pay
ing business for some tirae, the receipts running from $16 to $45 per
day, but early in July a bridge was built, and the suspension of the
ferrying business and the laying of the last plank on the bridge were
concurrent in point of tirae. Mr. Stinson took up a tree claira and
horaestead in March, 1878. Except two years, when he was deputy
sheriff under Sheriff Joseph Dickson, he has been engaged in teach
ing school, and is recognized as one of the raost successful teachers
in the count}'.
Stites, Albert H., was born in Millerstown, Pa., March 2, 1858.
During his youth he attended the public schools, and graduated from
the high school at Millerstown in 1875. He Avas naturally attracted
to the study of raedicine, his father being a physician', and after
graduating frora the high school he went to Philadelphia and entered
a drug store as clerk. In 1879, he graduated frora the Philadelphia
College of Pharmacy, and continued in the drug business in that city
until 1881. In June of that year he came to Sioux Falls and opened
a drugstore in the old land office building then located where the
Masonic Temple now stands, and Avhen that building Avas reraoved to
give roora for the present structure, Mr. Stites moved his business
with it, and reraained there until in 1885, at which tirae he moved
back to his first location and since then has occupied the northeast
corner of the Masonic Temple. From 1885 to 1889, Frank S. Kim
ball was associated with Mr. Stites in the drug business, but since
that time he has carried on the business alone. He has been very
successful and is considered one of the best business men in the city.
He has been president of the territorial and state Pharmaceutical
society SIX years. In 1895, was elected county coraraissioner, and
assuraed the duties of this office in January following In April,
1896, Avas elected mayor of the city of Sioux Falls, and in 1898, was
-lected to the state senate. He is very popular in this city and has
-en good satisfaction in the discharge of his official duties.

rivi

A. H. Stites.

History of minnehaha county 711

Stites, AVilliam D., Avas born in Strassburg, Penn., in Septem
ber, 1844. At the age of tAvel\-e years he moved to Rockford, 111., and
in 18()1, enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry and served until Julv,
1S05. He then entered a drug- store in Chicago as clerk, and' re
mained there until he went to Sioux City, la., and forraed a partner
ship with C. K. Howard in the drug business. In 1872, he came to
Sioux Falls and became bookkeeper for C. K. Howard, Avho was then
doing- an extensive business. He was deputy county treasurer sev
eral years, and in 1888, Avas appointed clerk of the district court, and
held this office until 1891. In 1894, he was elected police justice of
the city of Sioux Falls, and held this office until 1896. He is noAv era
ployed in the reg-ister of deeds office. Mr. Stites is prorainent in
Masonic circles, and has been honored by this order with high official
positions. He has also been prorainent in political affairs, and is an
enterprising citizen.
Stoddard, W. H., is a native of Liberty, Sullivan county, Noav
York, and Avas born Pebruarv 15, 1843. He worked on his father's
farra until fifteen years old, when he entered the Liberty Norraal
school, graduating- in 1859. He taught school two years. After the
Outbreak of the war he enlisted for three months in the 10th New
Jersey regiment, and then in Corapany H, 143d New York infantry,
and served to the close of the war. He was in the army of the Poto
mac until after the battle of Gettysburg; went West in 1863, Avas at
Lookout Mountain under Hooker, and was Avith Sherraan in the At
lanta carapaign and on the raarch to the sea. He was color sergeant
of the regiraent in the Peninsula carapaign, and orderl}- sergeant for
a long tirae, then lieutenant, and at the close of the war Avas brevetted
captain. That he Avas at the front, the fact that he vvas wounded
five tiraes, is araple proof. He Avas discharged on the 21st day of
August, 1865. In 1866 he coraraenced to read law Avith Judge L. D.
McKoon of Long Eddy, New York, and was adraitted to the bar at
Binghamton, New York, November 14, 1868. He practiced law at
Middletown, New York, for fourteen years, and reraoved to Sioux
Falls in 1883, Avhere he opened a laAv office, but soon after entered
into a copartnership with Judge Parliraan under the firm name of
Parliman & Stoddard. This copartnership existed for about two
years when Captain Stoddard went to Kansas and practiced law for
aAvhile, but returned and resumed his former relations with Judge
Parliraan. In 1889 he becarae a raeraber of the firra of Bailey, Stod
dard & Wilson, where he reraained until 1891 Avhen the firra of Stoddard
& Wilson Avas formed and continued in the practice of laAv until early
in the year 1895, at which date the firra removed to Buffalo, NeAv
York, and engaged in the law business at that place. While Captain
Stoddard resided in Sioux Palls he vvas norainated by the Deraocratic
party for judge of the suprerae court of South Dakota, and was the
candidate for state's attorney of Minnehaha county in 1892, but re
ceiving his nominations from' a party largely in the minority was de
feated. He was well informed and could talk, and talk eloquently
too; it made no difference with hira what the occasion Avas— Decora
tion day. Fourth of July, G. A. R. assemblages, picnics, banquets,
conventions, on the sturap or to a jury— he was at horae, and the

712 history of minnehaha county.

people liked to hear him. He was a genial corapanion and a good
neighbor, and left home and a good law practice when he left Sioux
Palls. Strahon, John G., was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania,
February 9, 1844; moved to Harding county with his parents in 1857,
where he attended school and worked on a farm until he was twentj'-
one years old, and then engaged in farraing for hiraself; in October,
1878, came to Sioux Falls, bought sorae lots and built four houses,
and then coraraenced draying, in which he has continued since then,
and has the largest draying outfit in the city. He has received two
elections as alderraan, raade a good official, and was not afraid to
have his vote recorded with the minority. He is an industrious, hard
working- man, a good neighbor, and a good citizen.
Strass, John P., was born in the citA' of Trondhjera, Norway,
Noveraber 1, 1862. In 1878 he eraigrated to the United States and
settled at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Iraraediately thereafter he com
raenced to learn the printer's trade, and has since then been contin
uously connected with newspaper work. In 1881 he started a Scan
dinavian newspaper at Fergus Falls, North Dakota, which he pub
lished for one year, when he sold the plant. Early in 1894 he carae
to Sioux Falls, and thinking there was a good field for a Populist
newspaper printed in the Norwegian language organized the Fremad
Publishing Company, and coramenced the publishing of the Fremad
on May 17, of that year. The success of the Fremad under his bus
iness and editorial management establishes the fact that Mr. Strass
is a good business man. He is well liked, and is a good citizen.
Stringham, Nicholas E., was born in Huron county, Ohio, on
the 30th day of April, 1850. When six years of age he reraoved with
his parents to Iowa, where they reraained one year and then removed
to Minnesota. During his youth he attended the common schools,
and finished his school education in the city schools at Lake City,
Minnesota, at the age of seventeen years. He then learned the black
smith's trade, and worked at this business until he reraoved to Sioux
Palls, where he arrived on his 28th birthday, April 30, 1878. He
then entered into a copartnership with Prank H. Gillett in the black
smith and farm implement business under the firm narae of String
ham & Gillett, which copartnership continued until 1882. From this
tirae until 1898 he was engaged in the fuel and irapleraent business
in Sioux Palls. He has been a raeraber of the city school board two
terras, and, although he has been norainated for' other official posi
tions, he has not been elected for the reason that his party has been
largely in the rainority. He has always been an independent, up
right, industrious citizen, and a thoroughly good neighbor, as the
Avriter can attest.
Subera, Dr. Harry W., was born at Picton, Province of On
tario, Canada, April 2, 1847; was reared on a farra and received his
early education in the public schools. Upon attaining his raajority
and until he coramenced studying medicine was a "Knight of the
Grip." In 1877 he entered the office of Dr. Famsworth at Clinton,
Iowa, and remained with him in his practice until 1883 when he

W. H. Stoddard.

John Sundback.

Ole S. Swenson.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 719

g-raduated at the Keokuk Medical college at Keokuk, Iowa. In 1885
he came to Sioux Falls, where he has since been eng-aged in the prac
tice of his profession. He has been president of the Minnehaha
County Medicjil SocietA', and is its present secretary; Avas president
of the County Board of Health two years, county physician one year,
and has been citA' health officer since June, 1898; is a member of the
Masons, Odd Fellows, Elks, and Modern Woodraen. Dr. Subera is
a good physician, has a good practice, is a pleasant, sociable gentle
man, and a highh' esteeraed citizen.
SuNDBAA'K, John, is a native of Sweden and was born Decem
ber 21, 1850. He came to the United States in 1868, and lived in
Iowa until the spring- of 1872, when he carae to Minnehaha county
and took up a homestead in Edison, filing- on the south half of the
southeast quarter of section 34, and the south half of the south
west quarter of section 35, which was the first horae
stead filing in that town. He engaged in farraing upon this
land until the spring- of 1881, Avhen he raoved to Sioux Palls and en
gaged in the sale of flour and feed and farra raachinerj'. He was as
sessor one year in Edison, and was constable and on the police force
in Sioux Palls Avhen it was a village. In 1886 he was elected sheriff,
and continued to hold this office until the 10th day of January, 1893.
He is a meraber of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and has
taken nearly all of the degrees in Masonry, is also one of the Nobles
of the Mystic Shrine.
He raade an excellent sheriff; always level-headed, sagacious and
honest, he perforraed his official duties without fear or favor to any
one. For several years he was prominent in political raatters. Until
1896 he Avas a straightout Republican, but after the adoption of the
national platform that year by the Republican party he became a
Silver Republican. In January, 1897, he Avent to Nicaragua, Central
America, where he had a large interest in a stearaboat. In Decera
ber, 1897, he sailed his boat around Cape Horn for the Klondike re
gion, with the intention of engaging in traffic on the Yukon river.
He is now residing at Vancouver, B. C, where his faraily joined hira
during the summer of 1898, and the state has lost one of its raost
enterprising and influential citizens.
Swenson, Ole S., was born in Norway, November 9, 1845; Avas
reared on a farra and attended school until twelve years of age, when
he eraigrated with his parents to the United States, and settled m
Nicollet county, Minnesota; in 1863 he went to St. Peter in the sarae
state, and engaged in clerking in a general store; m 1866 opened a
hardware store,"^ but after doing business one year at St. Peter, re
moved his stock to Grand Meadow, Minnesota, and remained there
in trade until he removed to Sioux Palls, where he arrived Septem
ber 15, 1880, and engaged in the sarae business until he sold out m
1893 'He then secured an interest in the flour mill at Valley Springs,
in this county, which interest he still retains; was elected treasurer
of Minnehaha county in 1886, and re-elected m 1888, and is at the
present time chairman of the Republican county comraittee. Mr.
Swenson is a good business man, an adroit politician, a good neigh
bor and an esteemed citizen.

720 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Taber, Edward J., is a native of Canada and was born January
11, 1859. He was reared on a farm and educated in the public
schools. On the 20th day of June, 1878, he arrived in Sioux Palls,
and the first thing he did was to take a contract to shingle a roof for
four dollars. He shingled the roof, but did not get the four dollars.
He soon after went to Caraeron, McCook county, and opened a feed
store; in 1880, went to Salem and entered into a copartnership with
O. S. Pendar in the raercantile business, but at the end of two
months sold his interest to Mr. Pendar and removed to Bridgewater
where he went into trade in company with a Mr. Barry under the
firm name of Taber & Barry. In December, 1889, he returned to
Sioux Palls and eng-aged in the real estate business and was for some
time connected with the Citizens State Bank, and was assessor of
the city of Sioux Palls three years. When the State Banking and
Trust Corapany was organized he becarae connected with that insti
tution, Avhere he has since reraained, acting as its vice president.
He is a good citizen, and highly respected.
Talcott, Ransom William, was one of the early settlers of
Minnehaha count}', coraing frora Ohio to Sioux Palls, November 10,
1871, accorapained by his wife and twin girls two years of age. He
resided in the barracks for awhile, and then raade a homestead filing
upon the north half of the south half of section 6 in Sioux Falls town
ship. In 1878, he sold out and removed to Lake county, S. D.
Tate, Samuel Livingston, was born in Leed, County of York
shire, England, January 14, 1839; eraigrated with his parents to the
United States in 1842, and settled first in Massachusetts, but re
moved to Perry, 111., in 1853, and from there to Lee county in the
same state, in 1857. During the civil war he enlisted in the 132d
Illinois Infantry. He Avas graduated from Albion Colleg-e at Albion,
Mich., and in June, 1869, received the degrees of B. A. and B. L.
Soon after he got raarried, and coramenced the practice of law at
Evansville, Wis., but remained there only three months and then re
moved to Grand Haven, Mich., where he remained until 1884. While
residing at Grand Haven he Avas court coraraissioner and injunction
raaster two years, judge of probate tAvelve years, and either alder
raan or raayor nearly all the tirae of his residence there, as well as
being the president of the board of education several years. In the
fall of 1884, carae to Sioux Palls and opened a real estate office. Sep
tember 1, 1886, forraed a copartnership with R. P. Pettigrew in the
real estate business, and for several years the firm did a large busi
ness. Mr. Tate is noAv (1899) about to engage in the same business
again. He is a thoroughly honest, upright man, and has well earned
the high esteem in which he is held by all who knoA\' him.
Taylor, Fred W., was born at Ormo, Wis., February 22, 1856;
Avas educated in the public schools and in the preparatory depart
ment of the NorthAvestern University at Evanston, 111., and gradu
ated from a coraraercial college in Chicago. When seventeen years
of age he went into his father's store as a clerk two years, and was
in the eraployraent of Field, Leiter & Co. in Chicago two years, and
Avith Ware & Co. a little over a vear as bookkeeper and cashier.

history of minnehaha county. 721

Came to Sioux Falls February 28, 1880, and formed a copartnership
Avith Justin Graves, and the firra bought the hardware busines of I.
K. Buck. At the end of one year he bought Mr. Graves' interest and
since 1881 has been engaged in the hardware business by hiraself.
In 1880-1, in connection Avith Charles K. Howard, he built the How
ard-Taylor block; was alderraan from the First Avard two years;
president of the Masonic Temple Association at the time the Masonic
Teraple vvas built; is a thirty-second deg-ree Mason, and has been
Erainent Coraraander of Cyrene Coraraandry No. 2, Knig-ht Terap
lars. Mr. Taylor is a g-ood business raan, and an enterprising, popu
lar citizen. Thompson, Knut, is a native of Norway, and was born March
20, 1848. He carae Avith his parents to the United States in 1852, and
settled on a farm in Dane county, Wisconsin, Avhere he was reared
and receiA'ed his earh' education. He afterwards attended a com
mercial colleg-e in Madison, Wisconsin, and then was employed as
bookkeeper in an agricultural house for five years. He came to
Sioux Palls on the 1st daA' of April, 1875, and bought forty-four feet
fronting on the east side of Phillips avenue, between Ninth and
Tenth streets, and during the summer, erected a building and en
gaged in the machine business. In 1883, he re-built, this tirae a
brick building, known as the Thompson block. He also erected a
fine residence on Tenth street, in Avhich he still resides. In 1891 he
sold out his business, and since then has been employed in the county
auditor's office quite a portion of the time, and is now deputy auditor.
He is an honest, upright business man, is a good official and an es
teemed citizen.
Thompson, Peter P., AA-as born in NorAvay, October 27, 1846;
attended the public schools and Avorked on a farm in his native coun
try until 1865, when he emigrated to the United States and worked
for a few raonths in the copper raines at Superior, Michigan. He
then went to Lansing, Iowa, and raade this place his horae for thir
teen years, four years of Avhich he was in a hotel. In Septeraber,
1878,'^he carae to "Sioux Palls and opened a restaurant which he con
ducted for one year. He then went into the grocery business on
Tenth street, and has continued in this business since then at the
same place. He is a good business raan, and has been successful. Is
a quiet, conservative raan, is well liked as a neighbor, and is an es
teeraed citizen.
Thorgrimson, Rev. Hans B., is a native of Iceland, and was
born August 21, 1853. His father Avas a raerchant, and when the
subject of this sketch was eleven years of age he was sent to Copen
hagen, Denmark, to attend a Latin school. He remained there
three years, and then returned home and becarae clerk m his father s
store for two years, and attended a college in Iceland one year. In
1872, he carae to this country and worked on a farra in Wisconsin
two years; entered college at Decorah, Iowa, where he Avas graduated
in 1879- attended the Lutheran Theological seminary at Madison,
Wiscon'sin, two years, and the Concordia Theological seminary at
St. Louis, Missouri, Avhere he was graduated m 1882. lhe sarae

4fi

722 history of minnehaha county.

year he becarae pastor of the Icelandic Lutheran congregation at
Pembina, North Dakota, and reraained there until he removed to
Sioux Falls, where he arrived on the 15th day of May, 1886, and be
came pastor of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, and al
so had charg-e of the Lutheran cong-regation at Spring-dale and Bran
don for six years, when he resigned. He was largely instrument
al in securing for Sioux Palls the Lutheran Norraal school, and the
city is g-reatiy indebted to hira for his labor in this enterprise.
Since his resignation as pastor he was engaged in traveling in the in
terest of the Normal school and other similar institutions until July,
1898, when he received a call frora the Norwegian Synod to take
charge as missionary of a Lutheran congregation at Milwaukee, Wis
consin, which he accepted, and is now located there. Mr. Thorgrim
son is a raan of raore than ordinary ability, an entertaining speaker,
and noted for his energy and active support of public enterprises.
In July, 1884, he raarried Miss Mathilda Stub, of Locust, Iowa, an
accoraplished and lovable lady, and the removal from South Dakota of
Mr. Thorgrimson and faraily was sincerely regretted by a wide
circle of friends.
Tomlinson, Jr., Joseph, was born March 15, 1863, at Hunting
ton, Connecticut. Until twenty-one years of age his time was chiefly
occupied in securing an education, and in 1884 was graduated from
Yale college. After graduating he becarae a tutor in New York City
for two years, and then traveled with his pupil in this country and
about the world until 1887, when he engaged in manufacturing at
Hartford, Connecticut, for one year. On the 3d day of August, 1888,
he came to Sioux Falls, and on the 10th day of that raonth coraraenced
work on the Argus-Leader as advertising solicitor. On the 9th day
of Noveraber, following, in connection Avith Charles M. Day, he
bought the paper, and the next day the first issue of the A'rgus-
Leader appeared under the new raanageraent. Tomlinson and Day
soon made the Argus-Leader the leading Democratic newspaper in
South Dakota, and it so remained until the Democratic party in 1896
adopted the doctrine of the free coinage of silver, Avhen the Aro-us-
Leader promptly became a Republican newspaper.
Mr. Toralinson is a strong, vigorous writer, and one of the most
aggressive editors in the state. His editorials, especially upon polit
ical raatters, are concise, clear, courageous and able. He has a keen
scent for the delinquencies of his political opponents, and Avlien he
makes a discovery of this character it is a red letter day for the
Argus-Leader. As a citizen he is upright and enterprising, and in
local raatters is particularly active in urging upon the municipal ad
ministration rigid economy and business-like methods. Endowed
vvith such positive qualities of character, with a newspaper of wide
circulation at his command, it is not hazardous to predict that Mr.
Tonilinson is destined to exert in the future a strong influence upon
the institutions of the state of his adoption.
Tufts, Dr. Arthur Henry, Avas born in Wadsboro, Verraont,
January 14, 1856, but, when a mere child, removed Avith his father to
Geneseo, Illinois. He attended common and high schools, and was
also a student at Grinnell College, Grinnell, lo'wa, two years, after

history of minnehaha county. 723

Avhich time he taug-ht school three years. He studied medicine with
C. A. Gray at Brattleboro, Verraont, taking his first course of lect
ures at Baltimore, MarA'land, and AAas graduated frora the New York
CitA' University in 1873. He coraraenced the practice of raedicine in
Sioux Falls the sarae year, in copartnership with the above raen
tioned Dr. Gray. Frora 1884 until the fall of 1887 he practiced alone,
but at the latter date he forraed a partnership Avith Dr. S. A. Brown,
under the firra name of BroAvn & Tufts, Avhich still continues.
Dr. Tufts has been the president, vice president and treasurer
of the Minnehaha Medical Society, and in 1893 was vice president of
the State Medical SocietA'. The firm of Brown & Tufts has a larg-e
practice, and Dr. Tufts contributes his share to its success. The
doctor is an energ-etic, reliable and conscientious practitioner, and is
also an enterprising and highly respected citizen.
Tuthill, John W., was born in the village of Greene, Chenango
county, NeAV York, July 6, 1846. When fi\'e years of age he removed
with his parents to Carbondale, Pennsylvania. In 1862 he went to
Chicago, and was employed in the bank of Coolbaugh & Brooks as
messeng-er for three years. In October, 1865, entered the eraploy of
C. Lamb & Son, luraber dealers at Clinton, Iowa, and reraained with
them until Julv, 1869, when he concluded to go into business on his
own account, and went to State Center, Iowa, and established a
lumber yard. In March, 1882, he carae to Sioux Falls, and bought
out Edwin Sharpe & Corapany's lumber business, and the firm of
Tuthill & King was established. On the 3d day of February, 1884,
Mr. King died, and S. G. Tuthill, a brother of John, was taken into
the business under the firra narae of Tuthill Brothers. On the 18th
dav of August, 1885, the John W. Tuthill Luraber Company was in
corporated, and since then its business has been constantly increas
ing. The company is doing a large business in Sioux Falls, and also
ha's yards at Windom, Worthington, Beaver Creek and Hills, Minne
sota, and at Hartford, Montrose, Humbolt, Salera, Spencer and
Farraer, in this state. Mr. Tuthill, although eraphatically a busi
ness raan giving close attention to his large business, is an enter
prising citizen, ahvays ready to aid in any project calculated to ad
vance the prosperity of the coniraunity in which he lives.
Tuthill, S. G., was born in Chenango county. New York, Octo
ber 14, 1848. He reraoved with his parents to Carbondale, Pennsyl
vania, when three years old, and frora there to Clinton, Iowa, 1856.
He received a cora'inon school and acaderaic education. In 1867 he
went to Chicago and worked for a wholesale grocery house until
1883 On the 10th day of March, of that year, he carae to Sioux
Palls, and was in the eraploy of Tuthill & King until the death of
Mr Kino- on the 3d day of February, 1884, when he becarae a raeraber
of the firm of Tuthill Brothers, and continued in the lumber business
with his brother John. On the 18th day of August 1885, the John
W Tuthill Lumber Company was incorporated, and the subject ot
this sketch was elected its secretary and treasurer, Avhich office he
held, and in connection with his brother John was in the active man
agement of the business of the company until April 1899, when he
reraoved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was one of the most active

724 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

and enterprising citizens in Sioux Palls, and was deservedly popular
with all classes of people.
Tyler, Levi S., Avas born at Greenfield, Massachusetts, June
7, 1847, and attended the public schools and graduated from the high
school at that place. Enlisted in the army in 1861, and again in 1862,
but was rejected on account of physical disability. He then cora
raenced work in an express office, and for thirty-five years was en
gag-ed principally in the express business. In 1881 went to Minne
sota, and the spring following took up a quarter section of land in
Hand countv. South Dakota, but during the fall of 1882 returned to
Minnesota and took up his residence at Tracy. Was a raeraber of
the city council at that place, andin 1893 was a member of the Minne
sota legislature from the counties of Lyon, Lincoln and Yellow Medi
cine. On the 24th of May, 1894, becarae the agent of the American
Express Co., at Sioux Palls, where he has since resided. Was elected
to the state senate from Minnehaha county in 1899, and is at the
present tirae bookkeeper at the penitentiary at Sioux Falls. Mr.
Tyler is a raan of good ability, a g-ood public speaker, an upright
official, and a respected citizen.
VanEps, William. A clerk of the writer was sent to inter-
vieAV Williara VanEps in regard to his early history and his connec
tion with Sioux Palls, and it is g-iven beloAv, in his own language:
"I Avas born in Fox Lake, Dodge county, Wis., July 20th, 1842.
In 1858T left that country and went M'est into Minnesota, Avhere I
Avorked on a farra for S12 a raonth during- the summer of 1859. From
there I Avent to Brighton, in southern loAva. I Avalked the entire dis
tance, about 350 railes, and carried with rae everything that I had,
including- the little I had accuraulated by niA' Avork on the farra. I
engag-ed in the g-rocery business in a sraall AvaA', and stayed in
Brighton that winter. In the early spring I went to Richland, Avhere
I raet a friend, W. A. Jordan. He proved to be a A'erA' good friend
indeed, and g-ave me such endorsements as enabled rae to buA' goods
in much larger quantities in the eastern markets. I staid in Rich
land engaged in a general mercantile business for about three years.
Then I sold out and went to Denver, Colorado in the spring of 18b3,
Avhere I eng-aged in A'arious enterprises and speculations. Prom
there I went down into Mexico and then back to Beaver Dara, Wis.,
Avhere ray parents resided. I spent a fcAv weeks visiting thera, and
then went to Milwaukee, Avhere I took a course in the Bryant & Strat
ton commercial college. I then went to Minnesota in search of a
business location, and finally settled in the toAvn of Manderville,
Dodge county, where I continued in business for sorae three years.
I then received letters frora ray former friend, W. A. Jordan, asking
rae to sell out there and engage in business with hira at sorae point
that we might decide upon. We finally settled upon the town of
Eddyville in southern Iowa, and entered into copartnership under
the firra narae of Jordan & VanEps. After running the business for
about a year Ave concluded that we had better seek a place Avhere we
could occupy our tirae and capital to better advantage. I started
out in search of a location in northwestern Iowa, Nebraska, or some
point in Dakota, and finally radiated back to Cherokee, Avhich vvas a

William VanEps.

history OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY 727

place in name if not in population, there being only Iavo or three
houses there then. We ascertained that the Dubuque and Sioux
City road, which is noAV the Illinois Central, was about to be ex
tended westAvard to Sioux City, and vve concluded to locate and en
gage in the mercantile business in Cherokee. Two years later, I
ascertained that the military reservation at Sioux Palls was cibout to
be raised, and I decided to locate there. I carae to Sioux Falls Au
gust 14th, 1870, to look the ground over, and became infatuated with
the country and what I then considered the site for a prospective
city on the plains of Dakota Territory; returned to my horae in
Cherokee and corapleted arrang-ements for locating- in Sioux Palls in
the spring- of 1871. At that time the nearest railroad point was Le
Mars, Iowa, a distance of 75 railes frora Sioux Falls and 100 miles
from Sioux City. I set out to purchase luraber and erect ray build
ing for a residence and for business — corabining the two in one — the
store beloAv and the residence in the upper rooras. I went to Minne
apolis in search of luraber, and purchased ray first bill of luraber for
the erection of my old building-, which now stands on Main avenue,
of AA^. D. AA'ashburne, Avho is now United States senator from Minne
sota. He Avaited upon me in person. After ascertaining- Avhere I
Avas to take the lumber, he seeraed to become very much interested
in rae, so much so that in something like ten days or two weeks, I re
ceived a package of the Pioneer Press, published in St. Paul, setting-
forth the fact that a certain young- raan naraed Wm. VanEps, seeing
the importance of an early location in Avhat Avas then called the wilds
of the g-reat West, had located in the raercantile business at Sioux
Falls, and that in his (Mr. Washburne's) judgment, he hadselected a
location, Avhich in a very few years would grow into a prosperous and
wonderful frontier city, and Avould be paying tribute both to St.
Paul and Minneapolis Avholesale and manufacturing- interests. All
of which has proved that Senator Washburne Avas a true prophet."
Since coming to Sioux Palls Mr. VanEps has been one of the
most actiA'e and energetic business raen that ever resided in South
Dakota, as Avell as one of the raost successful. He has figured ex
tensivelv in real estate transactions, erected a large nuraber of
buildings and has done a large and profitable raercantile business.
At the present writing he is occupying one of the raost attractive
and commodious stores that can be found in the Northwest, and it is
filled with an elegant class of goods. What is better still, the build
ing in which beis doing business was built by himandisoneof thelarg-
estand handsomest business buildings in the state. In politics he has
always been a Deraocrat, and as the county and state have been
strongly Republican he has not held raany official positions. He was
elected one of the trustees when the village of Sioux Palls was in
corporated, was a raeraber of the city school board frora 1889 to 1893
and an influential raeraber of the state constitutional convention of
1889. He has been a delegate to the national Democratic conven
tions, and at the last convention was prominent araong the raerabers
frora the Northwest. He has always been a strong raan in the coun
cils of the Democratic party, and is recognized as one of the Derao
cratic "war horses" of the state. While enterprising, he is con-

728 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

servative, and in all raatters in which he engages is persistent and
independent, working- out his plans in his own way. He has accumu
lated a fortune by his industrA', sagacity and hard work, and has a
g-ood title, legal and equitable, to every dollar of which he is pos
sessed. He is the peer of any business man in the state.
VanEps, Mrs. Inez C, nee Herrick, was married to William
VanEps October 14, 1867, at Manderville, Minnesota, and has re
sided at Sioux Palls since 1871. She was a fine singer, and her cul
tivated voice was one of the attractions on many public occasions in
the little village. She has ahvays been greatly respected by the res
idents of Sioux Falls for her many Avomanly qualities, and her ex
emplary life, and no one is raore gracious in manner and kindlier of
heart than Mrs. VanEps, as many of the poor and needy in the city
know best.
Van Slyke, Charles H., was born April 26, 1836, in Oneida
county. New York; was educated in the public schools, and worked
on a farra until about twenty years old, Avhen he entered his father's
shoe store and remained until August 8, 1862. At that tirae he en
listed in Corapany B, I57th Ncav York Infantry, and served until
July 10, 1865. October 2, 1862, he Avas made Second Lieutenant, and
the following March Avas promoted to Captain, and served on the Di
vision Staff as Provost-marshal. Upon his return from the war he
engag-ed in shoe raanufacturing at Utica, Nevv York, until 1882, when
he returned to Spring-field, Dakota, and engaged in fanning-. In No
veraber, 1887, he reraoved to Sioux Palls, Avhere he has since resided.
For a few years he engaged in painting, but in 1890 was appointed
messenger in the United States courts by Judge Edg-erton, Avhich
position he held until 1896. Since that tirae he has been engaged in
the pension and patent business. The Captain is a highly respected
citizen. Vincent, Charles Herbert, better known as "Charley Vin
cent," Avas born in Jefferson county. New York, Deceraber 14^ 1847.
His father was a dairyman on quite an extensive scale. He removed
to Calumet, Wisconsin, in 1856, and, of course, Charley accompanied
him, and at the age of eleven years commenced business as a news
boy on a train; was brakeman, baggageman and conductor before he
was seventeen years old, and at the age of eighteen Avas conductor on
a passenger train running betAveen Milwaukee and Sun Prairie in
Wisconsin, and reraained in the eraploy of the Chicago, Milwaukee
and St. Paul Railway corapany as conductor for thirteen years. In
March, 1877, he carae to Sioux Falls and entered into a copartnership
with T. P. Leavitt, and engaged in the hardAvare business, under the
firra narae of Leavitt & Vincent, but after a feAv years he bought out
the interest of his partner and carried on the business three years
alone; then he forraed a partnership Avith W. D. Roberts, under the
narae of Vincent & Roberts, which firra existed for two years and a
half, when it Avas dissolved, Mr. Vincent continuing the business,
and is, at this writing, at the old stand, getting his share of the
trade. He is a good business raan, and recognized as "one of the best

¦'fe '

Mrs. William VanEps.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 731

fellows" in the city of Sioux Palls. Public-spirited, Avithout a trace
of a "kicker" in his Avhole raake-up, it is unnecessary to add that he
is Avell liked and popular with his neighbors and the business cora-
munity. He is a Sir Knig-ht, Shriner, Elk, and readv for anvthing
else that inaA' come his Avay.
A'oORHEES, John H., was born in Somerset county. New Jersey,
February 20, 1867. During- his minority he spent most of his tirae
in obtaining an education, attending- the public schools, and Rutg-ers
colleg-e at New Brunswick, N. J., where he was graduated in 1888.
The sarae year in October, he carae to Sioux Palls, and entered the
laAV office of C. O. Bailey. In September, 1889, he was adraitted to
the bar. He remained in the office of Mr. Bailey, and Bailey & Stod
dard, and at the dissolution of that firm October 1, 1891, he entered
into a copartnership with Mr. Bailey under the firm name of Bailey
& Voorhees, and the firm is still practicing law in Sioux Palls. He
is conceded to be one of the best office lawyers in the city of Sioux
Falls, and has earned this reputation by a course of careful study.
AA'ell educated, industrious, and believing- that nothing is worth haA'
ing until earned, he bids fair to become one of the most thoroug-hly
equipped laAVA'ers in the state. He is known as a young- raan of worth
and integritA'
Vreeland, Robert E., was born in Tama county, Iowa, De
cember 27, 1854; was reared on a farm, and attended the coraraon
schools until 1874, when he commenced work for Daniel Glidden in a
store, and removed with him to Sioux Falls, Avhere he arrived Nov. 4.
1878, and remained employed in Mr. Glidden 's shoe store until he
went out of business; he then clerked for Morstad & Christopherson
in their clothing store for five years; in 1891, forraed a copartnership
with Nels Arnston under the firm name of Bob & Nels, and engaged
in the clothing business on Phillips avenue in Sioux Falls, in Avhich
they still continue, and are doing a good business. Mr. Vreeland is
a good business raan, energetic and enterprising, and is well liked as
a neighbor and citizen.
Arnston, Nels. It is a little out of the alphabetical order to
give a biographical sketch of Nels Arnston at this place, but Bob &
Nels are always together, and we will keep thera together here. He
was born June 18, 1864, at Grover Springs, Minn., was reared on a
farra, and received his education in the public schools and at the
State Normal school at Winona, Minn. ; came to Sioux Falls in 1883,
and entered the store of Chris Aslesen as a clerk; went to Potter
county, S. D., and remained a few months, then returned to Sioux
Falls and worked for Morstad & Christopherson until 1891, when he
coramenced business with Robert Vreeland. He is a good business
man, a good social fellow, and a good citizen.
Wade, Frank L., was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., May
13, 1855. 'Attended comraon and high schools until eighteen years
old, and then, for three vears, was eraployed on a railroad. July h),
1876, arrived in Sioux Falls, and comraenced clerking m the store of
his brother-in-laAv, C. M. Bunce, and reraained with him two years:
then clerked for Wm. VanEps, and worked in the Queen Bee Mill

732 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

until 1881, and then clerked in a clothing store a few months. He
built the building- now occupied by Tossini on Phillips avenue be
tween Tenth and Eleventh streets, and there eng-aged in the flour
and feed and farm implement business; and was for a while during
the boom tirae a dealer in real estate. In 1893, was appointed United
States Deputy Marshal for the district of South Dakota, and held
this office until the fall of 1897. He exercises his right of citizen
ship about election tirae, and is known as an active political worker;
is a good neig-hbor, and a respected citizen.
Walts, Cyrus, one of the best known pioneer settlers of Min
nehaha county, was born at Watertown, Nevv York, March 29, 1844.
He attended the city schools and worked on his father's farra until
he was twenty-one years of age. On the 3d day of October, 1869, he
arrived in Dakota, and iramediately comraenced work as clerk in a
store at Yankton. In February, 1870, Colonel Allen, his uncle, then
residing- at Yankton, came to Sioux Palls and opened a store in the
south roora of the barracks, and on the 2d daA' of June, of that year,
Mr. Walts arrived in Sioux Palls and becarae a clerk in this store.
The July following-, Mr. Allen vvas appointed postmaster at Sioux
Palls, and he appointed Mr. Walts his deputy. The postoffice prior
to this time had been in the old sutler's store, Avith Ed Broughton as
postraaster. Upon the appointraent of Colonel Allen the office was
removed to his store, and Mr. Walts took charge of the office, keep
ing the raail in a small case which he had fixed up. At that time
there Avas only one raail a week for Sioux City or Yankton, and none
from the north.
While deputy postraaster, Mr. Walts had quite an experience,
and one Avhich he will always reraeraber. He had sent out several
registered letters containing raoney, but the letters Avhen receiA'ed at
their destination had no raoney in thera, and of this he was informed.
Soon aft;ir, John B. Parry, a postal inspector, arrived in Sioux Palls.
He came for the purpose of having Mr. Walts arrested, for it was be
lieved at Washington that he was the guiltv one, as parties to Avhora
some of the letters had been addressed from Avhich money had been
abstracted had sent the envelopes there, and there AA'as no evidence
that they had been tampered with. The envelopes furnished by the
government for registered letters htid a line drawn around one end
upon which was printed, "open at this end." The parties receiving
the letters had cut off the end as directed, and had sent the balance
of the envelopes to the postoffice departraent at Washington. Mean
while Mr. Walts took the precaution to have John Bippus and Dr. Rob
erts, who sent four registered letters each the same dav Avith monev
enclosed, stand by and not only see the money put in the envelopes,
but the registered letters put in the mail-bag, and the bag delivered to
the mail-carrier. The raoney in these letters did not reach their
destination. Mr. Walts, when he was informed of Mr. Parry's busi
ness, had Dr. Roberts and Mr. Bippus meet hira and relate the facts
m regard to the mailing of their registered letters. This put a new
phase on the subject, and Mr. Parry concluded that he Avould hardly
be justified in having Mr. Walts arrested, although he convinced sev
eral of the good citizens of Sioux Palls that he was guilty, and al-

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 733

most satisfied Dr. Roberts that Mr. Walts actually stole the money
rig-ht before his eves that he supposed he had sent aAvay. A public
meeting Avas called in reference to the raatter, and although Mr.
AValts vvas not without friends Avho believed in his innocence, the
g-reater nuraber of those present believed hira guiltA* Mr. AValts,
hoAvever, remained in the office, and the detectives continued their
Avork, and althoug-h no letters containing- money were registered from
Sioux Palls, still the raail was tampered Avith. The following August,
a detective put some raarked money in the raail and accompanied it
along the stag-e route. The stag-e stopped at Blair for dinner, and
when the detective paid his bill some of the raoney he had raarked
and mailed was paid to hira in making change. This solved the rays-
terA'. The son of the proprietor of the hotel where the stag-e alwaA's
stopped for dinner had charge of the mail at that place and he AA'as
the person who had been robbing the mail and successfully avoiding
detection for nearly a year. He had neatly cut open the end of the
letters upon Avhich the directions Avere printed, abstracted the con
tents, and then vvith a little mucilage closed it ag-ain. When the let
ters arrived at their destination the persons receiving- thera would
find thera apparently all right, and then would according to direction
tear or cut off this end and destroy all evidence of the raanner in
Avhich the letters had been robbed. He Avas proraptly arrested, tried
and convicted and sent to the penitentiary. Mr. Walts was exceed
ingly happy over the outcome, and his friends in Sioux Falls were
emphatic in saying: "I told you so!"
On the first day of December, 1871, Mr. Walts upon the resigna
tion of John Bippus as county superintendent of schools was ap
pointed by the county board to fill the vacancy, and held this office
tAVO years. In 1873 he Avas appointed clerk of the district court for
Minnehaha county, and held this office until the appointraent of W.
D. Stites by Judge Carland, which appointraent took effect April 19,
1888. He raade a good official, and it Avas Avell knoAvn to the bar and
all persons doing official business Avith hira that he Avas perfectly
honest and reliable. He has frequently -been eraployed as surveyor-
since residing in this county, and he has the honor of having done the
surveying for the first village plat filed for record in Minnehaha
county. In November, 1896, he was elected county surveyor on the
fusion ticket and in April, 1898, he was elected city justice of the city
of Sioux Falls. He has no enemies, and is highly esteemed as a
neighbor and citizen.
Waples, Robert Coulter, was born at Cape Henlopen, Dela
Avare, January 15, 1817. When about twenty years of age he went
to Dubuque, la., and in connection with his 'two brothers built the
Waples House, now the Julian. He then engaged in the real esttite
business at different places in Iowa, and lived m Washington Terri
tory two years He came to Sioux Palls on the 26th day of August,
1878 but went immediately to Flandreau, where he engaged m the
lumber trade until sixteen months later, when he was burned out.
He then located at Sioux Palls, and ^-^sided there until his death
which occurred on the 7th day of January, 1890^ In 1885, he built
the Waples Block, He Avas generally known m Sioux i alls as Cora-

734 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

modore Waples, and the history of his title is an amusing illustra
tion of how easily a title may be acquired that will stick to a man as
long as he lives. He Avent to LeMars, Iowa, to go into business, and
as he stepped off the train a raan accosted hira as Coraraodore Van
derbilt, and frora that day he Avas always known as Coraraodore
Waples. Mrs. Waples is still living in Sioux Falls, and she re
marked to the writer: "I have never been on the cars since I got off
the Omaha on the 26th day of August, 1878." Mr. Waples Avas a
raan of fine appearance and courtly manners, and every inch a real
commodore. He Avas liked by everybody, and Mrs. Waples is greatly
beloved by a host of friends.
Watson, Jesse B., was born in Nelson, Madison county, N. Y.,
September 8, 1840. In 1850, he reraoved with his parents to Chicka
saw county, loAva, and his father entered the first land in that county
during- that year. When thirteen years of age the subject of this
sketch started for his old home in New York, working his Avay as
best he could. He reraained there until the spring of 1857, at which
tirae he went to Galesburg, 111., worked on a farm one year, and then
was emploA'ed one A'ear by the Rev. Jonathan Knox, president of
Knox colleg-e. In the fall of 1865, he went to Fremont, Neb., and
from there to Sioux CitA', Avhere he was employed to carry the raail
between that point and Port Randall. During the spring and sum
mer of 1861 he rode a raule, with two inail-bag's as companions, back
and forth a distance of one hundred and forty miles. In the fall of
18()1, was employed by Surveyor Moses K. Armstrong- in surveA'ing-.
In February, 18()2, enlisted in Corapany A, Dakota Cavalry, and the
folloAving summer Avas stationed at Sioux Falls until the Indian mas
sacre in Minnesota, Avhen the company was ordered to Yankton. He
served three years and three raonths in the cavalry, and during- this
tirae the corapany was engaged in protecting the small settlements
on the upper Missouri, and went with the Sully expedition across the
Yellowstone. After being mustered out, he Avent to Chickasaw
county, Iowa, and remained a year, and then went to Sioux City
where he Avas employed in the quartermaster's department until fall.
He soon after took up a homestead at the raouth of Jim river, Avhich
he afterwards exchanged with Governor Todd for city lots in Yank
ton. In 1870, purchased sorae Avoodland near Verraillion, erected a
saw mill and manufactured luraber until the fall of 1878, when he
purchased a fourth interest in the Webber & Shaw flouring mill at
Sioux Falls, and raoved there. This raill went out bodily during the
high water in 1881. He Avas next eraployed in the Queen Bee mill
until it stopped doing business. He was inspector of"Avheat, and run
the warehouse Avhen it was under the Seney management, and as
sisted in shipping out 80,000 bushels of wheat to Minneapolis when it
ceased operation. He then engaged in buying wheat one vear with
A. G. Seney, one year with J. H. Stockton, and the following year
with the Parmley Brothers at the Seney warehouse. In 1891, took
.-barge of the oatmeal mill, and remained its manager until the winter
of 1896. In 1897, Avent to Kansas and took some stock in a mining
enterprise in connection with E. B. jind J. B. Meredith, but sold out
his stock, and coramenced mining on his own account. He still re-

c

L

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 735

sides Avith his familv in Sioux Falls. He was villag-e trustee in 1879
and 1881, and after the incorporation of the citv of Sioux Falls in
1883, Avas elected alderman from the Fourth ward, and again in 1889.
He has also served one terra on the city school board. Mr. Watson
has ahvays been recog-nized as one of Sioux Palls most enterprising-
citizens, and is highh' esteemed by all who know him.
Welliver, Winfield S., was born in GreeuAvood, Colurabia
county, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1847; Avent vvith his parents to Illinois
in 1856; was reared on a farra, and attended the public schools until
seventeen years old, vvhen he coraraenced clerking in a store, in
which employment he reraained twelve years, the last six A'ears at
LeMars, Iowa. In 1879 he was elected clerk of the courts of Ply
mouth county, Iowa, and held the office by re-elections until 1889.
During this time he had charge of the probate business of the county.
On the 20th day of March, 1889, he arrived in Sioux Palls, and has
since resided there engaged in the real estate business. He Avas one
of the charter members of Giblem Lodg-e of A. P. and A. M. of Le
Mars, and was at one time its Worshipful Master. Mr. WelliA'er is
a reliable business raan, and is a highly esteemed citizen.
Wells, Rollin J., is a native of Illinois, and was born June 24,
1848. He completed his education at the Michigan University, stud
ied law and was admitted to the bar in 1878. The sarae year he carae
to Sioux Palls, where he has since resided. At the age of fifteen
years he enlisted in the railitary service, but his father objected to
his reraaining in the service at that age and secured his return home.
During the entire time of his residence in Sioux Falls he has been
engaged in the practice of law, and was admitted to practice before
the supreme court of the United States in 1888. In addition to his
professional work he has been connected with several business enter
prises in Sioux Falls, particularly in the building of the motor line
to East Sioux Falls. He is a good lawyer, a good neighbor, an enter
prising business man, public-spirited, and an independent, upright
citizen. Werner, John W., Avas born in Germany on the 28th day of
January, 1858, and attended school until he was fifteen years of age,
Avhen he emigrated to the United States Avith an uncle, and located
at Corning, New York. He was at this age put in charge of a retail
clothing store, and remained there until 1880, when he went to Rock
ford, Illinois, and engaged in the same business until he removed to
Sioux Falls, arriving there the first day of April, 1883. He has since
then been engaged in the clothing business at Sioux Palls, and there
are but few merchants who have been engaged in business in the city
for so long a time. Business, and strictly business, occupies his
tirae, although he keeps posted upon the current events of the day.
He Avas neve^r a candidate for office, and does not appear to be matri
monially inclined, although his social qualities are well developed.
He is a'g-ood citizen, and Avell liked by all who know him.

736 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

AVeston, Oliver P., Avas born at Corinth, Saratoga county, Nevv
Yorlc, July 22, 1839. He received a coramon school education, and at
the age of eighteen commenced a two years' apprenticeship as car
penter and joiner at his native place. In 1860 he went to Portage,
Wisconsin, and Avorked for a railroad corapany. In the spring of
1862 enlisted in Co. C, 23d Wisconsin Vol., and served three years;
then engag-ed in mercantile business at New Lisbon, Wisconsin. At
Christraas, 1807, he Avas raarried to Miss Martha E. Sraith of Cole-
rain, Massachusetts. He remained at Nevv Lisbon until 1869, and
then Avent to Port Dodge, Iowa, and engaged in the luraber and liv
ery business until 1870, when he sold out and raoved to Vermillion,
South Dakota, where he reraained until the spring of 1872, when he
carae to Sioux Falls with T. C. Harthorn, and assisted in the erection
of the Webber & Harthorn flouring mill. He then engaged in the
building- and contracting- business until 1874, Avhen he entered into a
copartnership with Andrew Peterson in the furniture and carpenter
business, which continued until 1880, when he sold his interest to his
partner, and since then has taken things leisureh', enjoying his ac
cumulations. He vvas one of the trustees of the village of Sioux
Falls in 1880; was county coroner several }'ears, and a meraber of the
school board thirteen years. Mr. Weston is an influential and
highly respected citizen, and he and his estimable wife have a host
of friends, and are highly esteemed by all Avho know thera.
AVheeler, George E., was bom in Brooklyn, New York, Jan
uary 22, 1860; when quite young- he raoved to Melrose, Massachusetts,
Avhere he was educated in the public schools, and g-raduated frora the
high school. He carae to South Dakota in 1879, and in 1880 became
secretary and treasurer of the Cascade Milling Co., Avhich positions
he has held since then. He was a raeraber frora Minnehaha county
of the South Dakota legislature in 1895, and was one of the raost in
fluential raerabers of that body. He introduced Avhat AA'as known as
the "Wheeler Bill," and the sarae, in substance, Avhich Avas passed
by the next legislature in reference to the control of railroads. It
Avas finally defeated, but its introduction and discussion educated
the people up. to such a point that a raajority of all parties voted for
it in 1897. Mr. Wheeler is one of the most' popular men in the city,
and deservedly so, for while he is an enterprising citizen he never
meddles with the affairs of others. He is a good neighbor, social
and companionable, and as a business raan is in "the front rank.
Wheelock, Arthur B., was born at Royalton, Winsor countv,
Vermont; received a comraon school and acaderaic education. In the
fall of 1853 he went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he lived until the war
broke out. On the 19th day of April, 1861, he enlisted and served
thrt'e raonths in an infantry reginient and then served four years in
the 7th Wisconsin battery. During the Avar he was proraoted, and
became captain of the battery. After the war he engaged as fore
man in the construction of railroads two years, and then took up a
homestead at Hudson, Lincoln county, this state, where he engaged
in farming twenty years. Prom 1870 to 1872 he Avas a representa
tive in the territorial legislature, and was a county coraraissioner in

O. p. Weston and Wipe.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 739

Lincoln county tvvo A'ears. In 1888 he raoved to the citv of Sioux
Palls, where he has since resided. He was chief of police tAvo years,
and from MaA', 1892, until May, 1898, was city justice. He is a man
of good sense, Avell inforraed, is a respected citizen, and has a host
of friends. Whipple, Homer J., is a native of Charlestown, N. H.,and Avas
born November 30, 1844. He spent his early life on a farra, attended
the coraraon schools and completed his educatioii at the Newbury
Seminary and Colleg-iate Institute at Newbury, Vt., where he grad
uated in 1869. The sarae year he went to Marshall county, Iowa,
where he engag-ed in teaching. During- the winter of 1870-1 he
taught a high school in Alden, la. In April, 1871, he carae to Da
kota Territory and took up a pre-emption in Lincoln county and a
homestead on the northeast quarter of section 35, in Sioux Falls
toAvnship, and afterwards a tree claim on the northeast quarter of
section 24, in Clear Lake township in this county. He taught the
first public school in Sioux Falls after the erection of a school build
ing- in the winter of 1873-4, and during- the sarae years was Probate
Judg-e and County Treasurer of Minnehaha county. He held the
office of County Superintendent of Schools for six successive years,
coraraencing Avith 1887. In addition to his official Avork he has car
ried on farraing and occasionally taug-ht school. Mr. Whipple has
ahvavs been a careful, conservative official, and is highly respected
as a neighbor and citizen.
White, Edward P., is a native of Springfield, Verraont, and was
born Noveraber 26, 1847. He Avas educated in the coraraon schools
and at the Leland & Gray seminary at Townshend, Vermont, and
also at the Springfield business college at Springfield, Massachu
setts. He worked in the Estey Organ Works at Brattleboro, Ver
mont, for twelve years. In May, 1884, reraoved to Sioux Palls, and
Avorked as stenographer. In 1886, was eraployed by the New Eng
land Loan & Trust Co., of Des Moines, Iowa, and in 1887, was ap
pointed official Court Reporter of the 4th Judicial District of the
Territory of Dakota, and occupied that position until the establish
ment of the state courts of South Dakota, when he AAas again ap
pointed to the same office of the Circuit Court of the 2d Judicial Cir
cuit, and of the County Court of Minnehaha county. He held these ap
pointraents until January, 1894, when he reraoved to Chicag-o. He
Avas an honest and corapetent official. During his residence in Sioux
Falls he gave instruction in shorthand and typeAvriting, and also
worked up a shorthand systera of his OAvn, which is now in use, and
considered to be very siraple, and at the sarae tirae coraplete.
Wilkes, William A., was born in Fremont, Ohio, in 1845. He
Avas educated in Marion, Ohio, and at the age of eighteen years re
moved to Dodge county, Wisconsin. He studied law, and Avas ad
mitted to the bar in 1871; then practiced laAv at Rochester, Minne
sota, and at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and was elected prosecuting
attorney of El Paso county two years. In 1878 he removed to Sioux
Palls, where he has since resided. In connection with his profes
sional work he engaged in the real estate business for some years.

740 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

In 1893, and again in 1897, he was norainated judg-e of the Circuit
Court of the Second Judicial Circuit by the Populist party, but was
defeated by Judge J. W. Jones, the Republican nominee. At the
g-eneral election in 1896 he was elected judge of the County Court of
Minnehaha county, and re-elected in 1898. While at the bar he was
engaged in some of the leading- cases before the state tribunals, has
ahvays taken an active part in public affairs, and is a good citizen.
Wilkes, Rev. Eliza Tupper, Avas bom at Houlton, Maine; was
fitted for college in NeAv England, and graduated from the State
University of Iowa; Avas educated for foreign mission Avork; entered
the Unitarian ministry in 1868, and took charge of the Universalist
church at Neenah, Wis., the same year; in 1869, Avas raarried to Wil
liam A. Wilkes at the last raentioned place; raoA-ed from there to
Rochester, Minn., Avhere she had charg-e of a Universalist church; in
1872, removed to Colorado Springs, Col., where they resided six
years, and during part of that tirae she preached in the Unitarian
church at that place; carae to Sioux Falls in 1878; was one of the fore
most Avorkers in the establishment of the Sioux Palls Public Library
and the Ladies History Club; started the project of building All
Souls church, and labored zealously until the Avork Avas accomplished;
has been pastor of the UnitA' church at Luverne, Minn., for the last
tAvelve years, except three years, Avhen she was assistant pastor of
the Unitarian church at Oakland, Cal. With such a record of good
v\'orks, comments would be superfluous.
Willey, Warner E., was born in A^'ermont, NoA'eraber 9, 1837.
When eleven years old he reraoved with his parents to New York,
and worked on a farra until 1858. Being then twenty-one years old
he Avent to Minneapolis, Minn., Avhere he eng-aged in lumbering- for
twenty years, except during- the time he Avas in the military service.
He was quite successful in his business, and vvhen he carae to Sioux
Falls in 1878, had considerable city property in Minneapolis. He
built the Commercial House situated Avhere the present hotel Avith
the same narae is located, and was its landlord until the spring of
1883, Avhen he raoA'ed it back and built a neAV hotel on its site. This
hotel vvas destroyed by fire on the 6th day of November, 1883, and at
the sarae time a livery stable full of fine horses belonging- to Mr.
Willey was also consumed. The loss Avas a severe one, but the fol
lowing year he built the present Coraraercial Hotel. After operat
ing this hotel for about a year he sold it, and in connection Avith his
son-in-laAV, Roy Williams, purchased the old Merchants Hotel, and
enlarged, refitted and operated it until 1897. They also built the
AVilley & Williaras block on Main avenue. Mr. Willey was one of
the trustees of the village of Sioux Falls in 1881-2, and alderraan
frora the Second Avard in 1883-6-7-8, and in 1889 Avas elected mayor of
the city of Sioux Palls. In 1898, he was again elected alderman from
the Second ward for the terra of two vears. During the civil war he
enlisted in Corapany A, 1st Minnesota Volunteers, "was wounded at
White Oak swarap, and upon his recovery Avas discharg-ed; he then
re-enlisted in Corapany C, llth Minnesota,'and served until the close
f the war. Captain Willey is one of the best known raen in the

o

Rev. Eliza T. Wilkes.

history of minnehaha county. 743

county, and has a host of friends. He makes a g-ood official, is inde
pendent and enterprising, and is a respected citizen.
Williams, Ora, was born on a farm in Dallas county, Iowa, on
the 16th day of January, 1862. He was educated in the public schools
and graduated from the high school at Adel, Iowa, Avhere he after
wards vvas eraployed as assistant principal. In 1881, purchased an
interest in the Dallas county Democrat, and became its editor. In
1885 sold his interest in this paper, and took the position of citv edi
tor of the Des Moines Reg-ister, published at Des Moines, Iowa. In
1895 becarae cit}- editor of the Sioux City Journal, and subsequenth'
Avas its managing- editor. In 1897 went to Oraaha and was eraployed
as editorial Avriter on the Oraaha Bee. In August, 1898, carae to
Sioux Falls, and since then has been the editor of the Sioux Palls
Daih' and Weekly Press. Mr. Williams is a professional newspaper
man, and an able, independent editorial Avriter, and his coming- to
South Dakota has materially streng-thened the editorial fraternity in
the state. Williams, Roy, was born at Hazel Green, Grant county, Wis
consin, Julv 12, 1856. His early life was spent on a farm and in the
comraon schools. He also attended the State Norraal school at
Platteville, Wisconsin, for three years. In 1881 Avent to Sioux City
and for eight months Avas traveling agent for a book concern located
at that place; then became traveling- salesman for the Grinnell
Barbed AVire company, of Grinnell, Iowa, -until October 1884, Avhen
he removed to Sioux Falls and took the position of clerk in the Com
raercial hotel. In the latter part of 1885, entered into a copartner
ship with W. E. Willey in the hotel business, under the firra name of
Willey & Williams, and the property now known as the Merchants
hotel, Was purchased, enlarged and fitted up and opened to the public
in 1886 by this firra. Until 1897 the Merchants Avas conducted by
thera, and secured its share of public patronage. Mr. Williaras had
the supervision of the hotel, and was very popular with the traveling-
public as well as with his townsmen. In 1888 was elected a meraber
of the Board of Education of the city of Sioux Palls, and in April
1889, was appointed by Governor Mellette a director of the State
Board of Charities and Corrections, and Avas president of the board
two years. In 1892 and 1893 was city auditor. In April, 1893, was
elected raayor of Sioux Palls by a handsome majority, and this was
to quite an extent owing to his personal popularity, as he had two
strong candidates to defeat. About the tirae of his election local po
litical complications arose which made it difficult for him to inaugu
rate or prosecute successfully any measure for the governraent of the
city. In May, 1898, was appointed assessor of the city of Sioux Palls,
and is the assessor of the city at the present writing and is now en
gaged in the farm implement business. He is a social good fellow,
has a large circle of friends, and is highly esteemed as a citizen.
Winsor, Curtis H., was born at Elkhorn, Wisconsin, June 14,
1847; attended Racine college for one year and then coranienced the
study of law; in March, 1867, was adraitted to the bar by the Circuit
Court of Walworth county, Wisconsin; in August, 1871, carae to Da-

744 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

kota, and engaged in the practice of law at Canton until April, 1876,
when he removed to Sioux Palls; remained there until June, 1875,
then went to Kenosha county, Wisconsin, and returned to Sioux
Palls in Januarv, 1878. During his residence in Sioux Palls he had
as partners in his law practice, in 1873-4 John Bippus, in 1879-81,
Prank H. Winsor, his brother, Avho afterwards removed to Mitchell,
South Dakota, in 1882-6 L. S. Sweezy, and on the 1st day of January,
1877, the firm of Winsor & Kittredge was established, and continued
until October, 1895, when Mr. Winsor removed to the city of New
York, and became associated with the firra of Chandler, Maxwell &
Phillips of that city. He was the first to litigate a case in the dis
trict court in the counties of Lincoln, Minnehaha and Moody, and had
been in the practice of law in the Territory of Dakota and State of
South Dakota raore years than any other practicing lawyer Avhen he
reraoved to New York. Mr. Winsor has a wide circle of acquaint
ances in the Northwest, all of whora are his friends. He is a good
lawyer and a good advocate, and Avhile a member of the Dakota bar,
was employed in important litigation. He Avas popular vvith the pro
fession, an elegant story-teller, a genial good fellow, and his removal
frora Sioux Palls Avas sincerely regretted.
WiSA, Frank, is a native of Gerraany, and vvas born July 18,
1849; attended the public schools until thirteen years of age, when he
Avas apprenticed to a harnessmaker. In 1873, emigrated to the
United States; lived a few months in Michigan, and a short tirae in
Chicago, then Avorked on a farm one year; went to Iowa and worked
at his trade two years, and then remoA-ed to Verraillion, Dakota. On
the 15th day of November, 1877, carae to Sioux Falls, and Avas in part
nership with Warner Raabe in the harness business until 1879, since
which tirae he has been conducting- the business alone. He is a good
business raan, and a good citizen.
WiTTE, C. Fred H., Avas born in Augusta, Eau Claire countv,
Wisconsin, July 18, 1861. He was raised on a farra. In May, 1879,
carae to this county and engaged in farming until 1882, when' he vvas
employed by Heynsohn Brothers in Sioux Falls. He reraained in their
eraploy until January, 1898, at which tirae he purchased the Minne
haha Springs property, and is now engaged in carrying on the busi
ness. He is an industrious, upright citizen and a good business man.
Woodruff, James, Avas born at Geneseo, Illinois, Deceraber 22,
1864; attended the public schools until thirteen years old, Avhen he
entered a printing office and remained there seven years. On the
5th day of April, 1885, he arrived in Sioux Falls and commenced
work in the printing office of CaldAvell & Bliss; worked at the case
one year, and then was foreman of the office five years. In 1891, he
accepted the position of foreman of the Argus-Leader office, which
position he still retains. In 1898, he was elected on the fusion ticket
a member of the house of representatives of the state legislature
from Minnehaha county and was an influential member of that body
m its 1899 session, serving on the judiciary and public health coin-
raittees. He is a raeraber of the I. O. O. P., the A. O. U. W., the
Elks, and of the Typographical Union; is a social good fellow, and a
respected citizen.

Ora Williams.

i

.¦^
^

fl

Roy Williams.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 749

Woods, Richard Jackson, Avas born in Belfast, Ireland, on the
17th day of January, 1863, while his parents were on a visit to that
place; their home being in Louisiana, where the subject of this sl<:etch
spent his boyhood daAs. He took an acaderaic course in Philadel
phia, after Avhich he started West and carae to Sioux Palls in 1878,
where he Avorked on a farra, and drove a team for aAvhile for Thomas
Quig-ley. In 1883, he vvas appointed a guard at the penitentiary and
held that position until June 2, 1887. A Aveek after, on the 9th daA'
of June, he married. He then engaged in the real estate business,
in Avhich he continued until 1890, Avhen he was appointed special
agent of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company of Mil
waukee, and iramediateh' commenced soliciting- life insurance, and
has continued in this business to the present tirae. He has been
wonderfully successful, and is known far and Avide as one of the best
solicitors in the United States. Prom June, 1892, to June, 1893, he
Avrote $712,000 of insurance, and four tiraes during- that year, as his
raonthly reports Avent into the home office, he Avas notified that he
ranked No. 1, and stood at the head of over 2,500 active agents solic
iting insurance for this great institution. He is general district
agent of twenty-two counties throug-h the central portion of the state. '
In 1889, and again in 1890, he Avas president of the State Firemen's
Association. In 1889 he Avas appointed by Governor Mellette Chief
of Engineers and Ordinance, with rank of Colonel. In August, 18*>4,
he Avas elected president of the Republican state league, and during
the state campaign that imraediately followed, Avas an acti\-e and
efficient participant. In local politics he has for years been a promi
nent factor. The citv, county and state conventions that haA'e been
held without his presence as a delegate have been feAv. He was a
delegate to the Republican national league convention at Cleveland,
Ohio, in June, 1885, was elected one of the vice presidents of the
league, and Avas appointed on the comraittee on resolutions. In 189f)
he was nominated by the state republican convention presidential
elector, and his name stood at the head of the ticket.
Woodworth, Dr. Rollin E., is a native of Leon, New York,
and was born March 30, 1865. His father, who vvas a Methodist min
ister, died Avhen the subject of this sketch Avas three years old. He
attended the coramon schools and the Charaberlain institute at Ran
dolph, New York, until he was sixteen years of age, Avhen he re
moved to Sioux Palls. He attended the high school at this place for
one year when he graduated; then studied medicine for one year in
the office of Dr. A. H. Tufts; then went to Ncav York and took a
three years medical course in the University of the City of New
York, graduating in 1889, and soon after returned to South Dakota.
He coramenced the practice of medicine in Valley Springs, remain
ing there a little over two years, and then went to Bisbee, Arizona,
as physician for the Copper Queen Mining Corapany; reraained there
one year, but owing to its being an undesirable place for his faraily
in which to reside, he abandoned a remunerative practice and re
turned to New York, where he took up a course in the postgraduate
school at the university, and was in the hospital for six months.
During this time he raade a special study of diseases of the eye, ear

750 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

and nose. After completing- this course he removed to Sioux Palls,
Avhere he is at the present tirae and has a good practice as an oculist
and aurist. He has been president of the Minnehaha County Med
ical Society.Wynn, AA^ilbur S., is a native of New York, and was born
April 23, 1848; reraoved to Illinois Avith his parents when eleven
years of ag-e, and on the first day of April, 1862 — being only eleven
A'ears, eleven raonths and seven days old — he enlisted as a soldier in
Corapany I, 35th Illinois Infantry, and served the full terra of his en
listment of three years. He Avas large for his age, and succeeded in
enlisting by representing that he Avas as old as his appearance indi
cated. He did not go out as a musician but as a soldier, and it has
been claimed that no one enlisted in the Northern armies as young as
Wilbur S. Wynn. The 35th Illinois was a fighting regiment, and it
was the colonel of this regiment — Wm. P. Chandler — who first
planted the colors on Missionary Ridge. Mr. Wynn was in this
famous battle. xVt the battle of Stone River he was severeh' wounded
and taken prisoner. After the Avar he attended school and studied
law at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and AA'as admitted to the bar at St.
Joseph, Missouri, in 1870. He soon after Avent to Hamburg, Iowa,
where he opened a laAV office and practiced his profession until he re
raoved to Sioux Falls in May, 1881, where he at once secured a good
law business. During his residence in Sioux Palls he entered into
two copartnerships for the practice of law, one with S. E. Young and
the other with G. P. Nock, in both of which firras he was the senior
partner. He was a Deraocrat in politics, and during Governor
Church's administration Avas president of the board of the Deaf Mute
school. He Avas nominated by the Deraocratic party for judge of the
second judicial district at the tirae Judge Aikens Avas elected; Avas
nominated by the Democrats and Populists in 1890 for state's attor
ney of Minnehaha county —and the writer had a pleasant campaign
Aviith hira for the office. He reraoved to Perry, Oklahoma, in 1893,
and subsequently to California. He was a hard working, energetic
lawyer and an active, enterprising- citizen.
Young, Sutton E., was born at Hirara, Ohio, Septeraber 23,
1847, was raised on a farra and educated at Hirara college, where he
graduated in 1871. Por five years Avas the superintendent of the
public schools at Canton, Ohio, studied law during the sarae time
and Avas admitted to the bar in 1876. In 1877, Avas elected prosecut
ing attorney of Harding county for the term of two vears, and in
1879, was elected a member of the Ohio legislature. In 1881, removed
to Sioux Palls, where he was employed as superintendent of the vil
lage and city schools for three years. In 1884, formed a copartner
ship with W. S. Wynn for the practice of law, and the firm continued
until 1886, vvhen he entered into copartnership with H. H. Keith
under the firm name of Keith & Young. In 1887, resuraed his
former relations with W. S. Wynn, which continued until he left for
Hirara, Ohio, m the fall of 1891; was a meraber of the first legisla
ture of South Dakota, and was elected Speaker, for which position he
Avas well qualified and gave good satisfaction. During the last few
vears of his residence in Sioux Palls, if there was any politics in his

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 751

Avard — in the city of Sioux Falls — the county of Minnehaha — the ter
ritory of Dakota, or the state of South Dakota, that he did not take a
hand in, the Avriter is ignorant of the time and place when the ac
cident occurred. He was not alvA-ays successful in Avhat he atterapted
to do, but he was always adroit, energ-etic and persistent in carrying
out his plans. He is a man of fine appearance and a g-ood public
speaker. Since Avriting- the foregoing- Mr. Young- has returned to
South Dakota ancl is engag-ed in a mining enterprise in the Black
Hills, vvith headquarters at Rapid City, but he recently removed his
familv to Sioux Palls, where they were heartily welcomed by their
many old friends,
Zentel, John, was born in Zenheim, Gerraany, Septeraber 24,
1845, and vvhile quite young learned the carpenter's trade. He erai
grated to this country, and arrived in NeAv York in August, 1865, and
reraained there at Avork at his trade for three years. On the 1st day
of October, 1878, he arrived in Sioux Falls, Avhere he has since re
sided, and during the g-reater portion of the tirae has been eng-aged
as a contractor and builder. He takes quite an active part in local
politics, and is a man of considerable influence; is enterprising and
well liked.
Zetlitz, Dr. Arne, was born in Stavanger, Norway, June 16,
1864. He graduated frora the high school in that city, and then at
tended school in Germany for two years. He then returned to Nor
way and studied pharmacy tvvo years. In 1886, came to this country,
and located in Lyon county, Minnesota. Frora there went to Toledo,
Ohio, where he attended a medical college, and vvas graduated in
March, 1891. He was then employed in the college as instructor in
nervous diseases, and remained there until he reraoved to Sioux Falls
in January, 1894, Avhere he has since resided, engaged in practicing
medicine,^ He was largely instruraental in the establishraent of the
Sioux Falls Hospital, and through his efforts principally, it has at
tained a creditable reputation. He was county physician two years,
has a good practice, and is esteemed as an enterprising, upright
citizen.

TOW^N OF SOUTH SIOUX FAUIiS.
During the years 1888 and 1889 several industries had been
established at So'uth Sioux Palls. The South Sioux Falls Railroad
and Rapid Transit line of road had been completed to this point, and
everything looked prosperous and proraising for a rapid and wonder
ful growth of the lively little burg which had sprung into existence
so suddenl}'. All the prerequisites having been duly coraplied with for the or
ganization of a town, a petition was presented by the residents and
landoAvners of the southAvest quarter of section 28, the south half of
sections 29 and 30, sections 31, 32, and the northwest quarter of sec
tion 33 in Sioux Palls township, and sections 25 and 36, and the east
half of sections 26 and 35 in Wayne toAvnship, asking- the board of
county coraraissioners to order an election to determine Avhether the
inhabitants of such territory desired to incorporate as the Town of
South Sioux Palls. The prayer of the petitioners Avas g-ranted, and
the board ordered an election held on the 20th day of February, 1890.
The election Avas held at the Woolen Mills, and all the votes cast
(thirty-seven) Avere in favor of incorporation. The territory was
divided into three districts, and on the 21st day of March, 1890, J. M.
Elev, Fred Frost, Sr., and S. D. Perkins were elected trustees,
Fred Spoerl clerk, M. P. Drake assessor, C. S. LaAvrence treasurer,
J. P. Wilbur raarshal and William Ging-erich justice. Juh' 1, S. D.
Perkins was elected president of the board, and a corporate seal was
ordered procured. July 9, the board, upon the petition of the
owners of five-eights of the property, passed a resolution subraitting
to the voters the question of bonding the town in the sura of $70,000
for the purpose of constructing a systera of water Avorks and sewer
age, and to defray the expense of a plant for lighting- the town. The
election was held June 31, and all the votes cast (fifty in number)
AA'ere in the affirraative. Noveraber 3, C. S. LaAvrence having raoved
away, C.E. Pickes was appointed treasurer; and on the sarae day the
board allowed bills which had been incurred to the araount of
Sl, 673.08. R. P. Pettigrew was not only the promoter of the packing house,
but he Avas the prime mover in establishing- several industrial enter
prises at South Sioux Falls. The Avoolen mill enterprise was one of
the first. These raills were in operation in 1889-90. A soap factory
Avas built about the same time, and an axle g-rease factory a little
later. A starch factory was built in 1892. A large hotel was
erected in 1889, and opened for business in the fall of that year.
The foundation for a Presbyterian church building was laid, but the

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

753

project went no further. The packing house plant, the raost im
portant of the enterprises, is within the town of South Sioux Falls,
and is the only one in operation at the present time. But the other
plants only require to be set in motion to raake South Sioux Palls
one of the most active and important raanufacturing- points in this
part of the state.
Buffalo Park.— In 1888 R. P. Pettigrew and S. L. Tate pur
chased seventeen buffalos, and brought them to South Sioux Palls.
They enclosed sixty acres with a hig-h board fence, and turned the
buffalos loose within the enclosure to obtain their subsistence.
They then purchased quite a number of iraported Galloway cows,
and let thera in with the bisons. Young- buffalos and buffalo-g-allo-
Avays was the result, and they were reared together. Deer (black-
tails and white-tails), and moose were also procured and put in the
park. A boy living near the Missouri river upon hearing- of the
park, supposed the proprietors would be pleased to add to their A'ar-
iety of animals, and shipped to them twenty prairie dogs. Eight of
thera got away, but twelve were left in the park, and they at once
coraraenced to take up homesteads and file pre-emptions, and in a
few years, if a census had been taken, the number of prairie dogs
Avould have run up into the thousands. In 1894 the buffalo-galloway
herd Avas disposed of, but the prairie dogs remained until the high
Avater in the spring of 1898 overflowed their habitations and drowned
thera.

The Last Buffalo.
This illustration is of the last buffalo in Minnehaha county. He
was born in Buffalo park, and having special advantages for growth,
was a splendid specimen, weighing 2,400 pounds. He never realized
his captivity, and his behavior was unexceptional in the park. In
IS

754 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

August, 1894, he was sold and put into a box-car and shipped to
Buffalo, New York. When he found hiraself confined in the car he
was greatly enraged, and before arriving- at his destination the car
needed repairs. He Avas purchased for the park at Buffalo, but Avhen
he arrived there the park commissioners were at a loss how to trans
fer him to his nevv horae, and they wired Senator Pettigrew for in
forraation. They finally raade a chute for his passage and opened
the door of the car, but he did not approve of the arrangeraent, and
being prodded in order to drive hira out, he knocked out one end of
the car and raade his exit.
LIST OP OFFICERS 1891-1899.
1891. May 4, the annual election took place, and the following
officers were elected: J. M. Eley, Samuel Siraons, T. J. Haynes,
trustees; Fred Spoerl clerk, C. E. Pickes treasurer, Wra. Ginger-
rich assessor, C. H. Ransom justice, M. P. Drake marshal.
The receipts frora taxes during the year araounted to $618.23.
The expenditures during the year amounted to $2,132.91.
September 12, T. J. Haynes having moved away, Thoraas Hobart
Avas appointed trustee to fill the vacancy.
1892. April 12, the salary of the trustees was fixed at $25. May
2, at the annual election, the following- officers were elected: trus
tees, Sarauel Siraons chairraan, Fred Frost, Sr., Wra. Wolley; clerk,
J. M. Eley; assessor, Wra. Gingerich; treasurer, Percy Frost; justice,
Fred Spoerl; marshal, John Nichols. July 12, J. M. Eley resigned as
clerk and Wm. Gingerich was appointed to fill vacancy. At the end
of the fiscal year the amount of taxes received was $2,911.11, and ex
penditures $2,266.66.
1893. May 1, the following- officers were elected: trustees, Fred
Frost, Sr., Samuel Simons, W. J. Wolley; clerk and assessor, Wm.
Gingerich; treasurer, Fred Frost; justice, C. D. Pickes; raarshal, M.
P. Drake. October 2, Wra. Gingerich resigned as clerk and Fred
Frost was appointed to fill vacancy. Noveraber 13, the tax levy for
1890 having been declared void by the courts, the board of trustees
authorized the county to charge back the araount of taxes collected
and paid over to the town, and retain the araount frora future taxes
collected by the treasurer.
1894. May 7, the following officers were elected: trustees, M.
Butterfield chairraan, C. E. Place, E. M. Grirasell; clerk, E. C.
Goecke; assessor, H. W. Connolly; treasurer, C. E. Pickes; justice,
Fred Frost, Jr. ; marshal, P. M. Harraison, November 5, E, M, Grim-
sell resigned and A. J. McLain Avas appointed to fill vacancy, i
1895. The annual election took place at the appointed 'tirafe, with
two tickets m the field. One ticket was nominated by a caucufe, and
there were sorae persons dissatisfied with the norainations. ' They
kept quiet and at the last raoraent a ticket was made up by petition
and properly filed. The caucus ticket was not filed in time, but it
was voted and had a raajority, and the persons naraed on the ticket
were declared elected, and became the de facto town officials. The
matter got into the courts, and the following October the court de
cided that the persons named upon the other ticket were legally

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA. COUNTY. 755

elected. The de facto officers stepped down and out and the de jure
officers assumed their respective duties. The last naraed officers
Avere as follows: M. Butterfield, H. W. Connolly and C. E. Place
trustees; E. C. Goecke clerk; Perry Frost assessor; C. E. Pickes
treasurer; A. D. Austin justice; Fred Frost, Jr., raarshal. Mr.
Goecke moved away during the fall and Jaraes E. Connolly was ap
pointed to fill the vacancy.
1896. The town officials for this year were in part as follows:
trustees, Fred Frost, Sr., J. E. Nixon^ M. P. Holt; clerk, James E.
Connolly. January 19, 1897, J. P. Nixon having- moved away, H. W.
Connolly was appointed trustee to fill vacancy. February 2, 1897,
Harry Pratt was appointed trustee in place of M. P. Holt for the
same reason.
1897. C. J. Conway, Thoraas Hobart and H. K. Pratt were
elected trustees; J. E. Connolly clerk; Fred Frost, Jr., treasurer; H.
AV. Connolly assessor. In October J. E. Connolly resigned and H.
AV. Connolly was appointed clerk.
1898. May 2, the following officers were elected: trustees, M.
Butterfield chairman, Hugh Mullen, H. K. Pratt; clerk, Wm. Gin
gerich; treasurer, Fred Frost, Jr.; assessor, H. W. Connolly; justice,
Albert Norem. May 19, Mr. Frost declined to serve as treasurer
and C. E. Pickes was appointed. In October Mr. Norera moved
away, and Wm. Gingerich was appointed justice.
1899. At the annual election the following officers were elected:
trustees, M. Butterfield, Ole Johnson, H. K. Pratt; clerk, Wra. Gin
gerich; treasurer, C.E. Pickes; justice, J. Harraison; raarshal, Wm. P
Ryan; assessor, H. W. Connolly; overseer of highways, Hugh Mullen.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Butterfield, Merrick, Avas born in Andover, Vermont, De
ceraber 18, 1819; was raised on a farra, and attended the public
schools. When twenty-one years of age he settled down to farraing
on the old homestead until 1854. At that time he removed to Mc
Henry county, Illinois, and engaged in farraing until June, 1887,
when he carae to Sioux Falls. He resided in this city until 1893,
when he removed to South Sioux Palls, where he has since resided.
Mr. Butterfield held town offices in Verraont, and while a resi
dent of Illinois AA'as supervisor, school trustee, and also mayor of the
city of Marengo several years. He has been a member of the board
of trustees of the town of South Sioux Palls four years, and its
chairman three years. When sixteen years old he united with the
Baptist church, and has been a deacon of that church forty years.
He is a pleasant, genial man, a good neighbor, and an upright, con
scientious citizen.
Pickes, Charles Edward, was born at Lincoln, Logan county,
Illinois, Deceraber 9, 1866. Attended the public schools until thir
teen years old, when he went to Chicago and was eraployed in a
grocery store until 1881. He then went to Marengo, Illinois, where
his parents resided, and reraained there as clerk in a grocery store
four years, and for two years attended the Marengo high school from

756 history of minnehaha county.

which he graduated. He then entered a dry goods and clothing store,
Avhere he remained until September, 1891, when he removed to this
state and located at South Sioux Falls. He bought the interest of
Mr. Perkins of the firm of Spoerl & Perkins, engaged in general
merchandising at that place, and the firnf of Spoerl & Pickes contin
ued the business until Mr. Pickes on the first day of August, 1893,
bought out the interest of his partner, and since then has largely
increased the business. He has been remarkably successful, and
Avhen his location is taken into account and the fact is known that he
does an annual business of upwards of $20,000, his energy, honesty
and business qualifications are established. He has been one of the
town officials of South Sioux Falls during the whole tirae of his resi
dence there, and is well liked as a neighbor and citizen.
Gingerich, William, was born at Kur-Hessen, Gerraany, April
14, 1842, and at the age of nine years emigrated to America with his
parents. Resided in Maryland one year and then reraoved to Putnam
county, Illinois, where he received a coramon school education. Jan
uary 1, 1864, he enlisted in Co. B, 64th Illinois Infantry, served dur
ing the reraainder of the civil war, and Avas discharged'julv 20, 1865.
He then engaged in farraing in Livingston county, Illinois, for sev
eral years, and was a breeder of fine stock. For four vears was a
dealer in coal and fuel at Chatsworth, Illinois. In 18'89 carae to
South Sioux Palls, and resided there until he reraoved to Ehvood,
Iowa, but in 1896 he returned to South Sioux Palls, where he has
since resided, engaged in the fuel and grain business. Mr. Ginger
ich has held sorae official position during all the tirae he has resided
at South Sioux Palls, and is an enterprising, upright citizen.

A\^AYNE TOAVNSHIP.
(101-50)
The boundary lines of Wayne township were surveyed by W. J.
Neeley in July, 1859, and the subdivision of the township was made
by Carl C. P. Meyer in Septeraber, 1864. According to the govern
ment surA'ey the township contains 23,037 and 99-100 acres of land.
The water supply is good. The Big Sioux river touches sections 13
and 24, and Skunk creek enters on section 6, and running in a south
easterly course leaves the township on section 25. There are also
several small streams which empty into Skunk creek.
The township was settled at an early date. Sylvester Delaney
and wife carae to the county in 1866, and it is said they were the first
settlers in Wayne. Several of the present residents took up land in
1870. V. R. L. Barnes, Prank Raymond and William BaileA' were
all located there prior to June of that year. Solomon Pruner and D.
W. Oaks settled there in 1871, and in 1872 quite a number of nevv
settlers located in the township.
The first school was taught by Miss Elsie Barnes iri a dugout lo
cated on the southwest corner of the northeast quarter of section
14. During the spring of 1873, Mr. Oaks and Mr. Barnes went down
to Lodi (about fifteen railes north of Verraillion) and procured a small
building 12x12 feet in size, took it down and drew it onto the north
half of the southwest quarter of section 14, and set it up for a school-
house. Miss Jennie Barnes taught school in this building during
the spring and early summer of that year. After the term of school
closed, sometime in August following, the schoolhouse was raissing.
Upon going to the place Avhere it had been located one side of it Avas
found lying flat on the ground, the rest of the building- had entirely
disappeared, except a piece of 2x4 Avhich was found quite a distance
away stuck in the ground. Upon digg-ing it out it Avas found to have
entered the ground to the depth of tAvo feet. It was undoubtedly
the work of a "little twister," and the raost reraarkable feature of
the occurrence was the fact that it happened in the night tirae, and
not a drop of rain fell. Very soon after, a schoolhouse 16x24 feet
was built, and D. W. Oaks says he thinks it Avas the first frarae
schoolhouse built in the county. Mr. Barnes carae frora Wayne,
Pennsylvania, and as he vA'as one of the first settlers in the township
wanted it called Wayne, it was so naraed, althoug-h several other
naraes had been proposed.
Skunk Creek valley is noted for its fertility of soil, and as the
horae of sorae of the most prosperous farraers in the county. The
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneaipolis «fe Omaha railroad runs through the
township and has a station called Ellis located on its line near the
center of the township. There is a post office, store, and three grain
elevators at Ellis, but the residents of Wayne do the principal part
of their business at Sioux Palls.

758 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

WAYNE TOWNSHIP BOARD.
The board of supervisors of Wayne township met the first time
after its organization as a civil township January 10, 1881. Seymour
Hill and M. W. Pruner supervisors, and E. J. Tracey clerk, were
present, E. Wiser, who had been elected supervisor, was absent.
The bond of D. W. Oaks was approved, but the records do not dis
close to what office he had been elected. July 23, the board directed
that an order be drawn in the sum of $100, with ten per cent interest
to Seymour Hill, he ag-reeing to advance $95 to be expended in build
ing bridges. At this meeting the township was divided into two
road districts.
1882. Seymour Hill, M. W. Pruner and E. Wiser were re
elected supervisors, O. Brandenburg clerk. A tax levy was made as
follows: Town fund 2, bridges 5 and road 6 mills. Henry Smith
raade a report as treasurer early in the year 1883, and had undoubt
edly been elected treasurer in 1882, but there is no record of his
election. 1883. S. Hill, Charles Fleetwood and Carey Wiser were elected
supervisors, S. Hill chairman, O. Brandenburg clerk. A tax levy of
9 mills was levied for all purposes.
1884. The toAvnship officers for 1884 were as follows: Super
visors, Charles Fleetwood chairman, Carey Wiser and Seymour Hill;
clerk, O. Brandenburg; treasurer, E. J. Tracey; assessor, V. R. L.
Barnes. The bond of the treasurer was fixed at $500, and that of
the clerk, assessor and constable at $200 each. On the 15th day of
March, A. M. Bowen qualified as one of the supervisors, in the place
of Charles Fleetwood.
1885. At the annual March election the following officers were
elected: Supervisors, S. Hill, A. M. Bowen and E. Wiser; clerk, O.
Brandenburg; treasurer, E. J. Tracy.
1886. Supervisors, A. M. Bowen, E. Wiser and John Alguire;
clerk, O. Brandenburg.
1887. At the annual election in March A. M. Bowen, John Al
guire and W. H. Bryan were elected supervisors, C. H. Fleetwood
treasurer, O. Brandenburg clerk. On the 30th day of April the res
ignation of C. H. Fleetwood as treasurer was accepted, and E. Wiser
was appointed to fill the vacancy. At the same meeting C. S. Aikens
was appointed assessor, and Wm. Vincent and Charles Babcock con
stables. The justices were M. W. Pruner and W. S. Jones.
1888. At the annual March election the following officers were
elected: Supervisors, A. M. Bowen chairraan, H. W. Sraith, John
Alguire; clerk, O. Brandenburg.
1889. Supervisors, A. M. Bowen, John Alguire, Wra. Bailey;
clerk, O. Brandenburg.
1890. Supervisors, John Alguire, Frank Barnes, Henry Prantz;
clerk, O. Brandenburg; treasurer, G. B.Mbulton. There was $146.63
m the treasury at the close of the fiscal year.
1891. Supervisors, John Alguire, Prank Barnes, HenrvPrantz;
clerk, O. Brandenburg; assessor, S. D. Alguire; treasurer, G.^B. Moul
ton. On the 3d day of October a tax of 1 J^ raills was levied to defray

HTsTORY of' MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 7.^9

the expense of a resurvey of the township. At the same tirae bridges
across the Sioux river. Willow creek and Skunk creek were con
demned. On January 5, 1892, the bills of C. Barrett for $25 and
Michael Harris $90 for damag-es sustained owing to defective bridges
were allowed. At the close of the year the treasurer reported
$788.75 in the treasurA'.
1 892. Supervisors, John Alguire, Prank Barnes, Henry Prantz;
clerk, O. Brandenburg-; treasurer, G. B. Moulton. At the end of the
year the treasurer reported $810.66 on hand.
1893. SuperA'isors, John Alg-uire chairman, Frank Barnes,
Henry Prantz; clerk, O. Brandenburg-; treasurer, G. B. Moulton;
assessor, D. Alguire.
1894. Supervisors, John Alg-uire chairman. Prank Barnes,
Henry Prantz; clerk, O. Brandenburg; treasurer, W. P. Alguire;
assessor, S. D. Alguire.
189.5. Supervisors, John Alguire chairman, Prank Barnes,
P. S. Hall; clerk, O. Brandenburg; treasurer, E. Wiser; assessor, E. J.
Tracy. 1896. Same officers as in 1895.
1897. Supervisors, J. C. Dunn chairman, Frank Barnes, J. W.
Vincent; clerk, O. Brandenbug; treasurer, E. Wiser; assessor, E. J.
Tracy. 1898- Supervisors, J. E. Dunn chairman. Prank Barnes, J. W.
Vincent; clerk, O. Brandenburg; treasurer, E. Wiser ;assessor, E. T.
Alguire. 1899. Supervisors, P. C. Preble chairraan, J. W. Vincent,
Henry Prantz; clerk, O. Brandenburg; treasurer, E. Wiser; assessor,
E. T. Alguire; justice, Rob. Alguire; constable, Henry Watson.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Alguire, John, one of the prosperous and substantial farraers
of this county, was bom in Canada, May 21, 1842. In 1853, he carae
with his parents to the United States and lived in New York ten
years. He then removed to Wisconsin, Avhere he resided until 1873,
Avhen he came to Dakota and located a horaestead in Brandon town
ship, this county. In 1880, he sold out and Avent to Oregon, but re
turned within a year, and since then has been a permanent resident
of this county. He is the owner of a large real estate, the greater
portion of which is in Wayne township. His home farm comprises
nearly a thousand acres, and is well improved. In short, Mr.
Alguire is one of the most successful farmers in this locality, and is
a highly respected citizen.
Alguire, Solomon D., has been a AA'ell knoAvn resident of this
county for nearly thirty years. He is a native of Cromwell, Canada,
and was born in 1854. When only six years old, he carae to New
York, lived there four years, reraoved to Wisconsin in 1864, and
carae to Dakota in 1872. He then secured as a horaestead, the
northeast quarter of section 3, in the town of W^ayne, Avhere he still
resides and has a good farra. Was assessor in 1892, and is a good
citizen.

760 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Bailey, William, was born in Ireland in June, 1846. His an
cestors were of Scotch-Irish decent, and members of the Presbyter
ian church. When twenty-one years of age he emigrated to the
United States, and carae to Iowa in May, 1867. During the next
three years he traveled extensively over the country, staving but a
short time in any place. In May, 1870, he came to this county, and
took up 160 acres of land in sections 10 and 15, in Wayne township,
where he has since resided, and has added 160 acres raore to his farm.
He is one of the best and most industrious farraers in the county,
and, aside frora visiting the World's Fair for two weeks, was never
away from home to exceed a day or two at a tirae, and has undoubt
edly spent raore days in Wayne township than any other person.
He is a good neighbor, and a good citizen.
Barber, John B., has been a resident of Minnehaha county
since March, 1872. He took up a homestead and pre-emption in sec
tion 22 in Wayne township, where he still resides and has a well ira-
proA'ed farra, Avith substantial buildings. He was born January 15,
1848, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and lived there and in Michigan be
fore coraing to this county.
Barnes, Van Rensselaer Lafayette, Avas born in Oneida
county, N. Y., in February, 1820, and died May 11, 1887. He was
reared on a farra, received an acaderaic education, and taught school
several years in New York and Pennsylvania. In 1864, enlisted in
the 24th Pennsylvania Infantry, and served through the war. From
1865, until 1869, was farraing in Pennsylvania and New York; carae
to Dakota in 1869, and stopped at Sioux Point until the spring of
1870, when he reraoved to AVayne township in this county and took
up the southwest quarter of section 11, and the east half of the south
east quarter of section 10. He resided in section 11 until one year
before his death, when he removed to Sioux Falls. He held school,
township and county offices, and the first year he resided in Dakota
was elected meraber of the legislature. He is a good neighbor, and
a highly respected citizen.
Barnes, Prank Wayne, son of V. R. L. Barnes, was born
July 28, 1859, in Erie county, Pennsylvania, and came to Dakota with
his parents in 1869, and has resided on section 11 in Wayne township
since the spring of 1870. He has added to the old horaestead, and
now owns a farra of 320 acres. He has no arabition to engage in pol
itics, but is a good neighbor, an enterprising, thrifty farraer, and a
respected citizen.
Brandenburg, Oscar was born in Muscatine countv, Iowa, in
1850. After having lived in Wisconsin for sorae tirae he carae to Da
kota and settled in this county in the spring of 1876. He took up a
pre-eraption and tree claim, and owns at the present tirae the south
east quarter of section 31, the north half of northwest quarter of sec
tion 19, and the south half of the south half of section 18, in the town
of Wayne, residing on the last mentioned place. In 1898, he was
nominated count}' auditor by the Republican party, but the Fusion
candidates were elected. He has held the office of town clerk since
1882, and is a respected citizen.

history of minnehaha county. 761

Bryan, William H., is a native of Cattaraugus county. New
York, and was born May 16, 1836. He lived for some time in Wis
consin and Iowa, and came to Sioux Palls in September, 1872.
He pre-empted the northeast quarter of section 33 in Highland
but disposed of it, and for a long time AA'as in the employ of his
brother-in-law, C. K. HoAvard, in Sioux Falls. About fifteen years
ag-o he bought a farm in section four in Wayne, and a few years ago
he moved on to it, and has greatly improved it, besides erecting large
and commodious buildings. He also purchased more real estate, and
now owns five hundred and twenty acres of land in Wayne township.
He has a fine herd of registered Jerseys, a good stock of cattle, hogs
and horses, and is one of the prorainent and well-to-do farmers
of the county. He always takes an active part in toAvn and county
affairs, and, while conservative, is not wanting in public spirit. He
has been supervisor of the town board, and assessor, and makes a
good official.
Prantz, Henry, is a native of Pennsylvania and Avas born July
18, 1844. He was reared on a farm and educated in the coraraon
schools. Before coming to Wayne in this county in the spring- of
1873, he had lived in Ohio and Iowa. Duringthe civil war he enlisted
in Company H, 15th Iowa infantry, and when his term of enlistment
had expired re-enlisted and served in all, three years and eight
months. Upon coming to Dakota he pre-empted the northeast quar
ter of section 31 in AVayne, and afterwards bought the northwest
quarter of the same section. He greatly improved his farra but sold
out in October, 1894. He is a highly respected citizen.
Hall, Francis S., was born in Ohio, May 10, 1858; lived there
and in Iowa until 1886, when he came to this county and located on
his present farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres in
sections 6 and 7 in Wayne, and in section 12 in Benton. He resides
in Wayne, is engaged in farming and has quite a good farra, and is a
good citizen.
Jones, Wilson S., is a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, and
was born September 9, 1828, worked on a farm and attended the pub
lic schools until eighteen years of age, Avhen he comraenced learning
the trade of carpenter and joiner. After becoming of age he was in
poor health for several years, but says he got well, in spite of the
doctors, by stopping taking medicine. In 1857 he removed to Sparta,
Wisconsin, where he engaged in the livery and undertaking business
for several years, and was a raeraber of the city council two years.
He afterwards moved to Menominee, in Dunn county, where he kept
a hotel and was sheriff one term. Prom there he went to New Lis
bon, Wisconsin, and kept the Georgia House two years. After trav
eling about for awhile endeavoring to find a place that would suit him,
he came to Sioux Palls in June, 1870. On his forty-second birthday
he slept for the first time at his present home in a building he had
erected. Prom the first he claimed that good corn could be raised in
this part of South Dakota, and in this he was not disappointed. He
has lived here to see the country settled with a prosperous people at
the same time he has prospered himself, and adjoining his farm

762 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

there is now a raararaoth packing house erected. Mr. Jones is best
known as "Corn Jones" and takes no exception to the prefix; he is a
bom fighter, energ-etic and enterprising, takes a hand in public af
fairs and never was on the fence a rainute in his whole life. Such a
man always has his friends and eneraies, but W. S. Jones is a kind
neig-hbor and a g-ood citizen.
McMuRREN, Henry, arrived in Minnehaha county in 1876. He
lived in Sioux Palls the first three years, and located on his present
homestead in 1879, which comprises 240 acres of section 6 in Wayne,
and 80 acres of section 31, in Benton. He lives on his homestead in
AVayne, and has quite a good farm. Has held several school district
offices. He Avas born January 1, 1844, in Ireland, and eraigrated to
this country in 1876.
Moulton, Guerdon B., was born in Pewaukee, Waukesha
county, Wisconsin, Septeraber 1, 1843. He was reared on a farra,
and received his education in the coraraon schools. In 1862 he en
listed in Corapany I, 1st Wisconsin cavalry, and served until the
close of the Avar. He then returned to Wisconsin and engaged in
farming in Waukesha, Crawford and Trempealeau counties until
April, 1873, when he carae to Dakota. He took up a homestead and
tree claim in Lincoln county, and pre-empted a quarter section of
land in Wayne township in this county. His present farm contains
320 acres, and he resides on the northwest quarter of the northeast
quarter of section 22 in Wayne. He is a good farmer and a good
citizen, but the raost prorainent trait in his character is his great
love for the Deraocratic party. It raight not do to say that he is the
only simon-pure Democrat in the county, but it is true that he be
lieves a poor Deraocrat is better than a good Republican.
Oaks, Daniel W., Avas bom in Chautauqua county, Nevv York,
May 18, 1833. Was reared on a farra and educated in the coraraon
schools. He resided in Illinois and Minnesota for sorae time but
finally came to this county in 1871. He secured as a homestead the
west half of the northwest quarter and the north half of the south
west quarter of section 14 in Wayne, Avhere he has since resided,
and took up the northwest quarter of section 22 in the same town
ship as a tree claira. He built a log house on his horaestead in Sep
teraber 1871, Avhich Avas eleven feet square. The roof Avas covered
with Cottonwood shingles, and when Mr. Oaks had paid for his
shingles he had only 50 cents left. The first winter several persons
lived m this house. Mr. Oaks said in an intervieAv: "I don't know
hoAv I should have wintered if it had not been for the kindness of C.
K. Howard." He has been quite active in public raatters. He was
chairman of the first Republican county comraittee of Minnehaha
county, and called the first Republican county convention to order.
In the winter of 1872-3 he was one of the petit jurors of the first ses
sion of the United States district court at Yankton, and vvas one of
the grand jurors at the first session of the United States court in
SlOUX Palls in April, 1890, after the adraission of the State of South
Dakota. He was the first assessor in Wavne and held this office
three years and has been school treasurer eighteen years. Mr.

W. S. Jones.

Residence of W. S. Jones.

G. B. Moulton.

D. W Oaks,

fe.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 769

Oaks adds his testiraony to the fact that Dakota blizzards are de
generating- in force, and that they are of less frequent occurrence.
He said: "When I carae here, there Avas nothing to obstruct the
wind, and the few first winters I spent in this county had at least
two or three storms each Avinter that could be called blizzards. We
Avere looking for them all the tirae." Mr. Oaks is one of the most in
dependent, deterrained men in the county, and is esteemed as a kind-
hearted, upright citizen.
Pruner, Solomon, carae to this county in May, 1871, after
having- preA'iously liA-ed in Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois and lovA'a. He
pre-empted 120 acres of section 8, and 40 acres of section 17, in
Wayne, vvhich he changed to a horaestead, and resided there twenty
years. He then sold out and removed to the Pacific coast. He held
several town offices while a resident of Wayne, and was a good citi
zen. He is a native of Ohio, and Avas born May 9, 1818.
Raymond, Frank, was born in Pawlet, Rutland county, Ver
mont, January 30, 1815. He was reared on a farm and educated in
the district schools. He came to Dakota October 20, 1868, and to
this county February 25, 1870. He pre-empted the four center
forties in section 23 in Wayne on the 28th day of February, 1870.
Before coming- here he had traveled through nearly all of the north
ern states and Central Araerica, and quite a portion of thetiraedrove
an ox-teara. He said: "When I came to Sioux Palls there was a
stone building near the rear of where the Emerson block now stands,
and a log house a little southwest of this, and a building near Avhere
the Burlington depot now stands, occupied by a man manufacturing
pipestone ornaments. In the winter of 1870, I moved into the stone
building and kept a hotel. I had one guest at Christraas, but did
not have another for tAvo raonths." Mr. Raymond has been a raan of
g-reat activity, and has retained his vigor and energy so that at the
age of eighty-four he is as sprightly and active as ever. He has not
held office, but has exercised his right of citizenship whenever oc
casion offered.
Smith, Henry W., was born in Gerraany, January 3, 1844, and
carae to Maryland in 1857. In 1858 he went to Illinois, and resided
there until 1872, when he removed to Dakota. He arrived in this
county on the 27th day of March of that year, and took up a home
stead in sections 25 and 26 in Wayne, where he built a frame house,
hauling the luraber frora Elk Point. He afterwards sold this horae
stead for a good price at the time the Sioux Falls Stock Yards were
located in that vicinity, and purchased the northwest quarter of sec
tion 20 in Wayne, which he now occupies. Mr. Sraith was elected as
a Republican representative to the 16th territorial legislature con
vened at Bismarck in 1885. He has been an active member of the
Farmers' Alliance since its organization in Dakota, and has been fre
quently elected president and secretary of the county alliance, and
has also been chairman of the executive comraittee of the state alli
ance organization. In 1881 he was norainated for representative to
Congress by the Independent party of South Dakota, and polled a
large vote, receiving only 2,700 less votes than Jolley, the Republican
candidate. He was elected auditor of Minnehaha county by the
fusionists at the general election in 1896, and was re-elected in 1898.
49

770 history of minnehaha county.

Mr. Sraith is a farraer, but finds time to engage actively in politics,
as the foregoing sketch indicates. He is a good citizen, and has
earned a place in the front rank of the Populist party in the state.
Sweet, Jesse W., was born in Herkimer county. New York,
July 6, 1847. He lived in Illinois two years, and in Iowa fifteen
years, and carae to this county July 16, 1870. He engaged in farra
ing-, and has a good farra of 320 acres in sections 3 and 4 in Wayne,
where he also resides. He is an industrious farraer and a good
citizen. Tracy, Erwin J., was born in New York, July 21, 1846. He
renioved from there to Illinois, and then to Wisconsin, and arrived
in Dakota October 3, 1877. He bought 160 acres of land in sections
4 and 9 in Wayne toAvnship, where he resided engaged in farming
until in 1898, Avhen he raoved into the citA' of Sioux Falls. When he
first located on this farra he planted six hundred maple trees, from
Avhich he has raade sorae excellent syrup. He has always been pretty
active in politics, and Avas town clerk, justice of the peace eight
years, town treasurer five years, and president of the Farraers' Alli
ance of this county.
Vincent, John W., was born in Illinois, February 10, 1858. He
lived there and in Iowa until 1886, when he reraoved to this county,
Avhere he arrived on the llth day of March. He bought 160 acres of
land in sections 5 and 6 in Wayne, where he has since resided. He
has held sorae offices, and is a good citizen.
Vincent, William, was born August 21, 1830, in Soraershire,
England. He eraigrated and lived in Cook county, Illinois; then in
Blackhawk county, Iowa; and arrived in Minnehaha county in 1887.
He bought and now owns the east half of the northwest quarter of
section 7, in the town of Wayne, and resides there. He was road
supervisor in 1890. Has a good farm and is an active and well-known
citizen. Vincent, William A., was born in London, England, February
10, 1856. He eraigrated to the United States with his parents, an'd
lived in Ilhnois and Iowa until 1884. During that year the subject
of this sketch reraoved to Dakota, and settled in this county on' the
18th day of March, where he has since remained. By pre-emption
and purchase he is the owner of a farra of 280 acres in section 6 in
Wayne, and resides on the southwest quarter of that section. He
has held several school offices, is a good farraer and a good citizen.
Wiser, Elias and Carey. We had biographical sketches of
both Elias and Carey Wiser, but at the last raoraent, when it was too
late to obtain the information desired to properly roAvrite them dis
covered that they had been lost. They were very early settlers in
Wayne tovvnship, locating there in the early seventies. Their father
took up the southwest quarter of section 9. He died about ten
A'ears ago, and Elias Wiser resides upon and owns the old horae
stead, besides 140 acres in sections 5 and 8, which he has purchased.
Carey Wiser resides upon section 17, and his farm consists of 420
acres, and is located in sections 17, 8, 16, 20 and 21 in Wayne. They
are both prosperous, enterprising farmers, well-known throughout
the county, and are highly respected citizens

^^rAJJIJ I.AKE TOIV^NSHIP.
(101-51)
This township is one of the best for farming purposes in the
county. The township lines were surveyed by William J. Neeley in
August, 1859, and the subdivisions were made by James V. Bunker
in June and July, 1867. It contains, according to the government
survey, 22,835.10 acres of land. It has no streams of sufficient size
to appear upon the maps of the county, but there is a body of water
on section 21 called Wall Lake, which covers 240.42 acres, and the
raap of the first survey of this toAvnship presents the peculiar fact
that there Avere twelve small bodies of water besides Wall Lake, and
Avhen it Avas subdivided, ten of these ponds were located around the
corners of the subdivisions. Wall Lake is quite a resort for fisher
raen and pleasure seekers, and is only twelve railes from the city of
Sioux Palls. It is a fine body of water, let the seasons be what they
raay, wet or dry. At as early a date as August 8, 1874, the Sioux
Palls Pantagraph published the statement that the real estate firm
of Cameron & Pettit of Sioux Palls had laid out a town at Wall Lake.
The township has only one post office called Lake City, located near
the lake. Its nearest railroad station is Hartford, located two railes
and a half from the north township line. The residents are princi
pally of Gerraan descent, and there can be found in no place in the
county a raore industrious, thrifty class of farmers than in Wall
Lake toAvnship. Good substantial farm houses, large commodious
bams, and fine stock can be seen in all parts of the township.

Zion German Lutheran Church.

This church, which is known as the Wall Lake Zion Gemeinde,
was organized in 1881, with a membership of forty-five. In 1883 a
very fine and commodious church building was erected, at a cost of

772 history of minnehaha county.

$3,000, which was paid by members of the church. The church
building and parsonage are located in the northeast corner of section
8. The first pastor of the church was the Rev. E. Hahnemann. The
Rev. Mr. Voelkert was then pastor of the church for about two years,
and was succeeded by the Rev. L. Weinrich, who remained until the
present pastor, the Rev. J. Hansen, took charge of the church. Ser
vices are held every Sunday, and the present raembership is seventy-
five. There is also a Sunday school connected with the church with
an averag-e attendance of thirty.
German Lutheran Church. — This church, which is in the
Gerraan lang-uage called Dreieinigkeits Geraeinde, was organized in
Wall Lake in 1882, Avith about fifteen charter raerabers. A church
building was erected the sarae year on the northeast quarter of the
northwest quarter of section 11, at a cost of about $1,050.00, which
was raised by subscription. The Rev. E. G. Starck was the first
pastor of the church; he was succeeded by the Rev. G. J. Fischer,
who reraained until the present pastor, the Rev. C. P. Thusius, took
charge of the church. The present raerabership is twenty-seven,
and services are held every two weeks. There is also a Sunday
school connected with the church, with an average attendance of
twenty-two scholars. In 1882, there was a parsonage erected near
the church, at a cost of about $400.00.
Free Methodist Church. — A Free Methodist society was or
ganized in Wall Lake township by Mrs. Ulba Thompson of Grand
Meadow in 1895, and services were held by her in one of the school
houses until the Avinter of 1897, when the school authorities refused
the further use of the school house. Mrs. Thompson upon receiving
notice of the action of the school board decided at once that a church
building should be erected for the use of the church society she had
organized. Mr. S. A. Hoyt gave the society one and a half acres of
land on the southwest corner of section 21, and during the suraraer of
1898, a church building was erected 23x24 feet in size, at a cost of
Sl,027. On Sunday the 18th day of September, of that year, it was
dedicated, and the sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev.
J. H. Wilson, a district elder in the Iowa conference.
WALL LAKE TOWNSHIP BOARD.
1881. The first township officers were: Supervisors, T J Col
lins chairman, W. D. Alderson, Charles Lueth; justice, John
Berguin; W. T. Pierce was elected clerk, but he removed from the
township and Jaraes A. Hooker was appointed to fill the vacancy.
During the year the township was divided into four road districts.
1882. Supervisors, T. J. Collins chairraan, W. D. Alderson,
Charles Lueth; clerk, James Tracy; assessor, Peter Chelius; justice,
John Berguin.
1883 Supervisors, T. J. Collins chairraan, W. D. Alderson,
Charles Lueth; clerk, James Tracy; treasurer, Charles Boy; asses
sor, Wm. B. Knott; justices, Wm. Miller, Henry Aulwes
^/r V^^f' ^.'^he following officers were elected at the first annual
March election: Supervisors, T. J. CaldAvell chairman, W. D Alder-

history of minnehaha county. 773

son, Charles Lueth; clerk, A. P. Pelt; treasurer, Charles Boy; jus
tices, H. Aulwes, C. Pelhafer; constables, Jaraes Hooker and AVm.
Miller. 1885. Supervisors, T. J. Collins, chairraan, Charles Lueth, L.
Wehrkamp; clerk, James Tracy; treasurer, Charles Boy; assessor,
C. P. Maehl; justice, A. C. Brown.
1886. Supervisors, T. J. Collins chairman, W. D. Alderson,
L. E. Wehrkamp; clerk, James Tracy; treasurer, Charles Boy; as
sessor, C. P. Maehl; Justice, Wm. Pelhafer; constables, Rudolph
Kuhn, Carl Westphal.
1887. Supervisors, W. D. Alderson chairman, L. E. Wehr
kamp, Wra. Miller; clerk, James Tracy; treasurer, Charles Boy; as
sessor, C. Maehl; justices, J. A. Campbell and A. H. Janke; con
stables, Michael Dargen, Carl Pelhafer.
1888. Supervisors, James Tracy chairman, L. E. Wehrkamp,
Henry Dreyer; clerk, James Hooker; treasurer, Charles Boy; as
sessor, C. Maehl; justice, August Janke; constable, Julius Volkraan.
1889. Supervisors, James Tracy chairman, Henry Dreyer,
Henry Aulwes; clerk, Jaraes Hooker; treasurer, Charles Boy; asses
sor, C. Maehl; justice, T. J. Collins; constable, Henry Pensterraan.
1890. Supervisors, Jaraes Tracy chairraan, Henry Aulwes, L.
E. Wehrkamp; clerk, James Hooker; treasurer, Charles Boy; asses
sor, C. Maehl; justices, for two years, C. Sweeney, for one year,
Joachim Muchow; constable, C. P. Maehl.
1891. Supervisors, James Tracy chairman, L. E. Wehrkamp,
Henry Auhves; clerk, James Hooker; treasurer, Carl Stowsand; as
sessor, Charles Maehl; justice, Wm. Connoley; constables. Otto
Gunther, C. C. Muchow.
1892. Supervisors, Henry Aulwes chairman, L. E. Wehrkamp,
Wra. Muchow; clerk, J. A. Hooker; treasurer, Carl Stowsand; as
sessor, Chas. Maehl; justice. Carter Sweeney; constables, A. G.
Brown, C. C. Muchow.
1893. Supervisors, Henry Aulwes chairraan, L. E. Wehrkarap,
James Dargen; clerk, J. A. Hooker; treasurer, Carl Stowsand; as
sessor, Charles Maehl; justice, Wra. Connoley; constables, Joachim
Muchow, P. K. Tucker.
1894. Supervisors, Henry Aulwes chairraan, L. E. Wehrkarap,
James Dargen; clerk, J. A. Hooker; treasurer, Carl S. Stowsand; as
sessor, J. W. Muchow. »
1895. Supervisors, A. G. Brown chairman, Charles Lueth,
Joe Helberg; clerk. Carter Sweeney; treasurer, Carl Stowsand; as
sessor, J. W. Muchow.
1896. Supervisors, A. G. Brown chairman, Charles Lueth, Joe
Helberg; clerk. Carter SAveeney; treasurer, Carl Stowsand; assessor,
Charles Voelsch.
1897. Supervisors, Charles Lueth chairraan, John Lowell, J.
Helberg; clerk, Otis Sweeney; treasurer, Carl Stowsand; assessor,
Charles Voelsch.
1898. Supervisors, Charles Lueth chairraan, Joe Helberg, Joe
Miller; clerk, J. Sweeney; treasurer, Henry Muchow; assessor,
Charles Voelsch.

774 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

1899. -Supervisors, W. D. Alderson chairman, Wra. MuchoAv,
Rudolph Kuhn; clerk, J. O. Sweeney; treasurer, Henry Muchow; as
sessor, Charles Voelsch; justices, Y. G. Brown, Wra. Jordan; con
stables, W. Dwyer, Joe Muchow, Jr.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Alderson, Walter D., was born at Plymouth, Mass., April 9,
1853. He came West and located in this county in April, 1876, tak
ing up as a homestead the southwest quarter of section 17, and as a
tree claim the northwest quarter of the same section, which he after
wards sold. He is keeping "bachelor's hall" on his homestead, and
has a good farm. He has been supervisor of the town board several
years, also its chairman, and is an honest, upright citizen.
Aulwes, Henry, was born in Iowa October 25, 1847. He re
moved to Dakota in April, 1882, and bought the southeast quarter of
section 9, in Wall Lake, where he still resides. He is also the owner
of 360 acres of land in section 16. He has a good farm and engages in
stock and grain raising. He has been justice of the peace two years,
and a meraber of the town board of supervisors six years, three
years of Avhich he Avas its chairman. In November, 1896, he vvas
elected representative from Minnehaha county to the state legisla
ture upon the fusion ticket. He is a respected citizen.
Boy, Charles, was born April 12, 1839, in Germany. He emi
grated to the United States in 1872, stopped in Illinois "for a short
time, and carae to Dakota in May, 1873, and took up a homestead in
Lincoln county. From there he removed to Minnehaha county and set
tled in Wall Lake, where he bought 640 acres of land in sections 8,
9 and 17, and engaged in farraing. He Avas industrious and enter
prising, and soon had one of the best farras in the county. He Avas
treasurer of Wall Lake twelve years, and was a raeraber of the
House of the state legislature two terms, in 1891 and 1893. He died
May 15, 1893, frora the effects of an accident that happened to him a
few days before while blasting rock on his farm. He Avas an honest,
upright citizen, and his loss was keenly felt throughout the county.
Dargen, Michael, settled in this county March 13, 1878, upon
his present homestead, the northwest quarter of section 32, in Wall
Lake. A few years ago he bought the northeast quarter of section
31, m the same town, and now resides at that place. He is a native
of Colurabus, Ohio, and was born December 23, 1849. He also
lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota before coraing here He has for
several years held the office of treasurer of school district nuraber
110 and has been supervisor and chairraan of the town board, is a
good farraer and a good citizen.
1Q iP4^^^i*' ^f^^^' ^^s been a resident of this county since Mav
18, 1878, and is the owner of a good farm comprising 160 acres of sec
tion 14, and also 80 acres of section 15, in Wall Lake. Has been a
member of the town board for two years. He is a native of Ger
many and was born January 8, 1832; emigrated to the United States
in 1866; settled m Iowa and lived there till he came to this county

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 775

Pelt, Peter A., emigrated to the United States in 1868; lived
in Minnesota for ten years, and came to Dakota in the spring of 1878.
He filed a homestead upon the northwest quarter of section 34, in
Wall Lake, Avhere he resided until his death, which occurred May
1(), 1895. He held the office of school district clerk four years and
director three years. He was born in Sweden, November 11, 1825.
Grave, Fritz, is a native of Germany, and Avas born January 22,
1850. After coming to the United States in 1870 he lived in
Illinois, then Iowa, and came to this county and settled on his pres
ent farm in the fall of 1882. At that time he secured as a homestead
the northwest quarter of section 30, in Wall Lake, where he has
since resided. He recently bought the southwest quarter of section
18, in the same township. He has a good farm and is a good citizen.
Gunther, Frederick, is a native of Gerraany, and was born in
1820. He emigrated to the United States in 1862, and lived for sev
eral A-ears in AVisconsin. In the spring of 1884 he carae to Dakota
and settled in Wall Lake in this county, purchasing the northwest
quarter of section 33. Mr. Gunther is an industrious, honest citizen.
Hooker, James A., has resided in this county since 1879, when
he came from Iowa. He formerly lived in Illinois, and also in NeAv
York, where he was born September 29, 1845. He owns at this writ
ing 40 Oacres of farm-land in sections 20, 28, and 29, in Wall Lake.
He is a prosperous farmer and a well known citizen, and has been
clerk of the town board several years.
Hoyt, Stephen A., was born in Ulster county. New York,
Juh' 27, 1834. He enlisted in the 17th Illinois Infantry, and served
during the war of the rebellion three years and three months. Since
that time his home has been in the state of Illinois. He has been en
gaged in several lines of business, luraber, g-rain, hardware, and for
several years past has been a banker at Forest, Illinois. Edward P.
Beebe, a former banker of Sioux Falls, is cashier of the bank.
Twelve years ago Mr. Hoyt purchased all the land in section 21 in
Wall Lake, except 25 acres, also 280 acres adjoining in sections 20
and 22, and now has a good farm with fine buildings. Since he raade
his investment in this county he has spent the sumraer raonths on
his farm and in the city of Sioux Falls. He is a pleasant man to raeet,
and is highly respected.
Jordan, Charles W., was born at Watertown, Wisconsin, June
17, 1857. He came to Dakota April 7, 1882, and bought the southeast
quarter of section 19, in Wall Lake, where he still resides. He is a
good farmer and respected citizen.
Kalb, Casper W., is a native of Prussia, and was born in 1842.
He came to this country in 1867, lived in Wisconsin for three years;
then in Iowa, and located in this county May 28, 1879. He took up
as a homestead the east half of the northwest quarter and the west
half of the northeast quarter of section 20, in Wall Lake, where he
still resides.

776 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Knott, George A., was born in Surrey, England, in 1838, but
lived in the city of London until 1856. At that time he emigrated to
the United States with his father, and settled in Belvidere, Illinois,
where he lived until 1861. He then removed to Waverly, Iowa, and
lived there until 1873, when he came to this county, and settled in
Sioux Falls. He soon began the erection of the Sioux Palls Brewery
in connection with a raan by the narae of Nelson, but shortly after
its corapletion in 1874, Mr. Nelson sold out his interest to C. K.
Howard. Prom this time until 1886 Mr. Knott was raanager of the
brewery. He then moved out on a farm which he had secured in
Wall Lake township, and remained there engaged in farming until
1889, when he moved back to Sioux Palls and engaged in the livery
business. He served as alderman from the Second ward in 1883-4-9;
was one of the county commissioners in 1891-2, but resigned on the
31st day of December, 1892, to accept the office of sheriff of Minne
haha county, to which he had been elected in November preceding.
He held this office two years, and then returned to his farm, where
he has since resided. Mr. Knott made a good record in all the
official positions which he held. He is a good neighbor, a generous,
enterprising citizen, and one of most popular men in the county.
Kuhn, Rudolph, was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, Decem
ber 9, 1855. He came to Dakota March 6, 1880, and has been a resi
dent of this county since then. He is the owner of 200 acres of land
in sections 20 and 29 in Wall Lake, where he resides and has a good
farm. He has been one of the directors of school district No. 110
for several years, is a good farraer and a respected citizen.
Lowell, John, has lived in the toAvn of Wall Lake since 1884.
He owns about 240 acres of land in sections 35 and 36 in that
town, and has a good farra with substantial buildings. He is a native
of Maine, and was born May 17, 1838. He also resided in Wisconsin
and Illinois before he settled here. He is an industrious farmer, and
a good citizen.
Lueth, Charles, was born in Germany, May 5, 1848, and erai
grated to the United States in 1864. He resided in Iowa until 1878,
when he came to this county and settled in Wall Lake. He took up
the northwest quarter of section 7 as a homestead, and afterwards
purchased the southeast quarter of section 16} and the northwest
quarter of section 8, where he now resides. Mr.' Lueth has been a
successful farraer and will manage to get along without free silver.
He has been one of the school officers in his district for several years,
^ J^^^^.^^ ?i ^i^^ iow^ hoard for five years, and its chairman since
l»y7. He is a good neighbor and a good citizen.

Miller William, was^ born m Ozaukeelcounty, Wisconsin,
Deceraber 28, 1846 He lived there until he reraoved to this countv,
where he arrived June 5, 1881. He secured as a'homestead the east
half of the northwest quarter and the west half of the northeast
quarter of section 22, and has recently bought the east half of the
sarae quarter, m Wall Lake, where he resides and has a good farra.
He has been a meraber ol the town board of supervisors

(jEORge a. Knott.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 779

Muchoav, Henry, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1852.
He emigrated to Iowa and lived there for some time before he came
to Dakota. He settled in this county, December 29, 1875, filing a
horaestead upon the south half of the northwest quarter and the
north half of the southwest quarter of section 2, in the town of Wall
Lake, Avhere he has since resided. He has a Avell improved farra and
is a g-ood farraer. He is at this Avriting treasurer of Wall Lake
township. Muchow, Jochim, is a native of Mecklenberg, Germany, and was
born December 5, 1841. He was reared on a farra and educated in
the public schools. Frora the age of about seventeen years he worked
on the railroad and other public works until 1864, when he emigrated
to the United States. He stopped in New York a short time, and
then liA'ed in Toledo, Ohio, for about seven months; reraoved to Post-
ville, Iowa, and resided there about six years, then went to Algona
countA', loAva, where he lived two years. In 1874 he came to Minne
haha county, and located in Wall Lake on the 15th day of May of that
year. He took up as a tree claim the southeast quarter, as a horae
stead the northeast quarter, and later bought the southwest quarter,
all in section 11. He also at one time owned two other quarter sec
tions, Avhich he disposed of to his sons. He has three sons, John,
Henry, and Charles, who are all industrious and good citizens of the
county. Mr. Muchow resides on his homestead, has a good, sub
stantial farm, and is one of the large and successful farmers in this
locality. When he first located on his present farm he lived with his
faraily in a tent for eleven weeks, and then raoved into a sraall sod
house Avhich he built; two years later he built a frame house 14x16,
in which they lived a good many years until he built his present resi
dence. The German Lutheran cemetery is located in the northwest
corner of his homestead, and the German church, and the school
house in district 29, are also located there.
Muchow, William, is a native of Germany, and was born Sep
teraber 8, 1858. He emigrated with his parents and several brothers
to the United States in 1873, and located in Kossuth county, Iowa,
Avhere they remained three years. At that tirae they removed to
Dakota, and arrived in this county on the 16th day of March, 1876,
taking up as a homestead the southwest quarter of section 5, in Wall
Lake, which now belongs to the subject of this sketch, and where he
resides. He also owns the southeast quarter of section 21, in Hart
ford township. He has been a meraber of the town board of super
visors one year and clerk of the school board several years. He is a
good farraer and an honest, upright citizen.
Nicholson, Olof M., was born in Sweden, October 11, 1848,
and emigrated to the United States in 1865. In February, 1885, he
came to Wall Lake, and when the school lands were offered for sale
he purchased a small farm in section 36. He is a good, reliable citi
zen. Riley, Michael, has been a resident of Minnehaha county since
May, 1878, at which tirae he took up as a homestead, the southeast
quarter of section 25, in the town of Wall Lake, to Avhich he has

780 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

added forty acres in section 36. He was born September 29, 1838,
in Hicklow county, Ireland; emigrated to Iowa and lived there be
fore he removed to his present place. He is a good citizen.
Stowsand, Carl, is a native of Germany, and was born Novem
ber 20, 1852. He eraigrated to the United States in 1872, and resided
in Iowa till 1883, when he removed to this county. He bought and
still owns the southeast quarter of section 4, and the northeast
quarter of section 9, in Wall Lake, where he resides, and has a good
farm. He has been school district clerk and treasurer several years,
and town treasurer seven years. He is an enterprising farraer and
a good citizen.
Sweeney, Carter, was born October 10, 1840, in Washington
county, Kentucky. He lived there for twenty-one years, then in Illi
nois, and carae to Dakota and settled in this county in March, 1889.
He bought the northeast quarter of section 32, in Wall Lake, where
he resides and has a good farm. On the 4th day of November, 1861,
he enlisted in the army and reraained until December 6, 1864, serv
ing the entire tirae under the noted General George H. Thoraas. He
has been justice of the peace and town clerk in Wall Lake, and is a
good citizen.
Tracy, James, is a native of Ireland, andAvas born in the county
of Tipperary, August 31, 1846. He emigrated to this country and
resided in Pennsylvania, Vermont and Wisconsin, and carae to this
county March 13, 1878. He took up as a horaestead the northeast
quarter of section 32, in Wall Lake, but sold it to Carter Sweeney
in 1889. He has held the office of school clerk several years, town
clerk two years, and has been chairraan of the town board four years.
He is a good neighbor and an active, honest, enterprising citizen.
Voelsch, Charles, is a native of Gerraany, and was bom No
vember 26, 1871. He eraigrated with his parents to the United
States in 1881, who settled in Wall Lake township, taking up a home
stead and tree claira in sections 6 and 18. Carl A/^oelsch, his father,
died in 1891, and the subject of this sketch has since purchased 160
acres adjoining the old horaestead and has a good farra. He has
been assessor of Wall Lake township three years, and is a good citi
zen. Wehrkamp, Lewis E., was born in Guttenberg, Clayton county,
Iowa, Noveraber 10, 1849. He carae to this county in the fall of 1876,
and secured the north half of the northwest quarter of section 14,
and the north half of the northeast quarter of section 15 in Wall
Lake, which he proved up as a homestead. He also owns the south
east quarter of section 10 in the sarae township. He resides on his
horaestead and has a good farra with substantial buildings, and Avell
stocked. He has been a meraber of the town board nine years, is an
enterprising farraer, and highly esteeraed as a neio-hbor and citi
zen. '^
. oo^^^?'^^^'^^' '^F- ^" '"^ ^ native of Prussia, and was born in
1832. He emigrated to the United States and lived in Iowa until
1884, when he removed to this county, Avhere he now owns the north
west quarter of section 4, in Wall Lake. He is a good farmer and
has a good farm well stocked with cattle and horses, ¦

•«. ^.aasL-^,'

mt'-

Harvesting tn Minnehaha County.

WEIililNGTON TOW^NSHIP.
(101-52)
The township lines of Wellington were surveyed by Wm. J.
Neeley in August, 1859, and the subdivision of the township was
made by James V. Bunker in June, 1867. According- to the govern
ment survey it contains 23,071.98 acres of land. At quite an early
date in the settleraent of the county the advantages of this splendid
township began to attract the attention of home-seekers, and it was
onh' a short time until quite a number of energetic, thrifty young
men located there to raake for theraselves perraanent homes. At the
present time there are quite a large number of well improved farras,
and the township as a whole has a prosperous appearance. Por sev
eral years there was a post office located on the southeast quarter of
section 2, called Celton, but it was discontinued, and another post
office was established in the southwestern portion of the township,
Avith the same name as the township. The southern half of Welling
ton was first settled principally by Americans, and the northern half
bA' farmers of German descent. Several sraall ponds of water appear
on the first surveyor's map of the township, but it would be a difficult
raatter to find all of thera in a dry season. There is a small streara,
having its source in two of these ponds, which flows from north to
south through the township. It has no railroad, the nearest railroad
stations being at Humboldt and Hartford in this tounty, and at
Parker in Turner county.
German Methodist Episcopal Church. — This church was or
ganized in 1880, with a membership of twenty. In 1890 a church
building was erected on the southeast quarter of the southeast quar
ter of section 33 in Wellington. The following ministers have had
charge of the church: The Reverends William Schmidt, August
Hilraer, William Hilmer and H. G. Loenker, who is its present
pastor. There is also a Sunday school connected with the church
with an average attendance of thirty-six.
Presbyterian Church. — This church was organized in 1890,
with a merabership of seven. The services are held in the school
house located on the southwest quarter of section 29 in Wellington,
once in two weeks, and the Rev. T. B. Boughton has been conducting
the services since its organization. The present membership is seA'-
enteen. There is a foreign missionary society connected with the
church, also a Sunday school with about forty-five scholars.
Roman Catholic Church. — There is a Roman Catholic church
in this township, but we have failed to obtain its history. The
church building erected a few years ago is quite a fine looking struc
ture, and is located near the west line and about the middle of the
township north and south. The Rev. Lawrence Kerley is the pres
ent pastor.

784 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

WELLINGTON TOWNSHIP BOARD.
1881. Aside from what incidentally appears in the town records
during the year 1881 there is nothing to indicate who Avere the first
officers of the township, but it seems certain that L. T. Harper was
chairman and Wm. Fakler a meraber of the board of supervisors,
Thoraas W. Robert clerk, and D. Staples assessor. The assessed
valuation of the township was $17,883. The first warrant drawn was
in the sura of $22, payable to D. Staples for services as assessor.
1882. Supervisors. L. B. Moore chairraan, Henry Borcherding,
Wra. Kasten; assessor, C. B. Martin; treasurer, P. Warner; Thomas
W. Roberte' was elected clerk, but not qualifying, the board on the
7th day of January appointed Arthur Jones to fill the A'acancy.
1883. Supervisors, H. Borcherding, Charles Searl, Wm.
Kasten; clerk, Arthur Jones; justice, Arthur McMillian; assessor,
C. P. Martin.-
1884. At the first March election the following officers were
elected: Supervisors, Charles Searl chairman, Henry Borcherd
ing, Wra. Kasten; clerk, Arthur Jones; treasurer, L. T. Harper; as
sessor. Prank Chapin; justices, Arthur Jones, L. T. Harper; con
stables, Franklin AVarner, Arthur McMillan. It Avas ordered that
the town officers be paid $2 per day for services.
1885. Supervisors, Frank Chapin chairman, Henry Borcherd
ing-, Wra. Kasten; clerk, Arthur Jones; treasurer, Stanley P. Searl;
assessor, D. J. Greene; justice, W. D. Bishop; constables, Samuel
Dawson, Peter Johnson. Thirty-six votes were cast at the annual
election. It was voted that the treasurer receive 4 per cent, of all
money received by him for his services.
1886. Supervisors, L. T. Harper chairman, Henry Borcher
ding, Fred Eisert; clerk, Arthur Jones; treasurer, S. P. Searl; as
sessor, Charles Searl; justices, O. S. Odell, Arthur Jones.
Thirty-eight votes were cast at the annual election.
1887. Supervisors, L. T. Harper chairman, Wra. Kasten, Nick
Pott; clerk, Arthur Jones; treasurer, S. P. Searl; assessor, C. N.
Searl; constables, S. Dawson, C. Beaumont. On the 20 day of June
the board purchased a right of way around the slough on section 25,
from John Tesh.
1888. Supervisors, Nick Pott chairman, R. C. Jones, Henrv
Borcherding; clerk, A. B. Jones; treasurer, S. P. Searl; assessor, C.
N. Searl; justice, A. Jones, Nick Pott. Thirty-three votes were
cast at the annual election.
1889. Supervisors, Wra. Kasten chairman, R. C. Jones, Wm.
Martin; clerk, Arthur Jones; treasurer, Wm. Fakler; assessor, H.
E. Jones; constables, S. Dawson, Charles Beauraout.
1890. Supervisors, R. C. Jones chairman, Wm. Martin, Theo
dore Horaan; clerk, Arthur Jones; treasurer, Wra. Fakler; assessor,
H. E. Jones; justices, R. C. Jones, Arthur Jones; constable, P. H.
Case. 1891. Supervisors, Wm. Martin chairraan, Theo. Horaan, R. C
Jones; clerk, Arthur Jones; treasurer, Wm. Fakler; assessor, H. E.
Jones; constable. Prank Keuter.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNT Y 785

1892. Supervisors, Wm. Kasten chairman, Theo. Homan, R.
C. Jones; clerk, Arthur Jones; treasurer, Wm. Fakler; assessor, H.
E. Jones; justices, Wm. Martin, Arthur Jones; constable, P. H.
Case. 1893. Supervisors, Wm. Kasten chairman, R. C. Jones, Her
bert Jones; clerk, H. E. Jones; treasurer, Wm. Fakler; assessor, A.
Jones; justices, A. Jones, W. D. Bishop; constables, Frank Keuter,
S. Searl. At the annual March meeting it was resolved that "hunt
ing by non-residents be prohibited in the township of Wellington."
1894. Supervisors, Theo. Homan chairman, Wra. Kasten, R. C.
Jones; clerk, Herbert E. Jones; treasurer, Wm. Fakler; assessor, C.
N. Searl; justice, H. E. Jones; constables, Wm. Martin, L. B. Moore.
1895. Supervisors, Theo. Homan chairman, John L. Fritz, H.
D. Borcherding; clerk, Herbert E. Jones; treasurer, Wm. Fakler;
assessor, J. M. Bundy.
1896. Supervisors, John L. Fritz chairman, Charles Staples,
W. H. Butt; clerk, Herbert D. Jones; treasurer, Wm. Fakler; as
sessor, J. M. Bundy.
1897. Supervisors, Charles Staples chairman, H. D. Borcherd
ing, J. B. Even; clerk, H. E. Jones; treasurer, Wm. Fakler; assessor,
J. M. Bundy.
1898. Supervisors, Charles H. Staples chairman, H. D.
Borcherding, J. B. Even; clerk, J. L. Fritz; treasurer, Wm. Fakler;
assessor, J. M. Bundy.
1899. Supervisors, J. B. Even chairman, H. D. Borcherding,
James Rang; clerk, J. L. Fritz; treasurer, Wm. Fakler; assessor,
Ernest Koester; justices, H. L. Schweppe, C. P Hoefert; consta
bles, Henry Engelhart, J. J. Engel.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Barnes, Erastus R., was born in Iowa county, Michigan, June
7, 1844; worked on a farm and attended school until 1861, when he
enlisted in Company I, First Regiraent of United States Sharp
shooters, and served two years; then engaged in the boot and shoe
business a few years; learned the tailor's trade, and came to Sioux
Falls on the 15th day of September, 1887, and engaged in the mer
chant tailor business, until 1896. He is now the owner of the L. T.
Harper farm of 400 acres in Wellington township, and is engaged in
farming. He is an enterprising and respected citizen.
Bundy, John, was born in North Carolina, January 4, 1829. He
reraoved from there to Indiana and then to Minnesota, from whence
he came to Dakota, and located in this county May 20, 1878. He se
cured by pre-eraption the east half of the northeast quarter of sec
tion 22, and the west half of the northwest quarter of section 23, in
Wellington, where he still resides. He enlisted and served in the
13th Indiana, Companies C and.E, from April 19, 1861, till Septem
ber 19, 1865, and was slightly wounded twice. He is a good citizen.
Butt, Wm. Henry, was born in Carbon county, Penn., March
3, 1867. On the 22d day of March, 1880, he came to Wellington in
this county, with his parents, and has since resided there. His

786 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

father took up the northwest quarter of section 5, and the subject of
this sketch still lives on the old homestead, to which he has added by
purchase the southwest quarter of section 32 in Humboldt, and has
a good farra of 320 acres. He has been a raeraber of the town board
one year, and is a good citizen.
Carls, Henry, carae to the United States from Gerraany in
1870, and located in Iowa for three years; then reraoved to Nevada and
lived there about seven years, and came to this county in 1882, where
he has since remained. He located a tree claim on the northwest
quarter of section 12, which he afterwards changed into a homestead,
and purchased the southAvest quarter of the same section, in Well
ington, and noAv has a good farm. He was born Noveraber 20, 1850.
Case, Francis H., was born at Canton Center, Hartford county,
Connecticut, June 29, 1862, and lived there until he removed to Da
kota, except one sumraer which he spent in Minnesota. He carae to
this county in March, 1878, and his raother, Mrs. Polly Case, took up
as a horaestead the west half of the southwest quarter of section 20,
and the west half of the northwest quarter of section 29, in Welling
ton, Avhere he still resides. His sister, now Mrs. Stanley P. Searl,
also took up as a horaestead the east half of section 29, Avhich he
afterAvards bought from her, and now resides there. He has been
constable of Wellington several years, and has held school district
offices. Ch.\pin, Frank H., is a native of New York, and Avas born in
1856. His parents reraoved to Minnesota when he was twelve years
old. He Avas educated in the public schools, and graduated from the
high school at Owatonna, Minnesota. On the 26th day of February,
1878, he came to this county and settled in Wellington township, and
resided there until 1894, when he removed to Escondido, California.
He was a good farmer, and owned three-fourths of a section of land.
He was highly respected as a neighbor and citizen, and a wide circle
of acquaintances regretted his departure to his present home.
iQ-a^^u^^' 9"^^®'^' ^s ^ native of Germany, and was born May 9,
18d3. He emigrated to this country and settled in Wellington in
18/9. He secured the title to the southeast quarter of section 14,
under the homestead law, and now has a good farm.
Even, John B., was born in Iowa, May 13, 1864; was educated in
the P^iblic schools and has always been engaged in farming. In
March, 1893, he settled in Wellington, where he purchased the lorth-
east quarter of section 29. He has been a member of the town board
three years and is its present chairman. In July, 1894, he was ap
pointed postmaster and still retains the office. He is an enternris-

o

pomtea postmaster and still retains the office. He is an enterpris
ing, respected citizen. ^
H. wff"^? •'^''w^''' ""'^""^ \° ^'"^ '^^""t^y f"-"™ Germany in 1869.
Smnv/nf V^^.^i^^o"^!" ^nd remained there twelve yeatrs; then
nZZrJ f-" ^°^"^\^"d took up by pre-emption the northeast
?irr-sbrnlJ;;ch'T6^^^ -^^^^ ''^ riide, with his fara-

history of minnehaha county, 787

Fakler, William, has been a resident of Wellington township
since April 7, 1878. He is a native of Gerraany, and was born De
cember 12, 1830. He emig-rated to Minnesota and resided there until
he removed to this county. Under the horaestead and tree culture
laAvs he secured a farm of 320 acres in sections 24 and 25. He has
a g-ood farm, and is an active and respected citizen; was one of the
first supervisors of the toAvn board of Wellington, and has been town
treasurer since 1889.
Gramkow, j. H., was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, August
2, 1862. He emigrated and lived in Wisconsin until he located in
this county January 29, 1879. He took up as a homestead the south
west quarter of section 34, in Wellington, where he still resides and
has a good farra. He has held the office of clerk of the school board
several years, and is a good citizen.
Gramkow, Joseph, is a native of Mecklenburg, Gerraany, and
was bom in 1834. He emigrated and came to Dakota in 1880, when
he took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 27, in
Wellington, where he still resides.
Harper, L. T., one of the first settlers of Wellington township,
Avas born in the town of Darien, Genesee county, NeAv York, March
28, 1830. He removed to Pennsylvania and lived there and in Illinois
and Minnesota before he came to Dakota. In January, 1878, he took
up a homestead and tree claira in section 21, in Wellington, Avhere he
resided until Noveraber, 1889, when he sold his farm to Mr. Barnes
of Sioux Falls, and removed to Parker, Turner county, S. D. In
1893, he removed to California, where he has since resided. He held
several town offices while a resident of Wellington, and Avas highly
esteemed as a citizen.
Homan, Theodore, was born in Jackson county, Iowa, Septera
ber 13, 1855. He lived there for twenty-eight years, and carae to
Wellington, March 25, 1883, where he has since resided. He owns
the northwest quarter of section 9, and the southeast quarter of sec
tion 5, and is a successful farraer. He has been a raember of the
town board of supervisors several years, two years as chairraan, and
is a highly esteemed citizen.
Jones, Arthur B., was born in New York on the 4th day of
February, 1854; was reared on a farm and educated in the common
schools. He resided for some time in Michigan and Minnesota, and
arrived in this county in February, 1878, and settled in Wellington.
He took up the southeast quarter of section 29 and the northeast
quarter of section 32 under the homestead and tree culture laws. He
built the first frame house in Wellington on his homestead, and
planted the first tree in the township. He greatly improved his
farm with fruit trees, groves and comfortable buildings. He was
town clerk from 1882 to 1893, justice of the peace for several years,
and served as county commissioner five years. He was well liked as
a neighbor, was an upright official, and a public-spirited citizen. He
sold his farm and moved to the Pacific coast in 1893. It will take
him some years in his new horae to secure as long a list of warm
friends as he left in Minnehaha county.

788 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY'.

Kasten, William, was born in Pommern, Germany, in 1855;
emigrated to the United States in 1872, and resided in Wisconsin six
years; remoA'ed to Dakota in 1878, and settled in Minnehaha county
in 1879; took up as a horaestead the southeast quarter of section 31,
and a feAv years ago purchased the Arthur Jones farra in sections
29 and 32, where he now resides, and is farming his old homestead
in connection Avith his purchase. He is an enterprising and suc
cessful farmer; has held town offices several years, and is a respected
citizen. Klucker, Samuel, was born in Switzerland, November 8, 1839,
and emigrated to the United States and located in Ohio in 1852. On
the 18th day of April, 1861, he enlisted for three months in Company
D, 4th Ohio Infantry, and on the 4th day of June, 1861, enlisted in
the sarae company and regiment for three years. In the fall of 1862,
he was transferred at Harpers Perry into the 4th U. S. Artillery
under Gen. Call. When the order was issued that those who had less
than ninety days to serve and would re-enlist, could haA'e a furlough
for thirty days, he availed himself of the order, got his furlough and
re-enlisted for three years. Nineteen days after the issuance of the
furlough he was back in carap at Brandy Station. He served out his
tirae of enlistment, which expired the 13th day of February, 1867,
having been in the field in active service five years and nine raonths.
This is his war record, and comments are unnecessary. He was for
a short tirae a resident of Larchwood, Iowa, and then carae to Wel
lington, where at that tirae not an acre of prairie had been broken.
He made a timber claira filing on the southwest quarter of section 13,
where he still resides. Mr. Klucker is a good, substantial farraer,
and highly esteeraed as a neighbor and citizen.
Koester, Henry, is a native of Gerraany, and was born April
20, 1828. He emigrated to the United States and lived in Wisconsin
until 1880, when he reraoved to this county. He secured a home
stead upon the northwest quarter of section 35, in Wellington, Avhere
he resides and has a good farm. He has added to his farm by pur
chase, and now owns about 480 acres of land. He is an enterprising
farraer and a good citizen.
Lechner, Jacob, carae to this country from Germany where
he was born July 24, 1848. He was in the Gerraan army, and served
during' the war between Germany and Prance for three years. Soon
after the close of the war he eraigrated to this countrv, and after re
siding in Wisconsin, Ilhnois and Missouri a few years came to Wel
lington October 10, 1878, and located on the southwest quarter of
section 32, where he has since resided, and has a good farm.
LowTH, Michael F., came to Sioux Palls in April, 1878. He
?o°'^ooo located a homestead in Wellington, where he died October
18, 1883. .Before coming to this county he had been engaged ex
tensively m the foundry and machine business at Owatonna, Minne
sota. Prom January 1, 1880, until January 1, 1883, he was county
superintendent of schools, and filled the office to the great satisfac
tion of the public^ He was a charter meraber of Cyrene Command
ery of Knights leraplar of Sioux Palls, and Avas an industrious.

History op minnehaha county. 789

energetic, enterprising citizen, and his death was universally re
gretted by all who knew hira.
Lueth, Carl M., was born in 1849, in Mecklenburg, Germany.
He emigrated to the United States and resided in Iowa for several
years. He removed to Wellington, this county, in 1882, and bought
the southeast quarter of section 1, where he has since resided, en
gag-ed in farming, and has a valuable, well iraproved farm,' compris
ing at this Avriting- about 480 acres. He is an industrious, enter
prising farmer and a good neighbor and esteemed citizen.
Odell, Oswald, was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., July
9, 1852; moved with his parents to Salem, LaCrosse county,., Wiscon
sin, in 1856, and on the 21st day of March, 1877, came to this county
and settled in Wellington, taking up a homestead and tree claim in
sections 19 and 20, where he has since resided. He has held school
and town offices, is active in politics, and is an esteeraed citizen.
Rang, Joseph, Avas born in Gerraany January 9, 1853. He erai
grated to the United States and lived in Michigan until he reraoved
to this county in 1887. He bought 280 acres oif land in sections 35
and 36 in Wellington, and is engaged in farraing. He has a good
farm, and is an enterprising, respected citizen.
ScHiEVELBEiN, Pred, is a native of Gerraany, and was born May
7, 1857. He emigrated and located in Iowa until 1879, when he re
moved to Dakota and settled in this county on his present horaestead,
the northwest quarter and the west half of the southwest quarter of
section 3 in Wellington, which is a good farra. He also owns the
southwest quarter of section 34 in Huraboldt. He has been director
of the school board in district No. 112, for several years, is an indus
trious farraer and a good citizen.
Searl, Charles N., was born at Ellicottville, New York, in
1856; lived in Minnesota for sorae tirae, and carae to Dakota February
26, 1878; took up as a horaestead and tree claira the north half of sec
tion 33 in Wellington, where he resided until 1898, when he rented
his farra and reraoved with his family to the city of Sioux Falls to
educate his children. He has held several town offices, was assessor
of Wellington and Wall Lake in 1890, and is an enterprising and re
spected citizen.
Searl, Stanley P., was born in 1855 in the state of New
York. He lived there and in Minnesota and Missouri prior to his
coming to Dakota in 1878, from which tirae he has been a resident of
this county. He entered as a homestead the southeast quarter of
section 32 in Wellington, where he still resides. He has held the
office of town treasurer, is a good farmer and a respected citizen.

RED ROCK TOW^NSHIP.
(102-47)
This township is bounded on the east by the Minnesota state
line, and was surveyed in July, 1862. The north, south and west
lines were surveyed by M. K. Armstrong in October, 1864, and the
subdivisions made by Carl C. P. Meyer during the same month, and
according to the government survey contains 15,123.40 acres of land.
It has but little waste land. Beaver creek enters near the center of
the north line of section three, and pursues a southerly course
through the township, and a tributary to the Split Rock river runs
through the northwestern portion. The first settlers were E. S.
Buzzell and C. M. Johnson. They took up land in 1872. The Sioux
City & Northem railroad runs through the northeastern part, and
has a station called Booge, on the southeast quarter of section 10.
Nine blocks were platted at this point by J. R. Manning and wife in
January, 1891.
The first school meeting was held on the 4th day of June, 1877,
and the first school was taught by Alta H. Buzzell in the dwelling
house of P. W. Buzzell on.the southwest quarter of section 27. A
post office was established at Booge on the 19th day of March, 1891.
The residents of this township are highly favored AA'ith shipping- fa
cilities as the stations at Valley Springs, Brandon, Corson and
Garretson are but a few miles away.
The resurvey of this township resulted in sorae highly contested
law suits, in fact, in raore litigation than any other toAvnship in the
county, except Burk. There are several fine farras in the township,
and the farraers are industrious and thrifty.
RED ROCK TOWNSHIP BOARD.
The first meeting of this board was held on the 13th day of Jan
uary, 1881. The supervisors were J. R. Manning chairman, J. C.
Shephard, Magnus Swenson; clerk, P. W. Buzzell; constable, Ed.
Stone. October 17, G. D. Bannister was appointed supervisor in
place of J. C. Shephard, who had resigned.
1882. Supervisors, D. J. Walker, Thomas Whealey, C. M.
Johnson; assessor, G. D. Bannister; justice, P. G. Chaphe. April
17, the board met and adopted raeasures to prevent the spreading of
smallpox, which had broken out in the township.
1883. Supervisors, G. D. Bannister chairman, E. R. Bannister,
C. M. Johnson; clerk, H. M. Connell; assessor, G. D. Bannister.
1884. Supervisors, E. R. Bannister chairman, G. D. Bannister,
Axel Olson; clerk, P. W. Buzzell; treasurer, O. M. Wood; assessor,
G. D. Bannister.

History of minNEhaHa cOunTy. 791

1885. Supervisors, E. R. Bannister chairraan, F. G. Chaphe,
G. D. Bannister; clerk, P. W. Buzzell; treasurer, J. D. Burghart;
assessor, G. D. Bannister; justices, J. P. Hogan, G. A. Shilstad;
constable, R. P. Buzzell.
1886. Supervisors, E. R. Bannister, J. R. Manning, Robert
Kyle; clerk, P. W. Buzzell; treasurer, J. D. Burghart; assessor, G.
D. Bannister; justices, J. R. Manning, J. D. Burkhart; constable,
Thomas Whealey:
1887. Supervisors, J. R. Manning-, Robert Kyle, M. Swenson;
treasurer, H. D. Kinyon; assessor, G. D. Bannister; justices, J. R.
Manning, P. G. Chaphe; constables, C. D. Harris, R. P. Buzzell.
1888. SuperA'isors, E. R. Bannister chairman, H. D. Kinyon,
G. W. Fay; assessor, G. D. Bannister; treasurer, R. P. Buzzell; jus
tice, H. P. Brandt; constables, C. D. Harris, R. P. Buzzell. October
30, E. R. Bannister having- moved from the township, Robert Kyle
was appointed chairman of the board. February 26, 1889, H. D.
Kinyon having moved from the township, Jasper Bannister was ap
pointed supervisor.
1889. Supervisors, G. W. Pay, Thoraas Whealey, Horaer Mc
Connell; clerk, H. M. McConnell; treasurer, R. P. Buzzell; assessor,
G. D. Bannister; justices, J. R. Manning, Horaer Caldwell; constable,
Lars Aker. On the 5th day of March, a petition signed by twenty
resident taxpayers was filed with the town board, praying that a
special township raeeting be called to deterraine whether the town
ship' would order a resurvey of the township. The special meeting-
was called for March 21, at which time the vote stood 42 for and 19
against the resurvey. A tax of two mills was levied to defray the
expense. 1890. Supervisors, G. W. Fay, Robert Kyle, C.M.Johnson;
clerk, P. W. Buzzell; treasurer, R. P. Buzzell; assessor, G. D. Ban
nister; justice, C. D. Harris; constable, D. J. Walker.
1891. Supervisors, Robert Kyle, G. W. Pay, C. M. Johnson;
clerk, P. W. Buzzell; treasurer, R. P. Buzzell; assessor, J. R. Man
ning; justices, J. R. Manning, Magnus Swenson; constables, R. P
Buzzell, Fred Grandberg. March 9, 1891, the board eraployed J. E.
Carland to assist H. H. Keith in survey cases.
1892. Supervisors, Robert Kyle, G. W. Fay, C. M. Johnson;
clerk, P. W. Buzzell; treasurer, O. M. Wood; assessor, C. A. Liem;
justice, R. P. Buzzell; constable, Robert Delap.
1893. Supervisors, Robert Kyle, G. W. Pay, C. M. Johnson;
clerk, P. W. Buzzell; treasurer, O. M. Wood; assessor, C. A. Liem;
justices, J. R. Manning, H. McConnell; constable, W. J. Kyle. At
the annual town meeting it was voted to refund to the persons who
had advanced money in the survey suits the amount they had so ad
vanced. 1894. Supervisors, Robert Kyle, G. W. Pay, C. M. Johnson;
clerk, P. W. Buzzell; treasurer. Prank A. Johnson; assessor, C. A.
Liem; justice, D. J. Walker; constable, Pred. Grandberg.
189.5. Supervisors,' Robert Kyle, G. W. Fay, C. M. Johnson;
clerk, F. W. Buzzell; treasurer, P. A. Johnson; assessor, C. A. Liem;
justice, C.D.Harris; constable, W. J. Kyle. At the annual town

792 history' -OF minnehaha county.

raeeting it was voted that the township would defend the persons
who should be prosecuted for any acts done by thera in carrying into
effect the new survey.
1896. Supervisors, Robert Kyle, G. W. Pay, C. M. Johnson;
clerk, P. W. Buzzell; treasurer, P. A. Johnson; assessor, C. A. Liera;
justices, J. R. Manning, C. A. Liera; constable, Amund Amundson.
1897. Supervisors, Robert Kyle, G. W. Fay, C.M.Johnson;
clerk, P. W. Buzzell; treasurer, P. A. Johnson; assessor, C. A. Liem;
justices, AV. J. Kyle, Ed. Lewis; constables, H. H. Bly, Frank
Straw. 1898. Supervisors, Robert Kyle, G. W. Pay, C.M.Johnson;
clerk, P. W. Buzzell; treasurer, P. A. Johnson; assessor, C. A. Liem;
justice, Fred. Grandberg; constable, Charles Forsberg.
1899. Supervisors, Peter Williamsbn, G. W. Pay, Charles
Forsberg; clerk, P. W. Buzzell; treasurer, C. M. Johnson; assessor,
P. A. Johnson; justices, Ed. Lewis, W. J. Kyle; constables, Monroe
Danney, Russell Kyle. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Bannister, Gaston D., was born in Leroy, New York, Decem
ber 1, 1828. He was reared on a farra and educated in the public
schools. Before coming to this county he resided in Wisconsin and
Iowa. He secured a tree claim and homestead in sections 21 and 22
in Red Rock, and resided in that township until he removed to the
Pacific coast in 1892. He was one of the county coraraissioners of
Minnehaha county from 1885 to 1891, and was elected a member of
the lower house of the legislature in 1891. Mr. Bannister was a
quiet, unassuming raan, and, as his record shows, had a large circle
of friends. Bengtson, Nels, is a native of Sweden, and was born February
22, 1840. He eraigrated to the United States and lived in Iowa till
1884, when he removed from there and arrived in this county Febru
ary 19. He bought the southwest quarter of section 29 in Red Rock,
but sold it in the spring of 1893 for $3,000, with the intention of
spending his reraaining days in his native country, but, after a short
stay there, he returned to this country and bought a farm in Minne
sota, where he now resides.
Buzzell, Elijah S., is a native of Maine, and was born June
28, 1828. He was educated in the coramon schools, and remained on
a farm until eighteen years of age, at which time he commenced work
as a house and carriage painter. During the Avar he enlisted in the
27th Maine infantry, and served ten months. In 1872 he came to this
county, and was so much pleased with the countrv that he took up
the northeast quarter of section 34 in Red Rock, as a homestead, and
removed his family there in April, 1873, and has since resided there.
He IS one of the rehable, popular citizens of Red Rock.
Buzzell, Charles P., was born in Maine, December 29, 1869;
IS a son of E. S. Buzzell, and came to Red Rock in 1873, and re
sides upon the home farm.

history op minnehaha county. 793

Buzzell, Frank W., was born in Maine in December, 1853.
He lived in New York before he came West with his brother, R. P.
Buzzel. He settled in this county and took up a homestead on the
northAvest quarter of section 28 in Red Rock, where he has since re
sided, and has a good farm. He has held the office of town clerk,
and several school offices, and is an esteemed citizen.
Buzzel, Royal P., Avas born in Maine, May 2, 1855. He lived
in NeAV York until the spring of 1873, when he came West. He ar-
riA'ed in Dakota April 14, 1873, and located in this county, on the
northeast quarter of section 28 in Red Rock, which he took up as a
homestead, and resided there until 1893, when he reraoved to Cali
fornia. While a resident of Red Rock, he was town treasurer and
constable several years.
Cadwell, H. A., was born in Indiana December 15, 1852. He
removed to Minnesota in 1855, and lived there until February, 1876,
when he settled in this county and took up as a horaestead the south
west quarter of section 4, in Red Rock, where he resided until in
1893, when he moved into the village of ValleA' Springs.
Pay, G. W., came to Red Rock in the fall of 1873, and took up
two quarter sections of land comprising the southwest quarter of
section 22, and the east tier of forties in section 27. He resides on
the southeast corner of section 27, and Avhen he feels disposed to
visit Minnesota he has only to cross the highway and he is there.
He has been elected to township offices, and is at the present writing
chairman of the board of supervisors. He is a good farmer and a
good citizen.
Porseth, E. O., was born in Norway in 1856. He arrived in Da
kota in 1883, and settled in this county, securing as a horaestead the
east half of the northwest quarter of section 9 in Red Rock, where
he still resides. He has also bought sorae school land in section 16
in the same town, and has a good farm.
PucHS, Nick, a native of Germany, was born January 20, 1834.
He came to Dakota in October, 1892, and located on the southwest
quarter of section 5, in Red Rock, where he resided with his family
until his death, which occurred a few years ago.
Hansen, Severt, was born in Norway in 1849. He emigrated
to the United States, and in 1885 located on his present farra, com
prising 120 acres in section 6 in Red Rock, Avhere he has since re
sided. He has held several town offices, was school director three
years, and is a good citizen.
Harris, C. D., was born at Sherburne, Chenango county, Nevv
York, in 1858; lived there and in Minnesota until 1884, when he re
raoved to Dakota. He arrived 'in this county on the 31st day of Jan
uary of that year, and soon after bought the northwest quarter of
section 29 in Red Rock, where he has since resided engaged in farra
ing. He has a good farm with substantial buildings, and is a good
citizen.

794 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Johnson, Morris, is a native of Norway, and was bom March
9, 1844. He eraigrated to the United States in 1859, and located in
Illinois. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, 34th Illinois In
fantry, and in 1863, re-enlisted and remained in the service until
July 22, 1865, when he received his discharge. He AA'as wounded
slightly several times during the war, and once quite severely, a
rainie bullet striking hira over the right eye, leaving a large scar to
remind hira of the service he engaged in so early in the cause of his
adopted country. Near the close of the war he was taken prisoner
at Bentonville, N. C, and was incarcerated in Libbey Prison, where
he reraained until Lee's surrender. He went from Illinois to Grand
Forks county. North Dakota, in 1882, and resided there until 1889,
when he removed to this county. He purchased the northwest
quarter of section 5 in Red Rock, where he now resides with his fam
ily, engaged in farraing. He is a good reliable citizen.
JoRGENSON, MiKKEL, was born in Norway, August 15, 1848.
He emigrated to Araerica and lived in Iowa until 1876, when he carae
to Dakota and settled in this co-unty, taking up as a homestead the
southAvest quarter of section 10, in Red Rock, where he has since re
sided. JuLSON, Halvor, was born in Norway in 1849. He emigrated
to this country and lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota until in 1874,
when he carae to Dakota and located in this county, taking up as a
homestead the northeast quarter of section 10, in Red Rock, where
he still resides.
Kyle, John P., and M. C, two sons of Robert Kyle, were both
bom on their father's farm in Wisconsin, the former on the 5th day
of October, 1870, and the latter on the 21st day of January, 1872.
John Kyle owns 120 acres of land in section 16, in Red Rock, but re
sides in Minnesota, engaged in the grain business. M. C. Kyle owns
80 acres of land in the sarae section and resides with his father.
Kyle, Robert, of Red Rock, is a natiA'e of Scotland, and was
born August 15, 1843. In 1861, he eraigrated to the United States
and engaged in farraing in Waushara county. Wis., for ten years,
then carried on a luraber business in Michigan for about two years.
In 1870, he bought 80 acres of land in Red Rock, but he did not re
raove there with his faraily until in 1874. He has been a very suc
cessful farraer, and is at this writing the owner of 720 acres of
good farm-land in sections 16, 21, and 22, in Red Rock, and dur
ing 1898, raised 8,000 bushels of wheat, 4,000 bushels of barley,
2,500 bushels of oats, and 4,500 bushels of corn. He resides on the
southeast quarter of section 21, and has a splendid farm, well
stocked. He has also taken an active part in town affairs; was
chairraan of the town board of supervisors seven years, and has held
several school offices. Mr. Kyle is an honest, upright citizen, and
Avell liked by his neighbors and acquaintances.
Larson, Christian, Avas born in Norway in 1847. He erai
grated to Iowa and lived there until he removed to Dakota in 1874
and settled in Red Rock. He took up as homestead 40 acres of
section 6 and 120 acres of section 7, where he still resides.

history of minnehaha county. 795

Larson, Iver, is a native of Norway, and was bom in 1845. He
eraigrated to Iowa and lived there until 1871, when he removed to
Dakota. In 1873 he came to this county and took up as a horaestead
the north AA'est quarter of section 31, in Red Rock, where he has
since resided.
Liem, Charles A., was born at Fredericksruhe, Gerraany,
October 18, 1862. He received his early education in the city
schools, attended college three years and a polytechnical insti
tute the same length of time, and learned the trade of mason and
builder. In 1882 he came to Pon du Lac, Wisconsin, and resided
there three years. In 1885 he removed to Dakota and located at
Valley Springs, following his trade until the fall of 1888, when he en
gaged in farming in Red Rock. He has been assessor since 1892,
and in 1898 was nominated for the legislature by the Republican
party, but was defeated with the balance of the ticket. He is a good
citizen and well liked by his acquaintances.
Manning, John R., was bom at Andover, Windsor county, Ver
raont, in 1826. He was reared on a farra and educated in the public
schools. After having resided in his native state and in Indiana,
Wisconsin and Iowa, he reraoved to Dakota in 1874 and located in
this county. He took up the northeast quarter of section 22, as a
horaestead, and as a tree claira the southeast quarter of section 10 in
Red Rock. He was chairraan of the first town board in 1881, and has
held several town offices. He was elected a member of the leg-isla
ture when South Dakota was endeavoring to organize into a state in
1885, and was also elected to the first legislature of South Dakota in
1889. He is now residing at Booge, a station on the Sioux City and
Great Northern railroad, which is located on the southeast quarter
of section 10. A post office was established at this place on the 19th
day of March, 1891, and Mr. Manning was appointed postraaster,
which position he has since held. He is an honest, upright citizen, a
good official, and highly esteeraed by his neighbors.
McConnell, Marshall, was born in LaGrange county, Indi
ana, September 28, 1847. He lived for awhile in Wisconsin; came to
Dakota in 1875, and settled in this county, taking up as a homestead
the northwest quarter of section 19, in Red Rock, where he still re
sides. McGiNTY, Thomas, was born in the state of Wisconsin in 1848,
and came to Minnehaha county in April, 1874, where he has remained
ever since. He took up as a homestead the south half of the south
east quarter of section 17, and the north half of the northeast
quarter of section 20 in Red Rock, where he still resides, and has a
good farm.
Nord, Peter, has been living on his homestead, the northeast
quarter of section 29 in Red Rock since 1875, when he came here
from New Brunswick, Canada. He was born in Sweden in 1844
and came to America in 1871. He is keeping "bachelor's hall" on
his homestead and is a good citizen.

796 HISTORY OF Minnehaha county.

Oakstrom, E. W., is a native of Sweden, was born November 6,
1842. He eraigrated to America, and came to Dakota in 1875. He
settled in this county, taking up as a homestead the northwest quar
ter of section 30, in Red Rock, where he resided until recently, when
he reraoved to South Carolina.
Olson, Axel, is a native of Sweden, and was born December
12, 1836. He emigrated to the United States in 1868, and located in
Illinois. He removed from there to Iowa and came to this county in
1882, and took up as a horaestead the northeast quarter of section 31
in Red Rock, and purchased the southeast quarter of section 30 in
the sarae township, and has a good farra. He has been one of the
supervisors of the town board several years, has held other local
offices and has frequently been a delegate to political conventions.
Mr. Olson is a kind neighbor and a good, reliable citizen.
Parish, H. T., was born January 21, 1833, at Oyster Bay,
Queens county. New York. He lived in Wisconsin and Missouri
before he carae to Dakota, Noveraber 9, 1872. He took up as a home
stead the southAvest quarter of section 22, which he sold, and then
bought the north-Afest quarter of section 34, where he resided until
recently, when he reraoved to Colorado. He enlisted in Co. A, 15th
Reg. of NeAV York National Guard Volunteers, serving as sergeant
thirty days from June 4, till July 7, 1864, when he was discharged.
ROLLOG, Austin K., was bom in Thelemarken, Norway, Octo
ber 1, 1854. He emigrated to Wisconsin in 1874, but left there for
Dakota in March the following year, and located in this county. In
April, 1876, he secured the northeast quarter of section 15, in Red
Rock, as a horaestead, to which he has added by purchase about 110
acres. He has a first-class farra, with fine iraproA'ements, and is one
of the progressive and prosperous farraers of this section.
Scheffer, Charles E., of Red Rock, was born in Pennsylvania
^ q4^^^' '^'^°™ ^'^'^'¦^ ^'^ raoved to New Jersey and came to Dakota in
1878. He first secured a homestead in the town of Palisade, but dis
posed of it and bought the east half of the southwest quarter of sec
tion 22 in Red Rock, where he now resides.
Swenson, Magnus, was born in Sweden, July 27 1836 He
eraigrated to the United States in 1868, and located in Iowa. On the
4th day of June, 1873, he arrived in this county, and two days later
filed a pre-eraption on the southwest quarter of section 9, in Brandon,
and in -January, 1874, filed a homestead on the northwest quarter of
section 18, in Red Rock, where he has since resided. A few years
ago he bought forty acres in school section 16, in the same township,
and also owns 160 acres m Moody county. Mr. Swenson is a pros
perous good farmer and has a good farra. He his been elected to
town offices, and is a respected citizen.
Walker, David J., was born in the town of Adams, Berkshire
county, Massachusetts, May 22, 1825. He lived in New York, Wis
consin, Iowa and Minnesota before he settled in Dakota in 1883. He
took up a homestead in sections 21 and 22, and a tree claim in section
lb, m Ked Rock. He has been assessor, and chairman of the town

J. R. Manning.

history of minnehaha county.

799

board of supervisors, and resided on section 22, until July, 1895,
when he sold out, and went to Hot Springs, South Dakota.
Wood, Oramel M., a native of Vermont, Avas bom June 4, 1846.
He lived in NeAv Hampshire, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota
before coming to Dakota in July, 1873. At that time he secured a
homestead of 160 acres in sections 21 and 22 in Red Rock, Avhere
he has since resided. He has held school district and township
offices, and is a g-ood farmer and a reliable citizen.

Harvest Scene.

BRANDON TOA^NSHIR.
(102-48)
The township of Brandon, owing to its proximity to Sioux
Palls, was one of the earliest settled townships in the county. The
soil is good, and streams of water at the tirae of the government sur
vey in 1864, were floAving over twenty-seven sections of land. The
principal streara, the Big Sioux river, enters the township in the
northwest portion of section 31, flowing thence northeasterly about
three-fourths of a raile to the center of section 30, thence southeast
erly through section 29, to the center of the south line of section
28, thence in a southwesterly course through section 33, leaving the
township a little west of the center line of the section. Three
branches of Split Rock unite on the southwest quarter of section 10,
and the streara frora this point flows in a tortuous course through
sections 15, 23, 26 and 35, leaving the toAvnship about three-fourths
of a mile southeast frora the village of Brandon, near the southeast
corner of section 34. The toAvn line on the west was surveyed by
W. J. Neeley in July, 1859, and the south line by Cortez Fessenden
in July, 1862, and the north and east lines by M. K. Armstrong in
October, 1864, at which tirae the town was sub-divided by the sarae
surveyor. It contains 23,007.60 acres of land. It has one sraall vil
lage naraed after the township, located on the southwest quarter of
section 34, which was platted by the Worthington & Sioux Palls R.
R. Co. The plat was filed on the 18th day of September, 1878, and
comprised eight blocks divided into one hundred and thirty lots.
Brandon village is located on the Oraaha railroad line and is 8.6 miles
from Sioux Palls. There is a post office at this place, which AA'as es
tablished in 1878, and N. J. Ronlund Avas the first postraaster. Since
his resignation W. J. Jones, D. A. Wrig-ht, John T. Lee and Martin
Brusveen have held this office, Mr. Brusveen being- the present in
curabent. There is one elevator, two stores and a blacksmith shop
in the village, also a Norwegian Lutheran church, which was built
in 1883, and a school house built in 1885. The first school was
taught in the fall of 1873 by Celia Fauske, now Mrs. John Holden, in
a sod house built for school purposes, which was located on the
northeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 27. There was
only a dirt floor in this primitive school house during- the first year it
was occupied. The whole structure cost nine dollars, and was paid
for by subscription.
On the southeast corner of section 22 there is a station on the
Willmar & Sioux Falls railroad, now operated by the Great North-

history of minnehaha county, 801

ern R. R. Co., called Corson, named for Henry Corson, one of the
first directors of this road. It is eleven miles northeast of Sioux
Palls. May 12, 1888, E. A. Sherraan filed a plat of Corson compris
ing ten blocks divided into eighty-five lots. At the present tirae
there is a post office, store and elevator at this place, and Ole E.
Fauske is the postmaster and proprietor of the store.
Nels Nelson Graff built the first house in the township in the
fall of 1873. It was built of logs with a shingle roof, andwas located
on the northAvest quarter of section 35, Avhere it is still standing, and
is a part of the building shown in the illustration of N. N. Graff's
residence. Mr. Graff settled in Brandon in May, 1870, and at that
time only a few furrows of land had been plowed. George Christian-
son constructed a dugout in 1869, and lived in it for awhile. It was
on the southeast quarter of section 33. In the early seventies he
moved into Split Rock and took a homestead, where he resided until
his death a few years ago. Mr. Graff lived in a dugout about three
years before building his log house.
Split Rock Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. —
This church was organized in the fall of 1871, with seven or eight
families. At the sarae time grounds for a cemetery were se
cured by the organization in the southwest corner of section 33 in
Brandon. The first person buried in this cemetery was Carl T.
Lee, who died in the fall of 1871, aged 24 years, and the second one
was a son of Nels Nelson Graff, 2j4 years of age, who died the
following year. The church was organized by the Rev. E. Olson, of
the Norwegian Synod. The first regular rainister was the Rev. O.
O. Sando, Avho preached his first sermon in the fall of 1873, and re
mained in charge until the spring of 1880. During the two years fol
lowing, the Rev. Naseth, now professor in the Lutheran college at
Decorah, Iowa, had charge of the congregation, and he was suc
ceeded by the Rev. A. J. Lee, who remained until 1885, Avhen the
Rev. Olaf Stub became its pastor and reraained until his death,
which occurred in the fall of that year. The Rev. Aanestad then
had temporary charge of the church, until the Rev. Hans B. Thor
grimson assumed the duties of pastor in the suraraer of 1886, and
reraained until the spring of 1891. The church then was without
a pastor until the spring of 1892, when its present pastor, the Rev.
N. N. Boe took charge. The first trustees of the church were N.
N. Graff, C. T. Clauson and G. O. Lillihaven. Its first secretary
was H. G. Hovdestad. From 1875 to 1877, N. N. Graff was sec
retary, and since that time the office by successive elections has
been held by John T. Lee. In 1883 a church was built, and the
raoney for its erection was raised by subscription araong the mem
bers of the church. The church building has a seating capacity
of 300 people, and is well finished. The tower of the church is
seventy feet in height, and the whole work was done by members
of the congregation under the direction of John T. Lee and N. N.
Graff as a building committee. The membership comprises about
thirty-five families.

81

802 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

NoRDRE Split Rock Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran
Church. — The members of this church organization reside princi
pally in the northern part of Brandon. In 1897 a neat and com
modious church building was erected by T. O. Hokenstad
on the northeast corner of section 11, at a cost of about
fifteen hundred dollars, which amount was raised araong the
raerabers. The ReA'. O. O. Sando was the first pastor of the
congregation, and he vvas succeeded by A. J. Lee, and the Rev.
H. Aanestad is the present pastor. It is connected with the
NorAvegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Araerica. There is a
Ladies' Aid society, and a Young People's society, and the raember
ship of the church comprises about eleven families.
Brandon Co-operative Creamery Company. — This com
pany was org-anized in May, 1878. C. Dillon Avas elected president,
A. O. Risty A'ice president, M. Brusveen secretary, A. T.
Ode treasurer, and John T. Lee director. The building Avas erected
a little west of the village of Brandon during the summer and fall of
1897, and opened for business on the I5th day of Noveraber of that
}'ear. At first it receiA-ed only 800 pounds of railk a day, but it has
been constantly increasing, and some days it has received as high as
5,500 pounds. This creamery is well conducted, and its products
are shipped to New York, Avhere the highest price is obtained for
creamery butter. The manufacture of the butter is in charge of
Peter Anderson, Avho has had several years of experience in the
creamery business. BRANDON TOWNSHIP BOARD.
The first general election was held November 16, 1880, Avhen the
following persons were elected for the vear 1881: Supervisors, Nels
N. Graff, Lewis Peterson, Jacob Keeler; clerk, Austin G. Risty;
treasurer, T. I. Lathrop; assessor, J. E. Duganne; constables. Cash
Crittenden, August Nelson; justices, N. Griffith, N. J. Ronlund;
poundmaster, E. Erikson; overseers of highways, John Egge,
Thoraas Thorstenson, Albert Nelson. January 17, 1881, board met
at the house of Lewis Peterson, chairman of the board. Bonds of
officers were approved, and the township divided into four road dis
tricts. The first warrant was issued to Wm. J. Jones in the sum
of $30. 1882. Supervisors, Nels N. Graff, chairman, Jacob Keeler,
John Egge; clerk, Austin G. Risty; treasurer, T. I. Lathrop; asses
sor, J. E. Duganne; justice, H. H. Barron; constable, Charles Han
son; poundmaster, Wm. J. Jones.
1883 Supervisors, John Egge, chairman, N. Griffith, Edgar
hosier; clerk, Austin G. Risty; treasurer, N. J. Ronlund; assessor,
: ui -L'u^nnf; justices, Andrew A. Grinde, John Callender; con
stables, lom Christopherson, John Anderson; poundmaster, E.
Erikson. Fifty-three votes were cast.
1884. March 4, the annual town raeeting was held in the village
ot iJrandon, and the following officers were elected; Supervisors,
Edgar Foster, chairman, Nels Griffith, Tom Olson; clerk, A. G.
Kisty; assessor, J. E. Duganne; treasurer, N. J, Ronkind; justices.

history OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 803

A. A. Grinde, John Callender; constables, Tom Christopherson,
John Anderson. June 23, Mr. Risty presented his resignation as
clerk, which was accepted, and July 3, L. M. Estabrook was ap
pointed clerk to fill the vacancy.
1885. Supervisors, J. AV. Callender, chairman, N. N. Graff,
Tom Olson; clerk, L. M. Estabrook; treasurer, N. J. Ronlund; as
sessor, J. E. Gorman. June 16, board met in joint session with the
town board of Edison, and agreed upon the division of the work on
the town line road. Brandon township was assigned the second,
fourth and sixth miles, commencing at the east end.
1886. Supervisors, Lewis Peterson, chairman, Nels Swenson,
N. N. Graff; clerk, L. M. Estabrook; treasurer, N. J. Ronlund; as
sessor, Nels Ellefson; justices, W. J. Jones, Thoraas Olson; con
stables, N. J. Ronlund, C. P. Halsted.
1887. Supervisors, J. E. Duganne, chairman, L. M. Estabrook,
Nels Swenson; clerk, J. A. Egge; treasurer, N. J. Ronlund; assessor,
Nels Ellefson.
1888. Supervisors, I. N. Griffith, chairman, Ole J. Hegge, Tom
Redwing; clerk, A. G. Risty; treasurer, J. A. Egge; assessor, J. E.
Gorman; justices, L. M. Estabrook, J. E. Gorman; constables, Tom
Christopherson, H. H. Barron. March 6, it was voted by acclaraa
tion to raise the supervisor's fee to $2 per day, and to have all toAvn
business raoved to Corson as soon as a post office should be estab
lished at that place. March 16, road overseers were ordered to open
all roads in their districts on the lines where located as shown by the
public records of the county and township. July 12, a special toAvn
raeeting was held for the purpose of A'oting on the question: "Shall
Brandon township be resurveyed?" Fifty-six votes were cast, of
which seventeen were in the- affirmative, and thirty-nine in the neg
ative. 1889. Supervisors, Fred Messner, chairraan, Tora Christoph
erson, I. N. Griffith; clerk, A. G. Risty; treasurer, John Egge; as
sessor, Nels Ellefson; constable, Nels Wahlstrom. October 26,
Jonas Carlson acted as chairman of the board, to which office he had
been appointed.
1890. Supervisors, Nels Swenson, chairman, Tora Christoph
erson, A. O. Risty; clerk, A. G. Risty; treasurer, John Egge; asses
sor, Nels Ellefson; justices, L. M. Estabrook, Ellick Griffith; con
stables, Ole Nelson, Charles Johnson.
1891. Supervisors, N. N. Graff, chairman, John Carlson, Tom
Olson; clerk, L. M. Estabrook; treasurer, John Egge; assessor, Nels
Ellefson. The reports of the auditors and treasurer showed that
the township was entirely out of debt, and there was a balance in
the treasury of $349.59.
1892. Supervisors, N. N. Graff, chairraan, A. G. Risty, Nels
Swenson; clerk, John T. Lee; treasurer, T. T. Redwing; assessor,
Thomas Olson; justices, A. R. Griffith, L. M. Estabrook; constables,
Chris. Christopherson, John Uhley. June 28, a special town meet
ing was held to consider the question of resurvey. A vote was taken
which resulted in 57 for, and 14 against the resurvey. September
24, a special town meeting was held to deterraine by ballot whether a

804 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Special tax should be levied to defray the expenses of resurveying
the township, the sum required being $400. The vote was 32 for,
and 6 against special tax. February 28, 1893, the business of the
fiscal year was settled, and the treasurer's report showed that
$1,054.77 had been received, and $438.27 expended, leaving a balance
on hand of $616.50.
1893. Supervisors, John Egge, chairman, N. N. Graff, Nels
Swenson; clerk, Ole Fauske; treasurer, Tom T. Redwing; assessor,
A. G. Risty; justices, L. M. Estabrook, I. N. Griffith; constables,
John Uhley, C. Christopherson. At the annual town meeting March
7, it was resolved that "uniforra stones be put on section and quar
ter section comers, the size to be that of the larger paving blocks,
Avhen the resurvey is made." June 17, the board procured the ser-
A'ices of John Langness for resurveying the township, and Nels
Graff was awarded the contract for hauling stone to be used as cor
ner marks. Septeraber 8, Jonas Carlson was appointed supervisor
to fill vacancy caused by the death of Nels Swenson. September 15,
a motion was carried for changing the lines according to the new
survey as far as practicable during the fall.
1894. Supervisors, John A. Egge, chairman, N. N. Graff, John
Carlson; clerk, O. E. Fauske; treasurer, T. O. Christopherson; as
sessor, Thomas Olson.
1895. Supervisors, A. G. Risty, chairraan, L. A. Harum, P. J.
Swenson; clerk, O. E. Fauske; treasurer, T. O. Christopherson; as
sessor, T. O. Hokenstad.
1896. Supervisors, A. G. Risty, chairman, P. J. Swenson,
A. P. Ode; clerk, O. E. Fauske; treasurer, J. E. Holden; assessor,
T. O. Hokenstad.
1897. Supervisors, I. N. Griffith, chairman, A. O. Risty, Ole
Nelson; clerk, O. E. Fauske; treasurer, J. E. Holden; assessor, T. 0.
Hokenstad. 1898. Supervisors, A. O. Risty, chairman, A. Anderson, H. J.
Heggen; clerk, O. E. Fauske; treasurer, J. A. Egge; assessor, T. O.
Hokenstad. 1899. Supervisors, A. O. Risty, chairman, A. Anderson, C.
Dillon; clerk, O. E. Fauske; treasurer, J. A. Egge; assessor, T. 0.
Hokenstad. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Anderson, John L., is a native of Halland, Sweden, and was
born March 26, 1840. He emigrated to the United States in 1871,
and lived in Iowa two years; carae frora there to Dakota in 1873, and
bought the northeast quarter of section 24 in Brandon, where he
still resides, and has a good farra.
Anderson, Peter, was born on a farm in Denmark, on the 26th
?o,l^ 1- '^^'''"' -^^^'^' ^"^ ^P^"^ his early years on the farm. In
1890, he emigrated to this country, and resided in Cleveland, Ohio,
one year. He went from there to Minnesota, and engaged in the
creamery business for two years, and then removed to South Dakota,
where he has since been in charge of creameries at different places.
11 ^^ "°y. ^y^ manager of the creamery at Brandon, and gives ex
cellent satisfaction to his employers.

John A. Egge.

HfsTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 807

Barron, Hiram H., was born in the town of Locke, Cayug-a
county. New York, October 21, 1849. When only five years of age
reraoved Avith his parents to Wisconsin, Avhere he reraained until
1874, when he came to Dakota and settled in this county on his pres
ent place the southeast quarter of section 5 in Brandon which is now
agood farra. He served in Corapany K, 46th Wisconsin during- the
war of the rebellion, and has filled various town offices. In 1892, he
was norainated on the Democratic ticket for the legislature. He is an
enterprising- farmer and a g-ood citizen.
Brusveen, Martin, was born at Toten, Norway, on the 23d day
of September, 1867, and received a high school education. In 1886,
he emigrated to the United States, and worked on the railroads in
loAva, Minnesota and Dakota, for several years. In 1894, he settled
at Brandon village, and engaged in the mercantile business with
John T. Lee, under the firm name of Lee & Brusveen, and they con
tinued doing business until 1896, since which time Mr. Brusveen has
conducted the business alone. He was appointed postmaster in Juh',
1896, Avhich position he still holds, and has been justice of the peace
eA'er since he carae to Brandon. He is a good citizen and is Avell
liked. Carlson, John, Avas born in Uraea, Sweden, August 6, 1844.
He carae to the United States in 1868, and lived in Illinois until 1873,
Avhen he removed to Dakota, arriving in this county on the 18th day
of April, of that year. He took up a homestead in section 17 in
Brandon, and purchased considerable land in the same toAvnship. He
resided on his homestead until his decease, which occurred on the 2d
day of March, 1895. He Avas a zealous Republican, and took great in
terest in the Avelfare of his town; AA'as one of the supervisors of the
town board for several years, and Avas- a good farmer and a good
citizen. Christopherson, Ole, is a venerable old settler of Minnehaha
county. He was born in Norway on the 19th day of June, 1828, and
carae to the United States in 1872. He arrived in Dakota on the 25th
dav of May of that year, and during the following fall took up a home
stead on the northeast quarter of section 26, and a tree claim in the
the sarae section, in Brandon, where he still resides. He is a good
farraer, and a good citizen.
Christopherson, Tom, was born near Christiania, Norway, on
the 3d day of January, 1860. In 1872 he emigrated with his parents
to Dakota, and remained a few raonths in Canton, but during the fall
of that year his father Ole located on section 26, in Brandon. The
subject of this sketch has now a good farra in the sarae section, and
is a good farraer and a good citizen. He has held school district and
town offices.
Dillon Cornelius S., was born in Delaware county, Iowa,
February 11, 1846, and reraained on the farra on which he was born
for twenty-six years. He then reraoved to Sac City, Iowa, and en
gaged in farming for one year; then engaged in the hardware busi
ness at Newell, Buena Vista county, four years, and then engaged in
the same business at Alton, Sioux county, Iowa, until he removed to

808 history op minnehaha county.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in the fall of 1888, and engaged in the
shipping of live stock in addition to the hardware business. He was
a resident of Valley Spring two years where he Avas connected with
the flour mills. In 1895 he returned to his first occupation, and en
g-aged in farming and stock raising about one raile from the village of
Brandon, where he has a fine farra, and resides at this writing. He
is an energetic business man, and to hira raore than all others, the
people of Brandon are indebted for their creamery, of which cor
poration he is the president. He is a good citizen and well liked by
his neighbors. Egge, John A., is a native of Norway, and was born April 22,
1855. In 1869 he emigrated to the United States, and lived in Wis
consin until the fall of 1871, when he became a resident of this
county. His father, Andrew Johnson, took up as a homestead the
northwest quarter of section 11, in Brandon, and at his death in 1878
Mr. Egge becarae the owner of the place, and now resides there and
has one of the finest farms in the county. In the spring of 1892 he
bought some land in section 36, in Edison, and he also owns consid
erable land in section 2, in Brandon. He is a bright and enterprising
farmer, and takes great interest in public affairs; he has been chair
man and clerk of the town board, treasurer four years, and school
clerk ten years. He was elected to the house of representatives in
1894, and is a first-class citizen.
Erickson, Erick, is a native of Sweden, and was born Septem
ber 27, 1849. He emigrated to the United States in 1871, and lived
in Illinois until 1873, when he removed to this county. He took up
as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 21, in Brandon,
where he still resides and has a well improved farra. He also owns
40 acres of section 16, in the same town. He has frequently been a
delegate to political conventions, has held several town offices, and is
an active promoter of the interests of his town.
Erickson, John, a son-in-law of Erik Swenson, is the owner of
the west half of section 4, in Brandon. He resides on the southeast
quarter and has a fine farra and is a good citizen.
Erickson, Jonas, was born in Sweden, October 24, 1854. He
eraigrated to England, where he remained one year, and then came
to this country and settled in Ohio for a short time. In April, 1873,
he came to this county and settled on section 20 in Brandon. He has
added to his original quarter section, forty acres of section 16. He
IS an industrious, honest farraer, and a good citizen.
Fauske, OleE., was born in Norway, February 21, 1861. He
eraigrated to this country with his parents in 1862, and lived in Iowa
until 1873, when they reraoved to Dakota and settled in this countv.
Atter having becorae of age the subject of this sketch purchased 'a
'^^a^ J w^ITt?^ ^"""^ ''' ^^^^'°" 10' ^" Edison, but sold it in April,
18 J3, to W. M. Boyle. Mr. Fauske is now engaged in the raercantile
business at Corson, where he is the postmaster. He is clerk of the
town board and is a good business man and a respected citizen.

N. N. Graff.

Farm Residence of N. N. Graff.

history of minnehaha county. 811

Graff, Nels Nelson, was born in Sweden, December 21, 1842,
and emigrated to the United States in 1869. He resided in Iowa a
little less than a year, and settled in Brandon, in May, 1870. He
Avas the first actual settler of that township, and has resided
there long-er than any other person. He took up as a homestead the
north half and the southeast quarter of thenorthwestquarter, and the
southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 35, and as a
timber claim the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of the
same section, and has since bought several hundred acres of land in
sections 25, 26 and 36. He lived with his family in a dugout the
first three years, and then built a log house, the first building in
Brandon, which is still in a good state of preservation, and makea
a part of his present residence. Since the organization of the town
ship he has held some prominent town office nearly every year, and
during the years 1891-2-3 was chairman of the town board of Su
perA'isors. He has also held offices in his school district, has fre
quently been sent as a delegate to the county conventions, and was
a delegate to the Republican state convention at Chamberlain in
1892. Mr. Graff is a prosperous farmer, a good neighbor, and an
enterprising, upright citizen. His son Martin lives on a fine farm
in the northeast quarter of section 25, and Adolph, another son, is
engaged in farming on the southeast quarter of section 26, and
both are industrious farmers and good citizens. The younger sons,
NeElian and EnNelus, who are twin brothers, reside with their
father. Griffith, I. N., was born in Knox county, Ohio, January 20,
1841. When fifteen years of age he removed to Iowa, and lived there
until 1873, when he settled in this county. He took up as a home
stead the northeast quarter of section 6, where he still resides and
has a good farm. He has always taken an active part in town affairs,
has been a member of the town board several terras, one year as
chairman, and a member of the school board for about twenty years.
He says he has a pretty good faraily of children, there being one
boy and six girls, one of thera weighing two hundred and eighteen
pounds. Mr. Griffith is an enterprising farraer, and a good citizen.
GusARSON, Peter A., was born in the southern part of Sweden,
July 14, 1841. lie eraigrated to the United States and resided in
Illinois for sorae time before coming to this county in March, 1883.
He bought the north half of the northeast quarter, and the north
half of the northwest quarter of section 17 in Brandon for $1,000,
where he still resides and has a well improved farm. He is an in
dustrious good farmer, and has held the office of school district
director three years.
Hakanson, Nathaniel, is a native of Westerbotten, Sweden,
and was born January 30, 1853. He came to the United States in
1872, and engaged in farming five years in Illinois, and from there
removed to Dakota in 1877, and located in this county. He took up
the northeast quarter of section 21 in Brandon, where he still re
sides, and has a good farm. He has been school director 1:hree
years, and treasurer seven years, and is one of the enterprising
citizens of Brandon.

812 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

Halstedt, C. p., is a native of Sweden, and was bom Septem
ber 18, 1830. He emigrated to the United States in 1868, and resided
in Iowa until 1873, when he reraoved to this county. He took up as
a horaestead the southwest quarter of section 12, in Brandon, where
he still resides, and has a fine farra, under a high state of cultivation.
He also secured by pre-eraption the southeast quarter of section 2,
in the same town, but disposed of it. He has held the office of con
stable for two years, is a good citizen and a good farmer.
Hanson, Carl Fredrik, was born in Lapland, Sweden, in
1837, and lived there until he was thirty years old. At Yuletide
they had only two hours of daylight in the twenty-four, while at raid-
suraraer it was never dark, only an hour or two of twilight, and the
raidnight sun could be seen. He thinks Dakota is as superior to
Lapland as da}' is to night, and after having been three years in Eng
land and two in Ohio, he came to Dakota and to this county in the
spring of 1873, and found that this was just the place for him. He
entered as a homestead the northwest quarter and the east half of
the southwest quarter of section 18, in Brandon, where he still lives.
He is a good farraer and a good citizen.
Hedstrom, Jacob, was born in Sweden, August 17, 1833. He
eraigrated to the United States and lived in Illinois until he reraoved
to Dakota in March, 1874, arriving in this county on the 15th of that
raonth. He secured a homestead in sections 10 and 15 in Brandon,
Avhere he has since resided. He has been elected to school offices,
and is a good citizen. His son Eddie is a promising young man and
an efficient teacher and esteemed citizen.
Heggen, Halvor J., was born near Christiania, Norway, Feb
ruary 23, 1855. He was raised on a farra, and received a coramon
school education. In 1868 he eraigrated with his parents to the
United States and located in Freeborn county, Minnesota, where
they reraained until in 1872, when they reraoved to Dakota. His
father, J. O. Heggen, took up a homestead in sections 11 and 14, in
Brandon, and a few years later the subject of this sketch took up a
homestead adjoining his father's on the east, in the same sections,
to which he has added by purchase, and now has a good farm of 200
acres of his own. He is at the present time one of the supervisors
of the town board. His two brothers, Ole and Gilbert, are also en
gaged in farraing— Ole, the old homestead and a quarter section ad
joining on the west side, and Gilbert, a farm about a mile farther
north. They are all enterprising farraers and good citizens.
loo^'^^^/' *^^^^^^^^^^^°^' "^'^^ ^°^" i" Norway, September 14,
1827, and carae to the United States in 1868, and lived in Wisconsin
two years. In 1870 he reraoved to Dakota and resided in Lincoln
county until 1872, Avhen he raoved to this county and took up as a
horaestead 40 acres of section 7, in Red Rock, and 120 acres of sec
tion .2, in Brandon, and a tree claim in section 7, in Red Rock. He
resided on his farm engaged in farraing until 1892, when he raoved
into the city of Sioux Palls, leaving his farras in charge of his sons,
Nels, John and Jens. While residing in Brandon, Mr. Hanson
was school treasurer for about five years. He was aTgood farmer
and a good citizen. He died at Sioux Falls, March 14,"l897.

T. O. Hokenstad and Wife.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 815

Hokenstad, Thomas Olson, of Brandon, has been living in
Dakota since 1871, but did not settle in this county until 1873, when
he took up a homestead in sections 1 and 12 in Brandon, where he
still resides and has a fine farm. He also secured a tree claira in the
same section, and has since purchased 160 acres in section 36, in
Edison. He built some of the first houses in Sioux Falls and also
the Norde Split Rock Lutheran church in Brandon. He is an enter
prising citizen, and has held several township offices; was one of the
organizers of school district No. 7, director of the school board six
years, and afterwards clerk of the same six years. He was born in
Norway July 20, 1842, emigrated to the United States in 1868, and
lived in Wisconsin until he settled in this state. His faraily consists
of his Avife, seven boys and one girl.
Hokenstad, O. T., the oldest son of T. O. Hokenstad was born
in Green county, Wisconsin, April 12, 1870; carae to this county with
his parents, and received his early education in the district schools
of Brandon, and later took a course in the Norraal school and Busi
ness college at Sioux Palls. He is traveling salesman for several
machine companies, is an enterprising young man, and a good
citizen. HuLBURT, Henderson, was born in Mercer county. Pa., June
17, 1844, and lived on a farra until he enlisted in the war of the rebel
lion in 1861. He was a raeraber of Company G, 100th Pennsylvania
Veteran Volunteers, four years and one raonth. During the second
fight at Bull Run he was quite seriously wounded. After the war he
went to Kansas and engaged in farming for a few years. In 1883, he
removed to Worthington, Minnesota, and since then has been in the
employ of the Omaha Railroad Corapany, and is now located at Bran
don. He is a good citizen.
Johnson, Charles, is a native of Sweden and was born in 1851.
He emigrated to the United States and lived in Illinois till 1873,
when he came to Dakota and settled in this county, where he has
since remained. He took up a homestead and tree claim in section
17, in Brandon, and has a good farm. He was constable in 1890-1
and clerk of the school board in district No. 11, in 1891-2, and is an
enterprising, good citizen.
Jones, William J., is a native of Wales, Great Britain, and was
born December 14, 1838. When only four years of age he became a
resident of the United States, and lived in Wisconsin fifteen years;
frora there he went to Iowa. In September, 1861, he mustered in as
volunteer of the 1st Nebraska Cavalry and reraained in active service
until July 1, 1866. His career since coming to Dakota is best shown
by his own words, copied from the Valley Springs Vidette March 4,
1893, where he says: "I came to this section in the spring of 1873.
I horaesteaded 160 acres, and took up a tree claira of 160; and later
obtained by purchase 720 acres more — 1040 acres in all. Have 700
acres under fence, with three good dwelling houses, barns and out
buildings on the sarae. With the exception of the grasshopper year,
I have always had good crops. What I own, I have accuraulated
right here in Minnehaha county." In 1878, he was elected county

816 history of minnehaha county.

coraraissioner and served in that capacity for three years. He re
sides on the northeast quarter of section 34, in Brandon, and is an
enterprising and highly respected citizen. His son Elbert O. Jones
is one of the promising young lawyers of Sioux Falls, and is practic
ing law in partnership with B. C. Matthews.
Lathrop, W. L, was born in Illinois, October 18, 1863. He re
raoved Avith his parents to Michigan, Avhere he resided for about four
years, and in the spring of 1873, located in this county. His father,
T. I. Lathrop, secured 240 acres of land by horaestead and tree-claira
filings in sections 31 in Brandon, on which he erected fine farm build
ings, and engaged in extensive farraing until his death, which oc
curred a few years ago, when the subject of this sketch took charge
of the farm. He is a good farmer and a good citizen.
Lee, John T., was born in Christiania, Norway, February 11,
1855, and came to the United States with his parents in 1867. They
resided in Iowa three years, and removed to this county in June,
1870. When twenty-one years of age the subject of this sketch pur
chased a farm of 160 acres in sections 2 and 3, and also 80 acres
in section 1, in Split Rock, and engaged in farming until 1890, Avhen
he reraoved to Brandon, where he engaged in the mercantile busi
ness until 1896. While a resident of Split Rock he was town clerk
tAVO years and assessor seven years. After coming to Brandon he
Avas appointed postraaster, which position he held while engaged in
trade. In 1891 he was elected county coraraissioner from his dis
trict, and re-elected in 1894-7, and has been chairman of the county
board since January, 1893. He is at this writing engaged in buying
grain at Brandon, and carrying on his farm in Split Rock. He is
quite active in political matters, and an energetic, public-spirited
citizen. He is true to his friends and a companionable, all-around
good fellow.
Lillihaven, Gunder Olson, one of the first settlers of Bran
don, was born in Norway in 1835. He lived in Illinois and Iowa
before he came to this county in June, 1870, Avhen he took up as a
homestead the southeast quarter of section 29 in Brandon, where
he and his wife still reside and have a good farm.
Nelson, Ole, was born in Wermland, SAveden, Deceraber 29,
1861, and carae to this country with his parents, stopping with them
in Illinois; and after their coraing to this county has assisted his
father, Nels Olson, in taking care of the farm in sections 26 and 27,
in Brandon, where he still resides with his family. He has been
director of the school board several years, and was one of the super
visors of the town board in 1897; is a good farraer and a good citizen.
Nelson, Engebret, was born in Bergen, Norway, April 12,
1835. He eraigrated to the United States in 1864, lived in Wisconsin
four years, in Iowa six years, and came to Dakota in 1874, when he
took up his present horaestead in sections 33 and 34 in Brandon,
Avhich IS now a good farra. He is an industrious farraer and a good
citizen.

John T. Lee.

52

history of minnehaha county. 819

Nordstrom, John S., has been a well-known resident of this
county since 1874, when he came here from Illinois, where he had
lived since coming to the United States in 1871. He was born Octo
ber 19, 1845, in Sweden. He lives on his homestead, the northeast
quarter of section 19 in Brandon, and has a good farra. He has been
a raeraber of the school board, is a thrifty farraer and a good citizen.
Olson, Allen, was born in Norway, September 24, 1843. He
came to the United States July 3, 1869, and located in Iowa. Six
years later he removed to Dakota, and settled in this county on the
20th of October, 1875, taking- up as a homestead the south half of the
northwest quarter and the north half of the southwest quarter of
section 24 in Brandon, where he still resides, and has a well im
proved farm and a large live stock. He has been director of the
school board.
Olson, Nels, was born in Wermland, Sweden, December 15,
1812. He emigrated to the United States in 1870, and lived in
Illinois two years. In 1872 he removed to Dakota and settled in this
county, taking up a horaestead in sections 26 and 27 in Brandon,
Avhere he still resides. He also took up a tree claim, but disposed of
it to one of his sons. He has several Avell-to-do sons in this county
Avho have good farms and are enterprising, good citizens; one of
thera, Nels Nelson Graff, being the first permanent settler in Bran
don township. Olson, O. D. J., was born in Mora, Sweden, October 7, 1834.
He lived in Illinois and Iowa before he settled in Dakota in 1872. He
came first to Sioux Falls, then a small village, but shortly after
took up as a horaestead the south half of the southeast quarter of
section 2, and the north half of the northeast quarter of section 11,
in Brandon, where he now lives. He has a good farm and is a good
citizen. Peterson, Lewis, is a native of Sweden, and was born Decem
ber 16, 1841. He emigrated to the United States in 1871, lived in
Michigan a short tirae, then at Lockport, 111., and carae to Sioux
Falls on the 23d day of April, 1873, together with sixteen other per
sons, also frora Lockport, who all settled in Brandon. On the first
day of May, following, he made a homestead filing on the northeast
quarter of section 10, and in March, 1874, he took up as a tree claira
the northwest quarter of the same section. In 1874 he built a stone
house on his homestead, which was the first in the county outside
of the city of Sioux Falls, and can still be seen on the farm, although
it is no longer used as a residence, there being now a large two-story
frame house for that purpose. Mr. Peterson has been a very in
dustrious man, and has one of the best improved farras in the county,
having not less than thirty acres of trees, all set out by himself, a
very fine orchard, and substantial buildings. In addition to caring
for his farm he has done considerable work as a stone raason. He
was foreman of the stone work when the penitentiary was erected,
has built three stone dams across the Sioux river, and theabutraents
and piers for the Tenth street bridge in Sioux Falls, and several
other large jobs of work in this line. Mr. Peterson has been chair-

820 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

man of the toAvn board in Brandon two years, is one of the well fixed
farraers of that township, and is a good neighbor and citizen.
Peterson, Nels, is another Swedish farraer who has lived in
the county since 1883. He has a good farra on the south half of the
northwest quarter of section 36, where he resides engaged in farm
ing. He Avas born in 1836.
Risty, Gullick O., one of the first settlers of Brandon, is a
native of NorAA'ay, and was born October 14, 1832. He emigrated to
the United States, lived in Iowa for some time, and carae to Dakota
in 1870. At that time he took up a horaestead and pre-eraption in
sections 32 and 33 in Brandon, to which he has since added by pur
chase several hundred acres of land, and has a very fine farm. Mr.
Risty is one of the prosperous, reliable farraers of the county, and is
a good citizen.
Risty, A. G., Avas born in NorAvay, in 1855, and eraigrated to
this country with his father Gullick O. Risty, and settled in Bran
don. He owns several hundred acres of land, and resides on the
southwest quarter of section 33, and has a good farra with raore than
ordinary iraproveraents. He has held A'arious town offices, and in
November, 1896, was elected to the House of Representatives, and
re-elected in 1898. He is highly esteemed as a neighbor and citizen.
SoRENSON, Iver, was born in Norway, December 18, 1843. He
carae to the United States in 1869 and lived in Wisconsin until 1874,
Avhen he carae to this county and filed a pre-eraption on the north
half of the southwest quarter and the north half of the southeast
quarter of section 1, in Brandon. It is now a well cultivated farm,
and he is still living there with his faraily.
Studeen, Peter, a native of Sweden, was born in 1835. He
eraigrated to the United States and lived in Missouri until he came
to Dakota and settled in this county in 1877. He filed a horaestead
on the southeast quarter and the southAvest quarter of the northeast
quarter of section 12, in Brandon, where he has since resided. He
is an industrious and contented farraer, and a good citizen.
Swenson, Erik, is a native of Sweden, and was born June 8,
1819. He eraigrated to the United States in 1862, and lived in
California, Mississippi and Illinois until in 1876, when he settled
down in Dakota, and has been a well knoAvn resident of this county
ever since. He took up the southwest quarter of section 4, in Bran
don, where he resides. He also owns lots and houses on First and
Second avenues in the city of Sioux Palls.
iQC£®^-^^^°^' ^H^^^ES, a son of Erik Swenson, was born June 20,
1856. He took up as a horaestead the Avest half of the southwest
quarter of section 15, in Brandon, but at the present Avriting hves
with his lather on section 4.
Swenson, Nels, is a native of Sweden, and was born in 1845.
He eraigrated to the United States, and lived in Iowa, Missouri and
Kansas before he carae to Dakota in 1873. At that time he entered
a homestead and pre-emption on the south half of section 9, in Bran
s'"; '^'Slu*" ^¦'^J'^sided until in 1893, when he was accidentally killed.
tie held the office of town supervisor, and was a good citizen,'

History of minnehaha county. 821

Swenson, Peter J., was born in SAveden, June 4, 1847. After
his coming to this countrv in 1869 he lived in Illinois and Mississippi,
and came to Minnehaha county March 28, 1874. He took up as a
homestead the northeast quarter of section 5. where he still resides,
and bought the northwest quarter of section 4 in Brandon, and the
south half of the southeast quarter of section 33 in Edison. He Avas
one of the supervisors of the town board in Brandon in 1895, is a
thrifty, industrious farmer, and a g-ood citizen.
Thoreson, Borger, was born in Norway, August 24, 1861, and
carae to the United States with his parents in 1868, and located in
Fillraore county, Minnesota. In 1873 they removed from there to
Dakota, and took upas a homestead the southeast quarter of section 14
in Brandon, to Avhich the subject of this sketch has added by purchase
forty acres adjoining, and has a good farm. He has held the office
of school treasurer, is an enterprising, intellig-ent farmer, and a good
citizen. Valgren, Hans Peter, is a native of Halland, Sweden, and vvas
born on the 28th day of May, 1843. He engaged in farming for ten
years in his native country, and emigrated to the United States in
1882, and settled in Minnehaha county. He bought a farm, on which
he resided until 1892, when he sold it, and bought the southeast
quarter of section 13 in Brandon, where he has since resided, and
has a good farra. He has been one of the trustees of the Swedish
Lutheran church for three years, and has been a director of the
school board for the same length of tirae. His son is one of the cora
petent teachers in Brandon township, and a young man of good ad
dress and promising future. They are both public-spirited raen,
and good and respected citizens.
Wahlstrom, Nels, is a native of Sweden, and was born Sep
tember 21, 1853. In 1878 he carae to the United States, and settled
in Minnehaha county. He has a good farm on the northeast quarter
of section 9 in Brandon, where he resides with his family, engaged
in farraing. He forraerly had a pre-eraption consisting of eighty
acres in Edison, but sold it. He is an industrious, thrifty farraer,
and a respected citizen.
Wilson, Lars, came to the United States in 1868, and resided
in Illinois and loAva until 1883, when he came to Dakota and settled
in this county. He took up as a homestead the northeast quarter of
section 13 in'Brandon, where he has since resided and has a good
farra. He also owns about 400 acres of land in sections 11, 14, and
23, in the same township. He is an industrious farmer, an enter
prising citizen, and is a native of Sweden Avhere he was born May
30, 1833.

MAPIiETON TOM^NSHIP.
(102-49)
The boundary lines of Mapleton township were surveyed by W.
J. Neeley in July, 1859, and the subdivision was raade by Carl C. P.
Meyer in September, 1864. According to the government survey
the township contains 23,024.50 acres of land. It is well watered by
the Big Sioux river. Slipup creek and their tributaries, and has con
siderable bottom land, raaking it as a whole one of the best town
ships in the county. The first settlements were made in the north
Avestern portion of the township, the south half at that tirae being
within the boundaries of the Military Reservation and not subject to
settleraent. The first settler was John Nelson, who took up land in
section 25 in 1866. A post office, called Republican, was established
in Mapleton toAvnship soon after the mail route opened between
Sioux Falls and Dell Rapids. It was located on section 5, and John
Nelson Avas its first postmaster. In 1882, Ole Gunderson was ap
pointed postraaster and he raoved the office to the northwest corner
of section 8 where it remained for about twelve years, when Ole O.
Gilseth was appointed postmaster and removed the office to his horae
on section 5 where it is located at this writing. Owing to its prox
iraity tothe city of Sioux Falls the inhabitants of Mapleton avail thera
selves of the advantages offered by the raetropolis. The township
has no churches, public buildings or stores. The Milwaukee railroad
runs through its entire length north and south, and until a station
called Renner was established in 1898, on the southwest quarter of
section 9, there was no railroad station within its borders. The proper
records show there is a boundary line between Sioux Falls and
Mapleton townships, but so far as general business transactions of
the inhabitants of the two townships are concerned its existence is
not recognized. MAPLETON TOWNSHIP BOARD.
The records of Mapleton begin March 5, 1881, at which date
there was a raeeting of the township board at Ole Thompson's house.
C. G. Coats was chairman and associated with hira as supervisors
were Iver Nelson and W. J. Crittenden. At this meeting John
Fortune was appointed constable, L. Renner assessor, and C. Moen
was the first clerk.
1882. The supervisors were Iver Nelson chairman, Thoraas
Paulson, Edgar Foster; C. Moen clerk; L. Renner assessor.
1883. Iver Nelson, Thomas Paulson and H. B. Caldwell com
posed the board of supervisors; Ole Gunderson assessor and justice
of the peace. On the 26th day of Mav, O. P. Schjodt was appointed
clerk. " "

HfSTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 823

1884. At the first March election of township officers the fol
lowing persons were elected: Supervisors, Thoraas Paulson chair
man, lA-er Nelson, L. Renner; clerk, O. P. Schjodt; treasurer, G. O.
Daleraoe; justice, E. J. King-sbury; assessor, Ole Gunderson; con
stables, James Delany, John Fortune.
1885. Supervisors, Thomas Paulson chairman, Iver Nelson, L.
Renner; clerk, O. P- Schjodt; treasurer, G. O. Daleraoe; assessor,
E. J. Kingsbury.
1886. The record was so incomplete for this year that it Avas
irapossible to ascertain Avho the town officials were.
1887. Supervisors, L. Renner chairman, John Fortune,
Thomas Paulson; clerk, O. P. Schjodt; treasurer, Jonas Olson; as
sessor, Ole Gunderson; justices, H. Tabor, E. J. Kingsbury; con
stable, E. E. Moen. June 27, $150 was appropriated and tumed over
to Iver Nelson to aid in building a bridge across the Sioux river.
1888. Supervisors, L. Renner chairraan, John Fortune, Thomas
Paulson; clerk, O. P. Schjodt; treasurer, Jonas Olson; assessor, Ole
Gunderson; justice, E. J. Kingsbury; constables, David Dickey, T.
Hackett. 1889. Supervisors, L. Renner chairman, Thomas Paulson, Iver
Nelson; clerk, O. P. Schjodt; treasurer, Jonas Olson; assessor, Ole
Gunderson; justice, H. Tabor; constable, A. J. Aspaas. It was re
solved "that every taxpayer in the township shall be his own pound-
master." 1890. Supervisors, Thomas Paulson chairman, L. Renner, Ole
Gunderson; clerk, O. P. Schjodt; treasurer, Jonas Olson; assessor,
Peter Nelson; justice, Ole Gunderson; constables, Wm. Person,
Esten E. Moen.
1891. Supervisors, J. L. Ingalls chairman, T. I. Sweeting, H.
Tabor; clerk, R. M. Seager; treasurer, R. B. Seager; assessor, John
Fortune; justices, J. Smith Kirk, M. Caldwell; constables, David
Dickey, H. Hackett. April 4, a township meeting was held at the
Ingalls school house for the purpose of considering- the question of a
resurvey of the township, and the following resolution was intro
duced and voted upon by ballot: "Resolved that the township be re-
surveyed in accordance with the original plat, and each section be re-
surveyed; that the county surveyor be employed to do the work and
that the raoney be raised to cover the expenses." The vote was in
the affirmative. Another meeting was held June 24, when it was de
terrained that the section corners upon the highways should be lo
cated and landmarks erected at such corners as provided in sections
2 and 3 of chapter 35 of the session laws of 1890; that the surveyor
make a legal survey in accordance with the provisions of said chapter
35, and relocate and establish the section and quarter section corners
throughout the township as originally established by the United
States survey, and that cedar posts be used in marking said corners.
July 7, the board resolved that the noxious Aveed law should be en
forced and that all Russian thistle, cockle burr and Canada thistle
within the township should be destroyed before August 15, 1891,
and that notices of the action of the board should be published as re
quired by law.

824 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

1892. Supervisors, J. L. Ingalls chairman, H. Tabor, T. J.
Sweeting-; clerk, R. M. Seager; treasurer, R. B. Seager; assessor,
Andrew Brende; justice, W. Bliss. At this election there were 101
ballots cast. On the 9th day of February, 1893, the township was
divided into six road districts.
1893. Supervisors, E. Cornue chairman, Jonas Olson, Iver Nel
son; clerk, R. M. Seag-er; treasurer, R. B. Seager; assessor, A. P.
Brende; justices, J. Smith Kirk, L. O. Myrick; constables, James
Delaney, Walter HayAvard.
1894. Supervisors, Edgar E. Cornue chairman, Jonas Olson,
Iver Nelson; clerk, R. M. Seager; treasurer, R. B. Seager; assessor,
AndreAv Brende.
1895. Supervisors, Edgar E. Cornue chairman, Jonas Olson,
Iver Nelson; clerk, R. M. Seager; treasurer, Esten E. Moen; as
sessor, Andrew Brende.
1896. Supervisors, L. Renner chairman, Jonas Olson, Iver
Nelson; clerk, R. M. Seager; treasurer, E. E. Moen; assessor, O.
P. Schjodt. J 897 and 1898. Sarae officers as in 1896.
1899. Supervisors, L. Renner chairraan, Esten E. Moen, Jonas
Olson; clerk, R. M. Seager; treasurer, Torsten Olson; assessor, O.
P. Schjodt. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Berg, Jens S., a native of Norway, was born May 29, 1837. He
eraigrated to the United States in 1865, and settled in Minnesota.
On the 26th day of July, 1869, he arrived in this county and settled
m Mapleton. He took up the southeast quarter of section 30, where
he has smce resided. He has a good farra, and is a respected citi
zen and well liked by his neighbors.
ioao"^^?T^' ^^^^^'^' is a native of Norway, and Avas born March 3,
1823. He emigrated to the United States in 1867, and settled in
Minnesota for a short time. Frora there he reraoved to Mapleton,
this county, and took up the west tier of forties in section 29, where
he has smce resided. He has a good farm and is an industrious,
good citizen.
c iQ^o^^^' ^^^^D' was born at White Pigeon, Michigan, December
5 1 84 J. Me resided m the Pennsylvania oil regions several years,
then went to Iowa where he resided four years and removed from
there to this county m 1879. He owns a farm of 200 acres in sec
tions 18, 19 and 20, m Mapleton, where he has resided several years.
He has held school and township offices, and is a highly respected
citizen. * -^ ^
• I^OWDLE, William, was bom in Ireland, in October, 1828, and
einigrated to the United States in 1845. He resided for awhile in
l^ennsylvania, and then came to Minnesota where he remained twenty-
five years. In March, 1878, he reraoved to McCook county, this state,
and took up a pre-eraption and homestead. In 1883 came to this
county and settled in Mapleton, where he soon became the owner of
a large tarm, and at the present writing there is nothing to indicate
that he will not be able to care for himself for a long tune to come.

Ole Gunderson.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 827

Eggen, Esten B., a native of Norway, was bom in 1830. He
emigrated with his family to Goodhue county, Minnesota, in 1865,
and resided there until in 1871, when they decided to remove to Da
kota. They started out across the prairie with an ox-team, and it
took them sixteen days before they reached this county. They lo
cated in Mapleton on their present homestead in sections 31 and 32,
which is noAv a Avell improved farm, Avith a large residence and good
outbuildings. Mr. Egge is a g-ood farmer and a g-ood citizen.
Erickson, Erick, was born in Sweden, but emigrated to the
United States, and located in Mapleton, July 6, 1871. He secured
considerable land in sections 19, 20 and 30, and resided on his farm
until his decease. On the 12th day of January, 1888, he went to a
haystack in his field to get a load of hay, but was overtaken by the
terrible blizzard that occurred on that day, and was frozen to death.
His body was not found for several days. He was a good citizen and
Avell liked by his neighbors. At the time of his decease he was
about 70 years of age.
Gilseth, Ole Olson, one of the pioneer farmers of this county,
Avas born in Norway, Noveraber 18, 1844. He emigrated to the
United States and lived in Goodhue county, Minnesota, until the fall
of 1866, when he and John J. Aasen, Jr., concluded to join their
friends John Thompson and John Nelson, who had settled in the
Sioux Valley in Dakota, duringthe spring of that year. An account
of their perilous trip appears in the chapter devoted to reminiscences.
Mr. Gilseth took up land in section 5, in Mapleton, and in section 31,
in Sverdrup, to which he has since added by purchase, and now has
a good farm of nearly 300 acres, with substantial buildings and im
provements. He has been postmaster of the Republican post office
for several years, and has also held the office of school district treas
urer. He is an industrious farmer and a respected citizen.
Gunderson, Ole, is a native of Norway, and Avas born July 22,
1852. He emigrated to Minnesota in 1866, and in July the following
year came to Mapleton, and took up a homestead of 160 acres in sec
tions 7 and 8, and engaged in farming. He has added to his original
farra nearly 300 acres in section 8, and also owns 200 acres elsewhere
in the county. In 1882 he was appointed postraaster of the Republi
can post office, which position he held until 1894. He has been jus
tice of the peace, assessor, and supervisor and clerk of the town
board, and held some of these offices for several successive years.
He has also been a director in the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance
Corapany located in this county. Few farmers have been more in
dustrious than Ole Gunderson," and his intercourse with his neigh
bors has been of such a character that no one of thera would envy his
prosperity, and all would regret any adversity that might overtake
him. It is not too much to say that he is one of the raost sturdy, re
liable citizens in the county.
Hayward, Reuben W., was bom at Washington, Washington
county, Vermont, in 1844; was raised on a farm, and attended dis
trict schools. On the 8th dav of Otcober, 1861, he enlisted in Co. E,
First Vermont Cavalry, and served until November 10, 1865; was

828 history of minnehaha county.

wounded in the battle of Winchester, and also in the battle of Gettys
burg; was taken prisoner twice but got away both times, after being
in captivity two days on the first occasion, and one week the second
tirae. After the war he boug-ht a farra in Vermont and engaged in
farming five years; then sold out and went to Colorado, and worked
at the mason's trade four years in Denver, and at freighting and
mining four years; then left Colorado, and went to San Francisco,
where he remained six months, and then took a trip to Boston for a
few months; in 1882 he returned to the West, reaching Sioux Falls
on the 7th day of April that year, where he decided to locate. He
engaged in farming on section 16 in Mapleton, and when the school
land was opened up for sale he bought a quarter section from the
county and resides there at the present time. He is a thrifty, enter
prising farraer, has a good farra, and is a good citizen.
HuNTEMER, John, was born in Potosi, Grant county, Wisconsin,
March 15, 1850. At the age of fourteen years and seven months he
enlisted in the First Wisconsin Cavalry, and was one of those who
helped capture Jeff Davis, and was paid $300 of the reward offered
for his capture. He came to Sioux Falls with his brother William
on the 16th day of April, 1871, and took up the southwest quarter of
section 15 in Mapleton, where he resided for about five years when
he sold out. He then went to Dell Rapids and built a hotel of which
he was the landlord for about three years, when he sold out and re
moved to Madison, Lake county, this state, where he still resides.
He enjoys the honor of being the youngest person who enlisted and
served during the war of the rebellion from the State of Wisconsin.
Ingalls, James L., Avas born, at Allegany, New York, May 9, 1838.
He received a common school education, and engaged in farming in
his native state, Illinois, and Iowa until 1878, when he reraoved to
this county and located in Mapleton in May of that vear. He took
up a homestead in section 23, where he has since res"'ided. In addi
tion to his homestead of 160 acres he has purchased adjoining land
and his horae farm now comprises about 700 acres. He has other
farms and farm lands in the countv, so that in the aggregate he owns
upwards of 1,500 acres. Por the fast few years he has been engaged
on quite an extensive scale in the manufacture of cheese, and has
raade a success of the business. He is a very industrious, hard-
Avorking raan, and has been honored by his fellow townsraen by his
election to iraportant town offices. During the time of the resurvey
ol the township, he was chairman of the board of supervisors, and
raade a good official. He is a good neighbor and a good citizen.
Krogstad, Iver J., was born in Norway January 12, 1831. He
eraigrated to Goodhue county, Minnesota, " resided there for two
years and carae to Dakota and settled in this county June 28, 1868,
at which time his neigbors were few and far between. He made a
horaestead entry upon the southwest quarter of section 5, in Maple
ton, where he still resides. He has a good farm and is a respected
citizen. ^

John Nelson.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 831

Moen, Esten E., was born in Norway November 29, 1857. He
emigrated to this country with his father Esten E. Eggen, and lived
with him in Minnesota and Dakota until he took up as a horaestead
the east half of the northAvest quarter of section 19, in Mapleton. He
is also the OAvner of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter
of section 20, in the sarae town. He has held the office of road super
visor and has been school district treasurer ten years. He is a re
spected citizen.
Myrick, Lucius O., is a native of Canada, and Avas born March
15, 1833. The following year he carae to the United States with his
parents, Avho located in Illinois. In 1873 he becarae a resident of
Minnehaha county, securing as a horaestead 120 acres of section 26,
and 40 acres of section 25, in Mapleton, where he still resides and has
agood farra. He enlisted in the First Wisconsin artillery, in the fall
of 1862, and was honorably discharg-ed in July, 1864. He has held
the office of clerk of the town board of Mapleton, and is a good and
respected citizen.
Nelson, Iver, is a native of Norway, and was born August 6,
1835. He eraigrated to this country and lived in Wisconsin and Min
nesota prior to his coraing to Minnehaha county in June,* 1872. He
took up as a horaestead the southeast quarter of section 7, in Maple
ton, where he resides at the present time, and has a first-class farm,
with substantial buildings and improvements. At the death of his
father, Nels Iverson, which occurred a few years ago, he inherited
320 acres of land in sections 17 and 18 in the same town; he has also
purchased considerable land, and owns about 600 acres in all. He is
a prosperous farmer and a respected citizen. Has been town super
visor and school director, and Avas postmaster of the Republican post
office a number of years.
Nelson, John, the pioneer farmer of Mapleton, Avas born in
Norway in 1839, and carae to the United States in 1854._ He resided
in Wisconsin and Minnesota until 1866, when he and his wife in com
pany with John Thompson and wife started out for Dakota, and ar
rived in Minnehaha county June 29, of that year. He took up as a
homestead the southeast quarter of section 5 in Mapleton, and pre
empted land in sections 17 and 20 in the same township. He has
raany interesting incidents to relate of his pioneer days, and one ap
pears in the chapter of rerainiscences. He was postraaster of the
Republican post office eleven years, and resided on his farra in Ma
pleton until a few years ago, when he reraoved to Arlington, Kings
bury county, this state. Mr. Nelson is kind and obliging, and is an
enterprising and respected citizen.
O'Grady, John, was born in Ireland April 16, 1848, and erai
grated to the United States in 1864. About the 10th day of June,
1866, he carae to Sioux Falls with Corapany D, 22d U. S. Infantry.
Mr. O'Grady says that "at that tirae the corapany was under the com
raand of Colonel Knox, and had been ordered to Sioux Falls to relieve
Corapany E., bth Iowa Cavalry. There Avere then about twenty-five
or thirty cavalry men in Sioux Palls, and they left the sarae day the
infantry arrived, Dr, Nisley and Mr. Pratt, the hospital steward.

832 history of minnehaha county.

who had been with the cavalry corapany, reraained. A commissary
building was constructed by our corapany just below where the west
end of the Eighth street bridge is now located, and a building for of
ficers quarters was erected where E. J. Daniels' store now is. An
addition to the sutler's store in the block southeast of the Cataract
hotel was also built, and a guardhouse north and west of the bar
racks near Seventh street. There was a large . log house north of
the barracks, with only a Avagon road between the two buildings. It
was about thirty feet square and built of heavy logs, with a dirt roof;
there was no floor, except overhead, Avhich was made of Cottonwood
boards, intended as a last resort from which to shoot in case of at
tack. This building, which had been erected before our company
arrived, was used by us as an armory. In 1868 Colonel Knox went
to Philadelphia, and Captain John Duffy succeeded him in command.
In April, 1869, I was discharged, my term of enlistment having ex
pired. During the summer of 1869 the company left for Port Ran
dall." Soon after, when the railitary reservation was opened for
settlers, Mr. O'Grady secured 120 acres of land in section 20 in Ma
pleton, to which he has since added 120 acres, located on each of the
banks of the Sioux river, which divides his farra into nearly two
equal parts. He has been an industrious raan, and is a good citizen.
Olson, Jonas, one of the pioneers of Mapleton township, was
born in Norway February 8, 1845; carae to the United States in 1867,
and located in this county in 1868, where he has since resided. He
secured a pre-eraption and a homestead when he first came here, the
former of which he sold, the latter he still retains, comprising the
southeast quarter of section 9, in the town of Mapleton. He has a
splendid farra with good buildings and improvements, one barn alone
costing about $2,000. He has added to his land by purchase so that
now he owns about 400 acres, and is well-to-do. He has always taken
an active interest in the welfare of his town, has held the office of
town treasurer several years, and since 1893, has been one of the
supervisors of the toAvn board. He is highly esteemed as a neighbor
and citizen.
Peterson, Robert, was born at Merager, in the province of
Trondhjem, Norway, on the llth day of December, 1822. Eraigrated
to the United States with his faraily in 1858, and settled in Goodhue
county, Minnesota, and engaged in farraing for ten years. In Sep
tember, 1868, came to Dakota, and located about nine miles up the
nver frora Sioux Falls, which at that tirae was a military post.
lhe first winter they lived with John Nelson, a nephew of Mrs.
Peterson, who had a cabin about two miles farther north. The fol
lowing year Mr. Peterson coramenced building a log house which is
shown in accompanying illustration, on the northwest quarter of sec
tion 17, m Mapleton, which was then Avithin the boundaries of the
military reservation. He had not more than done so, when one day
he was called upon by a squad of soldiers, who fired their guns in
'^Ii}-1 "'S-hten the sturdy poineer, and threatened him with arrest
it he did not immediately vacate. But John Nelson happened to be
there, and remonstrated saying they were not to be so easily fright-

Robert Peterson.

Robert Peterson's Log House.

history of minnehaha county, 835

ened away, and Mr. Peterson decided to reraain. The soldiers then
arrested Mr. Peterson, brought hira to Sioux Falls, and kept hira in
the guardhouse over night. The next day Mr. Nelson went to see
the colonel, and showed the following letter from Congressraan Spink,
written at Yankton June 19, 1869: "John Nelson, Esq. Dear Friend:
The Adjutant General of the United States, in reply to inquiries,
informs me that the Commissioner of the General Land Office had
been notified by the War Department, on the 9th day of June, that
the military reservation at Sioux Falls had been abandoned. This,
of course, opens up the land to settlement. Please inform the peo
ple of your vicinity. Your friend, S. L. Spink." This had the effect
of immediately releasing Mr. Peterson. The colonel, however, made
a long report of the occurrence, which was forwarded to the proper
authorities. Mr. Peterson secured the east half of the northeast
quarter of section 18, and the west half of the northwest quarter of
section 17, as a pre-emption, and later took up a homestead compris
ing the east half of the northwest quarter, and the west half of the
northeast quarter of section 17, in Mapleton, and afterwards bought
160 acres in section 18. He resided on his farm until his death,
which occurred on the 29th day of August, 1887, survived by his wife,
two sons and a daughter. Mr. Peterson was one of those sturdy set
tlers, who in honesty of purpose, and perseverance and endurance in
hardship will never be surpassed.
Peterson, Peter R., a son of Robert Peterson, was born in
Goodhue county, Minnesota, July 8, 1861. He came with his parents
to this county in the fall of 1868, and when the settlement was large
enough to have a school he received his education there. He worked
on his father's farm and grew up Avith the country. At the tirae of
his father's death he took charge of the horae farra in section 17,
where he still resides with his mother. He is well-to-do, is a good
farraer, energetic and enterprising, and is a respected citizen.
Peterson, Iver R., a brother of Peter R. Peterson, was born
in Goodhue county, Minnesota, March 21, 1867, but carae with his
parents to this county the following year, where he received his edu
cation, and worked on his father's farra. At the death of his father,
in 1887, he inherited 106 acres of land in section 18 in Mapleton,
where he is now engaged in farraing, and has a good farm. He is a
good citizen.
Renner, Leonard, is a prosperous farmer residing in Maple
ton township, where he bought and now OAvns about 960 acres of
land in sections 8, 9, 15, 16, 17 and 22. He has a comfortable and
attractive residence, and good outbuildings and barns for stock and
machinery. He was born in Germany June 9, 1840, eraigrated to the
United States in 1848, lived in New York two years and in Wiscon
sin frora 1850 to 1878, when he removed to Dakota and has been a
well-known resident of this county ever since. He has been assessor
and a member of the town board of Mapleton for several years. Dur
ing the war of the rebellion he served in Battery B, 1st Illinois Light
Artillery, and was a noncommissioned officer two years. The C.,
M. & St. Paul Railroad Company has recently established a station.

836 history of minnehaha county.

called Renner, on his farm. Mr. Renner is an enterprising and
highly esteeraed citizen.
Seager, Richard M., was born in Virgil, Cortland county. New
York, July 31, 1860. His early years were spent on a farm and in
attending the public schools. He completed his education at Dryden,
New York, and was graduated from the Dryden academy. He com
menced teaching school when sixteen years of age and was thus era
ployed for two years. His next business was farraing in Iowa; then
he spent a short tirae in Minnesota and from there went to Avork upon
the famous Dwight farm in North Dakota; then drifted into Montana
and was at Miles City when the Northern Pacific railroad first
reached that place. He then went back to New York and was em
ployed for three years in woolen mills, and in 1887 came from there
to this county, where he has since been engaged in farming in Map
leton. He is clerk of school district No. 17, and has been town clerk
of Mapleton since 1891. He is a good neighbor and highly respected
citizen. Tabor, Holmes, was born in Greenwich, Washington county.
New York, March 7, 1837. At the age of eleven years he removed to
Livingston county. New York, Avhere he received a good education.
Frora there reraoved to Detroit, Michigan, where he taught school
ten years, and was school inspector the sarae length of time. Was
in the postal service for ten years, and held the office of justice of
the peace four years where he resided, and also the office of super
visor. He resided for about three years in Kansas and Nevada. In
1885 came to this county, and settled in Mapleton, Avhere he engaged
in farming in sections 30 and 31. While a resident of Mapleton he
was one of the supervisors of the town board for two years. A few
years ago he removed to the city of Sioux Falls and more recently to
Kansas City where he now resides. He is a Avell informed raan, "and
always took an active part in public raatters, and he Avould feel that
his record was not complete if it failed to state that he was always a
zealous Republican.

BENTON TOAVNSHIP.
(102-50)
The township of Bent(m is one of the finest townships in the
county. It is conveniently located for business purposes, has a rich,
productive soil, with very little waste land and is dotted over with
not onl}' corafortable farm residences, but several of them indicate
that the owners have succeeded in a short time in securing for them
selves and families more than a mere competence. The northeast
ern portion of the township is settled principally by people of Nor
wegian descent, and they have some very fine farms. The north
western portion of the township has several families of Swedish
descent, and here too industry and thrift have changed the raw prai
rie into profitable farms. Owing to its proximity to Sioux Palls it
was settled quite early. Lars Olson Ulvilden took up a homestead
in 1870, in section 12, and from this time the land AA'as rapidly taken
up by actual settlers. The toAvnship lines were surveyed by Wra.
J. Neeley in July, 1859, and the subdivision of the township was
made by Carl C. P. Meyer in September, 1864, and contains 22,976.46
acres of land. At the time of its subdivision there were several
small streams of water running through the township, which for the
past few years have been dry the greater portion of the time. Skunk
creek flows through the southwestern portion, and the Willow creek
through the centre of the township, branching out east and west,
affording channels for the escape of surplus water during heavy
rains, and also marking the places where in former years running
water was the rule and not the exception.
Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church. — This church was or
ganized in Benton on the 14th day of August, 1873, with thirteen
charter members. Prom that time services were held with more or
less regularity until a very neat and commodious church building-
was erected in 1887, on the southeast corner of section 28, at a cost
of $1,200, which was dedicated on Sunday, September 4, of that year.
A good many rainisters have acted as pastors of this church since its
organization. The first one was the Rev. Fielder, but during the
past few years the Reverends Redfield, Jenkins, Brown and Pawell
have had charge. In connection with the church there is a prosper
ous Sunday school numbering about forty scholars, and also an Ep
worth League with a membership of twenty-three.

838

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church.— This church Avas
organized May 4, 1878, with a membership of twenty-six. A church
building was erected in 1885, on the southeast quarter of section 5 in
Benton, at a cost of $2,000, which was paid for by the members of the
church. It is commodious and well furnished, and in August, 1894,
a new bell was placed in the church tower. The first pastor of the
church was the Rev. J. H. Randahl, who was succeeded by the Rev.
G. A. Ekeberg, and he in turn was succeeded by the Rev. J.
Pranzen. Services are held every other Sunday. There is a pros
perous Sufiday school in connection with the church, with about
thirty scholars, also a Ladies' Aid society.
Good Templars.— The Bethel Lodge No. 303 of the I. O. G. T.,
was organized in Benton during the spring of 1893, with about four
teen charter members. The present membership (1895) is thirty-
two, and the Lodge is in a prosperous condition, with a very large
attendance at its raeetings, which are held every Monday evening at
the Bethel church. j j s
New Hope Creamery.-Iu the spring of 1895, a creamery was
built on the southwest quarter of section two, in Benton township.
J^ rank H. 1^ loyd was the raoving spirit in the enterprise. It cora
raenced doing business the 1st day of June, 1895, but on the 22d day
ot August, following, it was destroyed by fire. The next year Mr.
^loyd and the farraers living in the vicinity rebuilt it, although it
did not comraence domg business until January, 1897. During the
summer following, Mr. Floyd suddenly took his departure from the
state and it became necessary to reorganize the company. On the
24th day of September, 1897, articles were filed by D. O. Crooks, T.
E. Safer and P. M. Peterson, for the incorporation of the

history of minnehaha county. 839

New Hope Co-operative Creamery Company, with a capital
stock of $5,000. It is well equipped for the business, and is receiv
ing on an average 18,000 pounds of milk a week. This creamery en
joys the distinction of being awarded a preraiura at the National
Creamery Butterraakers meeting held in Sioux Palls in Januarv,
1899. The butter manufactured at this creamery is shipped to Nevv
York, Avhere it bring-s a g-ilt-edged price. Georg-e Crooks, a son of
W. A. Crooks, has had charge of the creamery during the past year.
BENTON TOWNSHIP BOARD.
The first meeting of the board was held at the house of Sever
Wilkinson, January 3, 1881. The first town officers were: Super
visors, Wm. Alguire chairman, N. B. Nelson, H. H. Moore; clerk.
Sever Wilkinson; assessor, Knut Iverson. At this raeeting the town
was divided into four road districts. June 13, the board authorized
Wra. Alguire to purchase two road scrapers. At the July meeting-
$106 was appropriated by the board for building bridges across
Skunk and Spring creeks.
1882. Supervisors, H. H. Moore chairraan, N. B. Nelson, J. C.
Eldridge; clerk, S. Helgeson; treasurer, Wra. Alguire. May 8, the
board apportioned $150 received frora the county bridge fund, for
building and repairing bridges.
1883. Supervisors, J. C. Eldridge chairman, J. P. Johnson, E.
H. Darrow; clerk, S. Helgeson; treasurer, Knut Iverson; assessor,
Wm. Alguire; justice, W. A. Crooks.
1884. Supervisors, J. C. Eldridge chairman, J. P. Johnson, P.
C. Prebel; clerk, S. Helgeson; treasurer, Knut Iverson.
1885. Supervisors, J. C. Eldridge chairman, J. P. Johnson, P.
C. Prebel; clerk, S. Helgeson; assessor, Wm. Alguire; treasurer,
Thoraas Stapleton, who reported at the end of the fiscal yearin Feb
ruary, 1886, that he had collected during the year $789.59, and paid
out $276.96. 1886. Supervisors, P. C. Prebel chairraan, J. C. Eldridge, C.
Christianson; clerk. Sever Wilkinson; treasurer, Thoraas Stapleton;
assessor, W. A. Crooks.
1887. Supervisors, J. C. Eldridge chairraan, J. P. Johnson,
C. Christianson; clerk, S.Wilkinson; treasurer, K. Iverson; assessor,
W. A. Crooks; justices, K. Iverson, P. D. Wilson; constables, W.
Crippin, August Johnson. The board raet March 19, and appointed
Thomas Stapleton treasurer, Alexander Mitchell justice and E H.
Darrow constable, to fill vacancies occasioned by the persons elected
to these offices having failed to qualify. April 30, the board entered
into an agreement with the town board of Mapleton "that Mapleton
should care for the south 2j4 railes of highway between the two
townships, and Benton for the north 3>^ railes for ever." Anagreeraent
was also entered into with the town board of Hartford for the divi
sion of the highway between the townships.
1888. Supervisors, J. C. Eldridge chairman, J. P. Johnson,
P. C. Prebel; clerk. Sever Wilkinson; treasurer, Thomas Stapleton;
assessor, W. A. Crooks. January 28, 1889, fourteen freeholders
presented a petition to the board to have the township resurveyed.

840 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

and the board ordered that the matter be referred to a vote of the
electors at the annual town meeting in March following.
1889. Supervisors, P. C. Prebel chairman, J.P.Johnson, L. A.
Newkirk; clerk, Henry Alguire; treasurer, Thomas Stapleton; asses
sor, P. D. Wilson; justices, Wra. Alguire, G. Rathburn; constables,
Daniel Foster, E. H. Darrow. The vote on the resurvey question
was 44 /or and 11 against. July 31, F. C. Prebel reported that he
had eng-aged "a surveyor and assistants to establish section lines
and locate and establish highways." August 23, at a town raeeting
it was declared by a vote of 18 to 5, "that all corners be established
in the resurvey." September 2, the bill of E. H. Van Antwerp for
surveying the township amounting to $407, was allowed. At a special
town meeting held September 16, a resolution was passed instruct
ing the road overseers "to take possession of the newly established
highways by ploughing a furrow two rods from the centre on each
side of such line. " At a special meeting held October 1, the ques
tion of establishing all the corners in the resurvey was again sub
raitted to the vote of the electors, and resulted in 65 for and none
against. Por this work Mr. Van Antwerp subsequently presented
a bill to the town board for $145, which was allowed October 21, at
$135. 1890. Supervisors, P. C. Prebel chairman, J. P. Johnson,
L. A. Newkirk; clerk, Henry Alguire; treasurer, Thomas Stapleton;
assessor, P. D. Wilson. A resolution was passed fixing the compen
sation of officers as follows: Supervisors and clerk $2 per day, asses
sor $3 per day, and the treasurer four per cent of all money paid
into the treasury. February 24, 1891, the treasurer reported having
received $543.43, which had been paid out, and that there were out
standing town orders in the sum of $267.29, but that the unpaid taxes
when collected would be sufficient to pay this indebtedness.
1891. Supervisors, Sever Helgeson chairman, L. A. Newkirk,
August A. Johnson; clerk, Henry Alguire; treasurer, Thomas Stap
leton; assessor, W. A. Crooks; justices, F. C. Prebel, Sever Wilkin
son; constables, D. O. Crooks, John Kickland. At a special meeting
of the board July 27, it was decided that all noxious weeds should be
destroyed within the toAvnship on or before August 20, as provided
by the statute. At the end of the fiscal year the treasurer reported
that he had on hand $467.76.
1892. Supervisors, L. A. Newkirk chairman, J. P. Johnson,
D. O. Crooks; clerk, Henry Alguire; treasurer, Thomas Stapleton;
assessor, S. Wilkinson; justices, Wm. Jackson and C. Christianson;
constables, John Person and John Kickland.
1893. Supervisors, L. A. Newkirk chairman, J. P- Johnson,
D. O. Crooks; clerk, Henry Alguire; treasurer, Thomas Stapleton;
assessor, W. A. Crooks; justice, S. Wilkinson. A resolution was
passed requiring "that the noxious weed laAv be enforced."
TA r^^^^' Supervisors, L. A. Newkirk chairman, J. P. Johnson,
D. O. Crooks; clerk, Henry Alguire; treasurer, Thoraas Stapleton;
assessor, H. Tideraann.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 841

1895. Supervisors, L. A. Newkirk chairman, J. P. Johnson,
D. O. Crooks; clerk, Henry Alguire; treasurer, Thomas Stapleton;
assessor. Sever Wilkinson.
1 896. Same officers as in 1895.
1897. Supervisors, Sever Wilkinson chairman, D. O. Crooks,
Carl Johnson; clerk, Henry Alguire; treasurer, Thoraas Stapleton;
assessor, D. E. Alg-uire.
1898. Supervisors, SeA'er Wilkinson chairman, D. O. Crooks,
Carl Johnson; clerk, Henry Alguire; treasurer, Thomas Stapleton;
assessor, F. D. Wilson.
1899. Supervisors, J. P. Johnson chairman, Carl Johnson,
Nels Pearson; clerk, Henry Alguire; treasurer, Thoraas Stapleton;
assessor, W. A. Crooks; justice, Theodore Kickland.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Aldrich, Lorenze, was born in Oswego, New York, in 1828;
lived there and in Michigan and Iowa until 1873, when he carae to Da
kota and located in this county on his present farm, which comprises
the northeast quarter of section 10 in Benton. He was postraaster
of New Hope post office several years, but resigned in 1879. He is a
good neighbor and a respected citizen.
Alguire, Henry, is a native of Grant county, Wisconsin, and
was born February 20, 1868. In 1873 his parents removed to this
county and settled in Benton, where the subject of this sketch has
since resided upon the old homestead, which coraprises the north
west quarter of section 35. He has held the office of town clerk sev
eral years, and is an enterprising and respected citizen.
Anderson Nels, a native of Sweden, was born December 1,
1848. He emigrated to the United States in 1871, lived in New
Jersey and Pennsylvania five years and came to Dakota in the spring
of 1876. He then "filed a homestead upon 80 acres of section 6 and 80
acres of section 5, in Benton, where he resided until his death, which
occurred October 27, 1894, survived by wife and nine children.
Baker, Andrew A., was born in Norway, June 19, 1831. He
emigrated to the United States in the spring of 1865 and located in
Wisconsin; removed from there to Iowa, and settled in Minnehaha
county in the fall of 1874. He took up as a tree claim the northwest
quarter of section 18, and as a homes! ead the northeast quarter of
the same section, where he resides. He has a good farm well im
proved, is a thrifty industrious farraer, and a respected citizen.
Baker, John A., was born in Norway July 28, 1861, and erai
grated to this country with his father, Andrew A. Baker. He lived
with his parents in Wisconsin and Iowa, and carae with thera to this
county in the fall of 1874. He now owns the southeast quarter of
section 7 in Benton, and has a good farm. He has been school clerk
in district No. 93, and is a good citizen.

842

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Christianson, Chris, isa native ofDenmark,and was borninl844.
He emigaated to the United States and located in Michigan. On the
12th day of August, 1871, he carae to Dakota, and took up as a home
stead the southeast quarter of section 1 in Benton, and a pre-emption
in section 6 in Mapleton, making in all about 327 acres of land, which
is now under good cultivation. He resides with his family on the
homestead, and, to use his own words, his improvements will show
the following: "six boys and one girl, all born in Minnehaha county,
a two-story dwelling- house with basement, barn and other buildings
necessary on a farra." He also said "the tiraes were hard Avhen we
had to go to Nebraska for flour, Sioux City for groceries, and to
Worthington with what wheat the grasshoppers left." He has held
township offices, and is an enterprising and well-known citizen.

Farm Residence op Chris Christianson.

Clarkson, Charles Henry, was born in Iowa in 1871, and
became a resident of this county in 1873. A few years ago he
bought 40 acres of land in section 3 in Benton, where he now re
sides, engaged in farming-.
Crooks D. O., a brother of W. A. Crooks, was born in Canada,
Noveraber 30, 1855. The following year he carae with his parents to
the United States and settled in Wisconsin. They removed from
there to Iowa and in 1873 the subject of this sketch carae to this
county. He filed a pre-emption on the southwest quarter of section
2, m Benton township. He also owns the northwest quarter of sec
tion 10 and has a good farra. He has been treasurer of his school
district tor the last twelve years, and a meraber of the town board
ot supervi sors since 1892. Recently he opened a general store at his

W. A. Crooks.

&

history OF minnehaha county. 845

place, and is doing a good business. He is a good neighbor and a re
spected citizen.
Crooks, W. A., a native of Canada, Avas born October 22, 1849.
He came to the United States with his parents in 1856, and settled
in Wisconsin. During the civil Avar he enlisted in the array and
served in Corapany K, 40th Wisconsin, and in Corapany A, 49th
Wisconsin. After the Avar he located in Iowa, and carae frora there
to this county in November, 1876. He took up a homestead and tree
claim in section 3 in Benton, where he has since resided and has a
good farm. He has been assessor of Benton toAvnship, and always
takes an active part in town affairs; Avas postmaster of New Hope
post office for several years; sergeant at arms of the house of repre
sentatives of the legislature of South Dakota in 1893, and a raember
of the same body in 1895. He is an enterprising citizen and highly
respected. Darrow, Erastus H., was born at La Porte, Indiana, July 3,
1845. He removed to Wisconsin, and in Noveraber, 1861, enlisted at
Ripon, Wis., in Corapany H, 1st Wisconsin Cavalry. During the
service one of his arras was fractured, and he received several slight
wounds, and in January, 1863, was discharged for disability. In
January, 1864, he re-enlisted in Corapany D, 3d Wisconsin Infantry,
and reraained until the close of the war. In June, 1872, he carae to
Dakota and located in this county upon his present horaestead, the
northeast quarter of section 23 in Benton township. Mrs. Darrow
taught school in the barracks at Sioux Falls in the early days, and
later in Benton and Sioux Palls townships. Mr. Darrow has held
several town offices, and he and his good wife are now enjoying life
on their well improved farm, highly respected by all who know them.
Eldridge, J. C, is a native of Franklin county. New York, and
was born October 28, 1844. He lived in Wisconsin for sorae time,
and came to Dakota and located in this county May 26, 1872. He took
up a homestead and tree claira in section 34 in Benton, and purchased
the southwest quarter of section 32 in the sarae township. He has a
corafortable home and a first-class farm, and is one of the most prom
inent and enterprising farmers in the county. He has always taken
an active interest in the welfare of his town, and has held several im
portant town offices. He served as county commissioner of Minne
haha county three years, made a good official, and is highly esteemed
as a neighbor and citizen.
Foster, John R., is a native of Upper Canada, and was born on
the 23d day of January, 1851. He came with his parents to Wiscon
sin in 1865, and lived there until in 1872, when they reraoved to Da
kota, arriving in Sioux Falls on the 3d day of October of that year.
His father, Robert Poster, took up the northwest quarter of section
33, in Benton, and lived there until his death in October, 1886. The
subject of this sketch took up a homestead in section 29, to which he
has since added about 240 acres of land by purchase. Mr. Poster re
sides upon his father's old homestead. He is a good farraer, an
obliging neighbor and a good citizen. Elsewhere appears an account
of the loss of a brother and sister of Mr. Foster in the terrible bhz-
zard in January, 1873,

846 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

Prebel, Frederick C, was born in Germany, October 27, 1836;
emigrated to the United States in 1853, reraained three raonths in
New York, and then went to Galena, 111., and worked in a wagon
shop two years and frora there went to Hazel Green Collegiate Insti
tute, taking a classical course, and was graduated; becarae a meraber
of the faculty and taught German; in 1860, reraoved to Schullsburg,
Wis., and Avent into business for himself manufacturing carriages;
enlisted in Company C, 33d Wisconsin Infantry, and served until
the close of the war; then resuraed his business at Schullsburg, and
continued in it until 1879. In 1874, he bought the southeast quarter
of section 26 in Benton township in this county, and raoved on to it
July 12, 1879, and farraed it until 1893, when he built a residence in
West Sioux Palls, where he now resides and is renting his farm.
Mr. Prebel has held school offices, was a member of the town board
of Benton for several years, and three years its chairman. He is a
g-ood neighbor and an esteemed citizen.
Predrickson, L. p., was born at Veile, Denmark, June 8, 1838.
When he first came to this country he lived-in Illinois and Iowa, but
removed to this county March 17, 1884. He was the owner of 80
acres of section 16, and 80 acres of section 17, in the town of Benton,
wJiere he resided until his death, which occurred very suddenly, July
25, 1895. He was a good farraer and a respected citizen.
Helgeson, Syver, was born in Norway in 1844, and came to
this country with his parents in 1849, and located in Wisconsin. In
1852 they reraoved to Iowa, where he worked on his father's farm
until 1867, when he found employment as clerk in a store, which po
sition he held five years. In 1872 he came to Dakota and pre-empted
160 acres of land, and then returned to Iowa and worked for Niel-
ander & Brockhouse six years as clerk and grain buyer in the winter,
and in the summer represented the firm as agent of the Diamond Jo
line of steamers. In 1878 he returned to Dakota and worked for C.
K. Howard as clerk in his store. In 1880 he went onto his farra of
240 acres in sections 13 and 14 in Benton, Avhere he engaged in farm
ing until the fall of 1892, when he rented his farm and removed to
the city of Sioux Palls, where he has since resided. While a resi
dent of Benton he was township clerk, and chairman of the town
board one year, and since residing in Sioux Palls was jailer and
deputy sheriff under Sheriff Donahoe for nearly two years. He is a
respected citizen.
HoLST, Christian, is a native of Germany and was born May
23, 1863. He emigrated to the United States, arriving in New York
May 1, 1880, and iramediately started for Dakota, where he arrived
May 4. He settled m Benton township, this county, and owns the
northwest quarter of section 7, where he resides, and has a good
farm. ^
Johnson, August, was born in Sweden, June 26, 1859. He came
to this country with his parents in 1875, and settled in this county.
He worked on his father's farm until 1880, at which time he proved
up as a homestead the southwest quarter of section 9 in Benton, and
resided there until his death, which occurred a few years ago. He

J. C. Eldridge.

history of minnehaha county 849

Avas a good farmer, and held various school offices in school district
No. 48 in Benton.
Johnson, August S., Avas born in Halland, Sweden, August 15,
1866. In 1870 he and his mother emigrated to the United States and
joined his father, Sarauel Johnson, Avho had located in Lafayette
county, Wisconsin, two years previous. They resided there until
the fall of 1874, Avhen they reraoved to this county and located on
the homestead which had been taken up during the spring of that
year. The subject of this sketch now owns the south half of the
southeast quarter of section 5, in Benton, Avhere he resides and has
a good home. He has been supervisor of the town board in Benton,
and clerk four years of the Swedish Lutheran church, which is lo
cated on his farm. He is a g-ood farraer and an upright citizen.
Johnson, Ben, was born in Sweden, January 4, 1844, attended
school and AVorked on a farra during his rainority, and then went to
Denmark, where he worked on a railroad four years, after which he
returned to Sweden for a short time. In 1870 he came to the United
States, and worked on a farm in Wisconsin nearly three years. On
the 20th day of April, 1873, he came to Sioux Falls, and very soon
after took up a claim comprising the northwest quarter of section
11 in Benton, where he has since resided. He has added eighty
acres to his horaestead, has a good farra and is a good citizen.
Johnson, Carl, was born in Sweden on the 28th day of Sep
tember, 1848. He received his education, and Avorked as a miller in
his native country until 1870, when he emigrated to the United States
and located in Wisconsin. In 1873 he came to this county with his
brother Ben, and took up the southwest quarter of section 11 in
Benton, where he has since resided. He now owns 320 acres of farm
land, and is a good farmer. He has been a meraber of the town
board of supervisors since 1897, and is its present chairraan. He is
an enterprising and respected citizen.
Johnson, John P., is a native of Sweden and was born July 5,
1854. He eraigrated to the United States in 1871, lived in Wisconsin
three years and settled in this county March 1, 1874. He took up as
a tree claira 160 acres of section 5, and as a horaestead the northwest
quarter of section 6, in Benton, where he now lives and has a good
farm. He has been town supervisor for several years, has held va
rious school offices, and is an active and good citizen.
Johnson, Magnus, is a native of Sweden, and was born August
28, 1848. He emigrated to the United States in 1871, and lived in
Pennsylvania until 1876, when he reraoved to Dakota, arriving in this
county May 6, of that year. He took up as a horaestead the east half
of the southeast quarter of section 6 in Hartford, and the west half
of the southwest quarter of section 6 in Benton, and has since pur
chased 120 acres of farra land. He is a progressive farraer, and does
not confine his farming to grain raising only, but keeps about twenty
cows and has quite a dairy business. His buildings are ample and
well adapted for mixed farraing. He is a thoroughly good citizen.

850 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Johnson, Samuel, was born in the province of Halland, Sweden,
on the 19th day of May, 1832. He eraigrated to the United States in
1868, and located in Wisconsin. He removed from there to Dakota
in the spring of 1874, and took up as a horaestead the southeast quar
ter of section 5, and the west half of the southwest quarter of section
4 in Benton, and in the fall of the same year brought his family here,
and since then they have made their horae on the homestead. He is
a good farmer and a respected citizen.
Kickland, Theodore, has been a resident of this county since
Noveraber, 1883. He was born in New York, October 6, 1839. When
the civil Avar broke out he enlisted in the 41st Ohio Infantry and
-served four years and eleven months. He was taken prisoner, and
after having spent eighteen days in Libbey prison succeeded in mak
ing his escape, buying the first guard's silence for fifteen dollars,
and hiding and running by the others. He traveled eighteen nights
before he reached the Union lines. He was wounded in the battle
of Chickamauga by a bar of iron six inches long and an inch thick,
which took off two fingers and entered his right breast; it was sup
posed to be frora a shell. After the war he lived in Wisconsin until
he reraoved to his present farra of 240 acres in sections 13 and 14 in
Benton, and engaged in farraing. He has held the office of school
director in Benton, and is a good and respected citizen.
Larson, Olaus, was born in Sweden in 1842, eraigrated to this
country in 1870, and settled in Pennsylvania. In 1876 he carae to
Dakota and settled in this county on the northwest quarter of sec
tion 3, in the town of Benton, which he filed upon as a horaestead,
and where he still resides, and has a Avell iraproved farra. He is also
the owner of forty acres of section 4, in the same town.
Lifto, Andrew, is a native of St. Lawrence county. New York,
and was born May 25, 1842. He worked in a saw mill at East Sraith
Falls in Canada five years; then in a shingle mill in New York; then
came West and lived in Grant county, Wisconsin, until 1872, when
he settled in this county. He secured by pre-eraption the southwest
quarter of section 26 in Benton, where he has since resided engaged
in farming. He was constable two years and roadmaster one year.
Miller, Olaf Anderson, is a native of Sweden, and was born
April 18, 1840. He eraigrated to this country and settled in Penn
sylvania until in 1879 when he reraoved to this county where he
has since resided. He is the OAvner of the east half of the south
Avest quarter and the west half of the southeast quarter of section
6, in Benton, and has a good farra.
Newkirk, L. A., was bom in New York, October 24, 1847.
He lived in Michigan and Wisconsin before he carae to this county
in 1876. He then took up the northeast quarter of section 21, as
a homestead, and the southeast quarter of the sarae section, in
Benton, as a tree-claira and now has a good farra. He is an active
and well-known farraer; has held the office of supervisor and other
town offices and is an influential citizen. He now rents his farra and
resides in the city of Sioux Palls.

HISTORY op minnehaha COUNTY, 851

Nelson, Nels B., was born in Norway April 25, 1848, and emi
grated to the United States Avith his parents in 1857. He resided
for sixteen years in Wisconsin and Iowa. In 1873 he came to this
county, and -secured as a homestead the northeast quarter of section
9 in Benton, where he resided until 1885 when he sold the farm and
reraoved to Sioux Palls. While residing in Benton he was road
supervisor and chairman of the toAvn board, and held school district
offices. In August, 1894, he Avas appointed on the police force in the
city of Sioux Falls, Avhich position he still holds, and makes a good
official. Pearson, John, is a native of Sweden, and vvas born July 28,
1857. He emig-rated to the United States in 1876, and lived in La
fayette countA', Wisconsin, until the summer of 1882, when he re
moved to Dakota and settled in this county, where he has since re
raained. He OAvns about 260 acres of land in section 8 in Benton, and
also 40 acres of hay land in the northwest quarter of section 36, in
Grand Meadow. He resides on the northwest quarter of section 8,
in Benton, Avhere he has a good farm with substantial buildings and
iraproveraents. He is a good farraer and a good citizen.
Pearson, Nels, a native of Sweden, Avas born January 24, 1842.
He eraigrated to this country in 1869 and located in Wisconsin. In
August, 1878, he carae to Dakota, and has been a perraanent settler
of this county ever since. He bought and noAv owns the southwest
quarter of section 15 and the northeast quarter of section 16. He
has a good farm and a comfortable home for hiraself and family,
and is a good citizen.
Peterson, Peter M., a native of Germany, was born in 1846.
He emigrated to Nevv York and lived there for sorae tirae before com
ing to this county in 1876. He took up as a homestead the northeast
quarter of section 8, in Benton, where he still resides. He also owns
the southeast quarter of section 7, in the same town. He is a good
farmer and a good citizen.
RosTEN, Amond, is a native of Norway, and was born May 15,
1834. He emigrated to the United States in 1870, and settled in
Minnesota. In 1876 he removed from there to Dakota and located in
this countv, taking up as a homestead the northeast quarter of sec
tion 11 in "Benton, to which he has since added by purchasing the
southwest quarter of section 12. He has a good farra and is a re
spected citizen.
Stapleton, Thomas, is a native of England, and Avas born July
24, 1849; emigrated to Wisconsin in 1871, and resided there ten
years. He came to this county in 1876, and purchased a quarter sec
tion in Benton, and again, in 1880, visited the county and purchased
another quarter section in the same township. In 1881 he reraoved
to Benton, and has since resided on the southeast quarter of section
27. He has one of the largest farras in the county, having under cul
tivation upwards of 700 acres. He is a progressive farraer, has fine
improvements, is energetic and enterprising, and is highly esteemed
by all who know him. He was elected town treasurer in 1886, and
again in 1888, since which time he has held this office by successive
re-elections.

852 history of minnehaha county.

Swenson, Henry, vA'as bom in Halmstad, Sweden, in 1847. He
carae to Dakota March 2, 1882, and has lived in this county ever since.
His homestead comprises 80 acres of section 4, and 80 acres of sec
tion 5, in Benton. He has a good farm and is a good citizen.
TiDEMANN, Hemming, a natiA'e of Norway, was born February 18,
1859. He emigrated in 1875 and carae direct to this county where he
still reraains. He is the owner of the northeast quarter of section 2,
in Benton. He was clerk of the school board frora 1890 to 1893, is a
good farmer and a good citizen.
Tuthill, John T., was born at Galena, Illinois, March 29, 1854.
He removed frora there to Dakota in 1881 and settled on his present
farra. coraprising 80 acres of section 27, and 80 acres of section 26, in
Benton, Avhich is now Avell iraproved. He is a good farraer and a re
spected citizen, and has held school district and township offices.
Ulvilden, Lars Olson, one of the first settlers of Benton, was
born in Norway in 1840. After coming to the United States he lived
in Michigan and Minnesota until 1870, when he removed to this
county. He took up as a horaestead the northeast quarter of section
12, in Benton, where he has since resided and has a well iraproved
farra, with a fine residence and good outbuildings.
Wilkinson, Sever, is a native of Norway, and was born April
15, 1843. He carae to the United States June 1, 1858, and lived in
Wisconsin until 1872, when he reraoved to Dakota and located in
Union county. Three years later he removed to this county and
took up as a horaestead the southwest quarter of section 8, in Benton,
and has a good farm, where he still resides. During the war of the
rebellion he enlisted in the 15th Wisconsin Infantry, and served two
years. Since then he has been Captain of the state militia, and has
held several civil offices; was assessor in Union county, and held the
same office in this county before it was organized into townships;
Avas clerk of the school and town boards, and a member of the house
of representatives of the first legislature of the State of South Da
kota. Mr. Wilkinson is a good neighbor, and a highly esteemed and
influential citizen.

HARTFORD TOAVNSHIP.
(102-51)
The boundary lines of this township were surveyed bv Wm. J.
Neeley in August, 1859, and the subdivisions were made by H. T.
Austin in June, 1867, and according to the government survey con
tains 22,957.32 acres of land. It is well watered by the Skunk creek
and its tributaries. Except during a series of dry seasons there are
two ponds of water about two miles from the village of Hartford, one
in a northwesterly and the other in a southwesterly direction. Sam
uel Huckins, J. Westley Warner, and P. E. Van De Mark were
araong the earliest settlers, but in 1878, quite a large nuraber of peo
ple took up land in this township, and it was rapidly settled. In
1879 the Worthington & Sioux Palls railroad was built west from
Sioux Palls to Salem, and a station was established at Hartford on
the southwest quarter of section 22. This company filed a plat of
eightblocks at this point June 29, 1881, and since then several additions
have been made. The settlement about the station soon took the
form of a village, and it became quite a business center. A post
office was established, and A. P. Oaks was postmaster the first four
years, when he was succeeded by John Mundt. Stores, hotels,
grain warehouses, and all kinds of business usually engaged in in
villages of this kind rapidly appeared. John Mundt, in 1892, built an
elevator with a capacity of 35,000 bushels. The same year the Hart
ford Separator and Creamery company Avas incorporated, and about
$7,500 of the capital stock taken, a crearaery built, and business cora
raenced in the fall of 1892. In 1893 this corapany paid its patrons
for milk $8,585.47, and received for butter sold $11,398.34, averaging-
about 22 cents per pound. This creamery is still doing business.
The first school in Hartford was taught by Delia Delaney in 1878, in
a school house located on the northeast corner of section 23, and is
the same school house which is now located on the northeast quarter
of section 24. In June, 1892, E. C. Kibbe comraenced the- publica
tion of a weekly newspaper called the Plain Talker. In 1898, George
W. Bagley published the South Dakota Weekly Vindicator for a
short time at this place. In 1899 a large, coraraodious school house
was erected which does great credit to the people of Hartford.
HARTFORD TOWNSHIP BOARD,
On the 3d day of January, 1881, the first raeeting of the board was
held. The first supervisors were, Sarauel Huckins chairraan, W. J.
Warner and Ira Tilden; clerk, C. A. Soderberg.
1882. Supervisors, Samuel Huckins chairman. Prank E. Van

854 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

De Mark, C. W. Knodt; clerk, A. P. Oaks; treasurer, John Mundt;
assessor, C. A. Norton, who was paid $24 for assessing the town
ship. 1883. The officers of 1882 were re-elected.
1884. Supervisors, Samuel Huckins chairman, P. E. Van De
Mark, C. W. Knodt; clerk, A. P. Oaks; treasurer, John Mundt; as
sessor, P. P. Sherraan; justices, Sarauel Huckins, C. A. Soderberg;
constable, Peter Chelius. A. B. Jones Avas appointed justice in
place of C. A. Soderberg who did not qualify.
1885. Supervisors, C. W. Knodt chairraan, Samuel Huckins,
Peter Chelius; clerk, A. P. Oaks; treasurer, John Mundt; assessor,
P. P. Sherman; justices, E. I. Oaks and P. E. Van De Mark; con
stables, M. Caldwell, H. S. Gerkin.
1886. Supervisors, C. W. Knodt chairman, Thomas Rickard,
C. A. Norton; clerk, Charles Peyder; assessor, P. P. Sherman.
1887. Supervisors, Thoraas Rickard chairraan, M. K. Thrall,
Sarauel Huckins; clerk, Charles Peyder; treasurer, H. D. Oaks; as
sessor, C. W. Knodt; justices, E. I. Oaks, C. W. Wehler; constables,
M. H. Caldwell, Peter Chelius.
1888. Supervisors, Thomas Rickard chairraan, M. K. Thrall,
Samuel Huckins; clerk, Charles Peyder; treasurer, H. D. Oaks; as
sessor, C. W. Knodt. At the annual election 64 votes were cast.
1889. Supervisors, M. H. Caldwell chairraan, P. E. Van De-
Mark, Sarauel Huckins; clerk, Charles Peyder; treasurer, H. D.
Oaks; assessor, C. W. Knodt; justices, E. I. Oaks and E. T. Dilla
bough; constables, K. C. Cook, Peter Menth. At the annual election
101 votes were cast.
1890. Supervisors, P. E. Van De Mark chairman, M. H. Cald
well, C. W. Knodt; clerk, Charles Feyder; treasurer, H. D. Oaks;
assessor, John Lantrey.
1891. Supervisors, Samuel Huckins chairraan, C. W. Knodt,
G. P. Chisholm; clerk, Charles Peyder; treasurer, H. D. Oaks; as
sessor, John Lantrey; justices, E. I. Oaks, N. N. Haugen; constables,
Peter Menth, Edward Linebeck.
1892. Supervisors, M. H. Caldwell chairman, F. E. Van De-
Mark, Prank Gillen; clerk, Charles Harm; treasurer, H. D. Oaks;
assessor. Mat Becker; constable, J. G. Tyler. March 29, N. N.
Haugen was appointed clerk, Charles Harm not qualifying.
1893. Supervisors, M. H. Caldwell chairman, John Hoefert,
P. E. Van De Mark; clerk, Nels Haugen; treasurer, H. D. Oaks; as
sessor, B. P. Parker; justices, Nels Haugen, E. I. Oaks; constables,
E. Linebeck, N. P. Nelson. It was voted that a compensation of $2
per day be paid to the town officers for official services. Quite a
nuraber of raeetings were held by the board during this year in ref
erence to bridges, nuisances and quarantines. On August 14, John
G. Tyler was appointed justice to fill the vacancy occasioned bv the
resignation of Nels Haugen.
r. J\^^' Supervisors, M. H. Caldwell chairman, John Hoefert,
h. E. Van De Mark; clerk, Nels Haugen; treasurer, H. D. Oaks; as
sessor, LP. Bayard; justice, John G. Tyler. At a special town
meeting May 19, it was ordered that $900 be raised by tax for town
purposes.

HISTORY OF mInNEHaHa cOUNty. 855

1895. Supervisors, C. A. Norton chairraan, Carl Hoefert, S. P.
Bowers; clerk, Nels Haugen; treasurer, H. D. Oaks; assessor, L. P.
BaA'ard. 1896. Supervisors, S. P. Bowers chairman, C. A. Norton, Carl
Hoefert; clerk, Nels Haugen; treasurer, H. D. Oaks; assessor, L. P.
Bayard. 1897. Supervisors, C. A. Norton chairman, C. J. Mahl, Joe
Scott; clerk, M. H. Caldwell; treasurer, Nis Byg; assessor, J. M.
Bennett. 1898. Supervisors, C. J. Mahl chairman, Joe Scott, Harvey
Van Vleet; clerk, C. A. Soderberg; treasurer, Nis Byg-; assessor,
E. I. Oaks.
1899. Supervisors, John Wilder chairman, Joe Scott, John
Hoefert; clerk, C. A. Soderberg-; treasurer, Nis Byg; assessor,
Charles Mahl; justices, J. G. Tyler, Myron H. Caldwell; constables,
Nels Nelson, L. E. Newton. TOWN OF HARTFORD.
In July, 1896, a petition was presented by the citizens of the
village of Hartford to the county commissioners praying that an elec
tion be ordered to deterraine the question of the incorporation qf cer
tain territory as the Town of Hartford. All the preliminary pro
ceedings having been complied Avith as required by law, the order
was raade and an election held on the 1st day of August, 1896. The
territory comprised the southAvest quarter and the south half of the
south half of the northwest quarter of section 22 in Hartford town
ship. Having become incorporated the town Avas divided into three
districts. An election of officers was held on the 10th day of Sep
tember, 1896, and the following persons Avere elected: Trustees,
Charles Feyder president, George Grover, D. B. Oaks; clerk, Nels
Haugen; treasurer, H. D. Oaks; assessor. Mat Becker; justice, B. P.
Parker. September 24, eight ordinances Avere passed. December
21, B. P. Parker resigned as justice and L. P. Bayard was appointed
to fill vacancy.
1897. Trustees, John Mundt president, Geo. Grover, C. W.
Knodt; clerk, Nels Haugen; treasurer, H. D. Oaks; assessor and
justice, J. V. Jessen. April 29, the board fixed the amount to be
paid for license to sell intoxicating liquors in the town at $600. June
29, seven street lamps were purchased. September 7, Geo. Grover's
resignation as trustee was accepted. October 5, John McGowan Avas
appointed trustee to fill vacancy.
1898. Trustees, Henry Schaper president, C. W. Knodt,
Charles Peyder; clerk, Nels Haugen; treasurer, H. D. Oaks; asses
sor and justice, J. V. Jessen.
1899. Trustees, C. W. Knodt president, John Mundt, H. D.
Oaks; clerk, Nels Haugen; treasurer, W. B. Knodt; assessor, J. M.
Bennett; justice, E. I. Oaks.

856 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Hartford Methodist Episcopal Church. — There was preach
ing- by Methodist rainisters in Hartford and Benton at quite an early
date. The Rev. G. D. Hook, who was pastor of the Methodist church
at Sioux Palls in 1874, preached occasionally in sod houses in Benton,
Hartford and Wayne. Mrs. J. G. Tyler of Hartford in a recent in
terview said that she reraerabered of attending a Sunday school in
Daniel Leao's sod house in 1876, and the sarae year heard the Rev.
Ben B. Scott, a Methodist minister, preach in the house of Daniel
Alguire. The first Sunday school in Hartford was called the Union
Sunday school, but it finally became known as the Methodist Sunday
school. In 1882, a church organization was perfected, and from that
time until 1892, services were held in the school house. In 1890, the
Rev. W. O. Redfield was placed in charge, and was the first pastor
who resided in Hartford. He reraained five years, and was well liked
by his parishioners. In 1892, the society erected in the village of
Hartford a coraraodious church building-, with a seating capacity of
about two hundred. A comfortable parsonage had been built pre
vious to this time and the entire church property is A'alued at $3,000.
The raerabership at the tirae the neAv church building was occupied
was thirty-four. In October, 1895, the Rev. John Kay was appointed
pastor, and he remained in charge until October, 1898, when the Rev.
A. Jaraieson succeeded hira. The Sunday school noAv nurabers about
one hundred and forty scholars. In connection with the church work
there is a Ladies' Aid society with about forty raerabers, and it has
proved of raaterial aid in a financial way. The W. C. T. U. has also
a strong organization araong the members of this church. F. E. Van
De Mark, I. C. Kingsbury, D. B. Oaks, J. G. Tyler, and George
Smith are the present trustees of the church.
St. George Church of Hartford.— St. George Church of the
Roman Catholic denomination was organized at Hartford in 1884. A
very appropriate church building was erected in 1885, and was the
first church building erected in the township. It cost $1,800, and
the society raised the araount with the exception of $100. It is lo
cated about eighty rods southeast of the railroad station. The Rev
erends John Hogan, P. O. Connell, Thos. Cahill, J. C. Ahern, Thos.
Durward, Wra. Maher, L. Link, P. Grabig, and J. O'Hora have offi
ciated as pastors since its organization. There is a Sunday school
and about forty farailies connected with the congregation.
The Plain Talker and The Hartford Herald.— In June,
1892, the veteran newspaper man, E. C. Kibbe, came to Hartford,
and coraraenced the publication of the Plain Talker. It was pub
lished weekly by the sarae editor until July 7, 1899. Everyone in this
vicinity knew there was such a neAvspaper as the Plain Talker from
the first to the last of its career. There was not an issue of the
paper but what Mr. Kibbe took occasion to discuss public questions
and pubhc men in his own inimitable way, and sometimes it would
look to a disinterested person as though his early education had been
neglected in reference to the location of the belt line. All the news
paper fraternity m the county took occasion to tackle the Plain
lalker, and then wished they had let it alone. It was a good local

history of minnehaha county. 857

paper and loyal to the interests of its subscribers. In July, 1899,
Mr. Kibbe sold the plant to Albion Thorne, of Sioux Falls, and re
moved to the State of Washington. Mr. Thorne at once commenced
the publication of the Hartford Herald, its first issue appearing-
on the 14th clay of July, 1899. The people of Hartford have reason
to be more than pleased Avith the Herald, for Mr. Thorne is publish
ing- a good newspaper and is deserving- of a generous patronage.
Woman's Christian Temperance Union. — This society has
an org-anization in Hartford which is in a flourishing condition. Its
members are zealous in their work, and their influence upon the
raorals of the coraraunity is recognized and appreciated by the resi
dents. Hartford Lodge No. 125, I. O. O. P. — This lodge was insti
tuted February 2, 1894. It is a strong lodge for a town of the size
of Hartford. The present officers are Nels Haugen, noble grand;
Frank Gillen, vice grand; John McGoAvan, secretary; M. H. Daley,
treasurer. Ancient Order op United Workmen. — Minnehaha Lodge,
No. 105, was organized several years ago and is a strong, prosperous
lodge. It meets every Saturday evening. C. W. Knodt is recorder.
Imperial Mystic Legion. — Warwick Castle No. 11, is another
prosperous organization of the fraternal order in the town of Hart
ford. C. P. Mundt is regent and L. A.. Kingsbury secretary ancl
treasurer. Modern Woodmen op America. — Hartford Camp No. 3,965, is
a fraternal order which has had an organization at the town of Hart
ford during the last two years. N. P. Nelson, V. C, Joseph
Schwartz clerk. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Bowers, Samuel P.. is a native of Pennsylvania, and Avas born
October 31, 1855. He resided in Minnesota for sorae time, and came
to this county in March, 1878, where he has since reraained. His
horaestead comprises the southwest quarter of section 9, in Hart
ford, and is a good farm. He has held several school offices, was
chairraan of the town board of supervisors in 1896. He is a good
neighbor and a respected citizen.
Byg, N., was bom in Germany, July 22, 1857. He emigrated to
the United States in 1876, and located in this county in July of that
year. He took up as a horaestead the southeast quarter of section 4,
and as a tree claim the northeast quarter of section 12, in Hartford.
He afterwards sold the homestead, and bought other land in sections
7 and 12, and now has a first-class farm of 480 acres, with fine build
ings and improvements. He has been town treasurer since 1897, is
a thrifty, enterprising farmer, and a good citizen.
Caldwell, Clarence C, a son of George CaldAvell, Avas born
in Wayne township, this county, on the 2d day of February, 1877.
He owns a part of the northwest quarter of section 14, in Hartford.
In April 1895 he comraenced teaching school, and since then has fol
lowed this vocation and is considered one of the best and raost cora
petent teachers in the county.

858 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

Caldwell, Myron H., was born in Wisconsin on the 19th day
of December, 1853. He came to Minnehaha county June 15, 1871,
and took up a homestead in section 14, in Mapleton, and pre-empted
the northeast quarter of section 3, in Sioux Falls township, all of
which he sold. He bought the west half of the southwest quarter of
section 19, in Benton, and also the east half of the southeast quarter
of section 24, in Hartford, Avhere he now resides. He has held sev
eral toAvn offices, has been a raeraber of the town board five years,
chairraan three years, and has held school district offices for ten
years. He is a good farmer and a respected citizen.
Caldwell, Warren M., may justly be called a pioneer settler
of Minnehaha county, where he settled Noveraber 10, 1869, never
leaving the state except to haul freight in the early days. He was
born April 21, 1855, at Baraboo, Sauk county, Wisconsin. In 1878
he secured a horaestead in section 10, in Hartford, where he resided
until about a year ago when he rented his farm and removed to Min
nesota. Cooke, W. W., was born in Indiana in 1852. He lived there and
in Wisconsin until 1878, when he reraoved to Dakota and settled in
this county. He filed a horaestead and tree claim in sections 2 and
11, in Hartford, and resided on his homestead in section 2 until a
few years ago, when he rented his farra and went to Wisconsin. He
Avas the first auditor of this county, being appointed on the 5th day
of April, 1888, and served in that capacity until he was succeeded by
J. A. Stanfield in 1891. While residing in the county he was quite a
factor in political matters.
Peyder, Charles, one of the active, enterprising citizens of
Hartford, was born in Wisconsin, March 2, 1850, and carae to Minne
haha county in 1881. He bought a relinquishment to a tree claira in
Huraboldt, but sold it, and has been in the hardware trade at Hartford
since 1883. He has been town clerk six years. He is a success
ful merchant, a man of positive convictions, and takes a hand in
about everything that coraes along affecting town or county affairs.
Gerkin, Henry S., was born in Connecticut, September 9,
1855. He carae to this county from Wisconsin in March, 1879, and
located in the town of Hartford, securing a homestead on the north
east quarter of section 22, where he still resides. He subsequently
purchased 80 acres of section 23, in the same town. He has been
constable for two years, and is a good citizen.
Hanson, Gustaf, was born in Sweden, October 2, 1851. He
emigrated and came directly to Dakota and located in this county in
April, 1881. In 1884 he married Johanna Streiffert, and they reside
on their 80-acre farra in the southeast quarter of section one in
Hartford, where they have a neat little horae. Mr. Hanson is a good
neighbor and a respected citizen.
Huckins, Samuel, was born in Canada, of Vermont parentage,
on the 12th day of March, 1832. He was reared on a farra and edu
cated in the coraraon schools. In 1847 he came to the United States
and located in Illinois where he married in 1853, and resided for sev-

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 859

eral years, and then removed to Howard county, Iowa. In 1864 he
enlisted in Company G, 16th Iowa Infantry, and served during the
remainder of the civil Avar, being mustered out July 19, 1865. He
was in the battle at NashA'ille, Tennessee, and other less important
eng-agements, and as the regiment did a g-reat araount of raarching
he had the opportunity of seeing a good deal of the South without
being- to any expense for transportation. The latter part of Aug-ust,
1869, he left Iowa for Dakota, and on the first day of September
of that year he arrived in Sioux Falls. There were but tAvo fami
lies in Sioux Palls at that tirae and they were occupying the bar
racks, which had been abandoned by the soldiers a feAv raonths pre
vious. D. B. Reynolds and faraily, and sorae single raen arrived at
Sioux Palls the same day. Mr. Huckins says that at that tirae they
had to pay $1.25 to $1.50 for a pound of tea, 25 to 28 cents for bacon
and 13 to 17 cents for sugar at the Palls. In the spring of 1870 Mr.
Hucking took up a homestead in sections 1 and 2 in Sioux Falls, and
coraraenced farraing, raising grain and stock, in which he continued
until 1876, when becoraing discouraged, owing to the raultitude of
grasshoppers that visited this section of the country and the liraited
range he had for his stock, he went to Hartford and pre-empted a
quarter of section 11, where at that time there was a great araount
of hay and a wide range for stock, and continued farraing at this
place until in 1889, when, owing to poor health, he sold his farm,
and at this writing resides on a sraall farm about three miles north
of the village of Hartford. When the township of Hartford was
organized he was elected chairraan of the town board of supervisors,
to which position he Avas re-elected during the three years succeed
ing, and again in 1891, having served on the board nine years in all.
Mr. Huckins is not only a pioneer citizen of this county, but is one
of its raost reliable citizens, and is universally respected by all who
know hira.
Johnson, Anders, was born in Sraaland, Sweden, August 19,
1844. He carae to Minnehaha county July 27, 1887, and located on
his present place the northeast quar'ter of section 1, in the town of
Hartford, where he has a fine farm with substantial buildings, about
ten horses and thirty head of cattle. He also owns eighty acres of
land in section 36, Grand Meadow.
Kibbe, Edgar C, was born May 4, 1848, at Clayton, Jefferson
county. New York. When five years of age he reraoved with his
parents to Wisconsin, and five years later they removed to Fayette
county, Iowa, where he attended school and worked on the farm until
1864. At this tirae he went to St. Croix county, Wisconsin, where
for four years he taught school during the winters, and worked on a
farra the balance of the time. At the age of tAventy yeajs he engaged
as a bookkeeper for a manufacturing corapany. In 1874 he went to
Prescott, Wisconsin, and bought a newspaper plant, and for one
year edited and published at that place a weekly newspaper called
the Plain Dealer. In 1875 he sold out his newspaper and went to
Elroy, Wisconsin, where he soon after started a weekly newspaper
and continued in its management until January, 1881, when, becoming

860 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

partially paralyzed, he sold out, and the month following removed to
Bridgewater, McCook county, Dakota. He there started the Dakota
Cricket, the first newspaper published in McCook county. About
the 5th day of July, 1882, having reraoved to Montrose, McCook
county, he established a weekly newspaper called the Montrose AA'a-
lanche, which he edited and published for about tvvo years, when he
retired frora his chosen profession and raoved on to a farm, where he
engaged in farming, and in teaching schooL In 1890 he was given
control of the Pioneer Register at Salera, South Dakota, and con
ducted its editorial columns for a few months during the political
campaign of that year. He then returned to his farm in Clear Lake,
where he remained until June, 1892, when he established a weekly
newspaper at Hartford in this countv, which was called the Plain
Talker, and of which he was the editor and proprietor until Julv,
1899. Mr. Kibbe is noted for his independent, fearless editorials
upon political raatters, and his recent removal from the state has
caused a void in the editorial fraternity that will be hard to fill.
Kingsbury, I. C, was born at Monticello, White county, In
diana, in 1851. He came to South Dakota in 1882, and engaged in
the raercantile business at St. Lawrence, in Hand county, where
he was the first raerchant. In 1886 he located at Hartford, this
county, and engaged in banking. He is also largely interested in
real estate transactions, is a successful business inan, and an en
terprising and highly respected citizen.
Kruger, Carl, is a native of Gerraany, and was born July 7,
1833. After his coraing to this country he lived in Clinton county,
loAva, and in 1881 he removed to Dakota and settled in this county,
securing as a tree claim the southeast quarter of section 33, in the
town of Hartford, where he still resides. He has a good farra and is
a good citizen.
Linebeck, Joseph, was born in Indiana, May 10, 1832. He lived
in loAva for sorae tirae, and carae to this county in March, 1883, where
he has since been a well-known resident. He bought a relinquish
ment of a tree claim coraprising the northwest quarter of section 34
m Hartford, which he afterwards proved up as a horaestead. He is
a good farraer and an energetic citizen.
Mahl, Christian P., was born in Germany, July 12, 1860. In
November, 1870, he eraigrated to this country with his parents, who
^f^^io ^'^ Clayton county, Iowa, and remained there until the spring
ot 1881, when they came to this county and located in Wall Lake
township. They secured the southwest quarter of section 25, and
the southeast quarter of section 26. The subject of this sketch
lived on the farm until 1890, when he moved to Hartford village and
engaged m business. While a resident of Wall Lake he Avas assessor
1?"^ Jnn^'"^' J ^^^ father, John Mahl, was born in Germany November
11, 182 J, and resides on the southeast quarter of section 26 in Wall
Lake, and is an industrious farmer.
McLeod^ Martin, is a native of Canada, and was born in Novem
ber, 1»58 He came to the United States in 1864, and lived in Michi
gan and loAva until the spring of 1882, when he located in this county.

E. C, Kibbe.

history of minnehaha county. 863

He took up land in sections 8 and 9 in Hartford, and now has a good
farra of 320 acres, with substantial building-s and iraproveraents, and
is Iarg-ely interested in horses. In the spring- of 1888 he raarried
Nettie O. Lyon. He is a good farraer and a good citizen.
McLeod, Wallace, was born in the county of Middlesex, Can
ada, in 1850. He lived in Michigan and Iowa before he settled down
in this county in December, 1892. He took up the south half of the
northeast quarter of section 8 as a tree claim, and bought the north
east quarter of the same section in the town of Hartford, where he
now lives.
Menth, Peter, Avas born in Chicag-o, Illinois, July 4, 1853.
After having lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota for some tirae he re
moved to Dakota and settled in Wellington township February 6,
1878, taking up as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 1,
Avhich he afterwards sold and removed to Hartford township, where
he purchased a part of the southwest quarter of section 22, Avhere he
now lives and has a good farra. He has held the office of constable
four years.
Mundt, John, is one of the raost enterprising citizens of Hart
ford. He was born in Denmark August 16, 1853, emigrated to the
United States with his parents in 1862, and resided in Connecticut,
Minnesota and Iowa sixteen years. He carae to Sioux Palls in
August, 1878, and engaged in trade with Frank Kunerth for two
years and then removed to Hartford, where he opened a general
store and engaged in the grain and live stock business. After a fevv
years he took into partnership H. D. Oaks, and carried on the busi
ness under the firm name of John Mundt & Co. until February, 1897,
Avhen Mr. Mundt bought out his partner's interest. In 1892, the
company erected quite a large elevator near the railroad station at
Hartford. In the fall of 1894, Mr. Mundt was elected treasurer of
Minnehaha county, but after two years of service he concluded that
he liked private business better than official duties, and declined to
becorae a candidate for another terra. He owns a large araount of
real estate in Minnehaha county, and it will take a great deal of ca
laraity to reduce Mr. Mundt to indigent circurastances. He is an en
terprising business man, a good citizen, and has a host of friends.
Norton Charles A., was born in Hartford county, Connecti
cut, December 8, 1853. He lived there and in Wisconsin until he re
moved to this county in 1878. He took up a homestead in sections 23
and 26 in Hartford, where he still resides and has a good farm. He
has been chairman of the town board, and assessor two years, and is
an active, enterprising citizen.
Oaks Elihue L, was born in Kane county, Illinois, January 3,
1841, resided there and in Minnesota until he removed to this county,
where he arrived June 1, 1876. He bought eighty acres of land m
Wayne and made homestead and tree claim filings m sections 27 and
28 in Hartford. Mr. Oaks has held the office of justice of the peace
in Hartford twelve years-long enough to be called Judge. He
was a member of the 1885 constitutional convention, and for a good
raany years if he had not put in an appearance as delegate to our

864 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

county conventions he would have been missed. Mr. Oaks is a reli
able, upright citizen. He enlisted October 3, 1861, in the 3d Minne
sota, but, owing to sickness, was discharged after six months ser
vice. Oaks, Herbert D., was for nearly ten years a meraber of the
firra of John Mundt & Co. of Hartford. Although a young raan he is
one of the oldest residents in the county, having come here Avith his
father D. W. Oaks in 1871. He was born in Minnesota July 21, 1858.
He has been town treasurer of Hartford several years, is a man of
good business qualifications and an active citizen.
Pearson, Alba, was born in Wisconsin in 1860; was reared on
a farra and educated in the coraraon schools. In 1876 he carae to
Hartford, in this county, and purchased a farm of 160 acres in sec
tions 10 and 11, where he has since resided. In 1891 he raarried
Eraraa Boderaan, and is now the proud father of three daughters. He
is a good farraer and a good citizen.
Pearson, Jesse, was born in Sauk county. Wis., Septeraber
25, 1869; raoved vvith his parents to this county, arriving in Sioux
Palls on his eighth birthday. His father, Stephen Pearson, resided
in Hartford until his death in 1890. The subject of this sketch re
sides in the village of Hartford, and is eraployed in the farra raachin
ery business. He is a good citizen.
Pott, Nicholas, was born in Luxeraburg, Gerraany, October
26, 1860; carae with his parents to the United States in 1868, and
lived two years at Waterloo, and two years at Independence, Iowa;
Avhen twenty years of age the subje'ct of this sketch coraraenced
farraing, and followed that pursuit in Iowa until the fall of 1883,
when he removed to Dakota and bought 320 acres of land in sections
3 and 10, in Wellington township, which he still owns, but resides
at the village of Hartford, where he is engaged in business.
Scott, Joseph, was born at Farley, Dubuque countv, Iowa,
May 14, 1856. He carae to Minnehaha county, Pebruarv 1, 1880, and
located in the town of Hartford, taking up a horaestead and a tree
claira in sections 8 and 17, where he has since been engaged in farm
ing and has a fine farm. He is a good farmer and says: "Ihave
never been sorry that I came to Dakota. We had a pretty close tirae
for the first few years that we lived here, but now Ave are getting
along nicely." He has been supervisor of the town board since 1897,
IS a good neighbor and a highly esteeraed citizen.
Soderberg, Carl Albert, was born Januarv 3, 1852, in Swe
den He was reared on a farra and received his education in the
high school at the city of Falun. When seventeen years of age he
emigrated to the United States and settled in Iowa where he worked
at the carpenter's trade until June, 1876, when he came to this
county. His first work here was upon the mills at Palisade. He
took up as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 24, in Hart
ford and resided there until January, 1895. The first five years he
lived m a sod house and burnt hay for fuel, but as he became raore
prosperoiis he added corafortable buildings to his farra iraprove
raents and has at the present tirae a good farm. He has held the

J. G. Tyler.

history of minnehaha county. 867

office of town clerk for several years, and when the Farmers' Al
liance came into existence he took an active part in promoting the in
terests of the organization. He was secretary of the County Al
liance four years and of the Territorial Alliance three years. In
1888 he was nominated by the Republican party for councilman of
the fourth legislatiA'e district, comprising Hanson, McCook and Min
nehaha counties, and AAas elected and Served in the last Territorial
legislature with great credit to himself and his constituency. The
1st of January, 1895, he rented his farm and took up his residence
in the city of Sioux Falls; where he was engaged in the county treas
urer's office for about tvvo years, when he again went to live on the
farm. Mr. Soderberg- is well inforraed, and has proved hiraself to
be an industrious, conscientious citizen.
Swenson, Jim, was born in Sweden, September 24, 1843. He
carae to this county in 1882, and secured by pre-eraption the north
east quarter of section 2, in Hartford township, where he now re
sides and has a good farra.
Swenson, L. P., Avas born in Sweden in 1846. He lived in Penn
sylvania two years and in Wisconsin four years prior to his coraing
to this county in 1879, at which tirae he secured by pre-eraption the
northwest quarter of section 1, in Hartford township, where he still
resides. He also owns land in section 2, and has a well iraproved
farra, with good buildings. He is a thrifty, well-to-do farraer, and a
good citizen.
Thrall, M. K., was born in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, on
the 12th day of Septeraber, 1855. He came to Minnehaha county in
1879, and located on his present homestead, which coraprises the
northwest quarter of section 5, in Hartford township. He has a
well iraproved farm and is a good citizen.
Tyler, John G., of Hartford, was born on the 6th day of June,
1852, in Green county, Wisconsin; removed with his parents to Iowa
in 1854, and carae frora there to Sioux Falls in 1878. He took up as
a homestead in Hartford, the northwest quarter of section 12, where
he has since resided. He was raarried October 10, 1880, and took his
wife iraraediately to his horae— a half dugout and half sod residence.
The day before the famous October blizzard he put the finishing
touches to his house, and thought he was ready for anything that
might come along in the way of climatic disturbances. It rained a
Uttle during the afternoon, and when he retired at night it Avas snovv-
ing. But the next morning he found a blizzard of the first magni
tude had put in an appearance and was doing business all about his
premises. His house was on a southern slope, and four rods away
he had a stable with a good pair of horses in it. The stable was not
in sight. This was Saturday. He had a cow fastened to a picket,
but nothing could be seen of her except one hind foot. She was m
twelve feet of snow, lying at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
That cow Avas dead. Tyler says she was dead. He had a pitchfork
in his house, and by running it down in the snow he found his stable,
but did not get in until Sunday noon, when, to his great joy, he found
his horses alive. He had a pig, and in digging out his tiorses found

868 history of minnehaha county.

the pig on the ground outside the stable door. The pig was alive.
Here is to be seen the difference between the endurance of acoAv and
a pig in a blizzard. His house was corapletely buried out of sight,
but beneath that cold, cold snow, his bride of four days, Avas com
fortable and happy. In conclusion Ave will only add, that Mr. Tyler
is a good farraer and a good citizen; has held town offices, and would
have been elected to the legislature in Noveraber, 1892, if the Inde
pendent party had polled votes enough. While living in Iowa he at
tended the district school and took a course at the Breckenridge In
stitute, Decorah, Iowa, graduating in 1877; taught school fourteen
terras in Winneshiek county, loAva, and after coraing to Minnehaha
county taught three terras, but has been principally engaged in farra
ing, and has a good farra Avith substantial buildings and iraprove
raents. Van De Mark, Frank E., one of the pioneer settlers of this
county, was born in Lake county, Illinois, in 1852. He lived in Iowa
for sorae tirae, and carae to this county in 1872, where he has since
resided. He proved up the southeast quarter of section 29 in Grand
Meadow as a pre-eraption, and the southwest quarter of section 29
in Hartford as a tree claira, but has disposed of both. He now owns
about 640 acres of land in sections 3, 4, and 10 in Hartford, and in
section 28 in Grand Meadow. He resides on the northeast quarter
of section 3 in Hartford. He is one of the prominent farmers and
stock raisers of the county; is an enterprising, influential citizen,
and has held various school and town offices. In 1898 he received
the noraination on the Republican ticket for raeraber of the house
of the state legislature, but his party did not pull votes enough to
secure the election.
Van Vleet, Harvey, was born in Illinois, October 25, 1849.
He enlisted in the 139th Illinois Infantry in May, 1864, and serA'ed
until January, 1865. After the close of the war he located in loAva,
and in 1882 removed to this county, where he has since resided. He
formerly owned the southeast quarter of section 12 in Hartford, but
sold it, and bought the southeast quarter of section 11, in the same
town, where he now resides, and has a verA' good 'farm. He has been
supervisor of the town board, and is a respected citizen.
Warner, Westley J., is a native of Franklin county, Vermont,
and was born June 22, 1844. He lived in Wisconsin for sorae time,
and came to this county in June, 1876, He took up a homestead and
a tree claira in sections 23 and 24 in Hartford township, and resided
on his homestead until 1895, when he rented his farm and went to
Kansas City, Missouri. He was a successful farmer and a good
citizen. WiLLiG, George, is a native of Germany, and was born January
14, 1858. He eraigrated to the United States in the spring of 1883,
and has been a resident of this county since then. He lived four
years in Brandon, and reraoved to Hartford toAvnship in 1893, where
he now resides on his farm, coraprising 200 acres in sections 2, 3 and
10. In 1887 he vvas raarried to Miss Alida Peters, and they have
four boys, Phillip, Constantine, George and Pred, He is a good
farmer and a good citizen.

p. E. Van De Mark.

HUMBOIiDT TOAVNSHIP.
(102-52)
The boundary lines of this township Avere surveyed by Wra. J.
Neeley in Aug-ust, 1859, and the subdivisions by H. T. Austin in
June, 1867. It contains 22,643.97 acres of land according to the gov
ernraent survey. The raap raade by the first surveyor, shows not
less than twenty-three ponds of water and two lakes; Beaver Lake on
sections 14, 15 and 22 covered 307 acres, and Grass Lake on sections
34 and 35 covered about 60 acres according to this survey. During
high water, suckers, black bass and pickerel have reached Grass
Lake by way of a small streara having its source in this lake, and
which runs through Hartford toAvnship in a northeasterly direction
and empties into Skunk creek on the southeast quarter of section 19
in Benton township.
Araong the first settlers in Humboldt was Nicholas Beck, who
came there in 1877, and during the year following, Michael Flynn,
Henry Mundt and several others located there. The first school
house was built in the fall of 1879 on the northeast quarter of section
11, and the following winter the first school in the township was
taught in this school house by Adelbert Oaks.
The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Oraaha railroad was built
through this township in 1879, but there was no station established
until several years later, and then it was a mere stopping place.
Beebe & Co. put up a grain warehouse in 1890, Hubbard & Palmer
in 1891, and the Farmers Warehouse company's grain and ware
house was erected in 1893. In 1897, the railroad company built a
commodious depot; and the John W. Tuthill Lumber Co. established
a luraber yard, and comraenced doing business July 5, that year. A
hotel and store were built the same year, and in the fall of 1898, John
Mundt of Hartford erected a grain elevator Avith a capacity of 25,000
bushels. In April, 1890, a post office was established, and since
April 4, 1898, it has been a money order office. There are some fine
farms in the township, and the little village of Huraboldt will un
doubtedly thrive and grow rapidly in population, and as a business
center. Farmers' Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company.
— This company was organized in Humboldt township in 1891. At
its annual meeting January 2, 1894, the secretary's report showed
that it had a membership of 113, and was carrying an insurance of
$181,540. Up to this time the company had sustained one loss only.
At this meeting Wm. Englehardt was elected president, Henry

872 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Buchheira vice president, Carl Kruse treasurer, and Henry Mundt
secretary. At the annual meeting January 12, 1897, the secretary,
Henry Mundt, reported that the total araount of insurance of the
corapany was at that tirae $239,930, and the total membership 146.
HUMBOLDT TOWNSHIP BOARD.
The first meeting- of the board that appears upon the clerk's
record, Avas held on the 16th day of July, 1881, at the residence of D.
M. James. Supervisors, Lemuel Shaul chairman, D. M. James,
Michael Flynn; Saul Shaul assessor, D. O. McCarty clerk, Deasro B.
Oakes justice. The only business done was the allowance of bills of
the township officers for services. The first warrant was drawn
in favor of Saul Shaul for services as assessor in the sum of $22.
Several raeetings were held by the board during the year, but the
only business recorded is the allowance of bills, and the total sum of
warrants drawn was $71.99.
1882. Supervisors, Lemuel Shaul chairraan, D. M. Jaraes,
Charles Feyder; D. O. McCarty clerk, John Kruse assessor, D. B.
Oakes and John Finn justices, Peter Ries treasurer. On the 23d of
March, Alex Schindler was appointed treasurer to fill the vacancy,
Mr. Ries having reraoved frora the township.
1883. Supervisors, John Kruse chairman, D. M. James, J. P.
Gallagher; O. J. McCarty clerk, John Wright treasurer, Henry
Mundt assessor, D. O. McCarty and John Finn justices, Alex
Schindler constable.
1884. Supervisors, John Kruse chairraan, John Gallagher,
Alex Schindler; O. J. McCarty clerk, Wra. Kruse assessor.
1885. Supervisors, J. P.Gallagher chairraan, Alex Schindler,
Henry Mundt; O. J. McCarty clerk, John Wright treasurer, D. O.
McCarty assessor, Charles Hemig and Frank Becknell justices. Gust.
Schievelbien and Lerauel Shaul constables.
1886. Supervisors, D. M. Jaraes chairman, J. P. Gallagher,
Henry Mundt; D. O. McCarty assessor, Charles Hemig treasurer,
A. G. Hahn clerk. ^
1887. Supervisors, Henry Mundt chairman, Carl Kruse, Peter
Finton; J. P. Gallagher treasurer, Araos Shaul assessor, A. G. Hahn,
clerk. 1888. Supervisors, Henry Mundt chairraan, Carl Kruse, A. K.
Sanborn; W. M. Kruse assessor, J. P. Gallagher treasurer, Peter
h mton clerk.
.^ ^^f- Supervisors, Alex Schindler chairman, Carl Kruse, J. W.
Drake; J. P. Gallagher treasurer, N. B. Even assessor, Peter Finton
/^; ^^"^^"^ ^- ^^^"^ ^"^ P^t^r Finton justices, John Thrasher
and N. B. Even constables.
TXT ^^^\ Supervisors, Alex Schindler chairman, W. J. Berguin,
Wm. Englehardt; Peter Finton clerk, J. P. Gallagher treasurer, P.
^f^^^ood assessor. Fifty-seven votes were cast at this election.
^-, '^y'-, Supervisors, Alex Schindler chairraan, W. J. Berguin,
Wm. Englehardt; Peter Finton clerk, O. J. McCarty assessor, J. P.
Gallagher treasurer^ P. Chelius and Peter Finton justices, S. D.
Maloney and E. E. Pmton constables

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 873

1892. Supervisors, Alex Schindler chairraan, Wm. Englehardt,
D. M. Jaines; Peter Chelius treasurer, P. B. Lockwood assessor,
Peter Finton clerk, Daniel Murphy and N. B. Even constables.
Sixty-five A'otes Avere cast.
1893. Supervisors, Alex Schindler chairman, D. M. Jaines,
Henry Buchheira; Peter Chelius treasurer, W. J. Berguin assessor;
Araos Shaul and Peter Finton justices, P. B. Lockwood clerk; John
Thrasher and Daniel Murphy constables. At a raeeting of the board
August 19, Carl Kruse was appointed treasurer, Peter Chelius hav
ing resigned. 1894. Supervisor, Henry Buchheira chairraan, D. M. Jaraes, J.
M. Trecker; Carl Kruse treasurer, W. J. Berguin assessor, P. B.
Lockwood clerk. A malignant form of diphtheria broke out in the
township in August of this year, and again the January, following,
and the township paid out in caring- for the sick, and the expenses of
the board of health, about $500. The county reimbursed the town
ship in part for the money paid out, but having also paid out $200,
the cost of four two-wheel scrapers, during- the year, the township at
the end of the fiscal year was in debt in the sura of $511.34, with no
cash on hand.
1895. Supervisors, Alex Schindler chairman, John P. Jordan,
J. P. Gallagher; F. B. Lockwood clerk, Carl Kruse treasurer, W. J.
Berguin assessor, Peter Pinton and D. B. Oakes justices, John
Thrasher and N. B. Even constables. Seventy-seven votes Avere
cast. At the close of the fiscal year the township had an indebted
ness of $576.79 with only forty-one cents on hand.
1896. Supervisors, Alex Schindler chairman. Bernard Buls,
John P. Jordan; P. B. Lockwood clerk, Carl Kruse treasurer, Peter
Pinton assessor, Henry Mundt and Peter Pinton justices, John
Thrasher and H. J. Dubbe constables. The line between Huraboldt
and Clear Lake was surveyed.
1897. Supervisors, Alex Schindler chairman, Bernard Buls, A.
K. Sanborn, P. B. Lockwood clerk, D. M. Smith treasurer, Peter
Finton assessor, Henry Mundt and Peter Finton justices, H. J.
Dubbe and John Thrasher constables.
1898. Supervisors, Bernard Buls chairman, Henry Lewyn,
Charles Buchheira; P. B. Lockwook clerk, Gust. Schievelbien treas
urer, W. J. Berguin assessor, Henry Mundt and Peter Pinton jus
tices, John Thrasher constable.
1899. Supervisors, Bernard Buls chairman, Carl Buchheira,
Pred Getzen; clerk, P. B. Lockwood; treasurer. Gust. Schievelbien;
assessor, W. J. Berguin; justice, Peter Finton.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Beck, Nicholas, a native of Gerraany, was born in 1824. He
emigrated to the United States and lived in New York until 187/,
when he removed to this county and located on his present home
stead, the southwest quarter of section 25 in Humboldt, where he
has since been engaged in farraing.

874 history of minnehaha county.

BucHHEiM, Carl, was bom in Clayton county, Iowa, Noveraber
28, 1861; attended the comraon schools and worked on a farm until
1886, when he carae to this county and bought the southwest quarter
of section 7 in Huraboldt, where he has since resided. He has held
school offices, and is noAV a raember of the township board; is a good
farraer, and a respected citizen.
BucHHEiM, Henry, was born in Germany December 7, 1854.
He emigrated with his parents to the United States in 1856, and set
tled in Clayton county, Iowa, where he was raised on his father's
farra. On the 3d day of April, 1877, he carae to this county and took
up as a horaestead the southAvest quarter of section 33 in Humboldt,
where he has since resided. He has purchased eighty acres adjoin
ing his homestead in Wellington, and has a good farm; has been
treasurer of his school district eighteen years; chairraan of the town
board two years; and for the last three years has been in charge of
the Fanners Warehouse at Humboldt. He is an esteemed citizen.
Caldwell, Hiram B., was born in Vermont March 14, 1829,
and died in Huraboldt toAvnship January 15, 1893. When quite young
he raoved with his parents to South Bend, Indiana, and a few years
later he reraoved to Baraboo, Wisconsin. In 1869, he carae to this
countv, where he resided until his death. He was an upright, hon
est raan, and an esteeraed citizen.
Drake, James Westley, is a native of Ncav York and was born
April 27, 1854. He came to Dakota from Wisconsin in 1878, arriving
in this county on the 25th of March. He filed a pre-emption on the
southwest quarter of section 12 in Huraboldt, which he afterwards
sold, and bought the northeast quarter of section 2 in the sarae town,
where he resides at the present tirae. He built the first "frarae
house" in Huraboldt township — a board shanty ten by twelve feet —
upoh his pre-eraption, in which he lived, and his neighbors thought
he was putting on a great deal of style, as they Avere living in sod
houses and log cabins. Mr. Drake is a well-to-do farraer, has held
school district and toAvnship offices, and is a good citizen. His
raother, Mrs. Anna C. Rawson, owns the southeast quarter of sec
tion 2, and the north half of the northeast quarter of section 14 in the
sarae town, where she resides.
Pauber, Charles, was born in Ohio December 9, 1850. He
lived in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois before he settled in this
county in March, 1880. He filed a homestead upon the southwest
quarter of section 11 in Humboldt, Avhere he has since resided and
has a good farra.
Pinton, Peter, was born in Ohio, March 23, 1830. He has been
engaged in farming in Indiana, Minnesota and Nebraska, and while
residing in Minnesota Avas elected representative to the state legisla
ture, and served during the session of 1872. He came to this county
and settled in Huraboldt in 1884, taking up land in section 15, where
he still resides. He has been town clerk and justice of the peace in
Huraboldt several years, and is highly esteemed as a neighbor and
citizen.

w

^m ^

Henry Mundt.

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 877

Flynn, Michael, is a native of Ireland. He was born in 1833,
and when only thirteen years of age emigrated to the United States.
He lived in New York and Illinois until 1878, when he removed to
Dakota, arriving in this county on the 12th of January. He took up
as a homestead the northeast quarter of section 27, in Huraboldt,
where he built a sod house covered Avith lumber, in which he lived
Avith his family until he built his present residence. He also owns a
tree claim on the northAvest quarter of the same section, where his
son, Edward Flynn, now lives. Mr. Flynn was one of the first set
tlers in Humboldt Avho remained permanently. He has a good farm
and is a good farmer.
Kruse, Carl, is a native of Germany, and was bom July 19,
1842, During his rainority he attended school and worked on a farra;
in 1864 came to this country and settled down to farraing in Clayton
county, Iowa, and remained there until he removed to this county,
where he arrived on the 3d day of April, 1877. He took up the north
half of section 33 in Huraboldt township, where he still resides. He
has been a raember of the town board of supervisors for several
years, and township treasurer four years. He is a good farmer and
an esteemed citizen.
Lewyn, Henry, is a native of England, and was bom in 1859.
He came to Dakota and located in this county in 1887, upon his pres
ent farm, the southeast quarter of section 35 in Humboldt, where he
still resides. Mr. Lewyn is a prosperous farmer and has a nice farm
with good buildings and other iraproveraents. He forraerly lived in
Rhode Island, Maryland, Minnesota and Colorado.
Lockwood, Prank B., was born in New York, March 15, 1839.
During the war of the rebellion he enlisted in the 12th Independent
Ohio Battery, and served nearly four years, until the close of the
war. He has lived in a good many states, but for the last twenty
years has been a resident of Dakota, coming to Salera, McCook
county, in 1878. In 1884 he removed to the northeast quarter of
section 10 in Humboldt, where he has since resided. He has been
postmaster at Humboldt and has held township offices; and is an en
terprising, respected citizen.
Mundt, Henry, was born in Germany, October 21, 1853. He
emigrated and came to McGregor, Iowa, in 1867, where he worked
on a farm two years, and then attended a Normal school at Galena,
Illinois. The following seven years and a half he worked in wagon
manufactories in Iowa. In the spring of 1878 he came to Dakota and
took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 34 in Hum
boldt, where he still resides. He purchased the southwest quarter
of section 35 in the same town, and now has a valuable, Avell improved
farra of 320 acres. In 1881 he was road overseer; in 1883 assessor;
Avas town supervisor four years, two years of which he was chairraan;
in 1888 was elected county coraraissioner and served his full term of
three years. He was very attentive to his duties as commissioner
and took a lively interest in everything that came before the board.
He was especially careful in protecting the county funds, and no bill
presented received his vote until he was fully satisfied that it Avas
correct.

878 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Murphy, Humphrey, was born. in Ireland in 1840; carae to the
United States in 1864, and to this county in the fall of 1878. He took
up the southwest quarter of section 20 in Huraboldt, and has resided
there since then. He is a respected citizen.
Oaks, Asa, was born in Minnesota, Noveraber 10, 1868, and came
to this county with his father, D. B. Oaks. He is engaged in farraing
on the southeast quarter of section 12, in Humboldt, and is a young
man of good character and well liked by his neighbors.
Oaks, Deasro Buck, was born in Mina, Chautauqua county.
New York, July 19, 1835. He lived there and in Illinois and Minne
sota until 1878, Avhen he reraoved to Dakota, arriving in this county
on the 25th day of May. He took up as a homestead the southeast
quarter of section 12, in Humboldt, and as a tree claira the south
west quarter of section 7, in Hartford, adjoining his horaestead. He
has a good farra with three wells of good water, a coraraodious resi
dence, granary and stables; he also has quite a large maple grove and
an apple orchard in bearing. He has held the office of justice of the
peace, is an industrious farmer and a good citizen.
O'Connell, Timothy, was born in Newcastle, Limerick, Ire
land, in 1832. He eraigrated to the United States and lived in New
York, Pennsylvania, Iowa and Minnesota prior to his coraing to this
county in the spring of 1880. He then took up as a homestead the
southwest quarter of section 24, in Huraboldt, where he has since
resided. Root, Addison Lincoln, was born in Ohio, May 10, 1845. He
lived in Wisconsin for some time and carae to this county April 8,
1879. He secured as a horaestead the northwest quarter of section
11, in Huraboldt, where he has since resided. He enlisted in the
array in 1865 and served thirteen months.
Sanborn, Amos K., is a native of Canada, was born October 30,
1838, and came to Dodge county, Wisconsin, when he was six years
old. He then lived in Minnesota and Iowa, and came to this county
in July, 1880. He says that all he had at that tirae in money was a
five-dollar bill, and that he shoveled snow on the railroad to"^ make a
living the first winter. He now owns the southeast quarter of sec
tion 8, in Huraboldt, where he resides engaged in farraing. He has
been a meraber of the town board of supervisors, and has held other
rainor offices, and is a good citizen.
Schindler, Alexander, Avas born in Allen county, Ohio, June
26, 1845. He lived in Indiana and Minnesota prior to his coraing to
this county March 28, 1879. He then raade a homestead entry on the
northeast quarter of section 23, in Humboldt, and has resided there
ever since. He has been chairraan of the town board, road super
visor and school district clerk. He enlisted in the array and served
frora August, 1862, to August, 1865.
Shaul, Amos, was born in Clark county, Ohio, Noveraber 28,
1826. He was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools.
In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 110th Ohio Infantry, and
served until the close of the war. At the time of his discharge he

HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

879

was first lieutenant of Company C. After the war he engaged in
farming in Ohio, Indiana and Iowa, and in 1882 settled in Humboldt,
where he resided until July, 1896, when he removed frora the state.
He held various town offices, and frequently attended the Republican
conventions as a deleg-ate. He was frequently knoAvn to have opin
ions of his own, but they were always in line Avith good citizenship
Webster, Leonard, was born in the state of New York, in
1831. He lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota before he carae to this
county, Avhere he settled on the 25th of May, 1880. He filed a horae
stead upon the northwest quarter of section 10, in Huraboldt, where
he resides engaged in farraing.

GRAIN field SCENE.

PAIilSADE TO WINSHIP.
(103-47)
This township is bounded on the east by the Minnesota state
line, Avhich was surveyed in 1862. The north, south and west lines
Avere surveyed by M. K. Armstrong in October, 1864, and the sub
divisions were inade the same month by Carl C.P.Meyer. The
township contains 15,069.45 acres of land. There were settlers in
this township in 1873, and during the next three or four years quite
a number of persons took up land there and engaged in farming.

Palisades on the Split Rock River.

The name Palisade was sug-gested by the peculiar formation of the
channel through which the Split Rock river flows in sections 30 and
31. The soil is good, and the surface gently rolling, except along
the banks of the Split Rock.
The first school Avas taught in the fall of 1877 in a sod shanty be
longing to Hans Nitteberg, Avhich Avas located on the northwest quar
ter of section 8. The teacher was Miss Mattie Rasch, who came
from loAva, and at the close of the school retumed horae. A post
office was established on the southwest quarter of section 4 in 1874,

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY, 881

and Job Wood, who also kept a hotel, was appointed postraaster.
The office was named Pleasant Valley, and remained there about
eight years, when it was moved to the northwest quarter of the sarae
section, and the name changed to Rapid Creek. Truman Griggs was
postmaster of this office for two years, Avhen it was moved about
forty rods across the state line into Minnesota, the name changed
back to Pleasant Valley, and Charles Reynolds appointed postmaster.
A second post office was established in this township in August,
1878, and Avas located near the southeast corner of the southwest
quarter of section 30, where a little village soon sprang- up. C. W.
Patten had previously built a small custom flour mill on the Split
Rock at this point. He purchased sorae of the timber that was in
the old barracks at Sioux Falls, which he used in the construction of
the mill dam, but a few years after, during high water, the dam went
out, and, as one of the old settlers of Palisade said to the Avriter,
"quite a number of farmers living on the banks of the Split Rock
below the old mill site secured some of this tiraber, vvhich raay still
be seen in their farm buildings." This little village was in a pros
perous condition when the Willmar & Sioux Falls railroad vvas built
and a station established at this point in the fall of 1888, but when
the Sioux City & Northern railroad was built into the township,
forming a junction with the Willmar & Sioux Falls on section 20, the
village of Palisade Avas doomed. The residents accepted the situa
tion, and the buildings were moved to Garretson.
SHERMAN.
In 1888, when the Willmar & Sioux Palls railroad opened for
traffic, a station named for E. A. Sherman, one of the directors of
the road, was established on the northwest quarter of section 4, and
eleven blocks were platted by E. A. Sherman, and M. J. Zeliff and
wife during that year, with a view to starting a village. A post office
was also established the sarae year, and A. C. Berg, who had forraed
a copartnership with C. A. Estenson and opened a general store, was
appointed postraaster, and held that office until January 1, 1899, when
0. B. Bratager assuraed the duties of the office. There are now two
general stores, one hardware and one drug store, and a blacksmith
shop, doing business at Sherman. It is an important point for the
shipment of grain, although only four miles from the city of Garret
son. Peavy & Co. have an elevator with a capacity of 45,000 bushels,
and there are two other large elevators, one with a capacity of 35,000
bushels, and the other 20,000 bushels. The little village of Sherman
is pleasantly located, and the inhabitants are already anticipating
the tirae when they will have a municipal government.
PALISADE TOWNSHIP BOARD.
1881. Supervisors, A. E. Bothwell, J. W. Wood, A. J. Cooley;
clerk, Ole Rudd; treasurer, C. W. Patten; assessor. Prank Eastman;
justices, A. Herbert, Ole A. Hanson; constables. Kirk Herbert, O.
G. Auly. Mr. Bothwell was chairman of the board during the year
1881. 1882. Supervisors, A. E. Bothwell chairraan, A. J- Cooley, E.

882 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Olson; treasurer, C. W. Patten; assessor, Ole A. Hanson; constables,
Ed. Beardsley, John Rudd. July 20, Ellef Ellefson was appointed
supervisor to fill vacancy. At the end of the fiscal year the treas
urer reported money received $156.20, balance on hand 28.10.
1883. Supervisors, A. E. Bothwell chairman, Ellef E. Ellef
son, E. Royce; treasurer, C. W. Patten; assessor, Ole A. Hanson;
justices, A. Herbert, Hans S. Nitteberg; constables, John Rudd,
Ira Royce. 1884. Supervisors, A. E. Bothwell chairman, E. Royce, An
drew Morrison; clerk, Ole Rudd; treasurer, C. W. Patten; assessor,
Ole A. Hanson; justices, C. W. Patten, J. AV. Wood; constables, Ira
Royce, John Rudd. June 2, the board met with the board of High
land and divided the work on the highvA'ay between the two town
ships. 1885. Supervisors, P. L. Herbert chairman, John Rudd, Lewis
Gilbert; clerk, Ole Rudd; treasurer, C. W. Patten.
1886. Supervisors, P. L. Herbert chairman, Lewis Gilbert,
Wra. Nevill; clerk, O. A. Hanson; treasurer, C. W. Patten; assessor,
Anton Rudd; justices, W. B. Allen, L. M. Jacobson; constables, A.
J. Cooley, John Steinraetz.
1887. Supervisors, Jaraes Whealey chairraan, John Overbee, A.
J. Cooley; clerk, Peter P. Eichner; treasurer, C. W. Patten; asses
sor, Anton H. Rudd. A by-law was adopted "prohibiting nonresi
dents frora hunting in this township without the permission of the
owners." 1888. Supervisors, James Whealey chairman, A. J. Cooley,
John K. Overbee; clerk, P. P. Eichner; treasurer, C. W. Patten; as
sessor, Anton Rudd; justices, P. L. Herbert, E. Humphrey; con
stables, John Steinraetz, O. A. Hanson. There Avere thirty-nine
votes cast at this election.
1889. Supervisors, Jaines Whealey chairman, John Rudd, Mag
nus Johnson; clerk, P. P. Eichner; treasurer, M. H. Wangsness; as
sessor, A. H. Rudd; justice, E. E. Cross.
1 890. Supervisors, John Rudd chairman, Magnus Johnson, A.
J. Cooley; clerk, P. P. Eichner; treasurer, M. H. Wangsness; as
sessor, Ole Rudd; justices, O. A. Hanson, E. E. Cross; constables,
John_ Steinraetz, E. N. W. Shook. Fifty-five votes were cast at this
election. May 30, diphtheria having appeared in a boarding house
in Garretson the house was quarantined and orders issued to several
persons to keep their preraises clean and properly drained; a sraall
building was erected to be used as a hospital. July 8, Charles East-
"r^^^^^^PP°^"*®*^^'^®*^'^^^°^^^ ^^^^^^'^y '^^.used by the resignation
of E. E. Cross. October 4, George E. Beardsley was appointed
clerk in place of P. P. Eichner, resigned. November 4, Edward
Eastman was appointed justice in place of Charles Eastman, re
signed. At the close of the year the treasurer reported that he had
received ^413.94, that orders in the sura of $136.32 had been issued
on account of diphtheria and the erection of a hospital, which should
be paid by the county, and that the indebtedness of the township
aside from this was $191.80.
1891. Supervisors, James Whealey chairraan, Ola A. Hanson,

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 883

A. J. Cooley; clerk, L. M. Jacobson; treasurer, M. H. Wangsness;
assessor, Ole Rudd; justice, E. Eastwood; constable, A. Estenson.
The number of votes cast was 109. June 27, Melvin Zeliff was ap
pointed justice in place of O. A. Hanson, resigned, and it was de
cided to build several stone culverts during the year.
1892. Supervisors, James Whealey chairman, Ole A. Hanson,
John H. Bly; clerk, L. M. Jacobson; treasurer, John Overbee; as
sessor, Ole' Rudd; justices, Emory Royce, Job W. Wood; constables,
Magnus Johnson, C. A. Estenson. There were twenty-six votes
cast at this election, and it Avas voted "that the pesthouse be raoved
to sorae suitable place by the board to be used for town purposes,
and in vvhich to hold their meetings." March 29, the board directed
O. A. Hanson to hire men and teams to raove the pesthouse onto
the northwest corner of section 22, and that the building should be
called Palisade Townhall. John Lewis and Ole Rudd were ap
pointed justices in the place of Royce and Wood, who had failed to
qualify. June 27, the board directed the posting of five notices to
the effect that all noxious weeds must be destroyed during the
months of July and August, and that the same notice be published
in the Garretson Progress. November 12, the board ordered that
the pesthouse be moved on to the corner of section 16, there to be
used as a townhall.
1893. Supervisors, Ole A. Hanson chairman, John H. Bly, John
Lewis; clerk, L. M. Jacobson; treasurer, John Overbee; assessor, Ole
Rudd; justices, Alexander Allen, George W. Peterson. Twenty-
eight votes were cast. A vote was taken upon the question whether
or not the township should be resurveyed, resulting in 11 votes for
and 7 against. Noveraber 11, the board met at H. H. Keith's office
to draw a contract with John O. Langness for a resurvey of the town
ship, but Mr. Langness not being willing fo agree upon the terras
proposed, the contract was let to T. M. Patten, who agreed to do the
work and pay all the expenses, except furnishing raonuments, for the
sura of $350. .
1894. Supervisors, O. A. Hanson chairman, Fred Steinraetz,
Magnus Johnson; clerk, L. M. Jacobson; treasurer, John Overbee;
assessor, Ole Rudd; justices, George W. Peterson, Emory Royce;
constables, Ed Lewis, A. C. Estenson. Forty-six ballots were cast.
A raotion was made and carried that no taxes be levied during the
year. March 22, George W. Peterson was appointed supervisor,
Fred Steinraetz refusing to qualify; Lewis Gilbert and J. J. LaDue
were appointed justices in the place of Peterson and Royce who
failed to qualify. During this year there were quite a nuraber ot
raeetings of the board to consider road work, the building of culverts
and bridges, the vaccination of the people; to give instructions to the
road overseers in consequence of the resurvey, and to prosecute per
sons obstructing the highways. . -r^ r tt t, ^
1895. Supervisors, G. W. Peterson chairman, P. L. Herbert,
Andreas Larhahl; clerk, L. M. Jacobson; treasurer, John K. Over
bee; assessor, Ole Rudd.
1896. Supervisors, A. J. Cooley chairman, Magnus Johnson,
A. O. Lardahl; clerk, G. W. Peterson: treasurer, John Overbee; as
sessor, Ole Rudd.

884 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

1897. Supervisors, A. J. Cooley chairman, Magnus Johnson,
John Ingebretson; clerk, G. W. Peterson; treasurer, John Overbee;
assessor, Ole Rudd.
1898. Supervisors, A. J. Cooley chairman, J. H. Bly, John
Ingebretson; clerk, G. W. Peterson; treasurer, John 'K. Overbee;
assessor, Ole Rudd.
1899. Supervisors, O. A. Hanson, Magnus Johnson, J. J.
Klungness; clerk, G. W. Peterson; treasurer, Wra. Pierce; assessor,
Ole Rudd. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Berg, A. C, is a native of Norway, and was born September 11,
1860; eraigrated with his parents to the United States in 1872, and
lived in Michigan two years, Avhere he attended the public schools;
reraoved to Dakota and settled in this county on the 9th day of Sep
teraber, 1874, his father, C. A. Berg, taking up land in section 19 in
Highland township. He reraained Avith his father working on the
farra and attending the Augustana College at Canton until 1886,
Avhen he went to Dell Rapids and clerked for R. W. Howland for
sorae tirae, then returned horae, got raarried, and lived on the farm
until in 1888. At that time he removed to Sherraan, where he, in
partnership with his brother-in-law, C. A. Estensen, opened a gen
eral store under the firm narae of Berg, Estensen & Co., and since
then has been doing a successful business at that place. He has
been a raeraber of the school board six years, and postraaster at Sher
man from 1888 to 1899. He is a good business raan, an enterprising,
respected citizen, and Avell liked.
Bly, John H., was born in Lee county, Illinois, March 16, 1862.
He carae to this county in 1886, and bought the southeast quarter of
section 32 in Palisade, where he has since resided, and has a good
farra. He has been a meraber of the town board of supervisors for
two years, and clerk of the school board four years. He is a good
farraer and a good citizen.
Cooley, Alfred J., is a native of Wisconsin, and was born
August 15, 1851. He lived there and in Canada, Minnesota and Cali
fornia before he settled in this county in 1874, where he has since
resided. He took up 160 acres as a horaestead in sections 25 in Edi
son, and 30 and 31 in Palisade, and as a tree claira the northeast
quarter of section 32 in the last naraed township. He resides on his
horaestead, and has a good farm with substantial buildings and im
provements. He has been a raember of the town board of supervis
ors several years, and for the last three years has been its chairman.
He IS a good neighbor and a highly esteeraed citizen.
Estensen, C. Alfred, was born in NorAvay in 1866, but Avhile
an infant carae to this country with his father, Eistin Eistinson, who
settled m Calumet, Michigan, and remained there until 1871, when
he removed with his family to this county and settled in Dell Rapids
township. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farra and
educated m the public schools, attended an academy at Red Wing,
Minn., one year, and the Augustana College at Canton, one term. In

history of minnehaHa county 885

1888, formed a copartnership with A. C. Berg and opened a g-eneral
store at Sherman, where the firm has since been doing a successful
business. Mr. Estensen is a good business raan and an enterprising-
citizen. Hanson, O. A., is a native of Norway, and was born Deceraber
7, 1850. He carae to the United States in 1869, and'Jived in Wiscon
sin six years. In the spring of 1875 he came to this county and set
tled on his present homestead, the northwest quarter of section 3, in
Palisade, and the following- year he filed a tree claim on the north
Avest quarter of section 10, in the same town. He is also the owner
of 320 acres of farm land in Rock county, Minnesota, but resides on
his homestead in Palisade, which is a good farra 'with substantial
buildings. His farm is only a quarter of a raile from Sherraan and
is watered by the Split Rock which runs through his land both in
this county and in Minnesota. Mr. Hanson takes an active part in
toAvn affairs, has been a member of the school board about fifteen
years, assessor four years, justice of the peace, and clerk and super
visor of the town board several years, also its chairman. He is not
only a good farraer but is a good neighbor and a highly respected
citizen. Herbert, Prank L., was born in Canton, Pulton county, Illi
nois, March 6, 1849. He lived there and in Iowa and Minnesota be
fore he settled in this county in April, 1875. He took up as a horae
stead the north half of the northwest quarter of section 28, and the
south half of the southwest quarter of section 21, and as a tree claira
the southeast quarter of section 29, in Palisade. He resides on his
horaestead in section 21, has a good farra and is a good citizen.
Jacobson, Lars M., is the owner of and resides upon the east
half of the northeast quarter of section 21, in Palisade, He was born
in Norway, January 25, 1851, and carae to the United States and to
Dakota in 1870. He remained in Dakota one year, and then went to
Iowa where he remained until April, 1882, at which tirae he reraoved
to Palisade and bought the farra he now resides upon. He has been
justice of the peace three years, school district clerk nine years and
town clerk five years. He is a good citizen and highly esteeraed by
his neighbors. Johnson, Bernard, was born in the city of Kongsberg, Nor
way, November 21, 1853. He emigrated to the United States and
settled in Wisconsin, removed from there to Minnesota and came to
this county in 1876. He took up a homestead in section 7, in Pali
sade, where he still resides and has a good farm. He has held the
office of school treasurer, and is a good citizen.
Johnson, Magnus, was bom in Sweden, October 26, 1847. He
becarae a sailor when quite young, and followed this occupation nine
years, visiting the United States' for the first tirae in 1865. In 1876
he settled in Santa Clara county, California, where he reraained for
seven years engaged in farraing. Early in 1882 he visited his old
home in Sweden for a few months, and upon his return to this coun
try located at Valley Springs, where he resided three years. He
bought the southwest quarter of section 33, in Palisade, and in 1886

886 history op minnehaha county.

moved onto this land, and still resides there. He has a good farm,
and is a good, reliable citizen. He has been one of the supervisors
of Palisade several years, constable two years, and treasurer of the
school district in which he resides four years. His family consists
of wife and four children.
Klungness, J. J., is a native of Norway, and was born July 5,
1846. He eraigrated to the United States in 1872, lived in Iowa two
years, and carae to Dakota in 1874. He took up as a homestead 160
acres of section 27, where he still resides and has one of the finest
farms in Palisade. The following year, 1875, he took up as a tree
claim the southwest quarter of the same section, and now owns 320
acres of land under good cultivation. He has held the office of di
rector of the school board, and is a good farmer and a good citizen.
Locke, William A., was born in Wisconsin, in 1850. He hved
there and in Illinois and Iowa prior to his coming to Dakota in 1880.
He has a fine farra of 200 acres in section 5, in Palisade, where he
has resided ever since he first came here, and thinks that Dakota is
better than any other place he has lived in. He is a good citizen.
Nitteberg, Hans Stener, was born in Norway, May 23, 1828.
He emigrated to this country in 1869, lived in Minnesota and Wis
consin for some time and came to Dakota in 1873. He took up as a
homestead the south half of the southwest quarter of section 5, and
the north half of the northwest quarter of section 8 in Palisade. He
still lives on his homestead and has a good farra. Mr. Nitteberg was
a soldier in Norway for several years.
Overbee, John K., was born in Norway in 1850. He eraigrated
to the United States and lived in Iowa frora 1871 till June, 1876, at
which time he located in this county on his present farra in section 9
m Palisade. He has been treasurer of school district No. 30 since
1880, town supervisor two years, and town treasurer since 1892. He
has a good farra, and is an active, enterprising citizen.
Peterson, George W., well and favorably known by every old
settler of this county, is a native of Canada and was born June 30,
1853. He carae to the United States and located with his parents in
Minnesota m 1865. In 1878 he carae to Dakota and took up land in
McCook county, but removed to Sioux Falls the same vear, where he
opened a meat market. He carried on this business until 1891, at
which time he bought the northwest quarter of section 22, in Pali
sade, where he and his estiraable wife now reside and have a very
pleasant horae. Mr. Peterson takes great interest in the welfare of
his town, and has held several prominent township offices frora time
to time. He is an enterprising and upright citizen and a good
neighbor. Pierce, AVilliam, was born in Illinois, October 7, 1855. He
went to Iowa and lived there and in Minnesota until 1885, when he
removed to this county. He located on the northeast quarter of sec
tion 22 m Palisade, where he is engaged in farming, and has a good
.farm. He is a well-known and respected citizen.

history of minnehaha county, 887

Royce, Emery, was bom in Illinois in 1849. He resided there
and in Iowa until he came to Dakota in May, 1871. He took up as a
homestead the southeast quarter of section 27 in Mapleton, now
owned by Minnehaha county and known as the county poor-farra.
There were no settlers north of him in the eastern half of the town
ship of Mapleton in 1871, but the next year he had neighbors on all
sides. At the first great ball in Sioux Falls, which took place on
New Year's eve in 1872, at the Cataract House, Mr. Royce and his
brother furnished the music, and he says "it was a great society
event." In 1878 he sold his farm and removed to Palisade where he
engaged in the raercantile business and was the postmaster until
1886, when he again AA'ent to farming in Palisade toAvnship. He is an
enterprising, good citizen.
Royce, Ezra, was born in Illinois in 1848. He was reared on a
farra and educated in the district schools. In 1872 he carae to this
county from Iowa, and settled in Palisade, taking up the northwest
quarter of section 29 as a homestead and the southeast quarter of
section 31 as a tree claim. In 1897 he removed to the state of Wash
ington. Rudd, John H., is a native of Norway and was born November
28, 1850. In 1872 he emigrated to the United States, and came to
Minnehaha county on the 17th day of May, 1873, and resided on his
homestead in section 8, in Palisade, until 1897, when he rented his
farm and removed to Hills, Minnesota. He has been chairman of the
town board of supervisors and has held several other toAvn offices in
Palisade. If he had been postmaster upon the incoming of Cleve
land's first administration he would have been promptly removed for
" pernicious activity in politics." He lives up to the full raeasure of
his rights as a citizen, starts early for the primaries, is always
around when there is a convention to be held by his party, and never
leaves the polls until the last vote is counted. A man of this char
acter is always an enterprising citizen, and John H. Rudd is no ex
ception to the general rule.
Rudd, Ole, was born in Norway, November 30, 1847, and erai
grated to the United States in 1871. He has always been engaged in
farraing, and resided in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin before he
came to Minnehaha county in July, 1877. Upon coming to this
county he obtained title to the northwest quarter of section 15 in Pal
isade through a pre-emption filing, and has since then raade it his
home. He has a good farm with pleasant surroundings. Like his
brother John, he has been honored with toAvn offices. Upon the or
ganization of the township he was elected clerk of the town board
and was re-elected several tiraes to this office as well as that of as
sessor, etc. He is a good citizen and official, and is highly respected.
Tanner, Zacharias, was born in the town of Schuyler, Herki
mer county, New York, October 12, 1825. He lived in New York,
Illinois and Iowa before he came to this county, where he arrived in
June, 1874. He filed a homestead upon the southwest quarter of sec
tion 3, in Palisades, where he has been a well-known resident ever
since.

888 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

Whealey, James, was born in Huntington county, Canada,
April 17, 1848. He carae to the United States in 1863, and lived in
New York until he reraoved to this county in 1875. He took up as a
horaestead the northeast quarter of section 28 in Palisade, bought
the northwest quarter of section 27, and now has a fine farm of 320
acres. He has been chairman of the town board of supervisors, and
school director several years, and is an industrious f:irmer and a re
spected citizen.
Wood, Job W., was born in the town of Conventry, Chenango
county. New York, Deceraber 27, 1842. He carae to this county on
the 12th day of June, 1873, after having resided in the states of New
York, Virginia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and
Texas. He secured by pre-eraption the northwest quarter of sec
tion 4 in Palisade, where he lived for twenty years, reraoving from
the state in 1893. He was postraaster in 1874, and has been justice
of the peace, and was well known to nearly every early settler in the
county as a good citizen.
Zeliff, M. J., was born in Cayuga county. New York, on the
31st day of July, 1833. He was reared on a farm and educated in the
public schools. After having lived in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana
and Iowa he came to this county May 25, 1874, and took up as a home
stead the northeast quarter of section 4 in Palisade, and also secured
the southeast quarter of section 33 in Highland. He set out 30 acres
of trees on his farm, and cared for thera so well that he now has one
of the finest groves in the county. He has raade maple sugar several
years, and has walnut trees frora which he has gathered nuts. He
has also quite a thrifty little apple orchard, crab and standard trees,
w^hich have borne fruit in abundance for several years. The town
site of Sherraan, where there is also a station on the Great Northern
railroad, is located on his horaestead. Mr. Zeliff is an energtic, en
terprising citizen. DEVIL'S GULCH.
Devirs Gulch, located on the east side of the Split Rock river in
section 17, in Palisade toAvnship, is a reraarkable gulch. Its south
ern extreraity is less than half a raile north of the city of Garretson,
where it forms a junction with the Split Rock river". The head of
this gulch is in a natural basin, about two hundred rods nor^iheast
frora the junction, where bare rocks, wom by water raav be seen
near the surface of the ground. Following its course southwesterly,
a channel is formed through the rocks, gradually growing deeper for
a considerable distance, only the east side of the channel is abrupt,
the Avest side being a gradual slope for some distance back, but as
the gulch proper is approached the channel is through solid rock,
both sides being almost perpendicular for a short distance, when a
basin containing water is reached which is a little more than one
hundred feet in diameter. Near the point where this channel enters
the basin there is another channel through the rocks from the north
west portion of the basin. This is narrow, and quite steep, but the
basin can be reached through this channel. At the south end of the
basm the channel through the rocks is not more than eight to ten

HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

889

feet in width, but it is only for a few feet when another basin is
reached similar to the preceding- one. After leaving- this basin the
Avest side only is abrupt, the east side being- covered with trees for a
distance of about twenty rods. At this point the people of Garret
son have commenced fitting- up the grounds suitable for picnic
parties, and the possibilities for making- it one of the most pleasant
and enjoyable places in the county for picnic excursions are so ap
parent that the Avriter confidently predicts that in the near future
visitors to Devil's Gulch will find beautiful grounds, walks, bridges
and seats, Avhich will add materially to their comfort while viewing-
this weird, picturesque and wonderfully unique natural formation.
In July, 1894, there appeared in the Saturday Blade, published
at Chicago, a double-column cut of this gulch, and in connection with
it a romantic storv of a trag-edy which occurred within the walls of

Devil's Gulch.
this wonderful formation. It is impossible at this time to verify its
truthfulness, but there are so many people who believe in dreams,
and are in such dire need of incidents of this character to sustain
thera, that we insert below the story as it was given in the Blade.
"In the early days of the Dakotas, James Harding, wife, son and
daughter, emigrated from eastern Wisconsin. While in carap on the
bank of the Sioux, about a half a mile from the Split Rock river, they
were surprised by a band of Indians, led by a white renegade, and
Harding and his wife and son Avere murdered, while Nellie vvas
carried away captive.
In his far-away Wisconsin home, on the night of the massacre,
Dick Willowby, the young girl's lover, dreamed a fearful dream.
He saw clearly depicted the vicinity and scenes of the murder, and

890 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

the dreara raade so great an irapression upon him that he immediate
ly started, armed and equipped, upon the route previously pursued
by his friends. After two weeks' hard riding he arrived at the little
village of Worthington, and learned that the Harding faraily left
there the night before he had his dream. Hurrying onward he carae
late in the afternoon upon the country seen in his vision. A raile in
advance stood the Harding wagon. Arriving at the carap, what a
fearful sight met his anxious eyes! Father, mother and son mur
dered, and Nellie gone! After following the trail about ten miles up
the Split Rock river he espied a narrow ravine, or canyon, about
eighty rods long, running back from the river. The sides rose per
pendicularly frora eighty to one hundred feet, and along the bottom
Avas a sraall stream. This was Devil's Gulch. Out upon a shelving
rock he saw the light of a fire. Creeping softly up he saw half a
dozen Indians and a white raan. Raising his rifle and taking careful
aim, he fired and an Indian bit the dust. Another fell at the second
fire. There was only one means of egress frora their fastness and
that Avas barricaded by an avenging rifle. Again and again the rifle
spoke. Consternation seized the Indians. Their invisible eneray
fired ag-ain. The remaining Indians threw themselves into the
depths below. The white renegade stood alone. Pausing an instant
he darted to one side and in a moment reappeared with Nellie.
There was a report of a pistol, a wild scream and Nellie was dead.
Dashing up a rock the renegade mounted a horse and flew for his
life. But his pursuer was close behind. For five miles the race was
kept up, when the renegade's horse stumbled, throwing his rider to
the ground. He faced his foe in an instant. There were two rapid
reports and the renegade had paid for his crime with his life. Dick
Willowby, raortally wounded, dragged hiraself back to the rock where
Nellie lay. There, with her clasped in his arras, he was found. The
body of the renegade was found in Rose Dell township, Minnesota."

CITY OF GARRETSON.
In July, 1891, a petition signed by a large number of the citizens
of the village of Garretson was filed Avith the county commissioners,
asking that the question of the incorporation of the city of Garret
son be submitted to a vote of the citizens residing within the pro
posed limits as set forth in the petition; and the county commission
ers finding the petition in full compliance with the requirements of
the statute in such cases, an election was ordered to be held at the
Hotel Garretson on the 25th day of July, 1891. The election was
held at the appointed tirae, and the people voted to incorporate, and
on the 22d day of August, 1891, the city of Garretson was incorpor
ated. At the September meeting of the county board the vote of an
election held in the city of Garretson for the election of city officers
was canvassed, resulting as follows: Mayor, John P. Sophy; treas
urer, M. H. Wangsness; police justice, P. Eastwood; city justice,
Ed. Eastman; aldermen, D. J. Kennedy, J. O. Royce, W. H. O'Leary,
E. E. Cross, J. Boldt, J. LaDue.
The records of the city commence with November 2, 1891, at
which time a meeting was held and W. H. O'Leary was elected presi
dent of the council and D. J. Kennedy secretary pro tem. G. W.
Sraith was then nominated and confirmed as city auditor; rules were
also adopted for the governraent of the council.
At a special meeting of the council on November 7, the bonds of
the newly elected officers were approved; James Burries was nomi
nated city marshal, but the council did not approve of the nomina
tion, and Charles O'Leary was appointed city marshal. It was de
cided to eraploy Joseph Kirby of Sioux Falls as city attorney; Dr.
C. W. Locke was appointed city physician, and the Garretson Pro
gress was made the official newspaper; ordinance No. 1, Avas intro
duced, fixing the salary of the city officials at one dollar each for
raayor and aldermen, one hundred dollars for the auditor, and for
the treasurer two per cent, of all moneys collected. At a meeting
held December 14, Charles O'Leary was appointed street commis
sioner. February 1, 1892, the regular monthly meeting of the city coun
cil was changed from the first Monday to the first Wednesday in
each month. February 20, 1892, the council fixed the compensation
for city marshal at $25 per month. March 16, the council referred
the matter of dividing the city into three wards and fixing their
boundaries; the proposed grade of the streets as made by Surveyor
D. C. Rice was taken up and laid over for further consideration.
April 6, council appointed judges of election, and ordinance dividing-

892 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

city into three wards was passed to its second reading; an ordinance
vacating a portion of certain streets and alleys, and directing the
raayor to deed the same to the Sioux City & Northern Railway cora
pany AA'as also passed to its second reading, and on April 13 the ordi
nance was passed. April 19, the council canvassed the votes for city
officers; ninety votes were cast at this election, and John P. Sophy
receiving fifty votes was declared elected mayor; A. J. Froelich was
elected treasurer, Frank Eastman police justice, A. M. Olraera city
justice; alderraen, 1st ward, Peter Doyle; 2d ward, John Nauth, W.
H. O'Leary; 3d ward, Lars Jacobson, Charles Swenson. May 4, the
grade of the streets as proposed by Surveyor Rice was established
by the old council, and on the sarae day the new council organized,
and the appointraents of D. J. Kennedy as city auditor and P. C.
Callender as city assessor were approved. Dr. C. W. Locke was
appointed president of the board of health, and three standing cora
raittees were appointed by the raayor. June 2, S. R. Short was ap
pointed city raarshal and street coraraissioner, and D. J. Kennedy
city justice; the coraraittee on police was directed to build a cala
boose. At a raeeting in July the council exarained the assessment
roll, and the assessed valuation of the real estate was $52,871, and
the personal property $26,055. A city tax of eight mills was levied;
a petition was received asking that a certain portion of the territory
of the city "be excluded from the corporation;" the office of street
commissioner was declared vacant owing to the sickness of Mr.
Short, and his inability to perform the duties of his office, and John
Strorarae was appointed to fill vacancy; John P. Sophy, Jr., was ap
pointed city raarshal to fill vacancy. August 3, C. C. Murphy was
appointed city attorney at a salary of $100. There being a vacancy
in the office of city justice and of one alderman in the 3d Avard, a
special election was held and Zane R. Biggs was elected city justice
and C. H. Vickerraan alderraan. December 7, 1892, the resig-nation
of P. Eastwood as police justice was accepted.
April 5, 1893, a petition of the citizens of Garretson was received
asking that the city issue bonds in the sum of $4,000 to construct
city water works, which was "tabled indefinitely."
The annual city election was held April 18, 1893. A. H. Rudd
Avas elected police justice, and the following alderraen were elected:
1st Avard, Henry Buck and Peter Doyle; 2d Avard, H, L. Havdahl;
3d ward, Sarauel Haren. April 29, the council authorized D. J.
Kennedy to eraploy S. B. Howe of Sioux Palls to prepare plans for
city water works; D. J. Kennedy was appointed auditor, John P.
Sophy, Jr., marshal, Charles O'Leary assessor, and Charles Nelson
street commissioner. During the year a good manv meetings of the
council were held to consider the grading'of streets and other im
provements of the city. In Septeraber a seven-mill tax was levied.
In Noveraber a special election was held to determine whether or not
the city would bond in the sum of $1,500 for fire purposes, which re
sulted in favor of bonding. Deceraber 7, the resignation of C. C.
Murphy as city attorney was accepted. January 11, 1894, the coun
cil accepted the proposition of the Revere Rubber Co., to furnish the
city with a cheraical engine and a hook and ladder outfit. February

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 893

7, 1894, the council refused to call an election to determine whether
the city incorporation should be dissolved or not, as requested by a
petition of the citizens, the petition not having the requisite number
of signatures. March 8, the chemical engine was accepted.
At the city election in April, 1894, Dr. C. W. Locke was elected
mayor; S. A. Aukerman treasurer; Edwin Eastman police justice;
Stephen Reeves city justice; Peter Doyle alderman 1st Avard; W. H.
O'Leary 2d ward; M. E. Heiney 3d ward. Charles O'Leary vvas ap
pointed auditor; O. J. Berdahl assessor and John A. Strorarae street
coraraissioner. July 5, the interest on the $1,500 fire bonds was
raised from six to eight per cent. December 7, bonds sold to W. H.
Wilson of Sioux Falls.
At the city election in April, 1895, the following officers were
elected: Aldermen, 1st ward, John P. Sophy; 2d ward, D. J. Ken
nedy; 3d Avard, Soren Sevenson and John Steinraetz received the
same number of votes, and upon drawing lots for the office Sevenson
AA'as successful; city justice, A. M. Olmem. Mayor Locke appointed
Charles O'Leary auditor, who was confirmed. He then appointed not
less than six different persons for assessor, all of whom the council
refused to confirm, but at a subsequent meeting- A. J. Froelich vvas
appointed and confirmed. C. C. Murphy as city attorney, and
August Tradup as chief of police were appointed and confirmed.
At the annual election in 1896, D. J.Kennedy was elected raayor;
Ed. Keller treasurer; Ed. Eastraan police justice; Z. R. Biggs city
justice; alderman, 1st Avard, H. P. Hatland, J. P. Sophy, Sr.; 2d
Avard, E. E. Cross, S. Reeves; 3d Avard, A. Darrow, Sara Hagen. The
mayor appointed A. E. Patterson auditor; John Steinraetz chief of
police and street commissioner, and J. E. Sophy assessor.
The city officers in 1897 were: Mayor, D. J. Kennedy; treas
urer, Ed. Keller; police justice, Ed. Eastman; city justice, Z. R.
Biggs; aldermen, 1st ward, C. M. Butts, A. P. Hatland; 2d ward,
E. E. Cross, Thomas Wangsness; 3d ward, A. Darrow. W. H.
O'Learey ; auditor, A. E. Patterson; chief of police and street corarais
sioner, John Steinraetz; assessor, Charles O'Leary.
The city officers in 1898 were: Mayor, E. E. Cross; treasurer,
Ed. Keller; police justice, C. E. McCall; city justice, Z. R. Biggs;
alderraen, 1st ward, C. M. Butts, A. J. Froelich; 2d ward, Thoraas
Wangsness, P. W. Royce; 3d ward, W. H. O'Leary, Jaraes Whealey;
auditor, A. E. Patterson; chief of police and street commissioner,
Erabrik Olson; assessor, Charles O'Leary.
The citv officers ih 1899 were: Mayor, E. E. Cross; police jus
tice, C. E. "McCall; city justice, H. W. Ward; alderraen, 1st ward,
C. M. Butts, A. J. Froelich; 2d ward, Anfin J. Berdahl, P. W.
Royce; 3d ward, Jaraes Whealey, W. H. O'Leary; auditor,
A. E. Patterson; chief of police, John Steinraetz; assessor, Charles
O'Leary, (died in office July 30, 1899.)
First Congregational Church.— This church was organized
at Garretson, August 5, 1888, with a raerabership of eighteen. In
1895, aided bv the Church Building Association of New York, a very
appropriate and commodious church building was erected at a cost
of $2,400, in which services are held every Sunday. The following

894 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

ministers have had charge of the church: The Reverends A. L.
Hope, Decer, I. P. Duas, M. A. Ball and H. G. Adams. In connec
tion with the church is a Sunday school which in 1895 nurabered
forty-eight, and also a Ladies' Aid society.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church. — This church was
organized April 3, 1892, with a raembership of six. A few raonths
later a building was purchased and fitted up for the use of the con
gregation, at a cost of about $500. It is located on Main avenue and
First street, and was dedicated on November 6, 1892, by Presiding
Elder, W. H. Jordan. Rev. W. P. Hart was the first pastor, and he
was succeeded by the Reverends, E. Honeywell, N. Pawell, H. P.
Eberhart, H. B. Clearwater and S. S. Hookland. Services are held
every Sunday. There is a prosperous Sunday school connected with
the church, also a Ladies' Aid society.
St. Rose Catholic Church. — This church was organized in the
spring of 1892, by the Rev. Mr. Hardy. Miss Rose Ganyon donated
the site for a church and at a cost of $1,300, Avhich was paid by sub
scription, and with donated labor, a church building was erected
which is centrally located. Prior to the completion of the church
building services were held at the residence of J. P. Sophy. Ser
vices are now held every second Sunday by the Rev. M. J. Martyn,
and the average attendance is eighty. There is a large Sunday school in
connection with the church. The following priests have officiated at
Garretson since the organization of the church: Reverends Rick-
land, Jerome, Brown, Link, Hendrick, Hogan, Mensing, O'Hora,
Grabig, Sheehan, Peinler, and the present pastor, the Rev. M. J.
Martyn. The Garretson Progress.— This newspaper was established
at the city of Garretson, and its first issue given to the public on the
12th day of November, 1889. It was a weekly newspaper. Republican
in politics, and edited and published by Prank Eastwood, who re
mained in charge about three years. Por a few months in 1892,
Avhile the political carapaign was in progress, a Mr. Hunt was in
charge of this paper, and if there are any persons who Avere at that
time candidates for office in Minnehaha county who did not get ac
quainted Avith hira and loan him a few dollars, they must have been
unusually hard pressed financially, or had little confidence in their
election. The writer is on the list, but felt comfortable upon coin-
pairing notes with other candidates and finding Avhat amount they
had contributed to this newspaper enterprise.- After the carapaign
was over he sought a new field. Dean P. Buell succeeded Mr. Hunt,
and the first issue of the paper under his raanageraent was on the
23d day of Deceraber, 1892. He reraained in charge until February
17, 1893, when J. B. Morrison of Sioux Palls became the owner of
the plant, and continued its publication until July, 1894. when it
again came into the hands of Frank Eastwood. He changed the name
of the paper to that of the Minnehaha County Herald, and shortly
after sold out to Messrs. Edmison and Jameson of Sioux Falls, who
issued their first paper on the 24th day of August, 1894. They pub
lished it until March, 1896, when they sold out to Henrv A. Beards-

HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY. 895

ley, Avho changed the narae back to that of The Garretson Pro
gress. December 1, 1897, the Ward Brothers of Dell Rapids bought
the paper and H. W. Ward took editorial charge of the sarae and has
since been its editor and publisher. During its entire career it has
been chiefly deA'oted to local raatters, and at times has been a good
newspaper. The present editor is energetically endeavoring to make
it a good county paper, and it is pleasing to the writer to be able to
say, that he is succeeding in doing so, and that the lively little city
of Garretson has a neAvspaper worthy of the patronage of her citi
zens. South Dakota Weekly Vindicator. — This riewspaper has
been published at Garretson since Septeraber 1, 1898, by Geo. W.
Bagley, who is making quite a success of the enterprise and has a
good list of subscribers. It is "a newspaper for the people, devoted
to the advancement of the social and industrial interests of the
state." BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Bagley, George W., was born in Brooklyn, Susquehanna
county, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1847, but the following year moved
with his parents to Illinois, and two years later to Floyd county,
Iowa, and has lived in the West ever since. He learned the printer's
trade, and for nearly forty years has been engaged in the printing
business, most of the time as job printer. For five years he con
ducted a job printing office in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and also pub
lished The East Side Record and a French paper at that place. In
the spring of 1882, he came to Dakota, and started The AVentworth
Bond at Wentworth, Lake county, and afterwards published the Da
kota Letter at the same place, and later. The Lake County Inde
pendent, at Madison, South Dakota. September 1, 1898, he com
menced the publication of the South Dakota Weekly Vindicator, at
Garretson, in which he still continues. Mr. Bagley is a good printer
and an able writer, is a genial, good fellow, and a good citizen.
Bentson, BentR., is a native of Norway, and was born Octo
ber 27, 1848. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common
schools. In 1866, he emigrated to the United States with his par
ents, and after having remained three months in Wisconsin went to
Decorah, Iowa, where he learned the brick mason's trade, and
worked at this and as a contractor for seven years. In 1873 he came
to Minnehaha county, where he engaged in farraing for about five
years, and then worked at his trade as contractor and brick layer,
living in Dell Rapids several years, where he was elected and served
as alderraan. Since Septeraber, 1894, he has resided in Garretson
engaged in the mercantile business, under the firra name of Bentson
& Hatland. He has been industrious and prosperous in his busi
ness, is a good citizen, and well liked by a large circle of acquaint
ances. Biggs, ZaneR., was born in Crawford county, Illinois, March
29, 1851. He attended school and worked on a farm until seventeen
years of age, and then went to Burlington, Iowa, where he taught

896 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

school for seven years, after which time he attended Illinois State
Norraal school for one year. On the first day of June, 1877, he ar
rived in Verraillion, Dakota, and iraraediately carae to Sioux Falls.
Very soon thereafter he took up a horaestead in Minnesota, a short
distance frora Valley Springs. He hired out the first year as a com
mon laborer; the second year he broke up his land, and the third
year he put in 156 acres of wheat, of which the grasshoppers har
vested 80 acres, and the balance did not mature, so that he did not
get one bushel of wheat. On the first day of January, 1882, he went
into the office of Parliman & Frizzell at Sioux Falls, and comraenced
reading- law, Avhere he remained a fevv raonths, and then went into
the office of C. H. Wynn for two years. In April, 1883, he Avas ad
raitted to the bar, and in 1884 removed to Valley Springs and prac
ticed law for five years. He then went to Luverne, Minnesota, for
one year, and in 1890 reraoved to Garretson, where he has since re
sided. At Garretson he has practiced law to sorae extent, but thinks
he is alraost too honest to raake a livelihood in his profession, and
has during the last few years engaged in such business as offered a
fair remuneration. He Avas elected justice of the peace in Valley
Springs, and has been city justice of Garretson and clerk of the
school board. He is an honest, industrious citizen.
Eastman, Edwin, is a native of Lafayette county, Wisconsin,
and Avas born November 19, 1847. He attended the district school
vvhen a boy, and worked on a farm until he was twenty-one years of
age, and then settled down to farming in Minnesota until 1875. On
the 25th day of May, 1875, he came to Minnehaha county, and took up
a homestead comprising part of section 31 in Palisade and part of
section 6 in Red Rock. In 1881 he went to Sioux Palls and kept the
St. Jaraes hotel for six months. In February, 1882, he Avent to
Valley Springs and opened a drug store, and continued in this busi
ness for three years; then niOA'ed on to a farm in Red Rock township,
and engaged in farraing until 1890, when he went to Garretson,
where he has since resided. He was elected justice of the peace in
1890, and police justice of Garretson in 1894 and re-elected in 1896.
He is always around when there is any stir in local politics and ex
ercises his full right of citizenship.
Johnson, Nels, is a native of Sweden, and Avas born June 26,
1834. He eraigrated to the United States and arrived in Missouri
June 22, 1870. He lived in that state until 1876, when he removed to
Dakota and located in this county. He then filed a homestead upon
the northeast quarter of section 14, in Edison, but disposed of it and
now lives in Garretson engaged in business. He has been school
director. McCall, Charles E., was born in Norfolk county. Province of
Ontario, Canada, June 5, 1841; attended the public schools until he
Avas twelve years old, then Coburg college two years; was bookkeeper
in a luraber yard several years; resided two years in Clinton, Iowa,
and one year in Wisconsin; returned to Canada for a fevv years; in
1867 went to Augusta, Wis,, where he kept a hotel until 1869; then
remoA'ed to Rock county Minnesota, and engaged in farraing, during

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 897

which time he frequently came to Sioux Palls and hauled wheat to
Sibley, Iowa, by ox-teams for C, K. Howard; in 1875 removed to
Pipestone, Minn,, and remained there engag-ed in farming until 1896,
when he located at Garretson, where he has since kept the Hotel
Garretson; he is also police justice of the city of Garretson. Mr.
McCall comes of a remarkable family. His great grandfather died
at the age of one hundred and eleven and his grandfather at the age
of one hundred and six years and four months. But longevity is not
the only remarkable characteristic of his family. At a fair in Can
ada forty-five McCalls between eighteen and twenty-two years of age
got tog-ether, and Avere weighed; one weighed one hundred and
ninety, one one hundred and ninety-two, the subject of this sketch
one hundred and ninety-five, and the others over two hundred pounds
each. His great grandfather was a Scotch Hig-hlander, and was six
feet and seven and one-fourth inches in height.
Murphy, Charles Columbus, was born in Portage, Wis., De
cember 20, 1852. He received his early education in the public
schools, and then went to Madison, Wis., where he attended school
two terms. He then taught school several terras. His first busi
ness was that of buying and selling produce for the pineries. He
attended the law school at Madison, Wis., two terras, and the law
school at Quincy, 111., one term. In 1885 he went to LeSueur county,
Minn., and remained there in the practice of law until 1886, when he
removed to Adrian in the same state, where he continued in the prac
tice of his profession until 1890. He then lived in Clara City, Minn.,
but very soon removed to Garretson, S. D., where he resided until
1898, when he went to Sioux Palls, lived there a short time, and then
removed to Wisconsin. He was city attorney of Garretson two
terms. Olson, Embrick, was born in Wisconsin, November 13, 1857.
He attended common school and worked on a farm during his boy
hood. In 1878 he carae to this county and located in Palisade town
ship, where he pre-empted the north half of the southwest quarter of
section 21. He lived on this land for four years and then removed
to Highland township where he was a member of the town board of
supervisors for one year. In 1890 he took up his residence in Gar
retson, where he has since remained.
Prill, Fred W., is a native of Germany, and was born April 6,
1864. He came with his parents to Princeton, Wisconsin, in 1871;
worked on a farm and attended school until he was of age, and then
clerked in a store six years. In 1889 went to Pipestone, Minnesota,
and engaged in the mercantile business for one year; then removed
to Garretson and opened a general store, where he has since re
raained. When the fire department was organized at Garretson in
1894, he was elected chief, and re-elected in 1895. He is a conserva
tive and thrifty business man and an active citizen.
Patterson, Arthur E., was born in Pembroke, Renfrew
county, Ontario, Canada, July 21, 1853; emigrated to Minnesota and
lived there from 1877 until 1889, when he located at Garretson, where
he has since resided, engaged in the farm implement business. Hq
5T

898 history of minnehaha county.

has been clerk of the school board since 1893, and city auditor since
1896. He is a good official, a genial good fellow, and a good citizen.
Sophy, John P., was born at Ogdensburg, New York, Decem
ber 13, 1845. When nine years of age he removed with his parents
to Clinton, Iowa. He attended the public schools and assisted in
farming during his minority, and then for the next few years was en
gaged in raising, buying and selling stock, and farming. In 1871, he
reraoved to LeMars, Iowa, where he remained until 1889, when he
came to Garretson, where he has since been actively engaged in the
lumber, fuel, grain and live stock business. He has been a very
active citizen, and the acknowledged leader of the residents who de
sired to raake Garretson all that the advantages of location entitled it
to becorae. When Garretson was incorporated as a city in 1891, he
was elected its first raayor, and held that position until the annual
election in 1894. His business qualifications, enterprise and energy
united with a genial temperaraent, make him one of the most useful
and respected citizens of the lively little city for whose advance and
prosperity he has done so rauch.
Sophy, Peter, was born in Greenville county, Ontario, Canada,
June 1, 1851; eraigrated to the United States with his parents in
1855, and lived in Iowa and Minnesota until 1880, when he carae to
Dakota. In 1890 he located at Garretson, where he has since been
in business. He is a quiet, conservative raan, a good citizen, and
well liked.
Wangsness, Marcus H.,was born in Norway Septeraber 8,1846.
In 1854 he emigrated to the United States with his parents, who set
tled in Wisconsin and engaged in farming. The subject of this
sketch followed the same occupation in Iowa until 1877, when he re
raoved to Moody county, Dakota, and took up a horaestead and a tim
ber claira where he reraained seven years. He then returned to Iowa
and engaged with a brother in general merchandising at Norraand
until 1888, when he carae to this county and opened a general store in
Palisade. In 1890 he removed his stock of goods to Garretson,
where he has remained in trade ever since. In July, 1894, he be
carae vice president of the Garretson State bank. Mr. Wangsness is
one of the most enterprising business raen in Garretson and keeps a
large stock of goods. He has held the offices of school and city treas
urer of Garretson, and is a good neighbor and respected citizen.
Ward, Henry Walter, was born April 7, 1871, at Darlington,
Wisconsin, and received his education in the high school at that place
and at Marcus, Iowa. In 1885 he comraenced to learn the printer's
trade, and has been engaged in the printing business during the last
fourteen years m Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. In 1889 he be
came one of the proprietors of The Clipper at CraAvford, Nebraska,
and remained as such for two years, when he sold out and bought an
interest in the Gazette at Sibley, Iowa, acting as editor and business
manager of the same until he sold out and in connection with his
?'"ioao'"' -?^''''^ ^- ^^^^^' purchased the Dell Rapids Times August
1, 1892. In December, 1897, he located at Garretson, and since then
has had editorial charge of the Garretson Progress. He is an en
terprising newspaper man, and a good, reliable citizen.

H. W. Ward.

EDISON TOAVNSHIP.
(103^8)
The Avest line of Edison township was surveyed by Wm. J.
Neeley in July, 1859, and the north, south, and west lines by M. K.
Arrastrong in October, 1864, at which time the subdivisions of the
township also were made, and it contains, according to the govern
ment surA'ey, 22,995.56 acres of land. The soil is good and there is
scarcely any waste land. At the time of this survey there were
quite a number of small streams of sufficient size to find a place upon
the map. It was first settled in 1872, Lasse Bothun, the Berdahls,
Ole Nesheim, Edson Millard, Anton Hegge, John Sundback, and
some others, took up land that year and settled down to farming. In
1873, about twenty families settled in this township, and nearly all of
the early settlers, or their descendents, are now living there. Bessie
Bothun was the first child born in Edison, and the first marriage
was that of Miss Christina Berdahl to E. E. Ellefson.
The first school in the township was held in the winter of 1872-3,
in A. J. Berdahl's claim shanty near the northwest corner of the
southwest quarter of section thirty. There were upwards of twenty
scholars in attendance, and Erick J. Berdahl was the teacher. He
taught two months, and received about eight dollars per month. In
connection with the school a debating society was established, and
John Sundback and C. A. Soderberg, Avho lived about five miles
away, were usually in attendance taking part in the debates.
Garretson, Corson and Baltic are the nearest shipping points.
It is strictly a farming corainunity, having no hotels or stores within
its borders, but it has six school houses, and two large churches.
Norway Lutheran Church. — This church was organized in
1873, with about thirty members. The first pastor was the Rev. H.
Z. Hvid, and he was succeeded by the Reverends A. N. Kleven, H.
O. Opsal, E. H. Midtbo and C. C. Moe. There is a Sunday school
connected with the church, also a Woman's society and a Young
Ladies' society. In 1886, the present church was erected on the
southwest corner of section 10, at a cost of about $3,000, which has
been paid by the raerabers of the congregation, except about $150 do
nated by the business raen of Sioux Palls and Dell Rapids. This
church can be seen for miles in alraost any direction, as its site is
upon quite an elevation, and, although it is somewhat extravagant
language, the writer has frequently heard it reraarked that this
church could be seen frora alraost any point in Minnehaha county.
About thirty families worship at this place.

902

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

St. Paulus Evangelical Lutheran Church, was organ
ized December 17, 1873, with a membership of twenty-eight. The
first pastor was the Rev. O. O. Sando, who remained in charge until
1885. In 1886, a church building was erected on the southwest cor
ner of section 8, two miles west of the Norway Lutheran church, at
a cost of about $1,800, which was paid by subscription among the
members of the congregation. The Rev. H. Aanestad then becarae

its pastor and still remains in charge. The

congregation

numbers

"^rme

¦ , 1; ¦

K:^^:-^

^ irnir
St. Paulus Evangelical Lutheran Church.
about two hundred persons, and is in a prosperous condition, with a
Woman's society connected with it to aid in the work. The church
building is not only pleasantly located, but is pleasant. in all its ap
pointraents. AN ANCIENT BIBLE AND A FAMILY RECORD.
Ole J. Nesheim of Edison has in his possession a Bible, the New
Testament of which was printed in Copenhagen in 1632, and the Old
Testament at the sarae place in 1633. It is of immense size, and was
among the South Dakota exhibits at the World's Columbian Exposi
tion at Chicago in 1893, and while on its way there we obtained
possession of it for one day. It contains a Family Record commenc
ing in 1635, and is written in German letters in the Danish language
until 1815, from which tirae it is continued in the Norwegian lan
guage. It IS of such a unique character that we thought it worthy
of insertion m this work. Literally translated it reads as follows:
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 903

1635. January 2, I was born in the name of God, here in Bergen, of honest and married
parents. My father's name was Jacob Anderson Dischingthun, who was born on the Orkney
Islands in Holland. My mother's name was Lutzia Jansdotter, born here in Bergen. The wit
nesses present at my baptism were Abraham Kinckedt, Hendrich Korke, Claus Jacobsen, Trine
Williams and Anne JobsDotter, and I was named Anders.
1635. November 17, was my beloved wife, in the name of the Holy Trinity, born here in
Bergen o f honest and married parents. Her father's name was Anders Jansen, born in Chris
tiania, her mother's name was Margrette Jorgensdotter, born here in Bergen. ,She was baptised
and named Karen. A.J. D.
1664. January i, I was, in the name of the Holy Trinity, married to my beloved wife Karen
Andersdotter. May God help us to so live together here in this world, that when this life is at
an end, we may be wi)rthy children of God in the life everlasting. A. J. D.
1665. February 21, in the presence of the Burgomaster and the Aldermen, I took the
burgher's oath, as a citizen of Bergen. May God help me to so use my citizenship in this world,
that I raay, when this here comes to an end, be worthy of a citizenship among the selected inhab
itants of heaven. Amen. J. J. Dischingthun.
1699. November 22, in the evening at 6 o'clock, my father, Job Jacobsen Dischingthun, ex
changed his mortal life for that of immortality, after having lived in this world for 64 years, 5
months and 20 days. He was buried in the city church, on the floor, under the minister's pulpit.
The funeral sermon was preached by Magister, Jens Moneken. May God give him, and all of
us when we shall fo'low him, a glad resurrection. Jorgkn Dischingthun.
1713. November 2, which was on a Thursday, at 12 o'clock, my mother, Karen Anders
dotter, left this world in the love of God, after having lived for 78 years, minus 5 days. She was
buried at the same place as my late father, etc. J. D.
1664. March 12, which was St. Gregory's day, at 10 o'clock A. m., my first son was born in
the name of the Holy Trinity, and on account of his feebleness, was baptised at our house, (all the
following children were baptised in the church) by the honorable and well learned man, Mr.
Otte Hansen; the witnesses present were Peder Matzen, Jorgen Dass, Mr. Jacob Hansen, my
mother and Marie Andersdotter, and he was named Jacob.
1669. July 14, which was on Wednesday in the evening about 11 o'clock, my first son Jacob,
in the love of God, went into eternal sleep, his age being 5 years, 4 months and 2 days. He was
buried in the city church in my father-in-law's burial place. May God give him and all of us a
glad resurrection on the Judgment Day. J. J. D.
1666. August 8, was born a daughter named Anna, at 3 o'clock A. M.
1669. January 14, at 10:30 o'clock Sunday morning, born a son named Anders, who died in
Amsterdam, August 30, 1684, age 15 y., 7 m., 14 d.
1670. August II, Thursday at 10 o'clock A. m., born a son Jacob, who died April 4, 1694, age
23 y., 7 m., 3 w. and 3 d.
1671. November 8, at half past six Wednesday morning, born, a son named Jorgen, who
died October 31, 1752, aged 81 year, minus 8 days.
Same day at 9 o'clock was born a daughter named Lutzia.
1674. March 14, Saturday at 8 o'clock p. m., born Margretta, who died February 7, 1750.
1676. January i, Saturday at 7 o'clock p. M., born, a son naraed Job, who died September 25,
1680. 1679. October 11, Saturday at 12 o'clock at night, born, a son named Jonnas, who died April
3, 16S1. Jorgen J. Dischingthun was engaged on August 28, 1704, to Christina Elizabeth Mohrsen,
born September 16, 1680, her parents were Magister Jacobus Mohrsen and Magdalena Christina
Hagedorn. They were married February 20, 1705, in the house of her brother, who was Coun
selor of the Exchequer. He died October 31, 1752. She died January 20, 1759.
1706. March 3, at 2 o'clock p. m., was born their first child, Magdalena Christina, who died
January 22, 1767.
1707. December 12, at 6 o'clock, born, a son named Job. He married Harmiche Van der Veld
born December 2, 1727. Her father, Jan Van der Veld, was ist Lieut. Infantry, and her mother's
name was Beathe Kramer. Job D. died on January 27, from a fever, having been sick only two
days, he died just at midnight. They had been married thirteen years.

904 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

1709. July 10, Jacob Christopher was born to Jorgen and his wife. He was drowned during
a voyage between Havre Da Grace and St. Martin. The galleon, on which he made his trip
going to the bottom, during a hard storm in 1758.
171 1, Feb. 9, Catharina Lutzia was born. She died 1732.
1712, Aug. 30, Born Maria Elizabeth. Died March 11, 1751.
1713, Oct. 20, Born Anna Sophia. Died March 13, 1714.
1 71 5, April 4, Born Anna Sophia.
1716, June 22, Born George Frederich. Died January 4, 1717.
1719, Jan'y 9, Born Christina Elisabeth. Died November 10, 1739.
1720, Nov. 23, Born George Frederich. Died August 31, 1722.
1723, June 5, Born Wibiana Margaretha. Died February 19, 1747.

1815, Sept. 29, John Oleson Nesheim was born to this world on the farm of Nesheim, Norway.
1817, June 24, Ingebior Olsdotter Nesheira.
1821, May 31, Ole Olsen Nesheim.
1824, July 15, Gjori Oldsdotter Neshein;.
1826, Oct. 5, Lars Olesen Nesheim.
1829, Aug. 27, Thore Olsdotter Nesheim.
1833, Feb. 2, Brithe Olsdotter Nesheira.
1836, April II, Anders Olsen Nesheim.
1843, Jan. 28, Sigri Johnsdotter, on Saturday at 2 o'clock a. m.
1846, April 21, Ole Johnsen Nesheim.
1849, May 4, Ole Johnsen Nesheim, Jr., Friday, about i o'clock p. m.
1852, Aug. 27, Sjur Johnsen Nesheim, on a Friday.
1852, Dec. 6, Kari Nesheira.
1872, March 14, Inger Siverena Nesheira.

EDISON TOWNSHIP BOARD.
The first meeting of the board was held January 1, 1881. The
chairman was not present, and after a little discussion about getting
record books for the town, the board adjourned until the next day,
and on January 2, it does not appear that any important business
was done. A special raeeting- was held January 31, when the clerk
reported he was unable to get suitable books for the use of the town,
at Sioux Falls, but that they could be procured at Yankton, and a
vote was taken that each supervisor and the clerk should pay three
dollars towards procuring the books, and town warrants were issued
to thera to be paid "when there should be any money in the treas
ury." The bonds of the town officials were approved at this meet
ing. On the 19th day of July a special raeeting of the board was
held, and it was voted that a scraper should be bought, if a town
warrant could be exchanged for one. The officers were: Edson
Millard, chairraan, S. O. Hegge and P. A. Bergh, supervisors; C. H.
Wangsness, clerk; John Sundback, assessor; Wra. T. Cole and Ed
ward Crook, justices.
1882. Supervisors, Knute Henjum chairman, S. O. Hegge. W.
W. Coon; clerk, P. A. Bergh. The assessed valuation for this year
was $54,248.88. At this meeting the Beardsley bridge "was laid on
the table." At the last meeting, for the year, Anfin J. Berdahl,
treasurer, reported that he had received during- the year $209.46, and
paid out $134.44.
1883. Supervisors, Edmund Crook chairraan, Knute Henjum,
S. O. Hegge; clerk, P. A. Bergh; treasurer, Anfin J. Berdahl; as
sessor, Lasse Bothun; constable, John Hermanson; justices, C. H.
Wangsness, E. H. Jacobs.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 905

1 884. The annual town meeting was held March 4, and Lasse
Bothun was elected moderator. This was the first meeting under
the laAV of March 9, 1883, governing township matters. The records
do not show a complete list of town officials but it is evident, from
the proceedings had, that the supervisors and clerk were the same as
the year previous. A meeting of the board was held February 21,
1885, and it appears that the treasurer had received frora taxes dur
ing the year, $330.57.
188.5. A meeting of the town board Avas held March 13. The
neAV board, Edmund Crook, chairman, A. J. Berdahl and Lasse A.
Vadheim present. On the 2d day of May the town board ordered
the clerk "to record all section lines in Edison, not already recorded
as such, as public roads."
1886. The town records for this year show that a meeting of
the board was held June 28, at which time P. A. Bergh resigned as
clerk, and I. N. Pry was appointed to fill the vacancy. The records
for the first of the year, do not show who the officials were, but it
would seem the board of supervisors remained the same as the year
before, and that A. Myers was assessor and M. J. Smith constable.
1887. The annual town meeting was held March 1, and the fol
lowing officers were elected: A. J. Berdahl chairman, W. J. Crit
tenden and Knute Henjum, supervisors; I. N. Pry, clerk; C. H.
Wangsness, treasurer and justice; W. W. Coon, assessor; C. J. Mil
lard and Stephen Hansen, constables. At this meeting it vvas voted
that all bridges should be placed at right angle with section lines.
It was also declared by a vote, that the town would not be respon
sible for the passage of steam engines across bridges, but that the
persons doing damage to bridges with steam engines would be held
responsible. October 15, E. Millard was appointed one of the super
visors to fill the vacancy occasioned by the removal of W. J. Critten
den from the township, January 21, 1888, A. J. Berdahl resigned as
supervisor and Ole J. Berdahl was appointed to the vacancy and
Knut Henjum was made chairman.
1888. Supervisors, Ole J. Berdahl chairman, Knut Henjum, C.
J. Millard; I. N. Fry, clerk; C. H. Wangsness, treasurer; L. Bothun,
assessor; A. Walter, justice; John Bergh, constable. On the 17th
of March, S. L. Fry was appointed justice and H. J. Berdahl con
stable. 1889. Supervisors, Ole J. Berdahl chairman, Knut Henjum,
C. J. Millard; I. N. Pry, clerk; C. H. Wangsness, treasurer and
justice; L. Bothun, assessor; S. L. Fry, justice; C. J. Millard and
H. J. Berdahl, constables.
1890. There is no record of the town meeting in March, but it
appears from the record of the proceedings of the town board during
the year that W. W. Coon was chairman and Knut Henjum and
John Henjum supervisors, Stephen Hanson treasurer, A. H. Stephen
son assessor, I. N. Fry, clerk.
1891. The town meeting was held March 3. C. H. Wangsness
was elected chairman of the board and W. W. Coon and Anfin J.
Berdahl supervisors, George E. Millard clerk, Stephen Hanson
treasurer, A. H. Stephenson assessor, C. H. Wangsness and S. Lem

906 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Fry justices, John Powers and O. K. Harare constables. March 12,
all the newly elected officers qualified except the constables, who de
clined to do so, and C. J. Millard and Herman Berdahl were ap
pointed. June 19, a special town meeting was held for the purpose
of determining whether a resurvey of the toAvnship should be made.
The vote stood 40 /or and 56 against the resurvey.
1892. At the town meeting C. A. Wangsness was elected chair
raan, A. J. Berdahl and W. W. Coon supervisors, George E. Millard
clerk, Ole J. Berdahl treasurer, A. H. Stephenson assessor, H. J.
Berdahl and C. J. Millard constables. Araong other business trans
acted at this raeeting, on raotion the chairraan of the board was di
rected to notify the chairman of the town board of Palisade that the
Russian thistle in that township raust be destroyed, or the raatter
would be placed in the hands of the state's attomey for prosecution.
1893. Supervisors, S. O. Hegge chairraan, Ed. Crook, J. Hove;
clerk, George E. Millard; treasurer, L. A. Vadheim; assessor, A. H.
Stephenson; justices, S. L. Fry, Thomas Johnson.
1894. Supervisors, H. Stephenson chairman, J. W. Crowson,
B. S. Hove; clerk, Geo. E. Millard; treasurer, S. E. Vadheim; as
sessor, John Hove.
1895. Supervisors, A. H. Stephenson chairman, John Powers,
L. Bothun; clerk, Geo. E. Millard; treasurer, L. A. Vadheim; as
sessor, John Hove.
1896. Supervisors, S. M. Edgington chairman, Peter Hatle-
stad, Herman Berdahl; clerk, G. E. Millard; treasurer, Butler Hove;
assessor, L. Bothun.
1897. Supervisors, H. J. Berdahl chairman, J. R. Powers,
John Hove; clerk, Geo. E. Millard; treasurer. B. L. Hove; assessor,
A. A. Grinde.
1898. Supervisors, H. J. Berdahl chairman, John Hove, W. H.
Ingalls; clerk, John R. Powers; treasurer, B. L. Hove; assessor, A.
A. Grinde. 1899. Supervisors, John Hove chairraan, T. M. Erickson, S.
M. Edgington; clerk, John R. Powers; treasurer, S. H. Stephenson;
assessor, L. Bothun. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Anderson, Casper, was born in Norway Septeraber 16, 1844,
and emigrated to Iowa, and from there carae to this county in 1876.
He is living upon his horaestead in Edison, coraprising- the southwest
quarter of section 5.
Bentson, Rognald, Avas born in Norway in 1826. He emigrated
to the United States in 1866, and resided in Iowa until 1873, when he
removed to this county. He secured a horaestead in Edison, filing
upon the west half of the northwest quarter of section 1, and the
east half of the northeast quarter of section 2, where he now resides
and has one of the most substantial homes in the township. He has
several well-to-do sons in the county, and is himself a prosperous and
respected citizen. While in Norway he engaged in farming during
the summer, and fishing during the Avinter, and had many a fierce
corabat Avith the gales on the North Sea.

history OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 907

Bentson, Sever, is a native of Norway and Avas born on the 1st
day of JuIa', 1855. In 1866, he emigrated with his parents to the
United States and lived in Wisconsin a short time, then removed to
Decorah, Iowa, and in 1873, came to Edison, where he still resides on
his homestead in secton 1. Since his coraing to this county he has
worked some of the time at stone masonry and brick laying-, but his
chief occupation has been that of farraing. He is a good citizen and
respected by his neighbors.
In the towns of Edison and Severdrup, there are now living sev
eral families bA- the name of Berdahl. There are six brothers in all.
Berdahl, John E., the father, was born October 24, 1822, in
Norway, and emigrated with his family to this country in 1856, and
settled in Iowa, where he remained four years; then removed to
Minnesota and resided there until June, 1872, at which time he came
to Minnehaha county and took up the north half of the northwest
quarter of section 30 in Edison, and the north half of the northeast
quarter of section 25 in Sverdrup, as a homestead. He resided on
that portion of his homestead in the town of Edison until his death,
Avhich occurred on the 23d day of February, 1883. He was a good
citizen, and Avell thought of by his neighbors.
Berdahl, Andrew J., the eldest son of John E. Berdahl, was
born in Norway, December 10, 1848, and lived with his father until
he came to Minnehaha county in 1872. In June of that year he took
up as a horaestead the south half of the northwest quarter and the
north half of the southwest quarter of section 30 in Edison, and pre
empted the southeast quarter ofthe northeast quarter andthe north
east quarter of the southeast quarter of section 25 in Sverdrup.
After farming for several years he went to Baltic and engaged in the
mercantile business for six years, and then went to Garretson and
engaged in the sarae business with his brother Anfin until 1896,
when he resumed the management of his farm in Edison. In 1875
and 1876 he was county assessor and ex officio- sheriff of the county.
He has held several town offices and frequently been a delegate to
political conventions. In the fall of 1892, he was elected county com
missioner from his district and served the full term of three years.
As an official Mr. Berdahl is conservative and upright, and looks
after the interests of his constituents with the same degree of dili
gence that he bestows upon his own business. He is well educated
and keeps himself well posted upon public affairs, and is recognized
as one of the foremost citizens in the county.
Berdahl, Anfin J., was bom in Norway in 1852, and came with
his father to this county June 19, 1872. He took up as a horaestead
the south half of the northeast quarter and the north half of the
southeast quarter of section 5 in Edison, and has since purchased
eighty acres adjoining his homestead on the south. He was town
treasurer in 18§2 and 1883. For several years he has been engaged
in the mercantile business at Garretson, is a good business man, and
a good citizen.
Berdahl, Christopher, the youngest son in the family, Avas
born in Minnesota, August 14, 1867, and carae to this county with his

908 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

father. He OAvns and resides upon the northwest quarter of section
29 in Edison, and has a good farm.
Berdahl, Herman J., was born in Minnesota, January 16,1863,
and came to this county with his father June 19, 1872. He lives on
the farra taken up by his father as a horaestead. He has been con
stable in Edison for three years. He is a good neighbor and a good
citizen. Berdahl, Ole J., the fourth son of John E. Berdahl, is an
Araerican by birth, having been born August 3, 1860, w-hile his par
ents were residing in Houston county, Minnesota. He came to this
county June 19, 1872, and has since then lived in Edison. He owns
and lives upon the northeast quarter of section 30. He was chairman
of the town board in 1889 and 1890, and has held other town offices.
He is a good neighbor and a highly respected citizen.
Bothun, Lasse, is a native of Norway, and was born in 1836.
He eraigrated to the United States in 1854, and resided in Wis
consin, Louisiana and Minnesota before coraing to Dakota in 1861,
where he has since reraained. He first located in Clay county, and
removed to Minnehaha county in 1872. He settled in Edison town
ship, making horaestead, pre-eraption and tree claira filings on land
in sections 18 and 19. He resides on the southeast quarter of sec
tion 18, and has a good farm with substantial buildings. Since com
ing to Dakota he has seen a good deal of public life. He was a mem
ber of the house of the territorial legislature in 1862-3, and of the
council in 1864-5, and again of the house in 1874-5. He was also a
meraber of the house of representatives of the first legislature of the
State of South Dakota; was elected to the senate in 1891, and again
in 1896, and norainated to the sarae office in 1898, but was defeated
by the Republican norainee. Mr. Bothun is a man of more than ordi
nary ability, is well inforraed upon all the public questions of the
day, and has for the last few years taken a very active part in the
politics of the state. He is an industrious, hard-working raan, a
good public speaker, and while a raeraber of the legislature exerted
considerable influence upon legislative raatters. He has a wide ac
quaintance and a host of friends.
Coon, W. W., was born in Pon du Lac, Pon du Lac county,
Wisconsin, in 1851, and was educated in the public schools. He
worked on a farra in Wisconsin until 1869, when he removed
to Iowa. In April, 1876, he came from there to this county,
and took up a horaestead in section 25 in Edison, and a
tiraber claira of 80 acres, in section 30 in Palisade. He said
that "at that tirae the largest market for Avheat for a
large extent of country from the Verraillion river, Madison,
Plandreau, Rock and Lyon counties, Iowa, was Luverne, Minnesota.
I used to get up at 2 o'clock A. M. and start my ox-tec*n with a load
of wheat for Luverne, so as to be able to start back by dark. I came
to Canton by stage and walked from there to Edison. I had onlv
raoney enough to make a homestead filing and borrowed money to file
a tiraber claira. Several of us were living in a shanty in Edison in
June, 1876, and I Avent to Sioux Falls for provisions. I wanted some

Andrew J. Berdahl.

history op minnehaha county, 911

pork, ham or bacon, but there Avas nothing of the kind in Sioux Palls,
and I waited for C. K. HoAvard's teams to come in from Sioux City.
They arrived at eleven o'clock at night, and I got some pork and
started for home, and the next morning Ave had soraething to grease
our pancakes with. But those were pioneer days, and now I ara only
a short distance from the city of Garretson, where anything that a
farmer needs can be obtained. " Mr. Coon has held town offices in
Edison, is a good neighbor and a respected citizen.
Crittenden, W. J., was bom in New York, May 26, 1836. He
resided in several states before coining to Dakota in 1873. At that
time he took up the northeast quarter of section 13 in Mapleton,
where he raade his home for several years, and was a raember of the
toAvn board of that township in 1881. He also resided in Edison a
few A'ears, AA'here he was elected to the sarae position. After having
lived in this county fourteen years, he removed to Tuscola county,
Michigan, but will always be remembered as a good neighbor and es
teemed citizen.
Ellefson, E. E., was born October 10, 1847, in Wisconsin. He
liA'ed there and in Iowa until 1872, when he became a resident of this
county. He now has a fine farra comprising the northwest quarter
of section 18 in Palisade, and the northeast quarter of section 13 in
Edison, where he resides engaged in farming. He is an enterprising
farraer, and a good citizen.
Elvig, Ole, was born in Norway in 1866. He carae to Minne
haha county in 1883, and bought and now owns the north half of the
northwest quarter of section 11 in Edison, where he resides and has
a good farra.
EvENSON, Paul, was born in Norway May 28, 1849, and came to
Fillraore county, Minnesota, and frora there reraoved to Edison in
June, 1873. He took up as a horaestead 80 acres of section 9, and 80
acres of section 10 in Edison, and has a good farra.
Erickson, Theodore Martin, was born in Fillraore county,
Minnesota, June 28, 1864. He carae to Dakota Avith his parents in
the sumraer of 1872, and located in this county. His father then se
cured a homestead upon the northeast quarter and a tree claira and
pre-emption upon the southwest quarter of section 31 in Edison,
Avhich he transferred to the subject of this sketch Avho still holds it.
They are all living on the homestead.
Fuller, Alfred, was born in Connecticut June 15, 1817, and
before coming to Dakota resided in Ohio, Wisconsin and Iowa. He
arrived in this county July 4, 1870, and took up as a homestead the
southwest quarter of section 19 in Sioux Palls, where he resided un
til 1887, when he sold it and reraoved to Edison and engaged in fann
ing in section 26 until his death, which occurred during the spring of
1893. In 1861, he enlisted in Corapany G, 12th Iowa Regiraent, and
served until November, 1864. He was a highly respected citizen.
Pry, Isaac N., was born at Ephrata, Lancaster county, Penn
sylvania, February 21, 1839. On the 10th day of September, 1862,
he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and served until Sep-

912 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

tember 20, 1866. In October following he removed to Minnesota,
and resided there until 1881. In April of that year he removed to
Palisade, this county, where he remained one month, and then set
tled in section 27 in Edison, where he has since resided. He has
held the office of justice of the peace in Edison, and was town clerk
for six consecutive years frora 1885 to 1891. He is a conservative,
good citizen, and a good neighbor.
Fry, S. Lem, was born at Ephrata, Lancaster county, Pennsyl
vania, Deceraber 2, 1847, and resided there until August, 1885, at
which time he removed to this county and settled in Edison, where
he engaged in farming in sections 15 and 22. In 1880, while a resi
dent of Pennsylvania, he was appointed census enumerator of an ira
portant district. Since coraing to this county he has held school and
township offices, and was census enuraerator of Edison in 1890. Mr.
Fry has had some experience in collecting data, etc., having written
the early history of an iraportant town in Pennsylvania. In 1870, he
becarae a correspondent for the local papers where he resided, and
continued as such until 1884. He was also a special correspondent
for the New York Tribune and the Philadelphia Press frora 1880 to
1884, and was special and regular correspondent for four other papers
during that time. He is very active in the field of politics, and has fre
quently been elected delegate to political conventions. He has a good
farm, is a good neighbor and an esteemed citizen.
Grinde, Andrew A., was bom in Norway in 1854, but came to
this country with his father when three years old. Before coming to
Edison in May, 1874, he lived in Wisconsin, and Minnesota. He went
into the grain business at Brandon in 1879, and continued in this
business eight years. In 1887, went to Baltic, and took charge of the
Farmers Warehouse until June, 1891. In September, 1891, he moved
back on his farm in Edison. He is highly respected as a business
man and citizen.
• Hamre, Ole K., a native of Norway, was born August 2, 1855.
He emigrated to the United States and lived in Minnesota until 1873,
when he reraoved to Dakota, arriving in Minnehaha county June 27,
1873. He' took up as a horaestead the southeast quarter of section 14,
but disposed of it and now lives on and OAvns the east half of the
southeast quarter of section 19 and the west half of the southwest
quarter of section 20, in the town of Edison, which is a good farra
with good buildings.
Hatlestad, Peder L., Avas born in Norway April 15, 1863. He
einigrated in 1868, and resided in Minnesota sixteen years. On the
21st day of April, 1884, he carae to this county and located on his
present farra in section 21 in Edison. He has a good farm 'and is a
good farmer.
Hegge, Anton, was born in Norway August 17, 1840, and erai
g-rated to Minnesota and resided there and in Iowa until he carae to
Edison, June 24, 1872. He took up a horaestead, tree claira and pre
emption. He has a large and valuable farm, a portion of it being in
Sverdrup, and a portion in Edison, but his residence is on the south
west quarter of section 7 in Edison.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 913

Hegge, Sivert O., is a native of Norway and was born Septem
ber 26, 1847. He emig-rated to this country and settled in Iowa. In
1873 he removed to Minnehaha county and took up a horaestead and
tree claira in sections 7 and 8, in Edison. He afterwards purchased
land in section 18 and has a large, A-aluable farra. He planted twenty-
fiA'e acres of trees, and has good farm building-s. He has held vari
ous toAvn offices, is a g-ood farmer and a g-ood citizen.
Henjum, Johannes, was born in Bergen, Norway, and emi
g-rated to the United States in 1870. He lived in Wisconsin and
Minnesota four years, and carae to this county June 12, 1874. He
took up a homestead of 160 acres in section 11, in Edison, and pre
empted 80 acres more in the sarae section. He also took up the
northwest quarter of section 14, under the tree culture law, where
he resides, and has one of the finest farms in the township, Avith
valuable improvements. He is a prosperous farmer, a good neigh
bor and a respected citizen.
Henjum, John N., was born in Bergen, Norway, June 23, 1856.
He came to the United States in 1870, and resided in Wisconsin and
Minnesota four years. On the 12th day of June, 1874, he came to
this county and secured a homestead in sections 17 and 18, inEdison.
He also filed a tree claira on the west half of the northwest quarter
of section 20, and purchased forty acres of section 19, and has a
good farm. He has been town supervisor and takes great interest
in the welfare of his town.
Hermanson, Henry, was born in Iowa in 1871, and came to this
county with his father in 1873. He is the owner of the east half of
the northeast quarter of section 16, in Edison.
Hermanson, Herman, was born in Iowa in 1869, and came to
this county with his father in 1873. He now owns the north half of
the southeast quarter of section 19, in Edison.
Hermanson, John C, was born in Norway, April 16, 1843, and
after emigrating to this country resided for some time in Iowa, and
carae to Edison in May, 1874. He took up a horaestead in section 10,
his residence being in the northeast corner of the section. He has
since added the east half of the southwest quarter and now has a
good farm of 240 acres.
Hermanson, Mat N., was born in Norway, May 15, 1845. He
eraigrated to the United States, lived in Iowa eight months; removed
from there to Minnesota, where he lived two years; came to this
county in 1875, and took up as a homestead the east half of the south
west quarter, and the west half of the southeast quarter of section
31, in Highland township, but now resides in section 1, Edison town
ship, where he is engaged in farraing. He is a good citizen.
Hermanson, Thor, was born in Norway, February 24, 1839,
and after coming to this country lived for awhile in Iowa. He came
to Edison, June 19, 1873, and took up as a homestead the southwest
quarter of section 17, where he now resides. He has since bought
forty acres in the same section, and has a good farm with substan
tial buildings and improvements. He is an enterprising, good
citizen.
68

914 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

HoGANSON, Ole, was born in Trondhjem, NorAvay. He erai
grated to this country and carae to Dakota in 1873, taking up as a
homestead and tree claira the south half of section 6, in the town of
Edison, where he still resides, having a good farm with substantial
and fine buildings.
Hove, John, carae frora Minnesota, where he was born Septera
ber 25, 1864. He settled in this county in 1885, and resides on his
160-acre farra in section 3, in Edison, engaged in farming, and has a
good farm.
Henjum, Knut Nelson, was born in Norway, February 3, 1845,
and carae to this country in 1861. He resided in Minnesota until
1874, when he reraoved to Dakota and located in this county. He
pre-empted the northwest quarter of section 11 in Edison, and after
perfecting his title sold it in 1885. He also secured a timber claim
on the southwest quarter of the sarae section, and a horaestead on
the southwest quarter of section 14, Avhere he resides and has a very
fine farm with substantial buildings and iraproveraents. He owns at
this writing about 520 acres of land in Edison township, and is en
gaged in extensive fanning. He has held school district and town
offices, and is one of the responsible farraers of Edison, and a highly
respected citizen. Mr. Henjura, together with John Hermanson,
Lars Hove and John J. Henjum were the first persons to settle out
on what was then called the "high prairie" in Edison; the settle
ments before that time being along the Split Rock and Pipestone
creeks. Ingalls, William Harrison, was born in Kane county, Illi
nois, December 16, 1848. He lived in Iowa a feAv vears, and came to
Dakota in 1872, where he reraained until 1874, Avhen he left the terri
tory. In 1884 he returned to Dakota and took up his perraanent res
idence in this county on the northeast quarter of section 23 in Edi
son, where he engaged in farraing until in Noveraber, 1898, when he
reraoved to Todd county, Minnesota, where he is now located on a
stock tarra. He was an active and well-known citizen, and served as
school director and road overseer several years in Edison toAvnship.
Johnson, Nels P., was born in Sweden in 1846. He eraigrated
to the United States m 1871, and lived in Chicago, Illinois, until 1873,
when he reraoved to Dakota and located in this county. He resides
on his faj-m in Edison comprising about 400 acres of land in sections
34 and 33, and is a well-to-do farraer and a good citizen.
Johnson, Thomas Avas born in Norway in 1852. He emigrated
to the United States and lived in Minnesota until he removed to this
county m 1875. He took up the southwest quarter of section 22 in
Logan as a horaestead, and the northwest quarter of section 32 in
Edison as a tree claira, where he has since resided engaged in farm
ing. He has a good farm, and is a good citizen.
LOFTESNESS JoHN H., was born in Norway in 1822, and resided
m Wisconsin and Minnesota before coming to Edison in 1873. He
ie"L?.H/.r«n '* '^''^'^r °^ "^"*'°" 20, as a homestead, to which
he has added 80 acres, and has a good farm.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 915

Larson, Ole, is a native of Norway, and was born in 1845.
After coraing- to this country he lived for some tirae in Wisconsin
and came to Dakota in 1873, and settled in this county, taking up
as a homestead the northeast quarter of section 3 in Edison. He
also owns the northwest quarter of the same section, raaking in all a
good farm of 320 acres with substantial buildings and iraproveraents.
He is an enterprising, reliable citizen.
Millard, Edson, was born at Morris, Otsego county, NeAv York,
July 27, 1827. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common
schools. Before coming- to Dakota he resided for a feAV years in
Minnesota. In 1872 he carae to this county and settled in Edison,
taking up land in sections 25 and 35. He resided on his farra until
his decease, Avhich occurred Deceraber 5, 1892. He was a kind, gen
erous man, and Avas greatly beloved by his neighbors. As a citizen
he was highly respected, and the pioneers of Edison cherish his
memory and often speak of the many little helps he gave thera.
Nesheim, Ole J., is a native of Norway, and was born in 1849.
He eraigrated to Dakota in 1868 and lived about two years near Ver
raillion, then took up a quarter section of land in the northern part of
Clay county, Avhere he was one of the first settlers. He reraoved
frora there to this county in 1872 and took up a homestead and tree
claim comprising 200 acres in section 18 in Edison, where he has
since resided and has a good farra.
OvESON, Erick, was bom October 1, 1859, in Winneshiek county,
Iowa. He lived there and in Minnesota until 1872, when he came to
Dakota and settled in Minnehaha county. His farm is located in sec
tion 31 in Edison and section 6 in Brandon. He resides in Edison,
is a good farmer and a respected citizen, and has held the office of
assessor. Powers, John, was born in Ireland in 1844, and carae to Minne
sota in 1870, and to this county June 1, 1873. He took up the north
east quarter of section 29, as a homestead, Avhere he has since re
sided. He also filed upon the northwest quarter of the northwest
quarter of section 28, as a timber claim, and has since purchased
land in Edison so that he is now the owner of 520 acres. He is a good
farraer and a good neighbor, and it looks now as though he Avould get
along comfortably -without any outside help. He has held several
important town offices, and is a highly esteemed citizen. His father,
Allen Powers, took up the southeast quarter of section 29 in Edison
as a homestead in 1873, and resided there until his death, which oc
curred in December, 1876.
ROGNALDSON, Hans H., was born in Norway in 1847. He emi
grated and lived in Wisconsin and Washington Territory before he
came to Dakota in 1880, when he located in this county. He bought
the east half of the northeast quarter of section 11, and the west
half of the northwest quarter of section 12, in the town of Edison,
where he now resides, and has a good farm with substantial build
ings and iraproveraents.
Stephenson, Andrew H., was born in Norway in 1865, and
carae to the town of Edison with his father in 1873. H^ owns and re^

916 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

sides upon the southwest quarter of section 9, and has purchased
the northAvest quarter of section 16, and has a good farm. He has
been assessor three years, raember of the school board and chairman
of the town board, and in 1895 was elected county commissioner from
his district. He makes a good official and is an enterprising and re
spected citizen.
Stephenson, Jacob, is a native of Norway and Avas born June
25, 1856. He emigrated to Minnesota and lived there until he re
raoved to Dakota Avith his father in 1873. He has a horaestead on the
southeast quarter of section 9, in Edison, and also owns the west
half of the northeast quarter of the sarae section, where he resides
and has a good farra.
Stephenson, Stephen, was born in Norway, Deceraber 16,
1853. He carae to this country and lived in Minnesota for some tirae,
but reraoved to Dakota and settled in this county in 1873. He then
filed a horaestead on the northwest quarter of section 9, where he
still resides. He also owns the east half of the northeast quarter of
section 8, making in all a good farm of 240 acres.
Stokke, John J., was born in Norway in 1826. He einigrated
to the United States and lived in Minnesota until 1872, when he re
raoved to this county. He took up considerable land, but disposed of
a large portion, and now OAvns 400 acres in sections 30, 31 and 33 in
Edison, where he resides and has a good farra. He is a good neigh
bor and an esteeraed citizen.
Vadheim, L. A., is a native of Norway and was born January 10,
1850. He emigrated to the United States"^ and lived in Iowa until in
July, 1873, when he removed to this county. He secured 240 acres of
land in section 12 in Edison by horaestead and tree claim filings, and
resides on the northeast quarter of that section. He has been toAvn
supervisor and school district clerk, is a good farmer and a good
citizen. Wangsness, Christopher H., was born in Norway, July
15, 1857. He came to this country with his father, Herman H.
Wangsness, lived with hira in Minnesota and Iowa, and came with
him to Edison June 19, 1873. His father took up as a homestead the
east half of the northwest quarter and the west half of the northeast
quarter of section 17, and as a tree claim the Avest half of the south
east quarter of the same section. This land is now OAvned bv Chris,
and IS a good farra. His father was born January 14, 1814, and is
still living. Chris is an active participant in public affairs, 'and for
the past feAV years a republican county convention without his pres
ence has been of rare occurrence. He was the first town clerk of
Edison, has held nearly all the township offices and has been chair
man of the town board. He was elected register of deeds of this
county m November, 1892, was re-elected in 1894, and perforraed the
duties of this office to the entire satisfaction of his constituency.
Since the expiration of his terra of office as register of deeds he has
been in the eraploy of the McCormick Harvester Co., and resides in
the city of SlOUX Falls. He is one of Minnehaha county's foremost
citizens, has a wide circle of acquaintances and a host of friends.

C. H. Wangsness.

SA ERDRUP TOAVNSHIP.
(103-49)
The town lines of Sverdrup were surveyed by Wra. J. Neeley in
July, 1859, and the subdivisions made by Carl C. P. Meyer in Sep
teraber, 1864. It has an acreage of 23,031.58, and is one of the beit
townships in the county. The Big Sioux river enters on section 2,
and running in a southeasterly course, leaves the township on sec
tion 32. On the map of the first survey there appear two quite ex
tensive sloughs, but they have gradually yielded to cultivation, and
only during very wet seasons are noticeable. There are some tribu
taries of the Big- Sioux in the eastern part of the township, but the
A'olume of water is greatly increased or dirainished by dry or wet sea
sons. The first settleraent was made on section 29, by John Thomp
son, on the 2d day of July, 1866, and through his influence others
came to this county and settled during the year following. On the
12th day of Angust, 1868, the first church in the county was organ
ized in this township. The first school house in Sverdrup was built
of logs, and located a little southwest of John Thompson's grove,
Avhere the Early Settlers Association has held its annual meetings
and picnics for the last five years. The first school meeting of which
there is anv record, was held at this house on the 30th day of Au
gust, 1871." William Melvin was elected director, John Thorapson
clerk, and A. W. Johnson treasurer. The first school teacher was
Ole J. Aasen, who coramenced school on the 28th day of Deceraber,
1871, and taught three raonths for the sum of $37. The school was
held in John J. Aasen's log dwelling house, which was situated on
the northwest quarter of section 29. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul railroad runs through the entire length of Sverdrup, but its
nearest station is at Baltic, formerly known as St. Olaf and Keyes,
located on the southeast quarter of section 32, in Dell Rapids town
ship. It has more resident farmers than any other toAvnship in the
county, and its valuation of personal property is the largest, except
Sioux Palls and Dell Rapids with the cities included. The popula
tion is principally of Scandinavian descent; and the well cultivated
farras, fine buildings and other evidence of thrift that can be seen in
Sverdrup is a high testimonial of the industry and good citizenship
of this race of people.
NiDAROS Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. — This
church was named after the city of Nidaros (now called Trondhjem),
in Norway. It was organized August 12, 1868, and was the first
church organization in this county. Its members were mostly resi-

920

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

dents of the western half of Sverdrup. Its first pastor was the Rev.
E. Christensen, who then resided in Yankton county. He preached
to the congregation occasionally until the fall of 1873. On the 23d
day of October of that year the Rev. O. O. Sando was installed as
pastor of this church, and has since then remained as such. In 1878
a church building- was erected on the northwest quarter of section
17, in Sverdrup, at a cost of $3,500, which sum was raised among the

inummmmwism

Nidaros Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church.
members of the church. There were in 1896 Iavo hundred and eighty
communicants, and the congregation numbered six hundred. Ser
vices are held in the church once in two weeks. There is a parochial
school connected with the church which is raaintained frora four to
seven raonths each year.
St. Olaf's Norwegian Lutheran Church.— This church was
organized at Baltic, March 16, 1890, with a raerabership of thirtv-
tour, which has reraained about the sarae since then. There is "a
Woman s seAving circle connected with, and in aid of the church.
lhe Rev. C. C. Moe holds services about every third Sunday. Ow
ing to the hard times for the past few years, the society has not yet
erected a church building-. - ^
SVERDRUP TOWNSHIP BOARD.
TnK^v^n^''^* meeting of the board was held at the residence of
John Vollan on Saturday the 15th day of January, 1881. At this
meeting there were present T. S. Roberts chairman, O. P. Moe
BprH.hl v^^^^ supervisors, A. J. Berdahl clerk, and Erik J.
Sf«l. ^Tx""^^ the peace. John Thompson had been elected as
sessor and J. Hogstad one of the constables, but having failed to

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 921

qualify, Sever J. Aasen was appointed assessor and Magnus Tide
raann constable. John H. Roberts was treasurer, and Thoraas Mc
Kean one of the constables during- this year. On July 18, there as
a raeeting- of the board, and John O. Langness was present as one of
the supervisors in the place of Ole J. Aasen. On the 19th day of
Jul\' the first warrant vvas issued to SeA'er J. Aasen in the sura of $28
for services as assessor. The treasurer reported at the end of the
year that he had received no money.
1882. Supervisors, Dr. T. S. Roberts chairman, John O. Lang--
ness, O. P. Moe; A. J. Berdahl clerk. Sever J. Aasen assessor, John
H. Roberts treasurer, A. P. Risvold road overseer, James Flaraoe
constable. On the 21st day of July the board levied taxes as follows:
Town 2, bridges 2 and road 4 mills. During the year the treasurer
received $233, and paid out on warrants $221.97.
1883. Supervisors, John Thompson chairman, Ole P. Moe,
Peter P. Risvold; Andrew J. Berdahl clerk. Sever J. Aasen assessor,
John O. Langness treasurer, Ole J. Aasen and Erik J. Berdahl jus
tices, Jaraes Flaraoe, Jr., constable, A. P. Risvold road overseer.
At the first raeeting of the board it was ordered that all bridges
built in the township should be of the width of 16 feet.
1884. The annual town raeeting was held on March 4, atthe
Kringen school house. At this meeting three guide posts were or
dered erected and three places designated for posting legal notices.
At this meeting John Thompson was elected chairman, Peder P.
Risvold and Ole P. Moe supervisors, A. J. Berdahl clerk, John O.
Langness treasurer, Severt J. Aasen assessor. Thirty-seven votes
were cast. On the 27th day of Septeraber the resignation of A. J.
Berdahl as clerk was accepted and John R. Bjorgan was appointed
to fill the vacancy.
1885. The annual town meeting was held in the John Thompson
school house on the 3d day of March. It was voted to raise $100 for
general purposes, $75 for road and bridges and $25 for incidental ex
penses. John Thompson was elected chairman, Peter P. Risvold
and Ole J. Aasen supervisors, John R. Bjorgan clerk, John O. Lang
ness treasurer, Severt J. Aasen assesssr, Ole J. Aasen and E. J.
Berdahl justices, J. Flaraoe and John O. Hammer constables.
1 886. The annual town meeting was held at the Kringen school
house on the 2d day of March. It was voted to pay the assessor
$2.00 per day for his services instead of $3.00. A. P. Risvold
Avas elected overseer of highways for the whole township. A tax was
ordered levied sufficient to raise for general purposes $125, and for
bridges $200. John Thompson was elected chairman, Ole J. Aasen
and Peter P. Risvold supervisors, John O. Langness treasurer. Sever
J. Aasen assessor. Eighteen votes were cast at this election.
1887. The annual town meeting was held March 1, when John
Thompson was elected chairman and Ole Aasen and Erik Berdahl
supervisors and justices, John R. Bjorgan clerk, John O. Langness
treasurer, Severt J. Aasen assessor, Jens Flaraoe and G. A. Gard
ner constables. Eighteen votes were cast. At this raeeting the as
sessor's pay was raised to $2.50 per day.
1888. The annual town meeting was held March 6. The vote

&

922 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

on dividing the town into road districts was 21 for, and 12 against.
John Thompson was elected chairman, Ole J. Aasen and E. J. Ber
dahl supervisors, J. R. Bjorgan clerk, John O. Langness treasurer,
Severt J. Aasen assessor, P. A. Moen constable, A. P. RisA'old road^
OA'erseer. June 4, road matters were considered, and the town offi
cers upon petition of twelve freeholders decided to submit the ques
tion of a resurvey of the township "according to the U. S. survey
and field notes." At the town meeting held June 18, 62 votes were
cast on the resurvey question, 44 in favor and 18 against. October
30 and 31, the board divided the township into four road districts,
and on the last raentioned day the town board of Dell Rapids raet
with the board and divided the west one mile and a half for the
maintenance of a hig-hAvay on the town line between the two towns.
1889. The following officers were elected: John Thompson
chairraan, E. J. Berdahl and Ole J. Aasen supervisors and justices,
John R. Bjorgan clerk, John O. Langness treasurer, S. J. Aasen as
sessor, John Pinnegan and J. Flaraoe constables. July 8, the board
directed Ole J. Aasen to procure the resurvey of certain roads. Oc
tober 5, board settled with Mrs. A. B. McKean for daraages which
she had received by the new survey.
1890. Supervisors, John Thompson chairman, E. J. Berdahl,
AndreAv J. Aasen; John R. Bjorgan clerk, John O. Langness treas
urer, S. J. Aasen assessor and S. T. Kirkeby constable.
1891. Supervisors, John Thorapson chairraan, E. J. Berdahl,
H. J. Solera; John R. Bjorgan clerk, John O. Langness treasurer,
Ole J. Aasen assessor, E. J. Berdahl and T. J. Questad justices,
S. J. Kirkeby and John Pinnegan constables. Forty-four votes were
cast. March 31, board met and T. T. Vrenne was appointed justice,
T. J. Questad not having- qualified.
1892. Supervisors, E. J. Berdahl chairman, H.G. Solem, OliA'er
Olson; John R. Bjorgan clerk, A. J. Berdahl treasurer, Ole J. Aasen
assessor, T. T. Vrenne justice of the peace, Ole J Fundaun con
stable. 1893. Supervisors, E. J. Berdahl chairman, T. T. Vrenne,
John P. Risvold; John R. Bjorgan clerk, Ole J. Questad treasurer,
Ole J. Aasen assessor, E. J. Berdahl and George W. Sisson justices,
Ole J. Fundaun and T. O. Nyhus constables. Mr. Vrenne refused
to qualify and H. G. Solem was appointed to fill his place. Mr. Sis
son also refused to qualify and John G. C. Schlegel was appointed,
and upon his death E. J. Langness was appointed.
n td'^^"^'.. Supervisors, A. J. Berdahl chairman, Ole P. Moen, John
P. Risvold; clerk, John R. Bjorgan; treasurer, Ole J. Ouestad; asses
sor, Ole J. Aasen. "^
1895. Supervisors, P. J. Berdahl chairman, Ole P. Moen, John
¦ ?<}^V "^Y^^' -^^^^ ^- ^iorgan; treasurer, Ole J. Ouestad; asses
sor, Ole J. Aasen. "
1896 E. J. Berdahl chairraan, Peter A. Moen, N. B. Peterson;
clerk, John R. Bjorgan; treasurer, Ole J. Questad; assessor, John P.
VoUen.
r> }'^?\- Supervisors, John Thorapson chairman, N. B. Peterson,
Faul A. Kisvold: clerk, John R. Bjorgan; treasurer, Ole J. Questad;
assessor, H, S. Sandvig.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 923

1898. Supervisors, E. J. Berdahl chairman, N. B. Peterson,
Erik Nelson; clerk, John R. Bjorgan; treasurer, Ole J. Questad; as
sessor, Hans S. Sandvig.
1899. Supervisors, E. J. Berdahl chairman, N. B. Peterson,
Erik Nelson; clerk, H. R. Bjorg-an; treasurer, Ole Questad; assessor,
H. S. Sandvig-; justices, E. J. Berdahl, Ole Questad.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Aasen, Jr., John J., one of the first farmers who settled in this
county, is a native of Norway and Avas born February 15, 1843. He
emigrated to the United States and lived in Goodhue county, Minne
sota, until the fall of 1866, when in the company of Ole O. Gilseth he
started for Dakota; the hardships and privations endured by thera
during this journey being more fully described in the chapter of
rerainiscences. After having arrived in this county, Mr. Aasen took
up a horaestead in sections 20 and 29 in Sverdrup, Avhere he has been
engaged in farming. He resides at the present time on his farra in
section 30 in the same township, is well-to-do and has a good farm.
In 1865, he served in the army for six raonths. He is a good farraer
and a respected citizen.
Aasen, Ole J., was born in Norway in 1846, and is one of the
early settlers of this county. He carae here from Minnesota July 23,
1867, there being no railroads in this section of the country at thcit
time, the slow conveyance of an ox-team was employed to bring- the
sturdy settler to Dakota. He located in this county and secured as
a horaestead the northeast quarter of section 18 in Sverdrup, where
he has since resided, and has a g-ood farm with substantial building-s.
He was appointed constable in 1871, in district number three, and
since that time has almost continuously held sorae prominent town
ship office either as supervisor of the toAvn board, justice of the peace
or assessor, and in the winter of 1871-2 taught the first school in that
locality. He takes an active interest in the welfare of his town, and
is a highly respected citizen.
Berdahl, Erick J., was born in NorAvay August 8, 1850, and
came to Minnehaha county with his father in June, 1872, having
prior to that tirae lived with him in Iowa and Minnesota. He filed on
the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter and the north half of
the southeast quarter of section 24 in Sverdrup, and the northwest
quarter of the southwest quarter of section 19 in Edison as a home
stead. He took up a timber claim, which he afterwards sold. He
also sold the west 40 acres of his horaestead, and bought 120 acres
north of the remainder of his homestead, raaking him a farm of 240
acres, on which he now resides. He also owns 80 acres of section 25
in Sverdrup. He has been justice of the peace, raember and chair
man of the town board, postmaster of Pennington post office fifteen
years, and at the election in Noveraber, 1892, Avas elected to the
House of Representatives of the state legislature on the Populist
ticket, and was the only candidate of his party elected to the legisla
ture from this county that year.

924 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Bjorgan, John R., was born in Norway, January 8, 1851. In
1872 he emig-rated to the United States, and located in this county.
He lived in Sverdrup two years, and then went to Decorah, Iowa,
where he for three years attended the Luther college, from which
he was graduated in 1877. He then went to Goodhue county, Minn.,
and taug-ht school until he returned to Sverdrup, where he followed
the same vocation until the sumraer of 1892- He resides on his farm
in section 30, in Sverdrup. He has held the office of clerk of the
town board of supervisors since 1884, and is also secretary of the
Fanners' Mutual Insurance Corapany, of Minnehaha county. He is
an enterprising and respected citizen.
Brende, Gudmund O., is a native of Norway, and was born July
18, 1839. He emigrated and came to Minnesota in 1867, resided
there three j'ears, and removed to Dakota and located in this county
in July, 1870. He took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of
section 21, in Sverdrup, and has since then purchased about six
hundred acres of land in the same township. He lives on his home
stead and has a very good farra. The Sverdrup post office is located
on his farra, and Mr. Brende has been the postmaster ever since it
was established. He is one of the prominent farraers of Sverdrup,
highly esteeraed as a neighbor and citizen, and well knoAvn all over
the county. Brende, Erick G., Avas born on the North Sea, May 5, 1867,
while his parents AA'ere emigrating to the United States. His father,
Gudmund O. Brende, settled in Minnesota for three years, and then
reraoved to Dakota and located in this county. The subject of this
sketch is an enterprising young raan, and at the present writino- is
residing upon the old homestead in section 21, in Sverdrup. "
Brende, Ole G., Avas born in Norway, November 13, 1864. He
came with his parents to Minnesota in 1867, and three years later to
Sverdrup. He now owns a good farm in sections 16 and 22 in that
township. He is a good citizen.
Brende, Ole Thompson, is a native of Norway, and was born
Deceraber 6, 1852. He eraigrated to Minnesota in 1869, and resided
there until he reraoved to this county in 1872. He settled in Sver
drup township, taking up as a horaestead the northwest quarter of
section 14, to Avhich he has -added by purchase and at the present
writing has a farm of about three hundred and sixty acres. He is
one of the substantial farmers of Sverdrup, and has held the office of
treasurer of his school district for more than ten years. He is a
good neighbor and a respected citizen.
^'"i^^'^tcu "^HOM^s.H-. was born in Trondhjera, Norway, Peb-
^qq[^ T' 1 ^"^ emigrated to Minnesota where he resided until
1881, when he came to Dakota, and has lived in this county ever since.
He bought and now owns about 220 acres of land, consisting of a
part of the southwest quarter of section 33, and the whole of the
southwest quarter of section 32, in Sverdrup, where he now resides.
PiLBERG, Andrew Predrickson, a native of Norway, Avas born
Deceraber 13, 1843. He eraigrated to the United States in 1869, lived

history of minnehaha county 925

in Wisconsin four years and carae to this county in 1873. He then
entered a homestead and a tree claim upon the northeast quarter of
section 2, in Sverdrup, Avhere he still resides and has a good farra.
He has been a member of the school board, and is a good citizen.
Fundaun, Ole J., is a native of Norway and was born in 1851.
He emigrated to Dakota in 1875, and located in this county. He filed
a pre-emption upon the west half of the northwest quarter of section
11, and the east half of the northeast quarter of section 10, in Sver
drup, where he is still living-, engaged in farming.
Gardner, George H., was born in Michigan March 22, 1853, on
his father's farm in the town of Dearborn, Wayne county. While
quite young he removed to Minnesota, and frora there to Iowa, and
engaged in farming. In April, 1877, he came to Sioux Palls, where he
remained about one month and then located a' homestead in Moodv
county. April 1, 1878, he returned to this county and bought the
southwest quarter of section 23 in Sverdrup, where he has since re
sided. He is also the owner of the northwest quarter of section 23
and 200 acres in section 22 in the same township. He is a good
farmer and has a splendid farra. Was one of the grand jurors at
the April term of the circuit court in 1893.
Gunderson, Thorsten, came to the United States from Nor
way, where he was born March 24; 1840. He lived in Minnesota one
year, but left there for Dakota in 1873, and settled in this county.
He secured a fine location by the Sioux river in sections 17 and 18 in
Sverdrup, where he has since resided engaged in farming. He is a
good farmer and a respected citizen.
Hammer, John O., was born in Norway in 1854. He eraigrated
to the United States in 1873, and settled in this county. He took up
a homestead and a tree claim in section 1 in Sverdrup, Avhere he has
since resided and has a good farm with substantial buildings.
The Huntemer Family. The Hunteraers of Minnehaha county
are sufficiently prominent and numerous to receive special mention.
The father was born in 1822 at Achren near Baden in Germany. He
raarried in 1846, and einigrated to the United States the sarae year
and settled in St. Louis, Missouri. After having lived there one
year he removed to Potosi, Grant county, Wisconsin, Avhere he re
sided until his death. He was a farmer, and had fourteen children,
eleven of whora are now living. There were eight sons, and all of
thera, except Henry, have resided in this county, and he resides in
Lake county, this state. Pour of the daughters have also lived in
Minnehaha county, and one of thera, the wife of P. P. Bowen, is now
a resident of Taopi. A biographical sketch of Williara will be found
below, of John in Mapleton, of Augustus in Dell Rapids, and of Charles
B., George V., Frank J., and Joseph in Taopi, where they first re
sided in this county.
Huntemer, William, was born in Potosi, Grant county, Wis-
cansin, October 28, 1848; was reared on a farm, and received a cora
mon school education. His father gave the boys their time Avhen
twenty years old, and the subject of this sketch Avent to work on

926 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

a farra in Iowa the following year and saved about two hundred dol
lars. In April, 1871, in corapany with his brother John he started
for Sioux Palls, arriving there April 16. Among the first jobs they
secured was that of excavating the cellar for the Cataract hotel.
William took up land in section 33 in Sverdrup, and there is a story
frequently told that after he had been farming for two or three
years he became so discouraged that he was about to leave the
country where the grasshoppers harvested his crops; that he came
down to Sioux Palls, where C. K. Howard happened to hear of his
intentions, and in order to induce hira to remain said he would take
the place of Providence for one year, and give him a written guar
anty that he would raise a good crop. When asked about it, Mr.
Huntemer said: "Yes, that's about as it was. I had got discour
aged — the grasshoppers had taken my crops and I thought it was of
no use to remain here any longer. Mr. Howard overheard me saying
I was about to sell ray personal property and leave, and he protested
strongly, saying I had a good farm, was a good farmer, that Provi
dence had not forgotten us and that the grasshoppers would not ap
pear again. I asked him how many bushels of wheat he thought I
would get an acre that year, and he replied he was sure that I would
get a good crop. I then said to hira, 'If you Avill guarantee thirteen
bushels per acre I will give you all I raise over that.' He rephed,
'I will do it.' I then said, 'I want this put down in black and white.'
He assented to this and Avrote out the agreeraent which we signed,
and then he handed rae twenty-five cents and told rae to go doAvn to
the register of deeds' office and file the agreeraent, AA'hich I did. I
raised twenty-five to thirty bushels an acre that year, and the sur
plus over thirteen bushels I drew for Mr. Howard to Beaver Creek,
Minnesota. I have always been glad that I made that contract and
remained in this county."
Mr. Huntemer resides on his farm in Sverdrup, Avhich now cora
prises 400 acres and is one of the best farras in the county. He is
not only a good farraer, but is a good neighbor and citizen.
Kirkeby, S. T., was born in Norway in 1866, and carae to the
United States with his parents in 1869. In 1873, they reraoved from
Minnesota to this county and settled in section 30 in Sverdrup. The
subject of this sketch now resides on the northwest quarter of sec
tion 30, and has a good farm of 200 acres. He is dne of the progres
sive farmers of Sverdrup, and is a respected citizen.
Krogstad, Peter, emigrated to the United States frora Nor
way, where he was born in 1828. He carae directly to South Dakota
m 1872, and settled in Minnehaha county, securing as a homestead
the southwest quarter of section 14 in Sverdrup, where he still re
sides, and has a good farm.
Langness, John O., was born in Norway, October 22, 1839. He
emigrated to the United States in 1866, and lived in Minnesota until
in the spring of 1868, when he reraoved to Dakota and came to this
county about the first of May of that year. He took up a homestead
in the center of section 5 in Sverdrup, where he still resides and has
one of the most substantial and best improved farms in the county.

John O. Langness.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTV. 929

He took up a tree claim and a pre-emption in Logan, but has since
disposed of his interest in them, and has purchased several hun
dred acres of land in sections 5, 8 and 20 in Sverdrup. He has
held most, if not all of the town offices; has been county surveyor
tAVO terms, and Avas a member of the assembly of the territorial
leg-islature one term. In November, 1896, he was elected county
treasurer of Minnehaha county. He is a man of positive convictions,
and always ready to stand by and advocate his principles. He is
as honest as he is self-reliant, and is highly esteemed by his neig-h
bors. He is credited Avith a g-ood deal of political sagacity, and his
political opponents in taking- an account of stock never ignore his
political influence. It is not too rauch to sa}', that he stands in the
front rank of the best citizens of the county.
McBride, Owen, a native of Ireland, was born in 1829. He emi
grated to America and lived in Iowa until in 1874, when he carae to
Dakota and settled in this county, taking up asa homestead the south
half of the southeast quarter of section 14, and the north half of the
northeast quarter of section 23, in Sverdrup, and has lived there, en
gaged in farraing, ever since. He was appointed overseer of high
ways in 1890.
McBride, Thomas, was born in Ireland June 12, 1839. He emi
grated to the United States in 1856, and resided in Iowa until 1873,
when he removed to Dakota and located in this county. He took up a
homestead in section 24, and a tree claim in section 13, in Sverdrup,
and has a good farm. His residence is on the, northwest quarter of
the southwest quarter of section 24. He was a teamster in the war
of the rebellion for about three years.
Moe, Ole Peterson, was born in Norway in 1850, and emi
grated to Minnesota in 1869. He reraained there until the fall of
1870, when he reraoved to Dakota and settled in Sverdrup. He took
up as a horaestead the southeast quarter of section 31, and pre
empted 160 acres in the sarae township and has a good farra with sub
stantial buildings and iraproveraents. He has held several school and
town offices in Sverdrup, and is respected as an honest upright raan.
Moen, Peter O., was born in Trondhjem, Norway, October, 30,
1858. He einigrated and located in Minnehaha county in June, 1873,
taking up a horaestead in section 12 in Sverdrup township, where he
has since resided engaged in farraing, and has a good farm.
Nyhus, Guttorm T., Avas born in Norway in 1841. He emi
grated to the United States, and lived in Minnesota for some time,
but removed to this county in 1872. He took up as a homestead the
northeast quarter of section 28, in Sverdrup, where he still resides
and has a good farra. He has purchased land in five other sections
in this township, and now owns several hundred acres. He is a suc
cessful farmer, a good neighbor, and an enterprising and respected
citizen. Peterson, Nels B., of Sverdrup, is a native of Norway, and
was born on the 4th day of October, 1853. He eraigrated with his
parents to the United States in 1868, and upon arriving to this
69

930 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

country took the train for the West, and carae direct to Sioux City.
At that place his brother, about three years old, was taken sick. Be
ing short of raoney, and the destination of the faraily being this
county, they were obliged to raake the reraaining part of their jour
ney afoot. They carried the sick child, and walked across the prai
rie until they reached the farm of Robert Peterson, an uncle of Nels,
Avho at that time lived in Mapleton. They arrived there in June,
1868, and three days after their arrival the little boy died. His
father, Jorgen Peterson, secured a pre-emption, tree-claira and horae
stead in sections 3 and 4 in Mapleton, and in section 34 in Sverdrup,
where he resided until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1895.
Nels took up a horaestead in section 2 in Mapleton, and has bought
considerable land in sections 33 and 34 in Sverdrup, and in section 2
in Mapleton, and now owns, including his father's property, several
hundred acres of land in this county. He has been a meraber of the
town board of supervisors since 1896, and also a member of the
school board for several years. He resides on the southeast quarter
of section 34, has a good farra, Avith fine improvements, is an enter
prising farmer, and a highly respected citizen.
Risvold, Andrew P., is a native of Norway and was born in
1835. He emigrated to the United States in 1867, and for two years
resided in Minnesota. He came to this county in June, 1869, and
settled in Sverdrup, taking up the southwest quarter of section 10,
as a homestead, where he still resides and has a good farm Avith sub
stantial buildings. He is one of the reliable citizens of Sverdrup,
and has been the treasurer of the school district in which he resides
upwards of fifteen years.
Risvold, John P., was born in Norway, June 20, 1851, and erai
grated to the United States with his parents. He carae to this
county on his 19th birthday, and in 1872 took up a horaestead in sec
tions 4, m Sverdrup, and 33, in Dell Rapids. He is a good farraer
has a good farm, and is a reliable citizen.

erai-

RisvoLD, Paul A., was born in Norway, July 7, 1861 He v,,o,-
grated to this country and resided in Minnesota until he reraoved to
this county m October, 1870, where he has since resided. He pur
chased the southeast quarter of section 10, in Sverdrup, and has a
good tarm and is a rehable citizen.
iQio^^w^"^' ^^"^A ^' ?'", ^""^ ^°" ^" ^o'^l^ county, Wisconsin, May 4,
,tl: 1 V" ^^"'^^tfd in Luther college, Decorah, Iowa, and took
tr^H?!/ ''iQ'^f ''t^;^"'^°;^'^ seminary in St. Louis, Missouri,
CL .'"^ '1 T^' 11^? O'^tober of that year he came to this county,
irZfin Pq ''/''" ?°''' ^i^ ^"^^^°" Evangelical Lutheran Con
gregation in Sverdrup township, and three other congregations, one
Ro^r.n nf' M-' ^""T^' r^"' Brookings, this state: and one in
™ rai??.V' ^''^"^^"ta. At that tirae there was not another Luth-
missioTr " 'I ?" P^'i °^ ®""*'' ^^^^°^^' ^"d a large araount of
e.r rh/n''''^ ^"^"^^-^ "P°" ^'™- ^^f^"-^ the expiration of the
caraetot.t'''r"''^*^i:''''/r§^''^^^t'""^ '" addition to the four he
beno- ,n Y.nn '17^'''"^ ^'^ preached to them all, one of them
being in Yellow Medicine county, Minnesota. He Avas in the saddle

Nels B. Peterson.

Rev. O. O. Sando.

History of mInNeHaHa County. 935

most of the tirae, and as the iramig-ration of Lutherans increased
rapidly in this and adjoining- counties, his field of labor Avas broad
ened and his missionary duties Iarg-ely added to. At one time he
had not less than seventeen cong-regations to whom he preached. He
has held services in sod houses, farmers' residences, and later on, in
school houses. The congreg-ations org-anized by hira in those pioneer
days are now in charge of twelve pastors, and raany fine church edi
fices have been erected. In 1876 he organized the first Norwegian
Lutheran church in Sioux Falls after having preached regularly for
a few Lutherans at that place since 1873. He has at the present
time charg-e of two congregations — one in Sverdrup and one in
Taopi. From the foregoing sketch of his labors it can readily be
seen that the people in this section of the country are greatly in
debted to him for his pioneer work. He is greatly beloved by his
parishioners, and is a good preacher. But where he excels is in his
every-day work araong the people of his congregation.
Sandvig Sr., Hans H., is a native of Norway, and was born
August 20, 1826. He eraigrated to Minnesota where he resided a
few vears. On the 28th day of Septeraber, 1872, he carae to this
county and settled in Sverdrup, taking up a homestead and tree
claim in sections 11 and 13. His residence is located on the north
west quarter of section 13. He has a good farm, and is a respected
citizen. Solem, Henry G., was born in NorAvay, in 1853. He eraigrated
to Minnesota and resided there until 1871, when he removed to Da
kota and settled in Minnehaha county. He then filed a pre-emption
in section 3, and is at the present time the owner of the southwest
quarter and the northeast quarter of that section, and also the north-
AA'est quarter of section 2, in Sverdrup. He resides on the north
east quarter of section 3, and has a very fine farm Avith substantial
buildings and iraprovements. He is a good farmer and a good citi
zen, and has held several town offices.
Thompson, John, the pioneer farraer of Sverdrup, was born in
Norway, June 29, 1841, and came to this country in 1854. He was
residing in Wisconsin at the breaking out of the war, and enlisted
in Co. I, 7th Wisconsin, and served until April, 1862- During the
summer of that year he enlisted in Co. H, 30th Wisconsin, and served
through the Avar, until raustered out in October, 1865. He was a
noncoramissioned officer, and had the good fortune of going through
the war without receiving a wound or being taken prisoner. After
leaving the array he went to Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he
soon after married Christine Haugen. On the 4th day of June, 1866,
Mr. Thompson and John Nelson with their wives started for Dakota,
each having a pair of oxen, a cow and a wagon. On the 29th day of
June, the 25th birthday of Mr. Thompson, they arrived at Sioux
Falls, and camped on the east side of the Sioux river. Within two
or three days Mr. Thompson located on section 29 in Sverdrup, and
filed a homestead claim. At first he put up four crotches, and built
his first dwelling- place of poles and hay. In the fall of that year he
built a log house, 12x16, being the first one built in this township;

936 history of minnehaha county.

the roof of this building- was covered with soft maple shingles. He
is now residing on section 29, and has resided in Sverdrup longer
than any other citizen of that toAvn. He now owns 597 acres of land in
section 29, and 240 acres on the west side of section 28. He has in
addition 236 acres of land in sections 20, 30, 32 and 33 in Sverdrup,
raaking- in all 1,073 acres. He has good farm building-s, his barn be
ing one of the largest if not the largest in the county; it is 80 feet
wide, by 100 feet in length. He has a large amount of personal prop
erty about hira, and is one of the most successful and prosperous
farraers in the county. He has also been a very active, enterprisino-
citizen, and has taken a prorainent part in public affairs. The first
time he received an appointment to office was under quite unusual
circumstances. It was Avhen Jaraes S. Foster was territorial super
intendent of schools, and while engaged in freighting goods to Sioux
Palls, he was assisted by Mr. Thorapson (who was on his way to
Yankton) to get his goods across the Sioux river. For this service
Mr. Poster showed his appreciation by paying him one dollar and ap
pointing hira superintendent of schools of Minnehaha county. He
made good use of the dollar, but raade no attempt to act in his official
capacity. He has been chairraan of the town board of supervisors
for about nine years; Avas elected first township assessor of Sverd
rup; has been justice of the peace, and was the first chairman of the
board of county commissioners of this county since its reorganiza
tion; and since then he has been elected and served for three years
as a raeraber of the sarae board. He was a raeraber of the terri
torial assembly in 1873-1877 and 1883. There are few white people,
and no farraer, Avho have resided in this county longer than Mr.'
Thorapson, and none is bettei? known. He is an honest, earnest,
energetic raan, a good neighbor and a respected citizen.
Thompson, Tom A., is a native of Norway and was born Novem
ber 19, 1842. He eraigrated to the United States in 1872, and settled
m Wisconsin for three years. In 1875 he carae to this county and
took up as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 11, and as a
tree claira the southwest quarter of section 12 in Sverdrup township,
and subsequently purchased the southwest quarter of section 11.
He resides on his horaestead and has a fine farra. He has held the
otiice ot school district, and town treasurer, and is a good citizen.
Vollan John P., is a native of Norway, and was born in 1844.
He eraigrated to the United States in 1872, and lived in Minnesota
five years. In 1877 he reraoved to this county, where he has since
resided engaged m farraing. He bought and now owns 520 acres of
land m sections 8, 9, 15, 16 and 17 in Sverdrup. He resides on the
southwest quarter of section 15, and has a very fine farm, with sub
stantial buildings and iraproveraents. He was assessor of Sverdrup
township m 1896, is a good neighbor, an industrious farraer, and a
respected citizen.

John Thompson.

liYONS TO WINSHIP.
(103-50)
Win. J. Neeley surveyed the boundaries of this township in
July, 1859, and Carl C. P. Meyers surveyed the subdivisions in Sep
tember, 1864. Its acreage is 22,942.74. Skunk creek runs through
its entire length north and south, and several little streams forming
Willow creek have their source in this township. The surface is
rolling, and the soil fertile. The first settlers in Lyons were Knude
Larson and his son Ole Larson, who took up land and settled upon it
on the 3d day of July, 1869, and built a sod house to live in. Knude
took up the north half of section 1, and Ole took up land in sections
4 and 12. The township is now settled with a good class of farmers,
and their farms and buildings denote thrift and prosperity. The
valuation of the personal property is high upon the list, and only
one township in the county has a greater number of cattle. There
are two post offices in this township, one called Lyons, located in the
southwestern part, and the other, called West Point, located on the
Avest side near the center north and south.
LYONS TOWNSHIP BOARD.
The records of Lyons township comraence with September 5,
1881, at which time the board met for the purpose of levying a tax
for highways and bridges. L. Lyman, chairman, and John Magnu-
son were present, E. O. Fossura absent. C. P. Sisson was the first
town clerk.
1882. The names of the town officers for this year cannot be
ascertained frora the records. The first Avarrant was issued to E.
O. Possum on the 16th day of January, for four dollars. C. P. Sis
son clerk. 1883. Supervisors, W. F. Kelly chairraan, E. O. Possum, L.
Lyman; T. E. Safer clerk. Tax levied, town fund two mills, road
fund eight mills and bridge fund two mills. C. P. Sisson Avas paid
$14 as assessor.
J 884. Supervisors, Hans H. Sandvig chairman, Ole J. Stordahl,
Lars Benson; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, E. O. Fossura; assessor,
W. P. Kelly; justice for two years, Lewis Lyraan; constable for two
years, Iver Oien.
1885. Supervisors, L. A. Pease chairman, Hans H. Sandvig,
Knut Larson; clerk, T.E. Safer; treasurer, E. O. Possum; assessor,
W. p. Kelly. At the annual town election 34 votes were cast.
1886. Supervisors, T. E. Safer chairraan, G. W. Sisson, Lars

940 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Bervin; clerk, L. A. Pease; treasurer, E. C. Evans; assessor, W. P.
Kelly; justices. Axel Scott, L. Lyman; constables H. A. Foster,
Lars A. Berg-.
1887. Supervisors, H. H. Sandvig chairraan, Lars A. Bervin,
Lars Benson; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, Ole J. Stordahl; assessor,
John A. Scott; constables, Geo. Poster, A. S. Fuller. At the annual
town meeting- a ballot was taken upon the question whether or not a
townhall fund should be created, resulting in 10 votes for and 19
against. 1888. Supervisors, H. H. Sandvig chairman, Lars Bervin,
Knut Larson; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, Ole J. Stordahl; asses
sor, E. O. Possum; justices, A. S. Puller, C. P. Sisson; constables,
Lars Benson, Iver Hildahl. At the annual election 33 votes Avere
cast. I 889. Supervisors, Hans H. Sandvig chairraan, S. H. Tideraann;
W. P. Kelly; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, Ole J. Stordahl; assessor,
E. O. Possum. At the annual town meeting the question of resur
veying the township was submited to a vote, resulting in '^ for and 43
against, 1890. Supervisors, Hans H. Sandvig chairman, S. H. Tide
raann, C. P. Sisson; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, Ole J. Stordahl;
assessor, E. O. Fossura; justices, Wm. P. Kelly and A. S. Puller;
constables G. W. Sisson, John O. Hildahl.
1891. Supervisors, H. H. Sandvig chairman, C. P. Sisson, S.
H. Tideraann; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, Ole J. Stordahl; assessor,
J. O. Stordahl.
1892. Supervisors, Hans H. Sandvig chairraan, E. O. Fossura,
C. P. Sisson; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, Ole J. Stordahl; asses
sor, J. O. Stordahl; justices, W. P. Kelly, G. W. TA'ler; constables,
Iver Oien, Martin Gunderson. At the annual town "meeting 54 bal
lots were cast, and it was ordered that the Russian thistle law be en
forced. 1893. Supervisors, Hans H. Sandvig chairman, C. P. Sisson,
Lars Benson; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, Ole J. Stordahl; asses
sor, S. M. Tideraann; constable, Lars J. Void.
1894, Supervisors, Hans H. Sandvig chairman, C. P. Sisson,
S. H. Tideraann; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, Ole J. Stordahl; as
sessor, J. O. Stordahl; justice, A. Scott; constables Iver Oien, Alex
Walsh. 1895. Supervisors, C. P. Sisson .chairman. Nils I. Oien, Lars
A. Berg; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, Lars A. Bervin; assessor,
George W. Tyler.
1896. Supervisors, Hans H. Sandvig chairman, A. Berg, S. H.
Pidemann; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, Lars A. Bervin: assessor,
G. W. lyler.
1897. Supervisors, Hans H. Sandvig chairman, Lars A. Berg,
Jaraes Sherry; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, Lars A. Bervin; asses
sor, G. W. Tyler.
1898. Supervisors, Hans H. Sandvig chairraan, C. P. Sisson,
Oscar Lambert; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, Lars A. Bervin; as
sessor, G. W. Tyler.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 941

1899. Supervisors, Oscar Lambert chairman, Lars Bervin,
Nils Oien; clerk, T. E. Safer; treasurer, Iver Oien; assessor, G. W.
Tyler; justices, S. H. Tideraann, Nils Oien; constables, B. Johnson,
John C. Johnson. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Benson, Lars, is a native of Sweden and was bom in 1844. He
emigrated to the United States in 1870, and lived in Wisconsin until
1874, when he located in this county. He filed a homestead upon the
northwest quarter of section 4 in Lyons, which he afterwards sold,
and noAV resides on his farm in section 33 in the sarae township. He
was a member of the town board of supervisors several years. He
has a good farm and is a good citizen.
Berg, Lars Anderson, is a native of Norway and was born in
the province of Trondhjem in 1847. He eraig-rated to the United
States and came directly to Dakota, arriving in this county June 10,
1871. He secured a horaestead and a timber claim in section 1, in
Lyons and engaged in farraing. He also owns sorae land in section 6
in Sverdrup, and a house and lot in Baltic. He is an industrious
farmer and a good citizen, and has been supervisor of the town board
several years.
Brakke, Lars N., Avas born in Norway January 12, 1837; carae
to this country in 1859, and lived in Iowa until his coraing to this
county, April 1, 1874, except the time he was in the army. He en
hsted in 1861, in the 1st Illinois Artillery, called Waterton's Bat
tery; was taken prisoner in 1862, at Pittsburg landing, and Avas dis
charged when released. After coming here he secured as a horae
stead the northeast quarter and as a tree claim the southeast quarter
of section 19 in Lyons, and engaged in farming, in which he has been
very successful, having a beautiful home, and an extensive and well
cultivated farm. He has also purchased the northwest quarter of
the same section and 10 acres in section 30 in Mapleton, making in all
about 500 acres of land in this county, which he noAv owns. He has
held the office of constable, and has been on the jury in the courts of
this county several times.
Danielson, Lars, was born in Norway July 9, 1847. He emi
grated and came directly to Yankton, Dakota. He soon left there
for this county, where he settled in 1872, and comraenced fanning
upon a homestead previously taken by his wife, and situated upon
the southwest quarter of section 23, in the town of Lyons. He is a
good farmer, and a good citizen.
Evans, B. C, was born in Canada in 1847. He emigrated and
lived in Wisconsin for some time, and came to Dakota in 1875. He
located in this county, taking up as a homestead the northwest
quarter of section 32 in the town of Lyons, where he still resides and
has a good farra. He now owns about 560 acres of land in Lyon
township, and is engaged in extensive fanning. He was town treasurer
in 1886, is an industrious, enterprising fanner, and a respected
citizen.

942 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Possum, Even O., was born in Norway, March 4, 1849. After
coming to this country he lived in Iowa and Minnesota, and carae to
Dakota Deceraber 12, 1874, and the next day pitched his tent in
Minnehaha county, where he has been a permanent resident ever since.
He secured as a horaestead the northeast quarter of section 3, and
pre-empted the northwest quarter of northwest quarter of section 2,
in Lyons, and filed a timber claim on the southwest quarter of sec
tion 35, in Burk. He resides on his horaestead and has a good farra
Avith a large live stock. He has always been prorainent in town
affairs, has been a raeraber of the town board of supervisors, town
treasurer and assessor for several years", and school district clerk
for about seven years. He is a good farraer and a good citizen.
Foster, Horace A., was born in Canada, March 5, 1840. He
eraigrated to Wisconsin, then reraoved to Iowa and resided there
until March, 1876, when he settled in this county. He took up a
horaestead and a tree claira in sections 28, 29 and 33 in Lyons, where
he has since been engaged in farraing, and has been quite success
ful. October 17, 1861, he enlisted in Co. K, 14th Wisconsin Infantry,
Avas discharged June 7, 1862, owing to disability; re-enlisted August
27, 1864, in Co. C, 42d Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was dis
charged June 20, 1865, at the close of the vA-ar.
Gunderson, Martin, was born in Verdalen, Norway, October
29, 1854. He emigrated to Minnesota and resided there until in 1876,
Avhen he left for Dakota and settled in this county. He filed upon
the north half of section 25, in the town of Lyons, and has since
resided there. He is a good citizen, and a successful farmer.
Hildahl, Knut O., was born inNorAvay, November 3, 1840. He
eraigrated to Araerica, and lived in Illinois and Iowa until the spring
of 1874, at which tirae he reraoved to Dakota and settled in this
county. He secured a horaestead and tree claim in section 13 in
Lyons, where he now lives and has a good farra. He says when he
first came here the present city of Sioux Falls was a pretty sraall
place, the grasshoppers were destroying everything, and he raade
his living by hauling luraber frora Sibley, Iowa, to Sioux Palls, for
Avhich he received $10 per thousand.
HiLMOE, Jens Johnsen, Avas born in NorAvay, June 5, 1839. He
eraigrated to Araerica and settled in Wisconsin in 1869. In 1872
he reraoved to this county, and took up a horaestead in sections 1 and
12 m Lyons, where he now lives and has a good farm. His wife had
pre-empted 160 acres of land in section 7 in Sverdrup before his
coming here. He is a good farmer and a good citizen.
in J^f^^^T^^' Oscar, is a native of Canada, and was born February
1 J, 1842. He eraigrated to the United States and lived in Wisconsin
and Iowa until June, 1876, when he settled in this countv. He took
up the east half of section 30 in Lyons, where he stillVesides and
has a good farm. He enlisted in the"33d Wisconsin Infantry, Co. I,
August 11, 1862, and was discharged August 9, 1865, as sergeant.
Mis army career was a fortunate one; he was not wounded, never in
hospital nor taken pnsoner, and not absent a day frora duty

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 913

Kelly, William P., is a native of Canada and Avas born in 1850.
After coming to the United States he located in Wisconsin for
awhile, and removed to Dakota in the spring of 1874. He settled in
Lyons on the southAvest quarter of section 22 where he now resides.
The first Iavo years the grasshoppers harvested his crops, and as he
did not have money enough to get away he had to remain. Mr. Kelly
has now become quite well fixed in this world's goods, having a g-ood
farra well stocked. The West Point post office was located on his
place for several years and he was the postmaster. In 1891 he was
elected a member of the house of representatives on the Republican
ticket from Minnehaha count}', and re-elected in 1893. If the esti
raation of his neighbors as to his worth as a citizen be a true index of
raerit, Mr. Kelly stands in the front rank in this county. He is a
conscientious, painstaking official.
Larson, Knude, is a native of Norway, and Avas born April 7,
1837. He einigrated to the United States in 1866, resided in Iowa
three years, and carae to this county July 3, 1869. He took up a
horaestead, coraprising part of section 1 in Lyons, and section 6 in
Sverdrup, and lives on the part of his horaestead located in Lyons.
He and his son Ole were the first settlers of this township. He also
secured a tree claim and pre-emption, and has bought other farm
lands. He has a good farm, is an industrious farmer, and agood
citizen. Larson, Ole, was born in Norway, November 6, 1840. He erai
grated to this country with his father, Knude Larson, in 1866, and
lived in Wisconsin until they removed to this county in 1869. They
located in Lyons toAvnship on the 3d day of July of that year, and
were the first settlers and built the first sod house in that town.
Ole took up as a homestead the west half of the northwest quarter of
section 7 in Sverdrup, and the east half of the northeast quarter of
section 12 in Lyons, and secured a pre-emption on the southwest
quarter of section 4, in the last named town. Until his decease he
resided on his homestead, which is a good farm, under good cultiva
tion and with substantial buildings. He raised stock as Avell as
grain, and was a successful farmer and a good citizen. He died
Noveraber 5, 1898, after a lingering- illness, leaving- his wife and five
children in comfortable circurastances.
Lyman, Lewis, is a native of Canada, and was born April 15,
1837. He came to the United States in 1845; lived in New York,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and California, and came to this county
May 20, 1874, where he has since resided. He secured the east half
of section 32, in Lyons, Avhere he resided and engaged in fanning
until 1894, when he rented his farra and reraoved to the city of Sioux
Palls. At the organization of the town of Lyons he was elected
chairraan of the town board of supervisors, and held that office two
years. He has also been justice of the peace, and was clerk of school
district No. 42 for eleven years. He enlisted in the array in the fall
of 1861, in the 14th Wisconsin Infantry, and was discharged after
one year's service; re-enlisted and was orderly sergeant in the 42d
Wisconsin Infantry, until the close of the war. Mr. Lyraan is an

944 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

enterprising citizen, and highly esteeraed by a large circle of ac
quaintances. Nelson, Sven, is a native of Norway, and Avas born March 13,
1842. He emigrated to Michigan, Avhere he lived four years; carae
to Dakota in 1874, and located in this county, taking up as a
horaestead the southeast quarter of section 22 in the town of Lyons,
Avhere he still resides, and has a good farra. He also owns 40 acres
in section 16. He is a good farraer and a good citizen.
Nytro, Jens Jenson, was born in Norway in 1827 and emi
grated to Minnesota and lived there until in 1873, when he came
to Dakota and settled in this county. He then entered a homestead
upon the northeast quarter of section 35, in Lyons, and engaged in
farming. Olson, Hagen, was born in Christiania, Norway, in 1826. He
einigrated to this country, lived in Iowa for some tirae, and carae to
Dakota and settled in Minnehaha county in 1873. He then took up as
a horaestead the west half of the northeast quarter and the east half
of the northwest quarter of section 12, in Lyons, and engaged in
farraing. He had been a soldier in the old country.
Pease, Lucius A., was born in Louisa county, Iowa, May 18,
1849. He resided in Wisconsin for some tirae and came to Dakota in
May, 1873, and settled in this county. He took up the west half of
the northwest quarter and the southwest quarter of section 30, in
Lyons, where he still resides and has a good farm. He was post
raaster of Lyons post office for several years, justice of the peace, and
chairraan and clerk of the town board. He enlisted in the army and
served in 1864-5. He is an active and good citizen, and well knoAvn
throughout the county.
Person, Lars, is a native of Halland, SAveden, and was born
January 22, 1847. He emigrated to the United States in 1871, and
lived in Wisconsin until he reraoved to this county in 1882, where he
has since reraained. He has a good farra of 240 acres in sections 28
and 33 in Lyons township, Avhere he resides engaged in farraing. He
is a good citizen.
Sandvig, Hans H., is a native of Norway, and was born October
18, 1848. After coraing to the United States he lived in Minne
sota three years, and carae to Dakota in November, 1875, locating in
this county, where he has since been a Avell-known and permanent
resident. He took up a homestead in section 7, in Edison, where he
lived until about twelve years ago, Avhen he removed to Lyons and lo
cated on his present farm, which comprises the south half of section
15. He has 200 acres under good cultivation, a large live stock, sub
stantial and corafortable buildings. It is not too much to say that
it is one of the best farms in the countv and Mr. Sandvig one of its
best farmers, well liked by everv one who knows him. He has been
a member of the town board for at least ten years, and most of the
tirae its chairman. He has always taken an active part in the affairs
of his town and county.

Ole j. Stordal.

60

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 947

Sater, Torber E., was born in Norway June 8, 1844. He emi
grated to the United States, and lived in Iowa two years and in Min
nesota the same length of time, and then removed to this county,
where he arrived on the 12th day of June, 1873. He took up a horae
stead and a tree claim in sections 23 and 24 in Lyons, and resides in
section 23 and has a good farm. He has held sorae office in his town
ever since it was organized; has been assessor, chairraan of the town
board, and clerk of the sarae since 1883; clerk and treasurer of his
school district since its organization until 1891 when he resigned,
and is clerk of the NorAvegian Lutheran Congregation of Nidaros, in
this county. He takes an active interest in public affairs and is a
good citizen.
Scott, Axel, is a native of Norway, and was born Noveraber
30, 1835. He eraigrated to the United States and lived in Minnesota
until he removed to Dakota in 1873, arriving in this county on the 23d
day of June, of that year. He entered as a horaestead the northeast
quarter of section 23, in Lyons township, Avhere he has since resided.
He is also the OAvner of a well cultivated tree claira on the southwest
quarter of section 14, in the same town. He is a very active, influ
ential citizen, and has a host of friends.
Sherry, James, was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1848. He came
to the United States and lived in Vermont, New York and Wiscon
sin before he located in this county in 1878, at Avhich time he secured
as a tree claim the northeast quarter of section 8, in Lyons, where
he has since resided and has a g-ood farm. He is loyal to his town,
county and state, and says he prefers his present horae to any place
in Avhich he has forraerly resided.
Sisson, C. P., was bom in Colurabia county, Wisconsin, in July,
1848. He came to Dakota and engaged in farming in this county in
May, 1874, taking up as a tree claim the northeast quarter of section
28, and as a homstead the southeast quarter of section 21, in Lyons,
Avhere he still resides, and has a very good farm. He has been as
sessor, justice of the peace, supervisor of the town board and Avas
its chairman in 1895. He is a good neighbor, and an active, respected
citizen. Sisson, George W., a brother of C. P. Sisson, was born at the
same place in Columbia county, Wisconsin, April 6, 1851. He came
to this county in 1875, and located on the north half of section 21, in
Lyons, and resided there engaged in farraing until the winter of
1897-8, when he rented his farra and went to Klondike, from which
he has recently returned. He has a good farm, and is an energetic,
enterprising citizen.
Stordal, Ole J., is a native of Norway, and was born on
Christmas eve, 1843. He eraigrated to the United States and lived
in Minnesota until he reraoved to Dakota in June, 1873. He took up
the northwest quarter of section 23, and the northeast quarter of
section 22, in Lyons, Avhich is now a well cultivated farra, with a
coraraodious residence and good farra buildings. He does not raise
grain exclusively, but has sorae fine stock, especially horses,. He
has held the office of town treasurer and postraaster at W^^t Point;
is a good fanner, a good neighbor and a respected citizen.

948 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Thompson, Thorsten, was bom in Norway, in 1847. He came
to Dakota in 1874 and settled in Minnehaha county on the northwest
quarter of section 10, in Lyons, which he afterwards proved up as a
homestead, and where he has since resided. He has a good farm
and is a g-ood citizen.
Tidemann, Magnus, is a native of Norway, and was born July
16, 1833. He eraigrated to the United States in 1866 and located in
Goodhue countv, Minnesota, where he eng-aged in farming, except
for about three years when he taught school in Rock county. In
1873 he removed to Dakota and settled in this county, where he has
since remained. He took up a horaestead, pre-eraption and tree
claira in section 19, in Sverdrup township, and in section 24, in Lyons
township. He first resided in Sverdrup for about ten A'ears, and
then moved on to his land in Lyons, Avhere he now resides on the
southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 24, and has a
g-ood farra.
Tidem.vnn, S. H., Avas born in Norway, September 2, 1853. He
eraig-rated to this country and settled in Minnesota for four years,
then removed to Dakota, arriving- in this county in Noveraber, 1875.
He toolv up the northeast quarter of section 13, in Lyons, as a home
stead, and has resided there ever since. He has been school director
three years, road overseer three years and town supervisor for sev
eral years. He is an enterprising farraer, a good neighbor and a
g-ood citizen.
Tidemann, S. M., a son of Magnus, was born in Norway, March
6, 1862. He carae to the United States with his father in 1866, and
reraained with his parents until 1890, when he bought the Avest
half of the northwest quarter of section 24, in Lyons, and engaged
in farrai.ng for hiraself. He was assessor one year, and is a good
farraer and a good citizen.
Trobak, Iver, a native of Norway, was born in 1851. He emi
grated to Dakota in 1873, and settled in Minnehaha countv, filing a
horaestead upon the southeast quarter of section 2(), in Lyons, where
he still resides, and has a good farm.
Wold, John J., a native of Norway, was born in 1824. He emi
grated to Araerica and settled in Dakota in 1875. He took up as a
homestead the south half of the northeast quarter and the east half
of the southeast quarter of section 33, in Lyons, where he resided
until his death, which occurred in October, 1896,

Grain Field in Grand Meadow Township.

GRAND MEADOW^ TOAVNSHIP.
(103-51)
The boundary lines of this township were surveyed by Wm. J.
Neeley in August, 1859, and the subdivisions by Horace P. Austin
in July, 1867. Its acreage is 22,598.15, and is well Avatered by several
tributaries of Skunk creek. At the time of the first survey there
Avas a lake in section 5 which covered 232 acres, and the water of
Clear Lake in section 6 covered 91.20 acres. It is a good township,
and farraing is the only industry of its residents, who are industrious
and thrifty. Among the earliest settlers were Ole T. Brende, J. J.
Poster, M. J. Tinkham, Winslow Braley and G. U. Bentley. The
first post office was located on the southeast quarter of section 19,
and was called Oran. Daniel Borst was postraaster, and he Avas suc
ceeded by Wra. Van Horn. The next post office was located on sec
tion 8, and Wm. Daniels was postmaster until the appointraent of
J. J. Foster in 1880, Avhen the office Avas located on the northwest
corner of section 17, and reraained there until the fall of 1891, when
Mr. Poster was succeeded by G. A. Aldrich and the office reraoved
to the northeast quarter of section 18. During the suraraer of 1895,
Mr. Aldrich resigned, and the office was discontinued.
GRAND MEADOW TOWNSHIP BOARD.
1881 . From the town records it appears that the first meeting
of the town board was held on the 29th day of March, 1881. Jaines
Boyce was chosen chairman, and S. D. Berry seems to have been one
of the supervisors, but the name of the third member of the board is
not mentioned. Henry Stroebel AA-as appointed clerk, and Wra. Van
Horn constable to fill vacancies. The township was divided into four
road districts. November 1, A. A. Disbrow was appointed town
clerk to fill vacancy. The first warrant was issued to E. P. Jones
for $16 for services as assessor.
1882. The board met at the residence of L. Me3^er on the llth
day of January, and the following persons qualified for office: Super
visors, S. D. Berry, J. J. Poster, E. P- Jones; S. D. Berry Avas
chosen chairman; clerk, L. Meyer; treasurer, E. Tripp; assessor,
Charles Parrel; justice, A. A. Disbrow. The treasurer's report
showed that he had received $156.44, and expended $122.24, during
the year. 1883. Supervisors, J. J. Poster chairman, L. Meyer, W. W.
Daniels; clerk, N. N. Haugen; assessor, C. P. Parrell; treasurer,
E. G. Tripp.

952 history of minnehaha county.

1884. Atthe first annual March meeting- the following town
oificers were elected: Supervisors, J. J. Foster chairman, Ole O.
Haugse, E. P. Jones; clerk, N. N. Haug-en; treasurer, E. G. Tripp;
assessor, C. P. Farrell; justices, M. W. Winter, Sr., A. A. Disbrow;
constables, R. J. Wilder, M. W. Winter, Jr.
1885. Supervisors, J. J. Foster chairraan, Mathias Ginsbach,
A. N. Haug-en; clerk, N. N. Haug-en; treasurer, E. G. Tripp; asses
sor, C. P. Parrell.
1886. Supervisors, E. P. Jones chairraan, Ira P- Winter,
Mathias Ginsbach; clerk, N. N. Haugen; treasurer, E. G. Tripp;
assessor, C. P. Farrell; justices, M. W. Winter, Sr., G. A. Aldrich;
constables, M. W. Winter, Sr., James Van Horn. At this election
there were forty-one votes cast.
1887. Supervisors, Ira P. Winter chairman, M. A. Karsrud,
Merritt Tinkham; clerk, R. J. Wilder; justice, A. A. Disbrow; treas
urer, Jaines Van Hom; assessor, M. W. Winter, Sr.
1888. Supervisors, Ira P. Winter chairman, M. A. Karsrud,
M. Tinkham; clerk, R. J. Wilder; treasurer, James Van Horn; as
sessor, M. W. Winter, Sr.; justices, M. W. Winter, A. A. Disbrow;
constables, M. W. Winter, Jr., R. E. Kipp. There were thirty-two
votes cast at this election.
1889. There is no record of the annual election, but frora the
proceedings during the year it appears that the supervisors were E.
G. Tripp chairraan, M. A. Karsrud and Mathias Ginsbach; clerk,
M. T. Austin; assessor, M. W. Winter.
1890. Supervisors, M. A. Karsrud chairman, H. Ginsbach, G.
Aldrich; clerk, M. T. Austin; treasurer, L. Meyer; assessor, M, W,
Winter, Sr.; justices, M. W. Winter, M. A. Bailey; constables, M.
W. Winter, Jr., M. Ginsbach. Thirtv-two A'otes were cast.
1891. March 3, at the annual town raeeting- the following offi
cers were elected: supervisors, G. A. Aldrich chairman, A. T. Aus
tin, O. E. Anderson; clerk, M. T. Austin; treasurer and justice, C.
P. Farrell; assessor, M. Tinkham. The assessed Aaluation of the
township was, land, $97,061; personal property, $30,121, raaking a
total of $127,182. February 5, 1892, the resignation of M. T. Austin
as town clerk was accepted and J. D. Love Avas appointed to fill
vacancy. 1892. Supervisors, G. A. Aldrich chairraan, A. T. Austin, O.
E. Anderson; clerk, J. D. Love; treasurer, C. P. Farrell; assessor,
M. Tinkham; justices, M. W. Winter, Sr., E. G. Tripp; constables,
M. W Winter, Jr., R. E. Kipp. A resolution was passed directing
the officials to "enforce the Noxious Weed law."
1893. Supervisors, G. A. Aldrich chairraan, J. J. Foster, An
drew Clauson; clerk, J. D. Love; treasurer, C. P. Farrell; assessor,
M. T. Austin; justices, J. D. Love, J. A. Stewart; constables, Ole
Haugse, M. Ginsbach. There were thirty-three votes cast at this
election. 1894. The first meeting of the town board after the annual
election was held March 27, when the following officers filed their
bonds: E. H. Evans assessor, C. P. Farrell treasurer, L. Meyer
justice, J. D. Love clerk, P. H. Hanson constable. The board con-

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 953

sisted of J. J. Foster chairman, A. Clauson and E. G. Tripp. July
10, the board had a joint meeting with the town board of Clear Lake
and divided the work on the highway between the two towns.
1895. Supervisors, (t. A. Aldrich chairman, Charles Radspin-
ner, Andrew Clauson; clerk, J. D. Love; treasurer, Charles Farrell;
assessor, Ole Haug-se; justice, Henry Ginsbach.
1896. Supervisors. J. A. Aldrich chairman, L. Pashke, A. T.
Austin; clerk, J. D. Love; treasurer, C. P. Parrel; assessor, Ole
Haugse. 1897. Supervisors, J. A. Aldrich chairman, L. Pashke, Ira P.
Winter; clerk, J. D. Love; treasurer, C. P. Farrell; assessor, Ole
Haugse. 1898. Supervisors, Ira P. Winter chairraan, L. Pashke, L.
Pease; clerk, J. D. Love; treasurer, E. G. Tripp; assessor, A. N.
Haugen. 1899. Supervisors, G. A. Aldrich chairman, L. A. Pease, A.
T. Austin; clerk, J. D. Love; treasurer, E. G. Tripp; assessor, A. N.
Haugen; justice, Mathias Ginsbach; constable, L. A. Bullard.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Aldrich, G. A., was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, Sep
tember 24, 1846. He carae west and lived in Wisconsin for sorae
tirae, and located in this county in November, 1883, taking up as a
homestead the south half of the northeast quarter and the west half
of the southeast quarter of section 18, in Grand Meadow, where he
resides. He has added the other half of the southeast quarter to his
real estate, and now has a good farm of 240 acres. Has always been
prominent in town affairs, has been chairraan of the town board,
clerk and treasurer of the school board, and postraaster of the Grand
Meadow post office frora 1890 until the office was discontinued. Dur
ing the war he enlisted in Corapany I, 3d Wisconsin Cavalry, and
served three years. He is one of the leading men of the township,
and is a highly esteemed citizen.
Anderson, Carl E., carae with his parents to this country frora
Norway in 1868, when only four years of age, having been born April
24, 1864. They located in Iowa and lived there until 1877, Avhen they
reraoved to this county. The subject of this sketch is at the present
tirae residing on his tree claim in Grand Meadow, the southwest
quarter of section 13, engaged in farming, and is a good citizen,
Anderberg, John, was born in Sweden November 11, 1831. He
emigrated to this country and lived in Chicago, Illinois, until the fall
of 1887, when he carae west and engaged in farming in this county,
filing a homestead upon the northwest quarter of section 4, in the
town of Grand Meadow, where he still resides. His two sons, August
and C. J., are also engaged in farming in this county, and are good
farmers, and good citizens.
Anderson, Lars P., was born in the province of Halland,
Sweden, June 23, 1856. He eraigrated to the United States and set
tled in this county in 1885, where he has since resided. He bought
the southeast quarter of section 35, and the southwest quarter of sec-

954 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

tion 36 in Grand MeadoAV township, and eng-aged in farming. He has
a good farm, Avell improved, and is a good citizen.
Anderson, Olaf R., Avas born in the city of Christianstad,
Sweden, August 9, 1837. He einigrated to Illinois and lived there
and in loAva prior to his coraing- to Dakota in the fall of 1877. He then
filed upon 320 acres of land in this county, comprising the southwest
quarter of section 1, as a tree claim, and the northwest quarter of
section 12, as a horaestead, in the town of Grand Meadow, and has
been engaged in farraing ever since. He has a good farra and is liv
ing on his horaestead. He is a respected citizen.
Austin, Austin T., is a native of Norway, and was born in 1848.
He emig-rated to this country and lived in Iowa and Minnesota until
March, 1884, when he removed to Dakota and located in this county.
He has a very fine farra of 480 acres on the east half of section 2 in
Grand Meadow, and in section 36 in Taopi, well iraproved, with good
building-s and a large live stock. He resides on the northeast quar
ter of section 2. He has been a raeraber of the town board of super
visors, is a good farraer, and a respected citizen.
Bentley, Grant T., Avas born in Wisconsin, July 2, 1864, and
lived there and in Illinois until the spring of 1876, when he located
in Minnehaha county and eng-aged in farraing. He resides on his
homestead on the southeast quarter of section 15, in Grand Meadow
toAvnship, and has a good farm.
Braley, Winslow, Avas born at Baraboo, Sauk county, Wis
consin^, October 3, 1854. He carae to Dakota frora Iowa, February
12, 1876, and took up a horaestead and tree claira comprising the
southeast quarter of section 8, and the southwest quarter of section
9, in Grand Meadow township, and eng-aged in farming. The only
office he has held so far is that of poundmaster, but he adds in his
statement that if he has good luck he raight be president yet.
BuNDE, Gunder O., a son of Ole T. Bunde, Avas born in Nor
way, February 11, 1867, and carae to the United States, with his par
ents in 1871, and to this county in 1875. A few vears ago he bought
the southeast quarter of section 12, in Grand MeadoAv, of his father
and has settled doAvn to farraing. He is enterprising and indus
trious. Bunde, Ole T., Avas born in Norway, in 1836, and einigrated to
the United States in 1871 and settled in Iowa. He resided there un
til 1875, at Avhich tirae he reraoved to this county. He took up as a
homestead the north half of the northeast quarter of section 13, in Grand
Meadow, and the west half of the northwest quarter of section 18, in
Lyons, and has since then resided on his homestead in Grand
Meadow. He also took up the southwest quarter of section 18, in
Lyons as a tree claim, and has purchased the south half of the north
east quarter of section 13, in Grand Meadow. Mr. Bunde is a good
farmer, and has enough of this world's goods to justify him in feel
ing contented on that point, even when the times are hard. He is a
good neighbor and a good citizen.

John J. Poster.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 957

Carson, Ole J., is a native of Norway, and was born July 15,
1838. He eraig-rated to the United States with his father in 1843,
and located in Wisconsin. After having lived there thirteen years
they reraoved to Minnesota, where Mr. Carson boug-ht a farm and
engaged in farming twenty-eight years. He then came to this county
and located in Grand Meadow in 1884, buying the northeast quarter
of section 1, Avhere he still resides and has a good farra. He recently
bought the southeast quarter of school section 36, in Taopi, and is an
industrious farraer, taking cheerfully the adversities which have be
fallen hira during his lifetime. During his youth he accidentally
lost three fingers, "otherAvise," he says, "I should have been in the
military service in the sixties." A few years ago he was so badly
injured in a runaway that the amputation of one leg became neces
sary, but he manages to g-et about with a wooden substitute. He
takes an active interest in public affairs, and is a good citizen.
Evans, E. H., was born in Canada West, in 1842. He emigrated
to the United States and lived in Michigan and Iowa until in 1874,
when he settled in the county of Minnehaha, upon the northeast
quarter of section 26, in the toAvn of Grand Meadow, Avhich he proved
up as a homestead. Mr. Evans resided on his homestead until the
fall of 1896, Avhen he sold his farm and removed Avith his family to
Tracy, Minnesota. He was assessor of Grand Meadow township, a
good neighbor and a good citizen.
Farrell, Charles P., Avas born in Erie county. New York,
February 28, 1844. He removed to Wisconsin with his parents in
1849. During the civil war he enlisted in Co. B, 1st Minnesota Cav
alry, and was in the military service for about tAvo years and a half.
After his discharge he resided in Iowa until May, 1872, at Avhich time
he removed to this county and took up 220 acres of land in Lyons
township and pre-erapted^ a quarter section in Benton, which he after
wards sold. In 1880 he secured the southwest quarter of section 2
in Grand Meadow, where he has since resided, engaged in farraing.
He has held the offices of assessor and treasurer for several years m
(irand Meadow, and has taken an active part in town affairs. His
farra is a g-ood one, and he is a good farraer and one of the raost reli-
able citizens in the county.
Foster, John J., was born Septeraber 3, 1842, at Oswego, Tioga
county. New York. He removed with his parents to Wisconsin in
1847, and obtained his education in the comraon and high schools
in that state. In 1861 he enlisted for three months in Co. E, 1st
Wisconsin regiment, but served four months before being dis
charged. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. F, 23d Wisconsin, and served
until the close of the war. On the 21st day of May, 1876, he came
to this county, and took up as a homestead the northwest quarter
of section 17 in Grand Meadow, where he has smce resided. He
has added to his homestead the southwest quarter of the same sec
tion, and has a good farm. He is not only a capable farmer, but
also a good neighbor and highly respected citizen. In 1880, he Avas
appointed postmaster of Grand Meadow post office which position
he held until he resigned in the fall of 1890. He has been chairman

958 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

of the board of supervisors of Grand Meadow for several years,
and has otherwise been honored officially by his townsmen.
Ginsbach, Henry, was born in Jackson county, Iowa, Novem
ber 25, 1842. He lived there until he was twenty-seven years of age,
at Avhich time he Avent to Kansas, thence to Nebraska, and in 1875 to
the Black Hills. Frora there he returned to his native state, where
he reraained until 1883, Avhen he came to this county and took up a
horaestead of 160 acres in section 32, Grand Meadow, where he re
sided until recently Avhen he removed to Sioux Palls. He was
justice of the peace and a raember of the town and school board sev
eral years.
Haugen, Andrew N., was born in Norway in 1855, and eraigrated
to Dakota in May, 1878. He settled in this county and secured the
southwest quarter of section 3, in the town of Grand Meadow, which
he proved up as a horaestead, and has lived there ever since, and has
a good farra. He was supervisor of the town board in 1889, and is a
respected citizen.
Haugse, Knut, a native of Norway, was bom in 1855. He erai
grated to Araerica and came to Dakota in April, 1880, Avhen he set
tled in this county. He bought and now owns the northeast quarter
of section 11, in the town of Grand Meadow, Avhere he resides. He
has a good farra and is a g-ood citizen.
HiSEY, William, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, Febru
ary 17, 1830. He lived there and in Minnesota and Iowa before he
settled in Minnehaha county in the spring of 1878, Avhere he resided
until his death which occurred May 27, 1897. He owned consider
able real estate in section 30 in Grand Meadow, and section 25 in
Clear Lake; was an industrious, honest, upright citizen, and well
liked by his neighbors.
Kadinger, John, was born in Dodge countv, Wisconsin, on the
28th day of October, 1854. He lived there and 'in Illinois before he
came to Dakota on the 17th day of March, 1879. He located in Clear
Lake township, taking up a horaestead and a tree claim. The horae
stead he afterwards traded off for five lots in the city of Sioux Palls,
where he also owns a house. The tree claira he still retains, which
IS a good farra and has a living spring, furnishing a large supply of
good Avater; this place he leases, and resides in Grand Meadow
township with his faraily, wife, six boys and a girl, where he is en
gaged m farraing about 800 acres of land in sections 34, 35, 26 and
27. He IS a good farraer and an enterprising citizen.
Karsrud, Martin, Avas born in Norway in 1853, and einigrated
to the United States and settled in Iowa in 1869. In 1878 he came to
this county and took up a homestead on the southeast quarter of
section 10, in Grand Meadow, and the southwest quarter of section
11 mthe same township as a tree claim. He resided on his home
stead until his decease, which occurred on the 25th dav of Septem
ber, 18J5, having been kicked by a colt the day preceding, which
caused his_ death. He was a very active, enterprising citizen; was a
meraber of the town board of supervisors in 1888-9, and was chair
man of the board m 1890.

Lewis Meyer.

history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 961

Karsrud, Jacob A., was born in Norway April 17, 1855, and
emigrated to the United States in 1875, and settled in Iowa. In 1878
he removed to this county and took up the northwest quarter of sec
tion 10 as a homestead, and the northeast quarter of the same sec
tion as a tree claim. The tree claira he since sold to his brother
Anton, and resides on his homestead. He has quite a good farm, is
in comfortable circumstances and is an honest uprig-ht citizen and
well liked by his neighbors.
Karsrud, P. Anton, a resident of Grand Meadow, was a
brother of Jacob, and of Otto Karsrud, residing in Taopi, and also
of the late Martin Karsrud. There were seven brothers in all Avho
emigrated to this country, three of whora now reside in Colorado,
and a sister Avho resides in Iowa. Notwithstanding this large emi
gration from one family there are others who still reside in Norway.
— Since writing the foregoing, Anton died at the hospital in Sioux
Palls, February 17, 1897.
Love, J. Dwight, was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Septeraber
11, 1860. He was reared on a farm, and obtained a good education
before starting out for himself. During the spring of 1891, he came
to Grand Meadow in this county, and purchased the southeast quar
ter of section 20, and the northeast quarter of section 29. His resi
dence is located on the southeast comer of section 20. In the fall of
1891, he was appointed town clerk, and was elected to that office at the
four successive township elections. Before removing from Wiscon
sin he taught school several terms, and since coming to Grand Mead
ow has taught the school in his own district five terms. He is a good
neighbor and a highly esteeraed citizen.
Meyer, Lewis, was born in Hanover, Gerraany, February 15,
1845. He eraigrated to this country and lived in Wisconsin and Iowa
until May 18, 1881, when he removed to Dakota and settled in this
county. He is at the present time the OAvner of several hundred
acres of land in Grand Meadow, and has one of the largest and best
iraproved farms in the county, with substantial and commodious
buildings. He resides on the southeast quarter of the southeast
quarter of section 22. He has held several town offices, is an enter
prising farmer and a good citizen. During the war of the rebellion
he enlisted in the array for one year, and served until the close of the
war. Pearson, Nels E., is a native of Sweden, and was born June 9,
1861. After his coining to the United states he lived in Wisconsin,
Illinois and Iowa until in the spring of 1889, when he settled in this
county. He owns a good farra of 240 acres on the south half of the
northwest quarter of section 36, and the northwest quarter of sec
tion 31, in the town of Grand Meadow, Avhere he resides at this
writing. Radspinner, Charles H., was born in Germany in 1836. He
eraigrated to the United States, lived in Indiana and Iowa, and set
tled in Dakota in 1879. He then secured aa a horaestead the south
half of the northeast quarter and the norths half of the southeast

962 history of minnehaha county

quarter of section 7, in the town of Grand Meadow, and has lived
there ever since. He is a good farmer and a respected citizen.
Steinpurth, Constantine, is a native of Germany, and Avas
born July 15, 1869. He came to Dakota in the fall of 1883, and engaged
in farraing in this county, where he now has a fine farra of 320 acres,
coraprising the south half of section 33 in Grand Meadow, the build
ings on which cost about $3,000. He resides on his farm, is an
enterprising farraer, and a good citizen.
Thompson, Charles P., was born in St. Lawrence county.
New York, April 4, 1841, and was raised on a farra. When twenty
years of age he enlisted in the 60th New York Infantry, and was in
the railitary service three years, nine raonths and eleven days. After ¦
the war he settled doAvn in Hardin county, Iowa, and engaged in
farraing for ten vears. In February, 1876, he reraoved to Lincoln
county, Dakota, but the next May took up as a horaestead the north
Avest quarter of section 12 in Clear Lake township, and in the fall
raade a tree claira filing on the southwest quarter of section 7 in
Grand Meadow township, where he has since resided. Mr. Thorap
son is a good farraer and an esteeraed citizen.
Thompson, Mrs. Ulba, wife of Charles P. Thorapson, was
bom in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. Her maiden name was Ulba Knowles.
In 1876 she came to this county with her parents, who took up a
homestead in Clear Lake township. In 1877 she married Mr.
Thorapson. In 1881 she was licensed to preach, by the Free Meth
odist denomination, but not until eleven years later did she avail
herself of the privilege, except occasionally. In 1892 she commenced
devoting a portion of her tirae to building up the interests of the
Free Methodists in Minnehaha and Lake counties. At Franklin, in
Lake county, she organized a society with twenty-seven raerabers.
She also preached in the Vincent neighborhood in Wayne, and at
other places as opportunity offered. During the last three years
she has preached at Wall Lake, and now holds two services there
every Sunday, and also one every Thursday at the same place. In
addition to this work she preaches at stated tiraes in the Vincent
neighborhood, and also at the Goldenrod school house in Lincoln
county. During the winter of 1897-8, Avhile holding revival services
at a school house in Wall Lake, the school district authorities de
cided that it was not expedient that the school house should be occu
pied for such purpose. Upon receiving- notice to this effect she
carae to the conclusion that the society she had organized was strong
enough to build a sraall church at Wall Lake, and she obtained a
subscription of $325 for that purpose during the sarae evening that
she received the notice. In connection with other raerabers of the
society the subscription was increased, and a church was built,
twenty-three by forty-two feet in size, which Avas dedicated Sep
teraber 18, 1898. S. A. Hoyt gave the society one acre and a half of land
on the west corner of section 21 in Wall Lake, Avhere the church
building is erected. When it is known that Mrs. Thompson has to
drive eighteen miles every Sunday to preach to her congregation at
Wall Lake, and that after her morning- service there, she goes either

history of minnehaha county. 963

to her Lincoln county or Wayne charge and preaches during the
afternoon, and then returns to Wall Lake and holds evening ser
vices, it is unnecessary to add that she has her heart in the work, and
is a Avoinan of more than ordinary energy and ability.
Tinkham, Merritt J., was born at Baraboo, Wisconsin, Sep
tember 23, 1852. He removed to this county and located a horae
stead and tree claim on the northwest quarter of section 7 and the
southwest quarter of section 6 in Grand Meadow on the 21st day of
May, 1876, which was the sarae day that J. J. Poster located his land
in section 17. Since then he has purchased the southeast quarter of
section 12 in Clear Lake, adjoining his horaestead, and the north half
of the northeast quarter of section 18 in Split Rock, and now owns
560 acres of good farra land in this county. He lived on his horae
stead the first seven years, and then raoved on to his tree claira
Avhere he has a fine, large house, surrounded by a grove of twenty
acres. He has a large number of horses and cattle, and has never
had a mortgage on either homestead or tree claira since taken. He
raoved into the city of Sioux Falls in the fall of 1895, where he now
resides. Mr. Tinkhara's record shows what a raan with grit and
energy can do Avith only an old team and fifty dollars in money to
start with, which was all he possessed when he first settled in Grand
Meadow. He has been a meraber of the town and school boards
and town assessor two years, and has always taken a prominent
part in town affairs.
Tripp, Egbert, is a native of Ohio, and was born November 14,
1851. He resided in Wisconsin and Iowa a few years, and came to
this county May 5, 1879. He located a horaestead on the northeast
quarter of section 20, in the town of Grand Meadow, where he still
resides, and has a good farra. He has held several offices, has
been town treasurer five years, chairraan of the town board one year
and school district treasurer five yea.rs. He is a good farmer, and
highly esteemed as a neighbor and citizen.
WiLLiG, Phillip, is a native of Gerraany, and was born March
7, 1864. He becarae a resident of this county in 1883, and owns
about 200 acres of land in sections 28 and 33, in Grand Meadow,
Avhere he resides engaged in farraing, and has a very fine farm. He
is an enterprising and good citizen.
Wilder, Reuben J., is a native of Indiana and born December
22, 1849. He resided in Wisconsin for some time before he settled
in Minnehaha county in May, 1876, when he secured the south half
of the southeast quarter of section 7, and the north half of the north
east quarter of section 18, in the town of Grand Meadow, which he
proved up as a homestead, and where he still resides. He has held
several school and town offices and was town clerk for tAvo years.
He is well liked as a neighbor and is a good citizen.
Winter, Ira P., was born in New York, January 25, 1850, and
reraoved with his parents to Clayton county, Iowa, where he resided
until 1874, at which time he came to this county and settled in Grand
Meadow. ' He took up a homestead, tree claim and pre-eraption in

964 history of minnehaha county

sections 23 and 25, but disposed of his horaestead and raade his home
on the tree claim, the northeast quarter of section 23. He has been
chairman of the town board several years; has always been quite
active in political affairs, and consulted by a great nuraber of candi
dates for office since his residence in Grand Meadow about the tirae
of holding county conventions. He is energetic and persistent in
whatever he undertakes, and is a respected citizen.
Winter, Sr., Milo W., was born in New York, in 1824. Be
fore coraing to this countA' in 1874, he had resided in Clayton county,
Iowa. He has always been a farmer, and when he decided to make
his horae in Minnehaha county, he took up a homestead in section 25,
in Grand Meadow, and located there. He has held the office of toAvn
treasurer and assessor and has been a justice of the peace in Grand
MeadoAv for about fifteen years. He is well liked as a neighbor, and
is a good citizen.
Winter, Jr., Milo W., was born in Clayton county, Iowa, in
September, 1856, and was reared on a farra and educated in the pub
lic schools. He carae to this county in the fall of 1874 and settled in
(xrand MeadoAv on the southeast quarter of section 26, and resided
there until he sold his farm in the fall of 1895. He is a good neigh
bor and a respected citizen.

CLEAR liAKE.
(103-52)
This township is bounded on the west by McCook county, on
the north by Buffalo, on the east by Grand Meadow, and on the
south by Humboldt townships. The boundary lines of this township
Avere surveyed by Wra. J. Neeley in August, 1859, and the subdivi
sion was raade by H. T. Austin in June, 1867. It contains 22,566.82
acres of land. The narae was suggested by a lake partly in section 1
called Clear Lake. This lake at the time of the survey, covered
550.80 acres in the townships of Buffalo, Taopi, Grand Meadow, and
Clear Lake, Avhere it covered 226.10 acres of section 1. There Avas
also a lake in section 34, which covered 159 acres, called Lost Lake,
and also a body of water in sections 6 and 7 covering 50.20 acres, in
which one of the tributaries of Skunk creek had its source and flowed
in a southeasterly direction. Edward Packard, who settled near
Clear Lake in Buffalo toAvnship, in 1879, said to the writer: "When
I went to Buffalo in 1879, Clear Lake was nearly dry, and in 1880
there was only about one acre covered with water. During- the
spring of 1881, known as the spring of the high water, the lake filled
up, and remained quite full of water for several years, during- Avhich
time perch, pike, bullheads, pickerel and a few suckers came into
the lake, and became quite plentiful, but were finally destroyed by
the freezing of the lake."
Luther S. Gage and Charles P. Thompson settled in this town
ship in May, 1876, taking up land in sections 1, 2, and 12. In 1878,
Jaraes Gilraore, Albert Larson, W. A. H. Gage, Patrick McAvary,
John Studenmeier and Xavier Zimmer settled there, and becarae
prosperous farraers.
The first school house was built in 1879, on the northwest quar
ter of section 12, and is known as the Clear Lake school house.
Miss Clara Williams taught the firsl school.
The nearest shipping points are on the Chicago, St. Paul, Min
neapolis & Omaha railroad at Humboldt and Montrose. It is a strict
ly farming community, and its citizens are industrious and pros
perous. Zion Baptist Church. — This church was organized October
20, 1891, with nine raerabers. In 1892 a church building was erected
on the northeast corner of section 11, at a cost of $1,500. Its first
pastor was the Rev. J. T. Gallagher, and he was succeeded by the
Reverends L. D. Worth and J. M. Hupp. There is a prosperous
Sunday school with about fifty scholars, connected with the church,
also a B. Y. P. U. and a Woman's" Missionary Circle. Services are
held every Sunday, and the membership at the present writing is
fifty-four.

966 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP BOARD.
The records of the board comraence with June 1, 1881, at which
tirae it was ordered to post notices for holding a special election for
the purpose of deciding whether the town was in favor of bonding the
county in the sum of $20,000 for the building of bridges. The meet
ing was lield and the proposition voted down. The first town war
rant was issued at this date in the sura of $7.40 to W. J. Hunt. L. S.
Gage was chairraan of the board, and the other members were John
Lott and L. C. Summers, W. J. Hunt clerk.
1882. Supervisors, L. S. Gage chairman, John Lott, L. C. Sum
mers; clerk, W. J. Hunt; assessor, E. S. Gage; treasurer, Daniel
Kimball; justice, W. J. Hunt; constable, Oscar P. Coats. The town
Avas divided into three road districts.
1883. Supervisors, L. S. Gage chairman, John Lott, L. C.
Summers; clerk, W. J. Hunt; assessor, E. S. Gage; treasurer, David
Kiraball. The treasurer reported he had received $231.22 during the
year, and that there was a balance on hand of $13.95.
1884. Supervisors, L. S. Gage chairraan, J. R. Williaras, John
Stone; clerk, W. J. Hunt; treasurer, M. W. Boulette; assessor, E. S.
Gage; justices, W. J. Hunt, L. E. Gage; constables, Bentley Sparks,
John Stone. The town was divided into four road districts.
1 885. There is no record of the annual raeeting, but from the
proceedings of the board during the year it appears that W. J. Hunt
Avas chairman, J. R. Williams and John Ebersviller the other two
supervisors, and G. H. Finney clerk.
1886. Supervisors, L. S. Gage chairman, A. Larson, John
Ebersviller; clerk, G. H. Finney; treasurer, George Boulette; asses
sor, O. P. Coats.
1887. Supervisors, Albert Larson chairraan, E. S. Gage, James
Gilraore; clerk, G. H. Finney; assessor, L. S. Gage.
1888. Supervisors, Albert Larson chairman, James Gilmore,
Xavier Zimraer; clerk, G. H. Finney; treasurer, G. A. Boulette; as
sessor, O. P. Coats; justice, L. S. Gage. August 30, the board met
m joint session with the board of Montrose township, McCook
county, for the purpose of dividing the road work on the line between
the two towns.
1889. Supervisors, Albert Larson chairraan, James Gilraore,
Xavier Ziramer; clerk, G. H. Finney; assessor, O. P. Coats; treas
urer ES. Gage; justices, Jaraes Gilmore, G. H. Finnev; constables,
i^ rank Gage, John Staudenraeier.
T u ^?^?1 ^"Pei-visors, L. S. Gage chairraan, WiUiara Zimmerman,
John Lott; clerk, G H Finney; treasurer, E. S. Gage; assessor, E.
Willey; justice, L. S. Gage; constable, G. H. Finney.
1891 Supervisors^ O. P. Coats chairman, Albert Larson,
James Gilmore; clerk, G. H. Pinney; treasurer, E. S. Gage; asses
sor John Lacy; justices, James Gilmore and August Meyer; con
stables, G. H. Finney, George Miller.
1892. Supervisors, O. P. Coats chairman, James Gilmore,
AlbertLarson;clerk,G.H. Pinney; treasurer, E. S. Gage; asses
sor, G. A. Boulette; constable, J. Kapaun

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 967

1893. Supervisors, Albert Larson, Sam Wood, John Stauden
raeier; clerk, O. P. Coats; assessor, John Gilmore; treasurer, E. S.
Gage; justices, Jaraes Gilraore; constable, Jos. Kapaun.
1 894. Supervisors, Jaraes Gilmore, A. G. Williams, Xavier
Zimmer; clerk, G. A. Boulette; assessor, O. P. Coats; treasurer, E.
S. Gage. April 6, John Lott was appointed treasurer in place of E.
S. Gage, Avho resig-ned.
1895. Supervisors, A. Larson chairman, A. G. Williams,
James Gilmore; clerk, G. A. Boulette; treasurer, John Lott; as
sessor, Frank Hanisch.
1896. Supervisors, Albert Larson chairman, Jaines Gilraore,
A. G. Williams; clerk, G. A. Boulette; treasurer, Charles Zimraers;
assessor, Frank Hanisch.
1897. Supervisors, A. Larson chairraan, E. S. Gage, James
Gilmore; clerk, G. A. Boulette; treasurer, Charles Zimraer; as
sessor, Frank Hanisch.
1898. Supervisors, A. Larson chairraan, E. S. Gage, Jaraes
Gilmore; clerk, W. R. Boulette; treasurer, Charles Zimmer; as
sessor, Frank Hanisch.
1899. Supervisors, Steve Zimmer, E. S. Gage, James Gilraore;
clerk, W. R. Boulette; treasurer, Charles Zimraer; assessor. Earl
Gage. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Boulette, Melanchthon W., was born in New York, but came
to Sioux Falls in 1876, and took up a farm near where the fair
grounds are now located; this farm he sold in the early eighties to
Harry Hollister, and then moved to Clear Lake township, and
settled in section 13. He died several years ago, but his widow is
still occupying the homestead, and three sons, Fred, George, and
William, are all residents of Clear Lake township. Fred is man
aging the home farm, and George resides in section 1, and has been
assessor, treasurer and clerk of the town board several years. They
are good farmers and respected citizens.
Boulette, W. R., was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1873. He'came
with his father M. W. Boulette, to Dakota in 1876, and lived several
years in Sioux Falls township, but in the early eighties removed to
Clear Lake township, where he has since remained. He resides on
the southwest quarter of section 15, engaged in farming. He has
held the office of school clerk, and is at this writing clerk of the town
board. He is an industrious farmer and a good citizen.
Coats, Oscar P., was born in Wisconsin, March 31, 1856, and
hved there until October, 1880, when he settled in Dakota. He made
a homestead entry upon the northwest quarter of section 9, in the
town of Clear Lake, and has lived there ever since. He has held
several town and school offices, is a good farraer and a good citizen.
Finney, George H., was born in England, June 22, 1850. He
eraigrated to America in 1860, and lived in Wisconsin, Nebraska and
Colorado, and carae to Dakota in the fall of 1882. He then filed a
pre-emption upon 160 acres of section 5, but exchanged it for 160

968 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

acres of section 3 in Clear Lake, where he. now resides. He has
been school district clerk, constable, and town clerk, and is a re
spected citizen.
Gage, Eugene S., was born in Addison county, Vermont, Au
gust 30, 1836. During his youth he worked on a farra and attended
the district schools. He arrived in this county May 28, 1880, having
previously resided in New York, Illinois and Iowa, and has always
laeen a farraer. He resides on his homestead, the southwest quarter
of section 1 in Clear Lake, which he secured when he first came
here. He has been assessor four years, supervisor of the town
board, and town treasurer for several years. He is a good farraer,
and a good citizen. His son, Luther E., is also engaged in farming
in this county, on quite an extensive scale, although he resides
across the line in Moody county, and during 1898 raised more grain
than probably any other farmer in the county.
Gage, Luther S., was born in Vermont, March 9, 1842, but re
moved with his parents when quite young to New York, and later
reraoved frora there to Illinois and Iowa. During the civil war he
enlisted in the 60th New York Infantry, and after receiving his dis
charge, enlisted in the 15th Illinois regiraent. He came to this
county and settled in Clear Lake on the 14th day of May, 1876. He
took up a horaestead and a tree claira, and from tirae to time since
then has purchased land in Clear Lake and adjoining towns until he
has become one of the largest farmers and land owners in the county.
Three horses and $100 in money, constituted all his worldly posses
sions at the tirae he settled here. He has been chairraan of the town
board of supervisors of Clear Lake, and has held other town offices.
He has taken active part in politics, is an enterprising citizen and
good neig-hbor.
Gage, Winfield Alton Hubbard, was born in New York in
1857; resided there and in Iowa until 1878, at which time he removed
to Dakota and settled in Clear Lake, where he pre-erapted the east
half of the northeast quarter of section 2. He afterwards bought
about one hundred acres of land in sections 5 and 6 in Grand Meadow.
In a postscript, after filHng out a circular sent hira by the writer,
he said: "The above is only a part of my name, but I think this will
do for a county history," Mr. Gage was an industrious, quiet
farmer, a good neighbor and a good citizen, and his death, which oc
curred on the 24th day of December, 1894, was deeply regretted by
all who knew hira. His wife and five children survive him.
Gilmore, James, a native of Ireland, was born February 4,
1829, and lived there until in April, 1873, when he emigrated to the
United States. He lived in Michigan two years, in Iowa four years,
and settled in Minnehaha county in 1878. He took up as a tree claim
the southeast quarter pf section 19, and as a homestead the south
Avest quarter of section 20 in Clear Lake township, where he still re
sides. He has been town supervisor about ten years, and also jus
tice of the peace, and is a good farmer and citizen.
Gilmore, John, was born in Ireland in 1856. He left Belfast
on the 5th day of December, 1881, and came directly to Sioux Falls,

Luther S. Gage.

HISTORY OF Minnehaha county. 971

where he arrived on Christmas day of that year. He secured as a
homestead the southwest quarter of section 19, in Clear Lake, and
still resides there. He has a good farm, and is an industrious, up
right citizen. In 1893 he was assessor of Clear Lake township.
Hanisch, Frank, is a native of Austria, and was born the 9th
day of JanuarA', 1866. He eraig-rated to the United States in 1886,
and has been a resident of this county ever since. He resides on his
farra in the southwest quarter of section 35 in Clear Lake, is a g-ood
farraer and citizen and has been clerk of the school board and as
sessor several years.
Larson, Albert, is a native of Norway, and was born in 1850.
He emigrated to Wisconsin and lived there until he removed to Da
kota. He arrived in this county May 15, 1878, and secured a timber
claim on the northwest quarter of section 4, and a homestead on the
Avest half of the northeast quarter of the same section, in Clear Lake,
and the southAvest quarter of the southeast quarter and the south
east quarter of the southwest quarter of section 33 in Buffalo. He
has been on the town board about ten years, eight years as chairraan,
and has held other offices in Clear Lake. He is a good farraer, a
good neighbor, and an enterprising, respected citizen.
McAvARY, Patrick, a native of Ireland, was born November 1,
1852. He emigrated to the United States in 1873 and resided in
Michig-an and Iowa five years. He carae to Dakota in 1878 and set
tled in this county, filing a homestead upon the northwest quarter of
section 20, in Clear Lake, where he noAv lives, having a good farra.
He has held the office of road supervisor, is an active farraer and a
good citizen.
Staudenmeier, John, a native of Wurtenburg, Germany, was
born in 1826. He eraigrated to this country and lived in Illinois and
Minnesota until 1878, when he carae to Dakota and settled in this
county. He filed a timber claim on the northeast quarter of section
29, and a homestead on the southeast quarter of the sarae section, in
Clear Lake, where he still resides.
Staudenmeier, Jr., John, was born in Minnesota on the 23d
day of June, 1858. He carae with his father to Dakota in 1878 and
took up as a horaestead the north half of the southeast quarter of
section 28, in Clear Lake. He has held several school offices and is a
good citizen.
Willey, Edgar T., was born in Richford, Vermont, on the 4th
day of February, 1859. He was reared on a farm and educated in
the common schools. After stopping temporarily in several states,
he arrived in this county April 1, 1880. He took up land in Taopi
and Clear Lake, and resided in the last named town until he reraoved
to Montrose, McCook county. South Dakota, in 1893. He was con
stable three years and assessor in 1890. He was one of the pioneers
in Clear Lake, and was highly esteeraed by his neighbors.
Williams, Joseph R., is a native of Illinois and was born June
25, 1859. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common
schools. After residing in Wisconsin several years he came to this

972 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY,

county in 1882, and settled in Clear Lake Avhere he secured the south
half of the southwest quarter and the south half of the southeast
quarter of section 5. He has held various town offices, and is a good
farraer, neig-hbor and citizen.
Zimmer, Charles, was born in Minnesota, in 1857, and lived
there until May 26, 1879, when he settled in Minnehaha county. He
filed a homestead upon the northeast quarter of section 28, in Clear
Lake, where he still resides. He has been school district and town
treasurer several years. He is a prosperous farraer and a good
citizen. Zimmer, Xavier, is a native of Germany, and was born May 19,
1852. He eraigrated to the United States and located in Minnesota;
removed to this county in 1878, and took up a homestead and a tim
ber claira on the west half of section 28, in Clear Lake, where he still
resides, and has a good farra with substantial buildings and improve
ments. He has held the office of toAvn supervisor, and is a good
citizen.

HIGHIiAND TO^W^NSHIP.
(104-47)
This township is bounded on the east by the Minnesota state
line, which was surveyed in 1859. The north, south and Avest lines
Avere surveyed in October, 1864, by M. K. Arrastrong, and the subdi
visions by Carl C. P. Meyer in Noveraber, 1864. Its acreage is 15.-
059.20, the surface gently rolling, and the soil g-ood. Pipestone creek
runs diagonally through the north half frora west to east. The first
upon the records of this township is a brief history of its settlement,
from Avhich it appears that it was first settled in 1874. That year Ole
O. Graves, S. J. Rislov, Christopher Benson, David Anderson, Gil
bert E. Lee, and others, settled there. In 1875, J. J. Simenson
located on the northwest quarter of section thirty, and a post office
Avas established at this point, naraed Highland, and Mr. Simenson
Avas appointed postmaster. Iu 1884, Albert Strorarae succeeded Mr.
Simenson and held the office two years when L. A. Grant was ap
pointed and held the office until it was discontinued in 1894. In 1876,
several families were added to the settleraent. In 1880, the name of
Highland was given to the township by a vote of the residents, the
vote standing 33ybr, and one against. At an early date a road called
the stage road went through this township frora east to west, on sec
tions 27, 28, 29 and 30, and Highland can boast of having a hotel
on this road as early as 1877, which was built by C. G. Auley.
The first school was taught by Anna E. Ellefson in a sod house
belonging to Ole O. Graves located on the east half of the northwest
quarter of section 15.
The nearest shipping point is Sherman on the Great Northern
railway line located near the south line. The farmers of this toAvn-
ship are all up to date in their methods of farming, and the fine farra
buildings, school houses and churches are unmistakable proofs of a
prosperous and law-abiding community.
During the spring of 1899 a creamery company was organized in
Highland under the name of Highland Creamery Stock Company.
Its place of business is on the northeast quarter of section 6. In
April, of this "year, a post office was established at this point called
Highland, and Haider T. Bratsberg was appointed postraaster.
GUST. OLSON'S RECOLLECTIONS OF PIONEER DAYS.
Late in the fall of 1877, when the nearest shipping point Avas
Luverne, Minnesota, our inforraant took a load of wheat to that place
by ox-teara, and thinking it would prove interesting reading for those
who have settled here during the new era properly terraed "after

974 history OF minnehaha county.

the railroads" and only have to take an hour's drive to the nearest
railroad station to dispose of a load of grain, we insert his account of
the trip: "I started early in the morning, and when I got there at
night I found there were so many tearas ahead of rae that it seemed
as though I Avent half way to Rock Rapids, Iowa, to get in line. The
teams were taken off, and the loads were moved up by hand. It was
late in the afternoon of the third day before my tum carae to unload.
I had about seven dollars left after paying ray expenses, and re
turned home during- the night in the raidst of a snow storra.
"Job Wood in those days kept a hotel on his farm in section 4 in
Palisade toAvnship, and was also the postmaster. The road was run
ning- by his place, and all the teams hauling wheat from Lake and
Brookings counties, soraetiraes as raany as fifty loads, all in line,
passed this point. On one occasion seven teams frora Brookings
county stopped there, and the drivers asked Mr. Wood if they might
sleep over night in his straw stack, which he told them they could
do. Soon after he informed them that supper was ready, but they
said they had supper of their own with thera. The next raorning he
called them to breakfast, but they replied they had already had their
breakfast. When ready to leave, Mr. Wood helped them hitch up
their teams, and charged thera seventy-five cents each. They re
fused to pay, saying they had only slept in his straw stack. Mr.
Wood replied: 'I ara keeping- a hotel, I had beds for you, I prepared
your supper and breakfast, and it is your fault that you didn't oc
cupy the beds and eat the supper and breakfast I had ready for you.'
He insisted upon payment, and they finally paid the bill, and learned
a good lesson."
RosENDAL Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congrega
tion.— This church organization, Avhich is connected with the Amer
ican Synod of that denomination, was perfected in 1874 by the Rev.
O. O. Sando. It has a good church building on the northeast quarter
of section 28 in Highland. The Rev. O. O. Sando had charge of the
congregation until 1885, and the Rev. H. Aanestad is its present
pastor. It has a membership of one hundred and fifty, and eighty com
municants. In connection Avith the church there is "a parochial week
day school for the religious instruction of the children and young
people of the congregation.
Highland Evangelical Lutheran Church. —This church was
organized on the llth day of February, 1893, with eighteen charter
members. Services were held in school houses until 1895, when an
appropriate church building Avas erected on the northwest corner of
section 17, Avith a seating capacity of two hundred. The cost of this
church was about $1,800, which has all been paid for by its members.
Services are held every third Sunday, and the minister in charge of
the church is the Rev. S. J. Nuraraedal, who has been its pastor
since the organization, except one year, when the Rev. G. O. Skaret
conducted the services about once a raonth. The present raeraber
ship of the church IS one hundred and fourteen. There is also a
Sunday school connected with the church with about fifty scholars,
also a Woraan s Missionary Society.

history of minnehaha county. 975
A Norwegian Lutheran church building was erected in 1884 on
the southeast corner of section 17, but on the 21st day of July, the
sarae year, after having been enclosed, and three services held there
in, the building was blown down during a heavy wind,
Stordal Evangelical Lutheran Church. — This church
belongs to the branch known as Hauge's Evangelical Lutheran
Church of America. It was organized at an early date, but no
church building was erected in this township until 1894. It is located
on the soutliAvest corner of the soutliAvest quarter of section 19, and
cost about $1,500. The following ministers have been in charge:
The Reverends G. L. Graven, C. C. Holter, Chr. C. Moe and O. E.
Mortvedt of Dell Rapids, who is the present pastor. Services are
held every other Sunday. There is a flourishing Sunday school, also
the usual Ladies' Aid societies, the Young Ladies' society being
known as Good Hope.
HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP BOARD.
1881. The first officers elected in Hig-hland township were:
Supervisors, Ransora Walter, Andrew Anderson, Asle K. Wold;
clerk, J. J. Simenson; assessor and poundmaster, S. J. Rislov; treas
urer. Christian Aslesen; justices, Erilc Ellefson and William Walter;
highAvay overseer, A. C. Barnes; constables, E. C. Ronning- and M.
D. Barber. January 3, the board organized by electing Ransom Wal
ter chairman. July 18, a vacancy having occurred in the office of
treasurer, M. D. Barber Avas appointed to fill the vacancy.
1882. January 2, board met at the clerk's office, and organized
by electing Ransora Walter chairraan, the other supervisors were
Asle K. Wold and Christian Aslesen; J. J. Simenson, clerk. At this
meeting the first township warrant was issued to Ransom Walter for
services as supervisor during the preceding year in the sum of
$6.25. 1883. Supervisors, Asle K. Wold chairraan, Severt J. Rislov,
Peter Benson; clerk, J. J. Simenson; assessor, M. D. Barber.
1884. Supervisors, S. J. Rislov chairman, Peter Benson, Em-
brick Olson; clerk, A. J. Strorarae; treasurer, David Anderson; as
sessor, Ole A. Espeseth. June 2, the board met the town boarcl of
Palisade and divided the Avork upon the highAvay on the toAvn line.
June 23, Andrew C. Berg Avas appointed clerk to fill vacancy. Bal
ance in treasury at the end of the year, $71.82.
1885. Supervisors, Ole O. Tofte chairman, Frank W. Royce
and Ole Hermanson; clerk, Gustave A. Grant; treasurer, S. J. Ris
lov; assessor, O. A. Espeseth; justices., Ransora Walter, Ole O.
Graves; constables, E. Ronning, M. D. Barber. At this raeeting a
motion was raade and carried that all elections and public raeetings
should be held at the school house in district No. 45.
1886. Supervisors, P. W. Royce chairraan, S. I. Megard,
Horace Walter; clerk, A. C. Berg; treasurer, S. J. Rislov; assessor,
Ole A. Espeseth; constable. Gust. Olson. May 18, the board estab
lished and ordered opened a highway north and south through the
township one raile east of the west town line. At the end of the fis
cal year there was a balance on hand in the treasury of $143.02.

976 history of minnehaha county.

1887. Supervisors, Horace Walter chairman, S. I. Megard, K.
Knudson; clerk, A. C. Berg; treasurer, S. J. Rislov; assessor, G. A.
Grant; justices, P. W. Royce, Ransom Walter; constables, P. O.
Digre and Gust. Olson. Noveraber 8, G. A. Grant was appointed
clerk to fill vacancy. Balance on hand in treasury, $152.27.
1888. Supervisors, Horace Walter chairman, S. I. Megard,
Knud Knudson; clerk, G. A. Grant; treasurer, L. A. Grant; as
sessor, Ole O. Graves. Twenty-six votes were cast. June 2, the
board met in joint session with the board of Logan and divided work
on highway on the line between the townships. Balance on hand in
treasury, $76.56.
1889. Supervisors, Horace Walter chairman, Peter Benson, P.
Estenson; clerk, G. A. Grant; treasurer, L. A. Grant; assessor, Ole
A. Espeseth; justices. Ransom Walter, Ole O. Graves; constables,
Peder O. Digre, Gust. Olson. Thirty-six votes were cast. March
26, the board met with Jacob Lorentson, county coraraissioner of
Moody county, to settle a site for a county bridge on the county line
across Pipestone creek, and it was agreed that Highland should
build the bridge and when corapleted Moody county should pay one
half of its appraised value. A special town raeeting was called for
May 14, to determine Avhether the township should be resurveyed or
not, and on that date it was decided to resurvey the township by a
vote of thirty-two for to twenty-nine against. Horace Walter was
appointed to receive bids for the survey. July 6, John O. Langness
Avas eraployed to chain the range line, and on the 9th the board en
tered into a contract with John O. Langness to resurvey the town
ship for the sura of $140. On the 21st day .of September a resolu
tion was passed to release the surveyor frora establishing- the section
and quarter section corners on the north boundary line. October 26,
the bill of John O. Langness for $148 for resurveying the township
Avas allowed. At the end of the fiscal year there was a balance in the
treasury of $13.87.
1890. Supervisors, Horace Walter chairraan, Peter Benson,
John C. Berg; clerk, G. A. Grant; treasurer, L. A. Grant; assessor,
Ole O. Graves. There were sixty-eight votes cast. October 2, the
highways, according to the new survey, were declared opened. The
balance of money in treasury at the end of the year was $6.66.
1891. Supervisors, Gust. Olson chairman, John C. Berg, P. O.
Digre; clerk, G. A. Grant; treasurer, L. A. Grant; assessor, Ole O.
Graves; justices, Ransom Walter, Ole Graves; constables, G. E.
Lee, P. O. Digre. Sixty-one votes Avere cast.
1892. Supervisors, O. A. Espeseth chairraan, I. Ellefson, S. I.
Megard; clerk, G. A. Grant; treasurer, L. A. Grant; assessor, Ed-
Avard Olson. Sixty-three votes were cast. April 7, at a special town
meeting it was decided by a vote of twentj^-nineforandone against, to
again survey the township. April 13, a contract was made with
County Surveyor T. M. Patten to survey the township, and his bond
of $1,000 was approved. At the end of the fiscal year there was
$30.28 in the treasury.
1893. Supervisors, A. Wold chairman, I. E. Ellefson, S. I. Me
gard; clerk, G. A. Grant; treasurer, L. A. Grant; assessor, Ole O.

HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY. 977

Graves; justices, Horace Walter and Ole 0. Graves; constables.
Gust. Olson, Ole Estensen. Forty-three votes were cast. March
18, Esten Ronning was appointed constable in the place of Ole Esten
sen, who failed to qualify. May 27, the board met in joint session
with the board of Alliance township in Moody county, and divided
the road work on the highwa}' between the townships. The treas
urer reported a balance on hand in treasury of $20.65.
1894. Supervisors, A. Wold chairman, I. E. Ellefson, S. I.
Megard; clerk, G. A. Grant; treasurer, L. A. Grant; assessor, Ole
O. Graves; constables, Ole Skjellum, Gust. Olson.
1895. Supervisors, Asle Wold chairraan, S. I. Megard, Iver
E. Ellefson; clerk, G. A. Grant; treasurer, S. J. Rislov.
1896. Supervisors, Asle Wold chairraan, A. Sorenson, I. E.
Ellefson; clerk, G. A. Grant; treasurer, S. J. Rislov; assessor, Ole
J. Graves. 1897. Supervisors, I. E. Ellefson chairman, Andrew A. Beira,
John J. Monger; clerk, G. A. Grant; treasurer, S. J. Rislov; as
sessor, Ole J. Graves.
1898. Supervisors, I. E. Ellefson chairman, John J. Monger,
S. I. Megard; clerk, G. A. Grant; treasurer, S. J. Rislov, assessor,
Ole O. Graves.
1899. Supervisors, I. E. Ellefson chairman, Peter Benson,
John J. Monger; clerk, G. A. Grant; treasurer, L. A. Grant; as
sessor, Ole O. Graves; justices, G. A. Grant, Ole O. Graves; con
stables, E. Ronning, G. E. Lee.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Aslesen, Chris, was born in Norway in 1844. When first com
ing to this country he located in Minnesota, and removed to Dakota
in 1878. He then took up a homestead and a tree claim in Highland,
this county, and afterwards purchased 280 acres of land adjacent to
his homestead. He resides on the northwest quarter of section 10.
He has always taken an active part in town and county affairs; was
the first treasurer of Highland after the county had been organized
into townships, then supervisor of the town board, and in 1882 was
elected county commissioner, acting in that capacity until January
11, 1883, when he resigned.
Beim, Andrew Anderson, was born in Norway, Noveraber 14,
1849. He emigrated to the United States and located in Minnesota,
removed from there to Iowa, and came to Dakota in May, 1877. He
took up a homestead on the southeast quarter of section 8 in High
land, where he still resides and has a good farm. He was one of the
first supervisors of the town board of Highland, after the county had
been organized into townships.
Benson, Peter, was born in Norway, January 27, 1839. He
eraigrated to this country, lived in Iowa for sorae time and located in
this county May 26, 1876. He filed a horaestead upon the northwest
quarter of section 3 in Highland, and still resides at that place. He
has held the offices of town supervisor and overseer of highways sev
eral years, and is a prosperous farraer and a good citizen.

978 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY

Berg, Chris. A., was born in Norway in 1830. He emigrated
and lived in Michigan two years, and came to this county in 1874.
He secured the southeast quarter of section 19 where he still re
sides, and also the south half of the northeast quarter of the same
section, and has a fine farra. He is an enterprising farmer and a
good citizen.
BOLSTAD, Ole Thorson, eraigrated to the United States from
NorAvay, and resided in Illinois and Iowa before he carae to Dakota,
where he arrived June 22, 1874. He located in this county, and se
cured a horaestead upon the southeast quarter of section 21 in High
land, where he has since resided, and has a fine farm. He was born
in Deceraber, 1835, and was a soldier in the Norwegian array, but
since coraing- to this country he has been principally engaged in
farraing, and has made a success of it.
Braa, Torres, is a native of Norway, and was born August 3,
1860, He emigrated to Michigan in 1881, and the year following
carae to this county. He first lived in Sverdrup, but later on he
bought the southwest quarter of section 7 in Highland, where he
now resides engaged in farraing, and has a good farm.
Digre, Peter O., Avas bom in Norway, September 30, 1848. He
carae to the United States May 28, 1871, and lived in Kansas until
March, 1874, when he removed to this county. He took up as a
homestead the northwest quarter of section 18 in Highland, where
he still resides with his family and has a good farm. He has been
constable six years, supervisor of the town board one year, and
school director three years. He is a good citizen.
Ellefson, Iver E., was born in Rock county, Illinois, Decem
ber 14, 1851. He lived there and in Iowa until 1874, Avhen he came
to this county. He took up as a homestead the Avest half of the
northwest quarter and the west half of the southAvest quarter of sec
tion 15 in Highland, where he has since resided, and has a good farm.
He has held several town offices, and is at present chairraan of the
toAvn board. He is an enterprising and respected citizen, and a good
neighbor. Elveson, Erick O., is a native of NorAvav, and Avas born Decem
ber 23, 1849. In 1869 he emigrated to this country, stopped in Illi
nois a week and then went to Iowa, where he lived five years. June
22, 1874 he came to this county together Avith S. Rislov and others,
all of whora secured land and became permanent settlers. Mr. Elveson
took up a homestead on the southeast quarter of section 17, where he
still resides; also a tree claim on the northeast quarter of section 20,
and has bought 40 acres of school land, all in Highland. He is a
prosperous farmer, and an esteemed citizen.
Espeseth O. A., came to the United States frora Norway,
where he Avas born February 8, 1849, in the vicinity of the city of
Bergen. He lived in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota be-
io^a u^T P^^^^"^' ^^^'''^ '^^ arrived on the 27th dav of Mav,
1879 He then filed a pre-eraption upon the east half of the north
Avest quarter of spection 27, and the east half of the southeast quarter
of section 22, in Highland, where he resided until 1885

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 979

Gallagher, Patrick, is a native of Ireland, and was born in
1837. He emigrated to America in 1864, and traveled about the
country until in 1875, when he settled in this county. He took up as
a homestead the southeast quarter of section 30, and as a tree claim
the southwest quarter of section 29. He is well-to-do, has a good
farm, and is a good farraer.
Grant, Gustave A., was born in Norway, March 4, 1860. He
einigrated and lived in Marseilles, LaSalle county, Illinois, until
1874, when he came to Dakota. In 1875 he located in Minnehaha
county, and in 1882 filed a pre-eraption on the southwest quarter of
section 10, in Highland. He married a daughter of Ole Tofte, and
resides in section 30, and has a good farm. He is a well-known and
respected citizen, and has held several offices; was town clerk eleven
years, deputy postraaster several years, and assessor.
Grant, L. A., was born in Norway, June 28, 1861. He first re
sided in Illinois, but in 1874 reraoved to this county, and was araong
the first settlers of Highland township. He was appointed post
raaster of Highland postoffice in 1886, and held the office until it was
discontinued, and has also been town and school treasurer for sev
eral years. He resides on the southwest quarter of section 30, has
a good farm, and is a highly esteemed citizen.
Graves, Ole O., was born in Norway September 17, 1847. He
eraigrated and lived in Illinois six raonths, then reraoved to Iowa,
where he resided eighteen years. May 22, 1874, he carae to this
county, and settled in Highland, where he has since resided, and was
one of the first settlers of that town. He took up as a horaestead
the east half of the northwest quarter, and the east half of the south
Avest quarter of section 15, which is now a good farra. He has held
several iraportant town offices, and is a good neighbor, and an up
right citizen.
Lee, Gilbert E., is a native of Norway, and was born July 30,
1848. He emigrated to the United States in 1869 and settled in Wis
consin, and remained there until 1873. In April of that year he
came to this county and during that month took up the southeast
quarter of section 3 in Valley Springs, inaking his filings the last
day the land office was located at Verraillion. This claira he after
wards disposed of, and on the 21st day of June, 1874, removed to
Highland and took up as a horaestead the southwest quarter of sec
tion 34, and as a tree claim the northeast quarter of section
22. Since then he has purchased farm lands so that at this
writing he is the owner of 1,250 acres, quite a large portion of which
adjoins his first entries in Highland. He has a large faraily, and
will have to purchase more land to leave 100 acres for each one of his
children. With such a record it is unnecessary to add that he is in
dustrious and enterprising. He is a good neighbor and a respected
citizen. Megard, Severt L, was born in Norway in 1857. He einigrated
to the United States and lived in Michigan until he removed to Da
kota, where he arrived September 9, 1874. Upon attaining his ma
jority he bought the southeast quarter of section 20 in Highland.

980 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY,

Avhere he now resides, and has a good farra. He has been supervisor
of the town board seven years, and a raeraber of the school board for
several years. He is a good farraer and a respected citizen.
Olson, Gust., is a native of Sweden, and was born January 11,
1848. He eraigrated to the United States and lived in Indiana and
Illinois until he removed to this county, where he arrived on the 27th
day of April, 1876, and has been a well-knoAvn resident of Highland
since then. He filed a pre-emption on the southeast quarter of sec
tion 34, Avhere he resides. He has been a successful farmer, and has
purchased several hundred acres of land adjoining and near to his
horae, which he is farming. He has held the office of constable sev
eral years, and has been chairman of the town board. He is a raan of
raore than ordinary energy and force, is a good neighbor and an hon
est, upright citizen.
Rasmusson, Ole, Avas born in Norway Septeraber 29, 1861. He
eraigrated to the United States in 1879, and settled in Dakota, where
he has since resided. He bought the southwest quarter of section
22, Avhere he resides and has a good farra. He is an enterprising
fanner, and a good citizen.
Rislov, Sever J., is a native of Norway, and was born February
21, 1841. He eraigrated to the United States, and arrived in Ilhnois
August 20, 1864, where he remained two years. He then reraoved to
Iowa, and after having lived there for eight years remoA-ed to High
land, this county, where he arrived on the 22d day of June, 1874. He
took up as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 22, and as a
timber claira the northeast quarter of section 21, where he now re
sides. He has held the office of assessor, and has been chairraan of
the town board of supervisors. When he first carae to this county
quite a colony of people accompanied him, and on the 23d and 24th
days of June, 1876, they took up 2,240 acres of land in Highland.
Among thera were Christopher Benson, Elias Bolstad and Hermund
Opstedahl with their families, also Ole Bolstad, Ole Opstedahl, John
Opstedahl, Erick Elveson and Edward Olson. This colony at once
built three sod houses, one for Benson, one for Opstedahl and one for
S. J. Rislov. At that tirae the only residents in Highland were Ole
(iraves, Iver Ellefson, Gilbert Lee, Ole Knutson" and Ole Tofte.
The northwest quarter of section 28 and the northeast quarter of
section 29 had been taken up by sorae one, Avho after proving up sold
out and left the township. Mr. Rislov at one tirae assessed the town
ship when the snoAv was so deep that he went about on snow-shoes.
He has a good farra, and is greatly respected by his neighbors.
Ronning, Esten, is a natiA'e of Norway, and was born June 24,
1850. He emigrated and lived in Michigan and Wisconsin before lo
cating in Dakota in February, 1878. He filed a pre-emption on the
south half and the northeast quarter of section 5, in Highland, and
has since resided there. He was the first constable in Highland, and
held that office four years, and has been treasurer of his school dis
trict eleven years. He is a good farraer, and a respected citizen.
Skjegstad, Iver C, is a native of Norway, and was born on the
26th day of March, 1838. He emigrated to the United States and
settled m Illinois in 1872, and from there came to Dakota in March,

Gust. Olson.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 983

1874, and to this county on the 5th day of May following. He took
up as a homestead the southwest quarter of section 18, in Highland.
While in Illinois, he worked at his trade — that of a carpenter — and
since coming to this county has done some carpenter work, but farm
ing- has been his principal occupation. He is a good and reliable
citizen. Tofte, Ole, one of the very first settlers of Highland, was born
in Norway, Septeraber 22, 1822. He eraigrated to this country and
lived in Illinois until 1874, when he reraoved to Dakota and located
at Verraillion, but shortly after took up land in Highland. He filed
upon the northwest quarter of section 19, as a horaestead, and upon
the north half of the northeast quarter of the same section as a tree
claira, and noAv has one of the best farras in that town, with very fine
buildings and improvements. He built the first frame house in
Highland, Avhich is still preserved as a ineraento of pioneer days. He
is highly esteemed as a neighbor and citizen, and in 1885 was chair
raan of the tovi'n board of supervisors.
Wold, Asle K., was born in Norway, in 1840. He emigrated
and lived in Illinois until 1875, Avhen he settled in this county. He
took up as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 27, where
he resides, and also OAvns the northeast quarter of section 28, in
Highland. He was one of the first supervisors of the town board
after the toAvnship Avas organized and its chairman three years. He
is a good farmer, and hig-hly respected as a neighbor and citizen.
Walter, Horace, was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania,
January 26, 1854. He lived in Minnesota for several years, and re
moved from there to this county in April, 1876. He took up the
southwest quarter of section 33, and the southeast quarter of section
32, in Highland township, and has a very good farra, with fine ira
proveraents. He has been supervisor of the town board, and four
years its chairman, also justice of the peace. He is an enterprising,
industrious farmer, a good neighbor, and a highly esteemed citizen.
Walter, Ransom, was born in Broome county. New York, No
vember 22, 1840. He received a good coraraon school education, and
when he attained his majority engaged in farming in Pennsylvania,
Iowa and Minnesota. On the 23d day of April, 1876, he carae to this
countv and settled in Highland, taking up the northeast quarter of
section 33, and the northwest quarter of section 34. Subsequently
he purchased the northeast quarter of section 34 and the southeast
quarter of section 28, and was engaged in extensive and successful
farming until in January, 1893, Avhen he sold his farm to Gust. Olson
and Gilbert E. Lee, and reraoved to Jasper, Minnesota, where he
now resides. While a resident of this county he held several offices;
was county commissioner in 1883 and 1884, and was justice of the
peace and chairman of the toAvn board of supervisors in Highland.
He was one of the commissioners who appraised the right-of-way
daraage when the Willraar & Sioux Palls railway coinpany estab
lished its line of road through Minnehaha county. Mr. Walter was
not only a good farraer, but is a man of good judgment, and a highly
respected citizen.

LOGAN TO WINSHIP.
(104-48)
This township is bounded on the north by Lake county, on the
east by Highland, south by Edison, and west by Dell Rapids town
ships. The west line was surveyed by W. J. Neeley in July, 1859.
The north, south and east lines were surveyed in 1864 by M. K.
Armstrong, and the subdivision of the toAvnship Avas made in No
vember that year by the sarae surveyor. It contains 22,904.43 acres
of land. Pipestone creek enters the township near the northwest
corner of section 3 and pursues a southeasterly course, leaving the
township near the southeast corner of section 35. It has four small
tributaries within the township. In the northern portion there are
two mounds of sufficient elevationrto be quite noticeable, from the

Sod House Occupied as Residence by A. H. Semmen
UNTIL 1896.
top of Avhich, with a good glass, quite a number of the cities and vil
lages m Minnesota and South Dakota can be seen. Aside frora these
mounds the surface is almost level, probably the most so of any
township in the county.
Sorae land was taken up in 1872, but the actual settleraent of the
township began in 1873. Rawly Corothers and his two sons WiUiam
and Jaraes, John J. Strorarae, Walter Crisp, Jaines Hart, S. P.
Kringen, John E. Johnson, George L. Wood and John A. Kilness
were among those who settled there during that year. Mr. Coro-

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 985

thers built a plank dAvelling house, cutting plank eig-hteen feet in
length in tAvo pieces, and standing them on end Avith sod on the out
side. The roof was covered Avith boards. The lumber was hauled
frora Worthington, Minnesota. Walter Crisp built the first sod
residence in Log-an on section 8; his son Elmer was the first white
l)oy and Martha Corothers the first white girl born in the township.
In the fall of 1874 a school election was held. Walter Crisp was
elected director, Ed. Hart clerk, and James Hart treasurer. The
board employed James Hart to teach a three months school at his
own house — a sod house twelve by fourteen feet — located on the
northAvest quarter of section 8. There was a stage road running
east and Avest through the township a little south of the center at an
early day, and in 1874 a post office was established on the southeast
corner of section 18. Hiram Harvey was the first postmaster and
he was succeeded by J. E. Johnson. The office reraained there
about four years, when it was reraoved to the southeast corner of the
northeast quarter of section 19, where it remained for about the
same length of time, and was then discontinued. There are some
very enterprising farmers in this township, and Logan has at all
times been quite an important factor in the affairs of the count)'.
LOGAN TOWNSHIP BOARD.
The toAvn officers elected in 1881 were: Supervisors, James
Corothers chairman, John A. Strorarae, Nels Henjura; Allen K.
Harare clerk, Edg-ar Harvey treasurer, John E. Johnson assessor,
Jaraes Hart, Albert J. Strorarae justices of the peace, Geo. L. Wood
constable. August 13 the boar.d raet at Jaines N. Corothers' resi
dence. Edgar Harvey tendered his resignation as treasurer, and
W. H. Harrison was appointed to fill the vacancy.
1 882. Supervisors, Jaraes N. Corothers chairman, John Kil
ness, J. T. Harvey; A. K. Hamre clerk, John E. Johnson assessor,
Charley Betchold tre.asurer, Walter Crisp constable. The first Avar-
rant was issued January 2, 1882, to John E. Johnson for $17, for ser
vices as assessor in 1881. J. T. Harvey having reraoved frora the
township, Ole Mikkelson was appointed supervisor June 3, to fill
vacancy until January 1, 1883.
1883. Supervisors, J. N. Corothers chairraan, Ole Mikkelson,
John A. Kilness; clerk, Allen K. Hamre.
1884. Supervisors, James Hart chairman, Walter Crisp, C.
Hanson; John Strorarae clerk, George L. Wood treasurer, John E.
Johnson assessor, John Hale, Marten O. Heiland constables. At the
annual meeting it was resolved, that all nonresidents of the town
ship hunting prairie chickens with gun and dog should be liable to a
fine of not less than $2, nor raore than $5, for each offense, the raoney
to be used for ptfblic schools in town. Twenty-four votes were cast
at this meeting.
1885. Supervisors, Jaraes Hart chairman, James N. Corothers,
Carehus Hanson; John A. Strorarae clerk, John E. Johnson assessor,
Geo. K. Wood treasurer, Allen K. Hamre, Walter Crisp justices of
the peace, Jens E. Johnson, Myron Guild constables.
1886. Supervisors, James Hart chairraan, W. A. Guild, Jaines

986 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

N. Corothers; Carelius Hanson clerk, Geo. L. Wood treasurer, John
E. Johnson assessor. It Avas raoved and carried that none of the
supervisors hold more than one office at a time.
18S7. Supervisors, James Hart chairman, Jaines N. Corothers,
W. A. Guild; Carelius Hanson clerk, John E. Johnson assessor, Geo.
L. Wood treasurer, Nels Henjura, Walter Crisp justices of the
peace, Jens E. Johnson, Elmer Carr constables.
1888. Supervisors, Jaraes Hart chairraan, Jaraes N. Corothers,
W. A. Guild; Carelius Hanson clerk, P. S. Gordon treasurer, John
E. Johnson assessor, Gary Harvey, Edgar Jarrad constables, Nels
Henjura was elected justice of the peace to fill vacancy.
1889. Supervisors. Jaraes Hart chairraan, Jaraes N. Corothers,
W. A. Guild; Carelius Hanson clerk, P S. Gordon treasurer, John
E. Johnson assessor, W. Merry, Geo. L.Wood justices of the peace,
(xeo. Bapp, Williara Wood constables.
1890. Supervisors, Jaraes N. Corothers chairraan, James Hart,
Albert H. Semmen; Carelius Hanson clerk, P. S. Gordon treasurer,
John E. Johnson assessor, John Hart justice of the peace.
1891. Supervisors, James N. Corothers chairraan, A. H. Sem
men, C. P. Dutcher; Carelius Hanson clerk, P. S. Gordon treasurer,
C. Strorarae assessor, John E. Johnson, John Hart justices of the
peace, Williara Wood, Bruce Hart constables.
1892. Supervisors, James Corothers chairraan, A. H. Semmen,
Geo. L. Wood; Carelius Hanson clerk, P. S. Gordon treasurer, John
E. Johnson assessor, W. Merry justice of the peace. A raotion to
build a town hall Avas defeated.
1893. Supervisors, Jaraes N. Corothers chairman, Geo. L.
Wood, A. H. Semmen; C. Hanson clerk, P. S. Gordon treasurer,
John E. Johnson assessor, W. Merry, John Hart justices of the
peace, M. Corothers, Geo. S. Bapp constables.
1894. Supervisors, James N. Corothers chairraan, A. H. Sem
men, Nels Henjura; clerk, Carelius Hanson; treasurer, M. L. Guild;
assessor, John E. Johnson.
1895. Supervisors, Jaraes N. Corothers chairraan, Wra.
Merry, A. H. Seramen; clerk, C. Hanson; treasurer, M. L. Guild;
assessor, John E. Johnson.
1896. Supervisors, Wm. Merry chairman, B. Hart, Ole Vor-
seth; clerk, C. Crozer; treasurer, M. Guild; assessor, C. Hanson.
1897. Supervisors, J. E. Johnson chairman, Ole Vorseth,
biA'ert Braa; clerk, Hans Johnson; treasurer, M. L. Guild; assessor,
C Hanson. 1898. Supervisors, J. E. Johnson chairraan, Ole Vorseth,
Sivert Braa; clerk, Walter Crisp; treasurer, M. L.'Ouild; assessor,
L-. tlanson. 1899 Supervisors, John E. Johnson chairraan, S. A. Braa, J.
N. Corothers; clerk, Elraer Crisp; treasurer, M. L. Guild; assessor,
^. Hanson; justices of the peace, Geo. L. Wood, M. M. Corothers.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 987

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Bapp, E. S., is a Verraonter by birth, having been born at St.
Albans, Verraont, September 3, 1836. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. D,
llth Heavy Artillery, and served until May, 1865, when he was hon
orably discharged. After having resided in Wisconsin and loAA'a for
some time he became a citizen of this county in June, 1874, when he
took up a homestead on the northeast quarter of section 18, in Logan,
Avhere he has since resided. He is a good farraer, and a respected
citizen. Berg, Ole B., is a native of Norway, and was born August 8,
1854. He emigrated to the United States in 1884, and settled in this
county. -He secured a homestead on the southwest quarter of sec
tion 14, in Logan, Avhere he has since resided, and has added the
northeast quarter of section 22 to his homestead, and has a fine farra.
He is an enterprising farraer, and an esteeraed citizen.
Braa, Andrew S., v.'as born in Norway February 23, 1849; erai
grated to the United States in 1880, and lived in Michigan until in
1882, when he removed to this county. He secured a horaestead on
the northwest quarter of section 1, in Logan, where during the first
few years he lived with his family in a sod house, which is still pre
served as a memento of pioneer days. He has now erected on his
farm a comfortable, two story frame residence, and other buildings
and improvements, and has a very good farm. He has held the
office of school director, is an industrious farmer, and a good citizen.
Bratsburg, Ole H., was born in Norway, September 29, 1836.
He came to the United States in 1871, lived in Illinois three years,
and located in this county May 5, 1874. He secured by pre-eraption
the northeast quarter of section 24, in Logan, where he still resides.
He also owns the southwest quarter of the sarae section, and has a
large, well improved farra, is a prosperous farraer, and a good citi
zen. He has held sorae school offices.
Corothers, James N., son of Rawley Corothers, was born in
Carl county, Indiana, March 18, 1850, was reared on a farra and edu
cated in the common schools. He came to Sioux Palls in 1872, and in
1873, took up land in section 20 in Logan, where he has since resided.
He is a good farmer and has corafortable surroundings. Since the
organization of the township he has held sorae office nearly every
year, and has been the chairman of the town board. He is an honest
man, a good official, and well liked by his neighbors.
Corothers, Mrs. Martha, was born at Jefferson, Montgomery
county, Ohio, August 18, 1826, and carae with her husband, Rawley
Corothers, to Logan, this county, on the 19th day of May, 1873. Mr.
Corothers took up a tree claira and a homestead, and resided there
until his death, which occurred October 2, 1875. The homestead was
located on the southwest quarter of section 20, and Mrs. Corothers
continued to reside there until her death, which occurred February
11, 1898. In the early days her horae was a regular raeeting place.
Rev. Mr. Hill, the pioneer rainister of Dell Rapids, frequently held
services in her house, and she had been a member of the Methodist

988 history of minnehaha county.

Episcopal church since 1841. She Avas a good. Christian woraan
and highly esteeraed by her neighbors. Three sons, one daughter
and several grandchildren survive her.
Crisp, Walter, was born in Long- Stanton, Cambridgeshire,
Eng-land, June 27, 1849. He emigrated to this country and settled in
Wisconsin. May 1, 1873, he came to this county, and secured a
horaestead and a pre-eraption on the southAvest quarter of section 9
and the south east quarter of section 8 in Logan. He built a sod
shanty on section 8, which Avas the first one built in Logan. He
finally built a residence and other farra buildings on the southwest
quarter of section 9, and has one of the finest groves in the county
about his horae, his house being approached frora the highway through
an avenue shaded by large, handsorae trees, and is probably the first
farra in the county having telephone connection. He has now a farra
of 640 acres, and is one of the prosperous farmers of Minnehaha
county. His son Elmer was the first white bov born in Logan. Mr.
Crisp is a prorainent member of the I. O. O. P., and is a charter
member of several organizations of this order. He has held several
toAvn offices, is an active, enterprising citizen, and when the Repub
lican party held conventions, until quite recently he was present,
participating- in the proceedings, and it is not too rauch to say that
he is one of the foremost citizens in the county.
Porebregd, -John, was born in Norway, May 7, 1854. He came
to this country in 1880, liA-ed in Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska and
Mexico, and came to Dakota in 1888. He bought the northwest quar
ter of section 2, in Logan, where he now lives engaged in farming.
(tOrdon, p. S., was born in Grafton, NeAV Hampshire, March 22,
1852. He resided in Illinois, Wisconsin and Texas before coining to
this county in Deceraber, 1885. He resides on section 19 in Logan,
Avhere he has a A'ery neat farra with substantial, handsorae buildings.
He is largely interested in real estate and in sheep raising, and in
1894, in connection with L. W. Roberts, he rented a large ranch near
Wessington Springs, and took a flock of sheep nurabering 1,300 head
to that place. He is an energetic, enterprising business man, and is
a highly respected citizen.
Guild, Myron L., was born in Holden, Worcester county,
Mass., May 25, 1848. When seven years of age he removed with his
parents to the state of New York, and remained there until he Avas
eighteen years old, when they reraoved to Wisconsin. In 1884, he
carae to Dakota, and has been a resident of this county ever since.
He bought and still owns the southeast quarter and the east half of the
southwest quarter of section 7, the southeast quarter of section 17,
and the southwest quarter of section 8, where his residence is located
surrounded by an extensive grove. He has been town treasurer and
director ot the school board several years, and is one of the prorai
nent tanners of Logan township.
^Q^Q^^u^'^¦^S"^ ^" ^^^* ^"^" '" Attleborough, Mass., July 19,
J»IA He resided for several years in Holden, Mass., where he was
married to Emma E. Bolton, January 4, 1842. He moved to Fowler,
St. Lawrence county. New York in 1855, and in 1861 he enlisted in

Walter Crisp.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 991

the 60th N. Y. Vol., Co. P., remaining in service until 1862, when he
was honorably discharged on account of disability. In 1866, he
removed to Lake Mills, Jefferson county, Wisconsin. In 1867 he
joined the I. O. O. P., of which he was an active raeraber, passing
through the different chairs, and reraaining up to the tirae of his
death an honored raeraber of the order. In 1884 he removed to
Logan township, where he was one of its most prorainent citizens,
residing with his son, MA-ron L. Guild, up to the time of his decease,
October 28, 1894.
Hanson, Adolph, was born in Norway, in October, 1857. He
carae to the United States in 1866, with his parents, who lived in
Minnesota eight years, and in 1874 settled in this county, where the
subject of this sketch has since resided. He secured a horaestead
on the northwest quarter of section 23, and a tree claim on the north
east quarter of section 22, in Logan, Avhere he resides, and has a
good farm. He is a respected citizen.
Hart, James, was born in Huntingtonshire, England, August
18, 1842. He emigrated to the United States and resided in New
York, then in Wisconsin, and came from there to this county, June
1, 1873. He pre-empted the northwest quarter of section 8, in Logan,
and in relating his experience on that place in the early days, he
said: "Our house and stable were built of sod with a board lining.
The first two Avinters I did not see a person, except those who came
Avith rae, with one exception. On one occasion three antelopes carae
and looked in at the window of our house. Notwithstanding the
privations we had to suffer, in a great raeasure due to the ravages of
the grasshoppers, we were happy and contented." Mr. Hart was
chairman of the town board of supervisors in Logan for ten con
secutive years, and in the fall of 1892 was elected to the state senate,
where he served his constituency with great fidelity during the ses
sion of the legislature in 1893. He is a successful, prosperous
farraer, and a thoroughly upright citizen.
Henjum, Nels, carae to the United States on his 24th birthday,
having emigrated from Norway, where he was born March 1, 1850.
He went to Fillmore county, Minnesota, remained there a few
months, and in the fall of 1874, located in this county. He took up
as a horaestead the northwest quarter of section 33, in Logan. He
also secured a tree claim, but sold it and bought eighty acres m sec
tion 29, in the same town. He resided on his horaestead until re
cently, when he removed to Blue Earth City, Minn. He Avas one of
the first supervisors of the town board of Logan, and has been a
member of the school board in district No. 36.
Johnson, Fred N., emigrated to the United States from Nor
way, where he Avas born Septeraber 5, 1851. After having lived m
Iowa for one year he came to Dakota and located m this county in
July, 1873, filing a horaestead upon the southeast quarter of section
27, and a tree claim upon the southwest quarter of section 26, and
bought the southwest quarter of section 10, in Logan. He resides
on the tree claim, is a successful farraer and a good citizen, and has
held the office of school director.

992 history of minnehaha county.

Johnson, John E., was born in Norway, Deceraber 22, 1847. He
eraigrated to the United States in 1858, and lived in Iowa and Min
nesota until he settled in this county in June, 1873. He took up as a
horaestead the southeast quarter of section 28, in Logan, where he
resided until his death, which occurred while on the way from his
home to Dell Rapids, October 2, 1894. His wife died three years be
fore, but a faraily of seven children survive thera. He was a thrifty,
Avell-to-do farraer, and engaged largely in sheep raising. He had
been assessor for thirteen years and school district clerk for tweh'e
years, and was a highly respected citizen.
Kilness, John A., is a native of NorAvay, and vvas born Sep
teraber 22, 1846. He eraig-rated to the United States and lived in
Wisconsin and Minnesota until 1873, when he removed to this county
and located on his present farm, which coraprises between four anck
five hundred acres of land in sections 30 and 31 in Logan, and is af
fine farra with good buildings and iraproveraents. He has been
supervisor of the town board two years, is an induslftfious, enter
prising farmer, and a good citizen.
Kringen, Severt P., was bom in NorAA'ay, January 13, 1851.
In 1872 he eraigrated to the United States, and located in this
county, Avhere he the following year took up as a horaestead the
northeast quarter of section 3 in Logan, where he still resides and
has a good farra. He has been director of the school board for
seA'eral years.
Merman, Henry, Avas born in Germany, in 1831. He eraigrated
to this country; lived in Kansas and Wisconsin for some time and
settled in Dakota in 1882. He then bought the southAA'est quarter of
section 4, and the northwest quarter of section 9 in Logan, and lived
there, an industrious farraer and respected citizen, until his death,
which occurred in 1886. His son, Henry Merman, noAV assists his
raother in taking care of the farra, and at the same time attends to
his own farm in Miner county. Mrs. Merman resides on the north
west quarter of section 9.
Merry, William E., was born in Waupacca county, Wisconsin,
March (., 1861. He carae to Dakota October 15, 1873, and entered a
homestead in Miner county, and a tree claim in Moody county. He
afterwards bought the northwest quarter of section 28 in Logan,
where he now resides, and has a good farm. He has been justice
of the peace, and chairraan and supervisor of the town board, is an
enterprising farraer, and a highly esteeraed citizen.
Stromme, John J., has been a resident of the United St:ites
since 1850. He Avas born in Norway Deceraber 16, 1826. After his
coraing to this country he resided in Wisconsin four years, and then
in Minnesota until his coming to Dakota in 1872, when he located on
his present farm the southeast quarter of section 11, He also owned
a timber claira coniprising the northAvest quarter of section 13, which
he disposed of to his son Carl J. Strorarae. He is a good citizen.
^ Stromme, Carl J., Avas born in (xoodhue county, Minnesota,
Septeraber 19, 1856; was reared on a farm and educated in the com
mon schools. On the 2Sth day of March, 1887, he arrived in Logan,
where he pre-erapted the northeast quarter of section 1, and bought

James Hart,

63

George L. Wood.

&

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 997

the northwest quarter of section 13, and resides there. He has held
the office of assessor of the township, is a g-ood neighbor and a re
spected citizen.
Thoreson, Lorentz, is a native of Norway, and was born July
1, 1839. He carae to the United States August 1, 1858, and lived in
Minnesota tvventA'-eight years. In April, 1886, he located in this
county, and bought land in the southeast quarter of section 32 in
Log-an, and the northwest quarter of section 5 in Edison, and is en
gaged in farraing. Noveraber 4, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 3d
Minnesota Infantry, and served until Septeraber 22, 1865, when he
Avas discharged. He is a good farmer and a highly respected citizen.
Wood, George Lester, of Logan, was bom in Jefferson
county, Wisconsin, October 21, 1845. He attended school and
Avorked on a farm until he was twenty-one years of age. For the
next seven years he taught village and county schools. He was mar
ried to Mary E. Hart in 1868. In 1873 he came to Dell Rapids, and
very soon took up a quarter section of land in Logan by pre-eraption,
and afterwards a tree claim and homestead adjoining, and has since
then purchased 80 acres. He now owns the south half of section 5,
the east half of the southeast quarter of section 6, and the northeast
quarter of section 8, inaking in all 560 acres of land. It is a good
farra and he knows how to manage it. In the summer of 1874, he and
his wife went down to Avhere the village of Baltic is now located, and
upon returning- home the same day, found the grasshoppers had
taken possession of his premises and appropriated all he had grow
ing. He then raoved to Dell Rapids and coraraenced keeping the
Alexander House, in which he remained one year and a half, then
took possession of the Dells House and reraained the sarae leng-fh of
tirae. During the fall of 1874, he contracted to teach school in Dell
Rapids for $20 a raonth, and taught five raonths during that fall and
Avinter. He coraraenced school in Albion Thome's dugout, nearly a
raile from the village, but afterwards raoved into what Avas called the
"Joe Irving place" a combination printing office and dwelling house.
This place, however, becarae too cold in the winter, and the school
was raoved into a vacant dwelling house belonging- to Mr. Mann.
During the winter Mr. Wood and his scholars Avould go out and pick
up driftwood and anything they could find to keep the school fires
going. There Avere tAventy-eight to thirty scholars in attendance,
and Mr. Wood says, "the school was made up of the brightest
scholars I ever taught." The grasshoppers attended to his farraing
while he was teaching school and keeping hotel, but Avhen, at the ex
piration of three years, they abandoned the country, he moved back
to his farm, which he has since occupied. When constables were
elected by the county, before the organization of toAvnships, Mr.
Wood was elected constable for four years. In the fall of 1889 he
was elected county commissioner from the second district and served
the full terra of three years. He was a faithful servant upon the
county board, and brought to its deliberations good sound judgraent
and good business ability. He looks as though he was grown araong
the tall pines of Maine, instead of having been reared on the prairie.
He is always good-natured, a good neighbor and a good citizen, and
has a host of friends.

DEIili RAPIDS TOAVNSHIP.
(104-49)
Dell Rapids township is bounded on the north by Moody county,
on the east, south, and west, by Logan, Sverdrup and Burk town
ships. The township lines were surveyed by W. J. Neeley in July,
1859, and the subdivision was made in October, 1864, by Carl C. P.
Meyer. According to the government survey, the township con
tains 23,007.85 acres of land. The Big Sioux river enters the town
ship on the north, about eighty rods west of the northeast corner of
the township, then flows in a southwesterly course to the southwest
corner of section 11, where it turns abruptly and flows for a distance
of two miles in a course nearly due west, thence in a southwesterly
direction, and leaves the township on the southwest quarter of sec
tion 32. According to the original survey there were a few sraall
strearas tributary to the Sioux river having their source in the town
ship. The first settlement was made in 1868 by Ole O. Langness, Gun-
erius Thorapson, and Ole Thorapson, all of whom are still residents
of the township. Rolluf Anderson settled there in 1869. The land,
especially along the banks of the river, was soon taken up by actual
settlers, and some of the finest iraprovements in the county can now
be found upon the farras in this township.
Stordal Evangelical Lutheran Church. — This church was
organized in 1872, and belongs to the branch known as Hauge's Evan
gelical Lutheran Church of Araerica. In 1882, a church building was
erected about two and a half miles south of the city of Dell Rapids,
at a cost of about $1,500. The following ministers have been in
charge: Reverends, G. L. Graven, C. C. Holter, Chr. C. Moe, and
A. O. Mortvedt, who is the present pastor. Services are held every
other Sunday. There is a Sunday school and a Ladies' Aid and Mis
sion Society, also a Young Ladies' Mission Society connected with
the church. DELL RAPIDS TOWNSHIP BOARD.
The records of this township for the first few years are so in
complete that it is impossible to obtain a full list of the township
officials. The supervisors in 1881, Avere Peter Morse chairman, O.
H. Smith and Rolluf Anderson; clerk, M. R. Kenefick; assessor, L.
D. Moran. The first warrant was draAvn in favor L. D. Moran in the
sum of $50 for services as,assessor.
1882. The township was divided into four road districts.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 999

April 17, Albion Thorne resig-ned as assessor and Wm. M. Carr Avas
appointed. It appears from the records that on January 12, 1883,
Rolluf Anderson was chairman of the board.
1883. On the 24th day of February there was a meeting of the
board and R. S. Alexander was chairman. March 10, E. P. Harring
ton Avas appointed constable. The clerk was instructed to procure a
certified copy from the secretary of state of an act passed by the leg
islature amending the charter of the village. April 21, E. T. Sawyer
AA'as appointed supervisor, E. P. Pierce clerk and Rolluf Anderson
assessor. 1884. Supervisors, R. S. Alexander chairman, Ole Thompson,
O. P. Bowles; clerk, E. P.Pierce; assessor, Rolluf Anderson; justice,
John W. Walters; constable, P. M. Thompson.
1885. Supervisors, Rolluf Anderson chairman, O. P. Bowles,
Ole Thorapson; clerk, E. P. Pierce; treasurer, Eistin Eistinson; as
sessor, R. S. Alexander.
1886. Supervisors, O. P. Bowles chairman, Ole Thompson, Ole
Langness; clerk, R. S. Alexander; justices, George T. Fargo, Rol
luf Anderson; assessor, Tollef Anundson. March 17, George T.
Fargo was appointed supervisor in place of Ole Langness who failed
to qualify. 1887. Supervisors, O. P. Bowles chairman, Ole Thorapson,
George T. Fargo; clerk, Rolluf Anderson; treasurer, Eistin Eistin
son; assessor, R. S. Alexander; constable, W. D. Richardson.
1888. Supervisors, O. P. Bowles chairman, Ole Thompson,
E. T. SaAvyer; clerk, Rolluf Anderson; treasurer, Eistin Eistinson;
assessor, R. S. Alexander; justices, J. W. Walters, P. M. Thomp
son; constable, George T. Fargo. March 27, board met and ap
pointed Rolluf Anderson justice in the place of P. M. Thompson AV'ho
did not qualify. June 18, a special meeting AA'as held to determine
whether or not there should be a resurvey of the township, and to
raise a tax of two mills to raeet the expenses of the same. The vote
was 30 for resurvey and 17 against. August 18, the board author
ized O. P. Bowles to employ the county surveyor to make the neAv
survey. 1889. Supervisors, C. L. Thompson chairman, E. T. Sawyer,
Ole Thompson; clerk and justice, Rolluf Anderson; treasurer, Eistin
Eistinson; constables, John W. Walters, W. D. Richardson. The
bill of Surveyor Van AntAverp for $350.85 was presented to the meet
ing and a vote taken upon its being allowed, which resulted in 30
votesybrand 32 against.
1890. Supervisors, C. L. Thompson chairman, Ole Thorapson,
E. T. Sawyer; clerk, Rolluf Anderson; treasurer, Eistin Eistinson;
assessor, Tollef Anundson; justice, J. W. Walters; constable, D. W
Richardson. The board was directed to employ H. J. Austin of
Vermillion, South Dakota, to make a legal resurvey of the township.
March 25, the board, having been inforraed by Mr. Austin:that he
was unable to survey the township for sorae months, voted to post
pone the survey until he could do it. June 24, E. T. Savvyer having
resigned as supervisor, Lorentz Thoreson was appointed. October
28, Surveyor Austin commenced the resurvey of the township. No-

1000 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

A'ember 8, the board settled all the bills arising from the resurA'ey,
amounting to $191.10.
1891. Supervisors, R. S. Alexander chairman, Lorentz Thore
son, Ole Thompson; clerk, Rolluf Anderson; treasurer, Eistin Eistin
son; assessor, Tollef Anundson; constables, W. D. Richardson,
Georg-e T. Fargo. May 16, the board amended by resolution the
record of the proceedings of October 28, 1890, in reference to the re
survey so that it should be coraplete. October 27, the board ap
pointed J. W. Walters chairman of the town board in the place of
R. S. Alexander who had reraoved from the township, and E. P.
Pierce was appointed constable in the place of W. D. Richardson for
the same reason. At the end of the year there was $735.30 in the
treasury. 1892. Supervisors, D. J. Kennedy chairman, Ole Thompson,
Gunerius Thompson; clerk, J. W. Walters; treasurer, P. G. Thomp
son; assessor, Lorentz Thoreson; justices, Rolluf Anderson, Tollef
Anundson; constable, O. M. Landstad. March 29, the board ap
pointed C. L. Thorapson and E. E. Eaton justices, and E. P. Pierce
constable, those elected having failed to qualify. October 1, J. W.
Walters tendered his resignation as clerk, and Rolluf Anderson was
appointed clerk, and W. T. Hill justice.
1893. Supervisors, D. J. Kennedy chairman, E. E. Eaton,
Gunerius Thorapson; clerk, Rolluf Anderson; treasurer, P. G.
Thorapson; assessor, George T. Fargo.
1894. Supervisors, D. J. Kennedy chairraan, P. D. Neister,
Gunerius Thorapson; clerk, Rolluf Anderson; treasurer, P. G.
Thompson; assessor, Elden E. Eaton.
1895. Supervisors, D. J. Kennedy chairman, Gunerius Thorap
son, O. O. Lyng; clerk, W. S. McGill; treasurer, P- G. Thompson;
assessor, Geo. T. Parg-o.
1896. Supervisors, D. J. Kennedy chairman, George Merrv,
O. O. Lyng; clerk, R. E. Muckler; treasurer, E. Eistinson; assessor,
Tollef Anundson.
1897. Supervisors, D. J. Kennedy chairman, O. O. Lyng, Geo.
S. Merry; clerk, E. E. Eaton; treasurer, E. Eistinson; assessor, N.
A. Esteinsen. 1898. Supervisors, Tollef Anundson chairman, George Merry,
O. O. Lyng; clerk, W. S. McGill, resigned September 28, 1898, and
J. J. Mortvedt was appointed to fill vacancy; treasurer, E. Eistinson;
assessor, A. P. Bakken.
1899. Supervisors, Ole Thompson chairraan, George Merrv,
Tollef Anundson; clerk, J. J. Mortvedt; treasurer, P. G. Thorapson;
assessor, Jas. Irving; justice, O. O. Langness; constables, D. H.
Richardson, M. J. Vingness; poundmaster, M. O. Ploren.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Anderson, Rolluf, a native of Norway, was bom May 20, 1842.
He emigrated and located in Wisconsin, but removed from there to
Dakota and located in this county, September 27, 1869. He took up
as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 28, and as a tree
claim the south half of the southeast quarter of section 17, to which

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1001

he added by purchase, and at the tirae of his decease was the owner
of over 500 acres of land in Dell Rapids township. He was clerk of
the town board for seA-eral years, was an enterprising, industrious
fanner, and a highly respected citizen. He died suddenly on his
farm, the 6th day of October, 1898.
, Bakken, A. P., Avas born at Roros, Norway, November 19, 18;i0.
He eraig-rated Avith his parents to the United States in the spring- of
1869, and lived in Goodhue county, Minn., four years. On the 2d daA
of June, 1873, they arrived in this county, and his father, P. J. Bak
ken, secured a horaestead on the southeast quarter of section 3, in
SA'erdrup township, Avhere he still resides. The subject of this
sketch now OAvns the east half of the southAvest quarter of section 33,
in Dell Rapids toAvnship, where he resides engaged in fanning-. He
was assessor of Dell Rapids toAvnship in 1898, is a g-ood farraer and a
g-ood citizen.
Eaton, E. E., AAas born in Illinois, March 4, 1858. He resided
in Iowa a few years and came from there to this county in 1886, and
settled on the northeast quarter of section 7, in Dell Rapids, where
he has since resided. He has held the office of town supervisor and
justice of the peace, and is a good citizen.
Eistinson, Eistin, Avas born in Trondhjem, Norway, in 183 \
and einigrated to the United States and settled in Caluraet, Michi
gan, in 1866. In 1871, he removed to this county, and settled in Dell
Rapids township. He took up a homestead in section 28, and has
now a fine farm of 440 acres Avith substantial buildings and iraprove
raents. He has been town treasurer several years, is a thrifty, well-
to-do farraer, and a respected citizen.
Esteinsen, N. A., was born near the city of Hararaerfest, Nor-
Avav, the most northerly city on the globe, on the 6th day of Decem
ber, 1865. He einigrated to the United States in 1880, and settled
in this county, where he has since resided. When he attained his
raajority he took up a homestead comprising the south half of the
southeast quarter of section 27, in Dell Rapids, where he now re
sides. He held the office of assessor in Dell Rapids toAvnship in
1897, and is an enterprising, good citizen.
Hill, Rev. William T., was born in Illinois, July 23, 1832.
He enlisted in Co, C, 69th Illinois Volunteers, in 1862, and was ap
pointed postraaster for the Confederate prisoners at Carap Douglas,
Chicago, his duty being to exaraine and read all letters received or
sent by thera. After the war he resided in Wisconsin a few years,
and removed from there to this county and settled at Dell Rapids
June 1, 1873. He took up the northwest quarter of section 13, as a
horaestead and secured a tree claim in section 14. He was the first
settler in the eastern portion of Dell Rapids township and m order
to build a house he had to haul the lumber frora Worthington, Min
nesota, and he says: "It was a four days' trip, and the raosquitos
were perfectly awful." He was the first pastor of the h irst Baptist
church at Del'l Rapids, and was the first resident rainister in that
place. During those early days he frequently drove twenty railes in

1002 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

a lumber Avagon to fill his appointments on the Sabbath. Mr. Hill
was an earnest pioneer worker, and is greatly respected as a citizen
and rainister.Kennedy, David J., was born in Canada December 28, 1853.
After coming to the United States he resided in Kansas and Minne
sota, and in 1890 settled in Dell Rapids, purchasing the southwest
quarter of section 13, where he resides. During his short residence
in Dell Rapids he has established a good reputation as a citizen, and
was chairraan of the town board of supervisors from 1892 to 1898.
Landstad, Ole M., was born in Norway in 1851. He emigrated
to Dakota in 1882, and has been a resident of this county ever since.
He bought and still owns 240 acres of land in section 21, in Dell Rap
ids, where he resides and has a good farm. He has been treasurer
of school district No. 8 several years, and is a good citizen. Before
coraing to this country he Avas eight years in the Norwegian cavalry.
Langness, Ole O., is a native of Norway, and was born in 1847.
He emigrated to the United States in 1867, and lived in Minnesota
until the year following-, when he removed to Dakota, and located in
this county, Avhere he has since remained. He took up a homestead
in section 32, in Dell Rapids township, and a tree claim and pre-
eraption in sections 10 and 15 in Logan township. Afterwards he
sold the tree-claira, and bought 80 acres in section 5 in Sverdrup
township, and owns at the present time several hundred acres of
land in this county. He resides on his homestead, which is very
prettily located on the Big Sioux river, and is a fine farm, with fine
building-s. Unlike his brother, John O. Langness, he takes very little
interest in political affairs, but attends strictly to fanning, and is
highly esteemed as a neighbor and citizen.
Merry, Mrs. Margaret, was born in New York in 1824. She
married Lyraan Merry and they came to Dell Rapids in 1873, and
took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 13 in Dell
Rapids. Mr. Merry died in 1878, and Mrs. Merry continued to live
on the farra until 1898, when she also died, survived by tAvo
daughters and a son, who reside in this county, and one son Avho re
sides in Wisconsin. She was a good Christian woman, and greatly
beloved and esteemed by all Avho knew her.
^^^10^;?"^^^°^ ^" ^ ^"" °^ Heinming H. Oien, Avas born in Nor
way in 18/0. He carae to the United States with his parents in 1872,
and to this county in 1874. He has inherited his father's industry,
'x^ 1 ?,^"S^,*e^' and is one of the highly respected young farraers
of Dell Rapids. -/ r- j s
Oien, Heinming H., is a native of Norway, and was bom in 1843.
He eraigrated to the United States in 1872, and resided in Minnesota
two years In 18/4 he carae to this county and settled in Dell
Kapids taking up the southeast quarter of section 25 as a horaestead,
where he has since resided. He now owns 600 acres of farra land in
this county, of Avhich 320 acres are situated in section 25, 120 acres in
section 36 in DeU Rapids, and the balance in the town of Logan. He
has a good farra with good iraproveraents, and is an industrious,
hard-Avorkmg raan, and a good citizen.

Eistin Eistinson and wife.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1005

Sawyer, E. T., is a native of Canada, and was born October 25,
1826. He removed to the United States Avith his parents when a
small lad; was educated in^the comnion schools, and worked on a farra
until he vA'as twentA'-one years of ag-e. He engag-ed in farraing- in
Verraont, Wisconsin and loAva, and came to this county from Iowa
in December, 1874, pre-empting- a quarter section of land in Dell
Rapids, where he has since remained. He has been a raeraber of the
town board several years, and is highly esteemed as a citizen.
Staudenraus, Jacob, Avas born in Germany, October 2, 1832.
He came to Wisconsin in 1866 and lived there until 1877, when he re
raoved to this county. He took up a homestead in sections 11 and 12
in Dell Rapids toAvnship, to Avhich he has since added 240 acres of
land. He has been a successful fanner, lives on his homestead, and
has a good farm.
Thompson, Charles L., Avas born in DelaAvare county, Ohio,
December 20, 1844; reraoved Avith his parents to Wisconsin in 185 ),
and resided there until April 1, 1887. At that tirae he reraoved to
Dakota and located in this county, purchasing the southwest quarter
of section 12 in Dell Rapids for $1,800, on which he erected farra
buildings at a cost of about $1,500. He resided at this place until
in 1894, Avhen he rented the farm and returned to Wisconsin to take
care of the aged parents of his wife. While living in Dell Rapids he
was an active participator in affairs of the town, and Avas elected
chairman of the town board two years. Near the close of the civil
war he enlisted in the military service, and served until August 14,
1865. Mr. Thompson had the confidence of his neighbors and towns
raen, Avho regretted his removal from the state.
Thompson, Gunerius, is a native of Norway, and Avas born
March 7, 1857. He emigrated to the United States Avith his parents,
who settled in Goodhue county, Minnesota, in 1865. In October,
1868, they removed to this county, and settled in Dell Rapids town
ship. The subject of this sketch is now one of the largest and most
successful farmers in Minnehaha county, OAvning 1,028 acres of farm
land in Dell Rapids and Sverdrup. He has been a member of the
town board of supervisors of Dell Rapids township four years, and
is highly esteemed as a neighbor and citizen.
Thompson, Ole, the subject of this sketch, Avas born in Nor
way on the 19th day of August, 1849. He emigrated to the United
States in 1866, and lived in Goodhue county, Minnesota, until he re
raoved to Dakota and settled in this county in 1868; all his posses
sions at that tirae being one pair of oxen and a cow. He secured a
pre-eraption, which he proved up and sold for $600; then filed on 1(.(»
acres as a horaestead, and also took a timber claim. He has one of
the finest farms in the county and owns in all about 700 acres ot land
in Dell Rapids township. He has been a successful farmer, but m
common with other pioneers, has had some discouraging drawbacks
and losses to crops by grasshoppers and hail storms He has been
supervisor of the town board and director of the school boarcl tor
several years. He is one of the raost sturdy and reliable citizens m
the county.

1006

history OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY,

Thompson, P. G., was born in Goodhue county, Minnesota,
June 6, 1868. In the spring of 1869 he came with his parents to this
county, where he has since resided, excej)t in 1888, when he went to
Norway, where he visited his parents' birthplace, and saw a great
deal of the old country. He resides in section 30, Dell Rapids town
ship. In 1892 he vvas elected town treasurer, and by re-elections
held the office for three successive years. He is a good farraer, and
an enterprising and respected citizen.

Railroad Bridge at Dell Rapids.

CITY OF DEIili RAPIDS.

The city of Dell Rapids located on the Big Sioux River, in the
northem part of the county, is one of the raost attractive and sub
stantial cities in the state. Its developraent has been the outgrowth
of a demand for a commercial center in one of the richest agricul
tural sections of the Big Sioux Valley. It fortunately has had no
boom, and hence has escaped the blighting effect that is sure to fol
low such a visitation. Business failures have been few and far be
tween, and dilapidated structures and unoccupied buildings are not
to be seen at Dell Rapids.

Dells on the Sioux River.
In June, 1871, Peter Morse, then a resident of Osage, loAva,
while on an exploring expedition in the Sioux Valley, came to this
point, and, although he was not the first to discover the Dells, he was
the first to seriously consider the natural advantages the place of
fered for the building of a town. He appreciated the fact that the
rich and fertile valley surrounding, would soon become the abode of
thousands of homeseekers; that the Dells of the Sioux river were
picturesque, and that the water power was ample, when harnessed
to the wheels of industry, to aid raaterially in commercial enterprises.

1008 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY

But he needed assistance to secure the prize, and hastening horae,
obtained the co-operation of Frank and Dennis Rice, two brothers,
who were practical raill raen, and also B. D. Graves, and in July fol
lowing, Mr. Morse returned with his three friends to the Dells to
engage in business.
Prior to this tirae pre-emption filings had been made covering
the water power and the present location of the business portion of
the cit}', but Dennis Rice soon secured this by purchase.
A post office was established January 1, 1872, and Albion Thorne
was appointed postraaster. This year Frank Rice coraraenced build
ing a flouring- mill, but in 1874, sold it to Wra. VanEps, who greatly
improved it, and in 1877, built a stone dara across the river in place
of the old dara.
In 1874, a boat was built, which was paid for by subscription,
and a ferry established. The first bridge across the river was built
in 1877, but was carried away by the high water in the spring of
1881. At first the place was known as Dell City, and among the early
enterprises was the publication of the Dell City Joumal by J. C.
Ervin in the spring of 1872. On June 11, of that year, Mr. Ervin was
married to Miss Clara Wyatt, the Rev. C. M. Allen, a Presbyterian
clergymen, perforraing the marriage cermony. Their daughter
Pearl was the first child born in Dell Rapids and the principal busi
ness street was naraed for her.
During the spring of 1872, the settlement rapidly increased. In
May of that year a Union Sabbath School was organized, and existed
for ten years, Avhen the different religious denominations commenced
establishing Sunday schools of their own. In July and August, 1872.
the Baptist and Presbyterian churches were organized, a full historv
of Avhich appears below. The Fourth of July, 1872, was duly cele
brated, and there were ninety-nine persons present.
The first railroad train\eached Dell Rapids on the 17th day of
Septeraber, 1880, and caused great rejoicing. Everything that could
make a noise was brought into requisition to properly celebrate the
occasion; the citizens paraded the streets, and Albion Thorne and R.
S. Alexander made speeches.
Albion Thome put in an appearance Avhere the city of Dell Rap
ids IS now located on the 12th day of August, 1871. Upon being in
terviewed m reference to the early settlement of Dell Rapids, he
said: "The first tirae I was ever at Dell Rapids I found there two
men. Prank Rice and George Forester. They had a sort of habita
tion on the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 9, on
what IS now block N, in the city of Dell Rapids. They had piled up
sorae stones about five feet high, around a space of -about seven feet
square, and had covered the top with poles over Avhich they had
spread a covering of hay. In this hut they had a bed of hav. I
caraped with thera a Aveek. Their cooking roora Avas in front of their
residence, and was as large a kitchen as I ever saw. Prom this time
on, 1 was back and forth frora Beloit, Iowa, until I took ray faraily
there. 1 helped to build two houses in Dell Rapids. The first one
was built where it now stands, on block 22, and it is the only house

Albion Thorne.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. IQll

built m the early days of the city that reraains standing where it
was originally built This house was built by Dennis Rice. It was
a frame house, and the lumber was drawn from LeMars, Iowa The
second house was built for Gilbert Rice on the southwest quaHer of
section 10, but he never occupied it. I moved into it, and lived in it
until May, 1872 E. F. Metcalf lived with me during the winter of
1871. During the fall of that year, Frank and Dennis Rice built a
dam across the Sioux nver, and in the spring of 1872 put up a saw
Now for a little of ray own experiences. I had filed on the south
east quarter of section 4. In March I found that I had to get out of
thehouse I lived m as early as I could, so I borrowed a pair of horses
(1 had a pair of oxen) of a raan by thename of Sorenson, who lived a

• a.  c' --  - bought ^„u
hundred teet, and some windows, and started back. The sun and
wind made me blind, and when I got about five miles west of Luverne
I could not see the road, and I got lost. I had a compass with rae,
frora which I decided what course to take, and I struck the Split
Rock near Sherman about night, and the Sioux river tAvo miles below
Dell Rapids about 10 o'clock at night. Then I knew where I Avas
and I got home at 11 o'clock, and staid in bed for about a week. I
built my house in April. It was 18 by 20 feet. The sides were
built of stone, the gables of logs, and the roof was raade of poles and
covered with sods. I used the luraber I got for window casings and
doors, and I had a. clay floor. I moved my wife, her sister and ray
oldest girl into my house on the 2d day of May, 1872. That night a
shower came up about 8 o'clock, and it rained until 3 o'clock the next
raorning. I had not filled up the crevices between the sods, and it
just poured down through the roof. We stood up and held um
brellas over the beds as much as we could until it stopped raining,
and then we got out. The water had soaked the clay floor, and when
we stepped we went down six inches more or less. We started for
Dennis Rice's house. From my house to the Sioux river it was one
unbroken sheet of water, and from that day to this there has never
been so rauch water there as there was at 3 o'clock that morning
when we got out of our house. In some places it Avas more than
knee-deep, and I had to carry ray folks over where it was deepest. I
afterwards got some Cottonwood lumber frora Elk Point and laid a
floor, fixed up the roof, and went back and lived there. In the spring
of 1872, the water in the Sioux river was very high, and we saw
that we were about to be cut off from the rest of the world. We
had heard there was a boat about three railes down the river, and so
one day — it was Sunday — I got across the river on an ice gorge and
went down to R. S. Alexander's, about two railes south, and got his
team and went for the boat. It was with some difficulty I got it, but
I proraised to pay a dollar a day for its use for seven days. I took
it up opposite to where the city is now, and managed to get it over
the river. In two days the owner came for it, and then we were in
trouble, but we bought it for seven dollars, and it took all the raoney

1012 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

there was in the settlement to pay for it. It was the only means we
had of crossing the river for two years. Knut Nelson raade the first
filing on land within the present city liraits on the south half of sec
tion 9, but he abandoned it and then Cash Coats filed on the sarae
land, and he sold out to Dennis Rice.
The families of Dennis Rice and myself, and E. P. Metcalf, who
boarded with rae, coraprised the whole population that spent the
winter of 1871-2 within the present liraits of the city of Dell Rapids.
R. S. Alexander and faraily lived about two railes south during this
winter, they having- moved there the fall preceding.
To Peter Morse belong-s the honor of first deciding to locate at
Dell Rapids. He was at the Dells in June, 1871, and it was he who
first induced the Rice brothers, B. D. Graves and others to corae
there. I was the first postmaster, and the first raail carrier Avas
Lewis Hulitt, Avho coramenced his services on January 1, 1872. He
used to carry the mail afoot, on horseback or in one of the raost
primitive "pungs" you ever saw, just as the weather and traveling
rendered it the most feasible.
Thomas H. Davis, W. P. Gifford, James Nisbet, Peter Morse,
Williara Carr, Alonzo Mann, John W, Walters, Augustus Chase,
James Chase and Daniel Jones came to Dell Rapids and took up land
in the vicinity, in the spring of 1872. About this tirae O. J. Metcalf
and E. F. Metcalf came with their families.
Right here is a good place for a little inside history.
The Rice brothers were mill raen, and Avhat they meant to do
was to get an interest in the water power at Sioux Palls, so as to
control it, and then build mills at Dell Rapids and boom the town
with the hope of raaking it the county seat. But it didn't work.
Early in 1872 there began a strife as to where the town should be
built, which lasted three years. The first plat was made bv Dennis
Rice on the south half of the south half of section 9; the second by
E. P. Metcalf on the southwest quarter of section 10; the third by
Peter Morse on the northwest quarter of section 10, and the fourth
by J. C. Ervin on the north half of the south half of section 9. It
was a merry war. They all wanted the business portion built
on their land. The first store was built on the southeast
corner of the northeast quarter of section 9, early in 1872, and
was occupied by B. D. Graves, who had located " on the north
east quarter of section 9. It is a raistake that is often raade
by sorae of the early settlers of Dell Rapids in locating the
first store near the mill. I worked on the first store building.
lhe store by the mill site, built by Mr. Cowan, who afterwards shot
hiraself, Avas the second store building erected in Dell Rapids.
While speaking of stores, there was a double store built near the
mill in 18/3, and J. C. Graves and a Mr. Lukins occupied one side
for a hardware store, and John E. Hulitt the other side for a gen
eral store, and he resided in a wing of the building. The sarae year
a raan by the narae of Stone built a blacksraith shop nearly opposite
the stores. The same year Peter Morse induced Dr. Parker, Elder
Hill, Alonzo Mann and my mother to build on his land. After about
three years ot this kind of work a comproraise was effected, and the

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1013

buildings near the mill site were moved to the present location of the
city. Well, I think you have got something of an idea about the in
fancy of Dell Rapids. I could give you a good many things that were
events in our early settleraent, but they would be similar to the ex
perience of all new towns, and interesting perhaps only to the par
ticipants." DELL RAPIDS VILLAGE AND CITY ORGANIZATION.
The first meeting of the board of trustees of the village of Dell
Rapids was held March 24, 1879. The following officers were pres
ent and qualified according to law: J. R. Richardson president,
W. C. Putnara clerk, G. A. Uline treasurer, B. D. Graves, I. A.
Angel, W. E. Grossman and O. H. Smith trustees. On raotion the
following resolution Avas adopted: Resolved, That the bonds of the
treasurer and clerk be fixed at the following amounts: Treasurer
$500 and clerk $250. The meeting then adjourned. The next meet
ing was held March 27, and the following officers were appointed:
L. S. Winsor poundmaster and raarshal, G. A. Angel fire warden,
Thomas Lyons street commissioner, J. R. Richardson chief of fire
department. Albion Thorne was requested to act as attorney for
the ensuing year. April 9, the license on liquor was fixed at one
hundred dollars. At this raeeting a board of health was appointed,
consisting of the president, B. D. Graves, and I. A. Angel. To
obviate the danger from prairie fires, fire guards were ordered to
be raade around the village, at A-arious tiraes during the fall of 1879.
November 4, J. A. Martin was appointed trustee to take the place
of B. D. Graves. The village purchased of Albion Thorne, part of
the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 4, toAvn-
ship 104, range 49 for a cemetery for $164.69. A calaboose was
ordered built. A bridge was also ordered built across the Rocky
Run where the territorial road crossed the creek, and December 2
the abutments were finished and grading begun.
1880. March 2, Mr. Grossman not being present at the meet
ing was fined one dollar for non-attendance. April 7, C. S. Gif
ford was elected marshal, L. N. Loomis clerk, and E. A. Ervin
street commissioner. Albion Thorne was retained by the board as
attorney for the ensuing year at a salary of $75. October 26, a
resolution was passed authorizing the president and clerk of the
village to issue village bonds to the amount of $10,000, with three
years bonded interest at seven per cent, in favor of the Southern
Minnesota Railway Extension Corapany on corapletion of their agree
ment to run trains to Dell Rapids, and in accordance with a vote of
the village at a special election held September 10. January 4, 1881,
on raotion of Wra. Lovering it was ordered to appoint a coraraittee
to see about procuring a lot for the Methodist church, in payraent
for the one spoiled by the railroad company.
1 88 1 . At the election held March 1, the following officers were
elected: president, G. A. UHne; trustees, O. H. Smith, J. A.
Martin, C. S. Gifford, George Hayward; clerk, L. N Loorais; treas
urer H A. Cadd. Total number of votes cast 102. April 8, the

1014 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

committee, after an investigation of the damage done to the Metho
dist church lot by the railroad, reported that they considered $65 a
sufficient' remuneration. In the spring of 1881, the high water car
ried away the bridge. D. S. Stinson then, by contract with the
board, built and operated a ferry-boat, charging five cents for foot
passengers and ten cents for teams. June 27, the committee ap
pointed for the purpose reported that they had "hired a bridge built
by^Irving 'Angstead across the Sioux river for $350." The bridge
Avas paid for by subscription. December 6, L. N. Loomis resigned
as clerk of the board and J. H. Hall was appointed. March 28, 1882,
A. J. Bolster was made village clerk.
1882. "June 6, the special committee appointed to examine the
fiscal affairs and financial standing of the \'illage reported their in
ability to discharge their duties and were discharged." J. H. Hall
was appointed as village attorney for the ensuing year at a salary of
$35. January 2, 1883, A. J. Bolster presented his resignation as
clerk of the village and Albion Thorne was appointed.
1 883. At the village election held March 6, the whole number
of votes cast were 100. The following officers Avere elected: presi
dent, C. S. Gifford; trustees, G. H. Johnson, I. N. Lucas, Ebert
Wilde, George Whitman; M. R. Kenefick justice of the peace, Al
bion Thorne, clerk, G. J. Johnson treasurer.
1884. At the village election, the total number of A-otes cast were
107. The following officers were elected: president, C. S. Gifford;
trustees, Ebert Wilde, R. W. Howland, O. O. Sawyer and B. D.
Graves; clerk, Albion Thorne; treasurer, G. H. Johnson; justice of
the peace, L. C. Harrington; constable, J. J. Heyl; assessor, O. O.
Sawyer. Ebert Wilde refused to qualify as trustee and M. R.
Kenefick was appointed in his stead. At a special election held June
17, it was voted to issue bonds for $5,000 for the purpose of procur
ing fire engines and suitable protection against fire. Total number
of votes cast 60, for bonds 53. October 7, Mr. Graves resigned and
Walter E. Grossman was appointed trustee. The sarae month it was
ordered to purchase a fire engine, hose cart and 800 feet of hose.
1885. President, M. R. Kenefick; trustees, W. E. Grossman,
I. N. Neher, W. L. Briley and R. W. Howland; clerk, Albion
Thorne: treasurer, J. A. Cooley; assessor, O. O. Sawyer. 169 votes
Avere cast for president, Mr. Kenefick receiving 168. The building
comraittee reported that a contract had been made with Albion
Thorne to build an engine house and cistern according to specifica
tions for $1,800 in village bonds. The contract was signed Novem
ber 10th, 1884. Albion Thorne was employed as village attorney at
a salary of seventy-five dollars.
1886. President, R. W. Howland; trustees, O. O. Sawyer, I.
N. Neher, J. A. Cooley and C. S. Gifford; clerk, Albion Thorne;
treasurer, G. H. Johnson; justice of the peace, L. H. Burk; consta
ble, E. Hoag; assessor, Fergus Thompson. Mr. Gifford refusing to
qualify, W. D. Keller was appointed trustee in his stead. Mr. Kel
ler also refusing to qualify, S. P. Peters was appointed trustee. S.
H. Burk refusing to qualify for justice of the peace, O. H. Sraith was
appointed by the board. Fergus Thompson also failed to qualify as

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1015

assessor and O. O. SaAvyer was appointed to fill the vacancy. April
24, 1886, Mr. Neher resigned and W. D. Keller was appointed trus
tee to fill the vacancy.
1887. President, C. S. Gifford; trustees, Peter Morse, W. D.
Keller, I. N. Neher and E. J. Elliott; clerk, E. E. Griswold; treas
urer, G. H. Johnson; justice of the peace, L. C. Harrington; con
stable, D. C. Ward; assessor, H. Noble. May 24, a comraittee Avas
appointed to ascertain the cost of street lamps, and three lamps were
purchased in June and placed, one at the southeast corner of La
Delle and Pearl, one at the northwest corner of Orleans and Pearl
and one at the northwest comer of Orleans and Main streets.
1888. President, G. H. Johnson; trustees, J. A. Cooley, J. E.
Fargo, N. J. Hartman and M. W. Griswold; clerk, Albion Thorne;
treasurer, E. J. Elliot; assessor, H. Noble; justice of the peace, S.
H. Burk; constable, E. Hoag. Nuraber of votes cast, 222-
CITY OF DELL RAPIDS.
Upon a petition of the required nuraber of qualified electors
of the village of Dell Rapids a special election was called for Decera
ber 13, 1888, to determine the question whether the village should
become a city under the general law. The election was held and 134
ballots were cast, of which 126 were for city organization.
1889. A special election was held January 8, 1889, for the elec
tion of city officers Avhich resulted as follows: Mayor, E. J. Elliot,
aldermen, J. A. Cooley, Wm. Williamson, W. J. Sibbison, O. H.
Smith, G. A. Willard and G. A. Uline; treasurer, M. R. Kenefick;
justice of the peace, S. H. Burk. Number of votes cast 183.
At this date the financial standing of Dell Rapids Avas as follows:
Total liabilities  $21,621.16
Total resources   -¦  9,423.40
The first raeeting of the city council was held January 11, 1889.
Albion Thorne was appointed auditor. The rules and regulations
governing the village of Dell Rapids were adopted until such time as
city ordinances could be passed. H. S. Samson was appointed chief
of poUce January 25. April 1, 1889, the first annual election of city
officers was held and resulted as follows: Total number of votes
cast, 1st ward 38, 2d ward 76 and 3d ward 48, Mayor, E. J. Elliot:
treasurer, M. R. Kenefick; justice of the peace, L. C Harrington;
alderraan, 1st ward, G. E. Bowennan. J. C. Brodie; 2d ward, G. H.
Sraith, W. J. Sibbison; 3d ward M. W. Griswold, Jerry Law. In
October at a special election E. S. Tresidder and Jaraes H. Bishop
were elected aldermen to fill vacancies caused by the removal ot J.
C. Brodie from the city and the resignation of Mr. Griswold.
1890. Mayor, M. R. Kenefick; L. C. Harrington pohce justice,
S. P. Peters justice of the peace, E. J. Elliot treasurer; aldermen,
1st ward, N. I. Nelson, E. S. Tresidder; 2d ward, O O Sawyer, R.
A. Knight; 3d ward, W. L. Briley, C. J. Johnson. Number of votes
cast fo? mayor 172. At the first meeting of the counci under the
law of the first legislature of the State of South Dakota in 1890,
Albion Thorne Avas appointed city auditor and Henry Robertson city

1016 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
attorney. January 5, 1891, the raayor appointed G. R. Krause city
auditor, Mr. Thorne having reraoved to Sioux Palls.
1891. Mayor, M. R. Kenefick; alderraen, 1st ward, N. S. Nel
son, E. S. Tresidder; 2d ward, O. O. Sawyer, R. A. Knight; 3d ward,
W. L. Briley, G. J. Johnson; E. J. Elliot treasurer, S. P. Peters
justice of the peace, L. C. Harrington police justice, G. R. Krause
auditor, R. W. Hobart city attorney, L. C. Harrington assessor, E.
T. SaAvyer chief of police and street coraraissioner. Dr. O. O. Sawyer
health officer.
1892. Mayor, M. R. Kenefick; alderman, 1st ward, M. S. Well-
raan, E. S. Tresidder; 2d ward, T. S. Galbraith, R. A. Knight; 3d
ward, W. L. Briley, C. J. Johnson; M. A. Dieson treasurer, S. P.
Peters city justice, L. C. Harrington police justice, G. R. Krause
auditor, Henry Robertson city attorney, L. C. Harrington assessor,
E. T. Sawyer chief of police, S. P. Peters street coraraissioner. Dr.
Parker health officer.
1893. Mayor, M. R. Kenefick; aldermen, 1st ward, E. S. Tre
sidder, M. S. Wellman; 2d ward, R. A. Knight, T. S. Galbraith; 3d
ward, W. L. Briley, C. J. Johnson; M. A. Dieson treasurer, S. P.
Peters justice of the peace, Clinton DeWitt police justice, G. R.
Krause auditor, Henry Robertson attorney, R. W. Hobart assessor,
J. M. Griswold chief of pohce, S. P. Peters street commissioner.
Dr. Parker health officer.
1894. Mayor, O. H. Smith; alderraen, 1st ward, B. R. Bentson,
(resigned in October and succeeded by H. Lampman) E. S. Tre
sidder; 2d ward, T. S. Galbraith, R. A. Knight; 3d ward, C. J.
Johnson, W. L. Briley; M. A. Dieson treasurer, I. E. Ewen city jus
tice (resigned in October, succeeded by J. E. Fargo), C. DeWitt
police justice, P. W. Rathraan auditor (resigned in October suc
ceeded by W. J. Crisp), R. W. Hobart attorney, V. A. Potter
assessor, H. Farrand chief of police, John McDonald street com
missioner. Dr. A. S. Bergh health officer.
1895. Mayor, O. H. Smith; alderman, 1st ward, H. Lampman,
G. A. Galloway; 2d ward, T. S. Galbraith, J. G. Meldrura; 3d ward,
C. J. Johnson, J. T. Maule; M. A. Dieson treasurer, J. E. Fargo jus-
^''^xf t^^P^f'^e' C. DeWitt pohce justice, W. J. Crisp auditor,
K. W. Hobart attorney, H. Noble assessor, H. Farrand chief , of
police, Halver Halverson street commissioner, Dr, O O Sawyer
health officer. -'
1896. Mayor, O. H. Smith; alderraen, 1st ward, G. A. Gallo
way Henry Larapra an; 2d ward, J. G. Meldrura, T. S. Galbraith; 3d
ward C^ J Johnson, J. T. Maule; treasurer, M. A. Dieson; city 'jus
tice, J. E. Fargo; police justice, C. DeWitt; auditor, G. R. Krause;
attorney, Henry Robertson; assessor, A. R. Sullivan; chief of police,
W. G. Lund; street commissioner, E. Paulson; health officer, D. W.
Evans. ^?^n ^"f^^""' ^•^¦^™'^^' aldermen, 1st ward, Henry Lamp-
man, J. G Meldrura, O. P. Bowles; 2d ward, T. S. Galbraith, S. P.
Peters; 3d ward C. J. Johnson, J. T. Maule; city justice, J. E.
Fargo; police justice, C. DeWitt; chief of police, wf G. Lund; attor
ney, Henry Robertson; auditor, P. W. Dougherty; treasurer, M. A.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1017

Dieson; asssessor, G. R. Krause; street coraraissioner, E. Paulson;
health officer, D. W. Evans.
^ 1898. Mayor, E. J. Elliot; aldermen, 1st Avard, J. G. Meldrura,
W. M. Henderson; 2d ward, S. P. Peters, Ole Paulson; 3d ward,
C. J. Johnson, J. T. Maule; city justice, H. Noble; police justice,
W. S. Catlin; chief of police, Gunder Olson; auditor, D. E. Ward;
treasurer, M. A. Dieson; assessor, G. E. Bowennan; street commis
sioner, C. T. Bryant; health officer. Dr. Hofflund.
1899. Mayor, E. J. Elliot; aldermen, 1st ward, W. M. Hender
son, O. E. Shattuck, A. Nielson; 2d Avard, S. P. Peters, Ole Paulson;
3d AA^ard, C. J. Johnson, J. T. Maule; city justice, H. Noble; police
justice, W. S. Catlin; chief of police, Gunder Olson; auditor, D. E.
Ward; treasurer, M. A. Dieson; assessor, G. E. Bowennan; street
commissioner, C. T. Bryant; health officer. Dr. Hofflund.
SCHOOLS.
The first school meeting of district No. 12, was held at the
store of B. D. Graves, in Dell Rapids, November 8, 1873. The fol
lowing officers were elected: John E. Hoyt director, B. D. Graves
clerk, Peter Morse treasurer. It Avas voted that the board provide
a suitable roora, fuel and furniture, and employ a teacher for a three
months terra of school.
In accordance with instructions. Miss E. Juanita Alexander was
employed at $20 per month. A contract was made Avith Mr. P.
Morse to rent the house of Mr. Mann at $6 per month. Luraber for
seats and other things were furnished b}' B. D. Graves and Peter
Morse, and it was agreed by the board that the district should pay
for sarae. A stove and pipe was purchased of Mr. J. W. CoAvan for
$21.80, and an order given in payraent with interest at 10 per cent, if
not paid when due.
At a meeting held August 4, 1874, Mr. Peter Morse offered to
give a perpetual lease of a tract of land, as long as it should be used
for school purposes, eight rods square, situated on next corner east
of Mr. Thome's house as platted. This proposition was accepted
and the board was authorized to build a school house of luraber, to
be not less than 18 by 22, nine feet high at the eaves, but delays oc
curred and it was not built during that year. George L. Wood was
engaged and taught a term of three months at $20 per raonth, in the
building which had previously been used as a school roora. Sep
tember 5, 1874, the annual school meeting was held and R. S. Alex
ander was elected director, Albion Thorne treasurer and B. D.
Graves clerk.
The annual school meeting September 4, 1875, was held at the
house of B. D. Graves. R. S. Alexander was re-elected director,
Peter Morse treasurer and B. D. Graves clerk. No business was
transacted at this meeting, Avhich adjourned until Septeraber 20.
The following then appears on the record: "Pursuant to notice no
body met on Mondav, the 20th day of September, consequently no
business was transacted. B. D. Graves clerk." The next meeting
was held November 20, 1875, and it was resolved to rent the store
room of B. D. Graves for school purposes at a rental of $18 for the

1018 history of MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

winter term, and to engag-e Mr. M. C. Graves to teach a three months
term at $20 per raonth.
In June, 1876, a notice of a special election was given, to be held
at the store of M. C. Lyon on Thursday, June 15, for the purpose of
again raaking arrangeraents for building a school house and relocat
ing a site. The committee appointed to locate a site, selected lots 7,
8 and 9, block 42, of the original plat of Dell Rapids, but nothing
further was done until the annual meeting in September, when Dr.
Wm. B. Parker was elected director. The new board awarded the
contract for building the school house to Wra. H. McCune for the
sura of $565.59. M. C. Graves Avas engaged to teach the winter term
of four raonths school at $25 per raonth, to begin December 4, 1876.
The school house was finished during the ensuing fall.
The next annual meeting was held April 3, 1877. J. W. Walters
Avas elected district clerk. The nuraber of children of school age
residing in the district for the year ending March 31, 1877, was fifty-
four. At the annual raeeting held April 2, 1878, G. A. Uline was
elected treasurer, and it was voted to have nine months of school
during the ensuing year. Miss E. C. LeClere was engaged for three
months at $30 per month. In the fall of 1878, John P. Seaman was
engag-ed for a term of three months, at $35 per month. Mr. Seaman
Avas also retained for the winter term at the sarae salary. The as
sessed valuation of school district No. 12, for the year 1879, was
$35,709. April 1, 1879, J. R. Richardson was elected director. The nura
ber of schoolchildren residingin the districtfor the year ending March
31, 1879, was fifty-two. J. W. Walters clerk, G. A. Uline treasurer
holding over. Assessed valuation of the district for 1880 was
$62,000. At a special raeeting in the spring of 1880, for the purpose of
providing additional school room, it was decided to raise the school
house eight feet and build a stairAvay. The contract for the work
was given to M. P. Lower October 1, 1880, for $583.25.
At the annual raeeting April 5, 1881, G. A. UHne was elected
treasurer and M. R. Kenefick clerk.
At the annual meeting in 1882 J. R. Richardson Avas elected di
rector. March 9, 1883, the act organizing the independent school district
of Dell Rapids was approved. The following members of the board
of education were appointed: M. R. Kenefick, I. N. Neher, G. A.
Uline, George Whitman and J. R. Richardson. The board organ
ized by electing George Whitman president, G. A. Uline treasurer,
\^,i-^^'^r^^ Thorne clerk. April 24, Mr. Richardson resigned and
Albion Thorne was appointed to fill vacancy.
(No record of raerabers elected in 1884).
In 1884 the school house was blown down during a heavy wind,
and the Episcopal hall Avas rented for school purposes until a school
house could be built. A committee was appointed to exaraine loca
tion tor a site, and a special election was called on August 12, for the
purpose of deterrammg whether bonds should be issued for building

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1019

a school house, and whether it should be built of wood, brick or
stone. The result of this election Avas in favor of issuing bonds not
to exceed $8,000.
In 1885, Henry A. Cadd, A. C. Folsom, M. R. Kenefick and G.
A. Uline Avere elected members of the board. The Episcopal hall
was rented for a school roora during- this year also. After April 27,
1885, the Baptist church Avas rented at a rental of $11 per month.
Bonds Avere issued to the amount of $7,000 in the spring of 1885.
Plans were drawn by W. L. Dow, and he was employed to superin
tend the building, and the contract AA-as awarded to J. Kays & Co.
for $5,722.50. The building Avas erected on lots 7 and 8, block 42,
during the summer of 1885, and is still standing-, a handsorae stone
building of tAVO stories, containing four school rooms and recitation
roora. In 1886 the members of the board for 1885 were re-elected.
In 1887, the following Avere elected raerabers of the board: J. A.
Stanfield, Wm. Barr, L. C. Harrington, Albion Thorne and M. R.
Kenefick. In the fall of 1887 a bell, weighing 396 pounds, at a cost
of $37 was placed in position.
The tAVO new members for 1888 Avere W. A. Eppard and Albion
Thorne; Messrs. Harrington, Barr and Stanfield holding- over. In
the fall of 1888, four teachers were found necessary in place of the
three previously employed.
In 1889, Henry Cadd, O. H. Smith, E. J. Elliot, W. A. Eppard
and Albion Thorne composed the board. In April, 1889, lot 3, in
block 42, adjacent to school grounds was purchased for $290, and lot
4, same block, for $250.
The two new members for 1890 were M. R. Kenefick and Albion
Thorne. The members for 1891 were E. J. Elliott, John McDonald and C.
J. Johnson, Mr. Kenefick holding over. Albion Thorne resigned
and O. O. Sawyer was appointed to fill vacancy and was also elected
treasurer; C. J. Johnson Avas elected president, C. E. Sutton prin
cipal. 1892. The members were O. H. Sraith and John McDonald,
C. J. Johnson president, E. J. Elliot treasurer, W. I. Howland sec
retary, L. E. Goodwin principal.
1893. The members were O. H. Smith and R. Sirapson, W. I.
Howland president, Jaraes Ridlington treasurer, O. O. Sawyer clerk,
L. E. Goodwin principal.
1894. The members were E. C. Bent and R. Simpson, W. 1.
Howland president, James Ridlington treasurer, O. O. Sawyer clerk,
L. E. Goodwin principal. no- t
1895 The raerabers were Jaraes Ridhngton, R. Simpson, J.
E Fargo Will S. Catlin, M. S. Wellman and O. O. Sawyer; E. C.
Bent president, G. E. Bowerman treasurer, L. K. Larson clerk, L.
E. Goodwin principal. , ^ t^ t^ /
1896 President, E. C. Bent; clerk, G. E. Bowerraan, (re
signed, and P. H. Dougherty was elected to fill vacancy); treasurer,
LrK. Larson; principal, E. M. Green. ^ ^ ^^^ ^ , , .
1897. President, E. C. Bent; clerk, P. W. Dougherty; treas
urer, L. K. Larson; principal, E. M. Green.

1020 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

1898. President, E. C. Bent; clerk, P. W. Dougherty; treas
urer, L. K. Larson; principal, E. M. Green.
1899. President, E. J. Engelson; clerk, C. H. Muckler; treas
urer, L. K. Larson; principal, J. E. Tschantz.
CHURCHES.
First Baptist Church. — On the 21st day of July, 1872, seven
teen persons in Dell Rapids carae together for the purpose of organ
izing a Baptist church. The Rev. Alvah Bush of Osage, Iowa, was
elected chairraan of the meeting and J. I. Sweeney clerk, and such
proceedings were had in the way of organization that the body cre
ated was on the 1st day of September following recognized by the
proper authorities as the the First Baptist Church of Dell Rapids.
Meetings were held in the school house, with occasional preaching
by Revs. J. W. Freeman and Bush, until the 29th day of June, 1873,
Avhen the Rev. W. T. Hill was called to the permanent pastorage of
the church. Mr. Hill remained in charge until 1879. May 1, 1879,
the church extended an invitation to the Rev. J. P. Merriam to be
corae its pastor, which invitation was accepted; the arrangeraent be
ing made that he should preach at Dell Rapids every other Sunday.
At the end of his first year he resigned. January 6, 1881, the Rev.
J. Edminster was engaged for one year, and had charge of the church
until February 4, 1882, when the Rev. S. G. Adaras of Wisconsin
was called, and reraained in Dell Rapids as pastor of the church for
five years, when he resigned. The Rev. Ira Kneeland was the next
pastor frora the first day of June, 1887, to October, 1888, when he
was called to take charge of a church in NeAV York. On the 1st day
of January, 1889, the Rev. J. P. Coffraan took charge of the church,
and reraained until December 3, 1891, at which time he removed to
Sioux Palls. January 1, 1892, the Rev. H. E. Norton commenced his
labors Avith this church and remained its pastor until October, 1896.
He was succeeded by the Reverends Parker and Rice, and in Sep
tember, 1899, the present pastor, the Rev. Mr. Cantwell took charge.
Until the erection of the first church building in 1881, services were
held at various places. In the spring of 1833, a large and more cora
raodious church building was coramenced, which was completed and
dedicated June 8, 1884. In connection with the church there is a
large and prosperous Sunday school and a Young People's society,
and it is one of the strong churches in the county.
Episcopal Church.— In the winter of 1879-80, the idea of estab
lishing an Episcopal church was first thought of, and the raatter was
talked over by a few of the ladies of Dell Rapids. On Januarv 27,
1880, a Ladies' Society was organized for the purpose of obtaining
raoney to build a church at some future date, and in the spring of
that year Mrs. Potter was authorized by the society to write to the
Dean of the Territory, asking his recognition, advice and co-opera
tion with thera in the work which they had undertaken.
Sorae tirae in March, 1880, the Dean came and held service in the
sitting-room of the Exchange Hotel, and before he went away he ad
vised the Ladies' Guild to write to the Bishop and inquire what steps
should be taken to enable the people to organize a parish. At this

Rev. H. E. Norton.

history of minnehaha COUNTY. 1023

tirae there were five communicants in the toAvn, naraely, Mrs. V. A.
Potter, Mr. and Mr. Lovering-, Mrs. Sibbison and her daughter
Flora Sibbison.
In the latter part of March, 1880, a proposition was made by Mr.
Peter Morse in regard to the sale of a lot belonging to him, situated
on Pearl street, which was accepted and the lot purchased. Soon
after Bishop Clarkson came to Dell Rapids and preached in the Bap
tist church, and on this occasion informed the guild that they would
have to organize as a mission until the time came when their num
bers Avould justify the organization of a parish, and it was agreed to
name the mission Gethsemane Mission.
Deceraber 2, 1880, a committee Avas appointed to purchase a
AA'arehouse belonging to C. S. Gifford; this was bought for the sura
of $100 and moved to the lot previously purchased. Services were
being held during this tirae at the Exchange Hotel and in the Bap
tist church, by various clergymen, until the warehouse was roughly
fitted up as a church, service being held there for the first time on
the first Sunday in January, 1881. The Rev. Mr. Morrison, the first
clergyman who was called, arrived in Dell Rapids on the first day of
January, 1881, and reraained about nine raonths. The Rev. P. Gard
iner of Sioux JB^alls and other Episcopal clergyraen supplied the pul
pit at more or less regular intervals until the Rev. T. Howell Rich
ards came to Dell Rapids to take charge of the parish. He officiated
as lay reader until September, 1894, when he was ordained Deacon,
Dr. Trimble of Sioux Falls being the Rector. Mr. Richards left the
parish and the ministry in 1897.
Up to 1893, the congregation worshipped in the old building on
Main street, known as the Episcopal Hall, at which time the present
church, called the Church of Living Water and located on the south
Avest corner of Orleans and High streets, was consecrated. This
building is of stone, is handsomely furnished and has a seating capac
ity of one hundred and twenty-five. The membership of the church
is forty-eight. A window of peculiar interest was presented to the
church by Walter Crisp of Logan, in 1893, who brought this relic
frora England, where it was originally in St. Nicholas church at
Long Stanton, a little village about six railes west from the town of
Cambridge. This church is supposed to have been an old raonastery
up to the time of the reforraation, and is thatched with reeds; being
one of the few remaining specimens of the open tiraber roof churches
of the middle ages. The window was removed from the St. Nicholas
to make way for a more modern one, and another sirailar to it is
now in the British Museum in London. It is supposed to have been
originally placed in the old church in 1230. The window came mto
Mr. Crisp's possession July 4, 1893.
Methodist Episcopal CnuRCH.-The Methodist church in Dell
Rapids was organized on the 26th day of July, 1880. The Rev^ Wil
raot Whitfield, presiding elder of the Dakota district of the North
western Iowa quarterly conference, and I. O. Kent secretarv of said
conference, were present and conducted the ^el^^^ion °f a board of
trustees, resulting as follows: C. L. Hager, W. B Parker O. H.
Parker, J. R. Richardson and John E. Hoyt. In October folloAving,

1024 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY

the Rev. G. R. Oakes assumed charge of the church, and remained
about one year. During this time a church building was cora
raenced, but was not corapleted until 1882. The successor of Mr.
Oakes was the Rev. M. D. L. Johnson, who reraained two years.
Since then the following rainisters have had charge of the pastoral
Avork, and in the order naraed: The Reverends G. W. Kliver, one
year; Thoraas H. Walker, two years; W. H. Vivian, one year; L.
Bradford, one year; J. P. Jenkins, three years; D. Rifenbark, one
year; W. P. Minty, one year; W. J. Hyde, two years, and A. Jaraie
son, who had charge of the church from October 15, 1894, until the
Rev. P. Hopkins became his pastor. In Noveraber, 1896, he was suc
ceeded by the Rev.- John Lewtas.
When the church was first organized there were only a few
members, but the merabership has been steadily increasing so that
at the present writing there are about one hundred and fifty mem
bers. A parsonage was built in 1886.
Roman Catholic Mission. — The Roman Catholic church cora
raenced mission services in Dell Rapids in 1880, Avith Father Maher
of Sioux Falls in charge until sorae time in 1882. At first there
Avere only ten or twelve regular communicants, and during the
years 1882-3, only occasional services were held. In July, 1884,
Father Ouinlan took charge of the Mission, and held services once a
raonth until the spring of 1887, when Father Colman took charge of
the same for a short tirae. He was succeeded by the Rev. Father
Vanderaere of Flandreau, who continued to hold raonthly service
until the fall of 1888. At this tirae the Rev. X. P. Guay took charge
for a few raonths, when Father Vanderniere again performed the
services. In June, 1889, the Rev. J. Barnes had charge and contin
ued to officiate until November of that year, when Father Jerram
took his place and held services until March, 1892. He was suc
ceeded by Father O'Hora, who continued in charge until sometime
during the fall of that year, Avhen the Rev. J. C. Ahern took charge
and held services monthly until the fall of 1894. From this time
until July, 1895, the Rev. O'Hora, a brother of Father O'Hora, who
officiated in 1893, had charge of the Mission. The Reverends Flynn,
Grabig and Peinler also had charge of the little flock of Catholics at
Dell Rapids during the time services were held over Mr. Collin's
drug store. During the fall of 1898, the Rev. M. J. Martyn organ
ized St. Mary's Catholic church, and became its pastor. He at once
set about the work of erecting a church building. A beautiful site
was purchased m the northeastern part of the city for the sura of
$300, and during the suraraer of 1899 a fine, coraraodious church
building was corapleted, and is now occupied for church purposes.
It cost a httle over $4,000, and the citizens of Dell Rapids gener
ously assisted the society in erecting the building. The member
ship of St. Mary's church comprises twenty-seven farailies, and the
aA'erage attendance is one hundred.
Presbyterian Church.— The Presbyterian church of Dell
Rapids was organized on the 16th day of August, 1882. At this tirae
there was an Indian Presbyterian church at Flandreau, and with
this exception there was no other Presbyterian church in Dakota.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1025

For ten years services were held raore or less regularly in the
school house, until the 22d day of October, 1882, Avhen the present
house of worship was dedicated. It was built at a cost of about
$2,500. In April, 1896, a one-thousand-pound bell was placed in this
edifice. On the 30th day of May, 1899, during a heavy storm, the
steeple Avas torn down by lig-htning, the damage amounting to about
$300. The merabership of the church, like that of all churches in
the West, has been very fluctuating. Its roll of members since or
ganization numbers one hundred and sixty, and it has a raembership
at the present tirae of fifty-five. Working in connection with the
church are societies of both senior and junior Y. P C. E., and a
flourishing- Sunday school, having a membership of one hundred and
fifteen. The following ministers have been in charge: Rev. Geo. P. Le
Clere, from September, 1877, to Septeraber, 1878; Rev. R. H. Hooks,
from Noveraber, 1880, to November, 1881; Rev. R. T. McMahan,
from January, 1882, to Mav, 1883; Rev. H. L. Dickinson, frora May,
1883, to May, 1884; Rev. W. J. Skillman, from June, 1884, to October,
1885; Rev. E. M. Snook, from December, 1885, to December, 1886;
Rev. John A. McAlinon, frora May, 1887, to May, 1888; Rev. Robert
Christison from June, 1888, to September, 1891; Rev. George Hutch
inson, from January, 1893, to April, 1894; Rev. R. Christison, from
September, 1894, to June, 1899. Besides these ministers, theologi
cal students have filled the pulpit when no rainister has been avail
able. Rev. Robert Christison, the last pastor of this church, was born
in Scotland, and educated at the University of Edinburgh, and at
the Free Church College of Glasgow. He was pastor of the Presby
terian church at Dell Rapids frora 1888 to 1891, when he resigned on
account of his health and went to the Pacific coast, but was recalled
in Septeraber, 1894. Mr. Christison is a very able and scholarly
man. The Scandinavian Baptist Church.— This church was organ
ized Noveraber 8, 1886, Avith a raerabership of thirteen. Its first
pastor was the Rev. N. Tychsen, who had charge of the church a
httle over six years. He resigned in January, 1892, and reraoved to
Oakland, California, and the following April his place was filled by
Rev. A. Carstensen, who reraained until November, 1894, when he
removed to Council Bluffs in response to a call from a church at that
place. The church from this time until May, 1895, was without a
pastor. At that tirae the Rev. H. P. Andersen accepted a call frora
the church, and the present pastor is the Rev. A. C. Nesby.
About the time this church was organized, the old Baptist
church at the east end of Main street was purchased by the congre
gation, and has since then remained its place of Avorship.
The church records show that since its organization one hun
dred and eighty-eight persons have been received into its commun
ion, and that the present raembership is about one hundred and
twenty. There is a large, prosperous Sunday school in connection
with the church.
65

1026 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

The Lutheran Church. — About the 1st of January, 1892, steps
Avere taken to organize a Lutheran church in Dell Rapids. The or
ganization Avas perfected on the 21st day of January following. It
was called St. Peter's church, and becarae one of the strong relig
ious institutions of the city. Prom its start it had a large meraber
ship, there being- upon its roll no less than fifty-nine coraraunicants
and a total raerabership of upwards of one hundred and thirty. This
nuraber has not raaterially changed since then, the removals and ac
cessions being about the same. It has as yet no church building,
although it has purchased some very desirable lots on which to erect
a church. It has thus far worshipped in the Presbyterian church.
Soraetirae prior to this organization a small congregation of Luther
ans worshipped at Dell Rapids under the ministrations of the Rev.
Mitboe, but by reason of removals and other causes, whatever or
ganization there was, had becorae dissolved. Several societies have
been organized in connection with this church, a flourishing Sunday
school, the Young Ladies' Missionary society, the Ladies' society,
the Young People's society of St. Peter's Lutheran church, and the
Willing Workers, and whatsoever can not be accomplished through
the offices of the church in promoting the welfare of the congrega
tion, is sure to be attained through the instrumentality of these vig
orous societies.
The Rev. A. O. Mortvedt has been the pastor since its organ
ization, coraing here from Pierre in response to a call frora the
church. In securing him for its pastor the church was exceedingly
fortunate, and, as he has rejected several flattering offers to go else
Avhere, it is more than probable that this energetic, faithful minister
will remain in charge of the St. Peter's church for several years to
come. NEWSPAPERS.
Dell City Journal.— This was the first newspaper published
at Dell Rapids, then known as Dell City. It has been a matter of
sorae controversy whether its publication antedated the publication
of the Sioux Falls Pantagraph by W. R. Kiter, the first issue of
Avhich was on the 10th day of April, 1872. Joseph C. Ervin came
from Webster City to Dell City late in the fall of 1871. He re
raained there a short tirae, but before returning he arranged with
Albion Thorne to send local items to him at Webster City, and there
he commenced the publication of the Dell City Journal, sending a
large nuraber of copies to Dell City for distribution. This continued
until the latter part of April, 1872, when Mr. Ervin removed his
printing outfit to Dell City, and about the first week in May printed
the Journal there. He continued its publication until Julv, 1873, and
then removed the plant to Marshall, Minnesota, Avhere he coraraenced
the publication of a newspaper called the Prairie Schooner. The
Dell City Journal was the sarae in size as Mr. Kiter's Pantagraph,
and was devoted chiefly to the interests of Dell City.
The Dell Rapids Exponent.— This newspaper was estabhshed
at Dell Rapids m the spring of 1878 by E. C. Whalen. He had edi
torial control of the sarae until the next fall, when, owing to feeble

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1027

health, he put Albion Thorne in charge and went to Michigan to re
cuperate. Mr. Thorne very soon after exchanged his farra in Taopi
for the plant, but the January following sold it to Charles E. Gris
wold, Avho remained editor and proprietor until his decease, June 12,
1884. Mr. Griswold was a popular young man, and the Exponent
under his management was a good local newspaper. Upon his de
cease his brother, E. E. GrisAvold, became proprietor of the Expon
ent, and published the sarae at Dell Rapids until June, 1888, when he
removed the plant to the city of Sioux Falls, and started the publica
tion of the Sioux Palls Journal.
Dell Rapids Times. — This newspaper was established in Dell
Rapids in August, 1885, by W. C. Nisbet and W. L. Davis. Its first
publication was on the 19th day of August. It was a weekly news
paper and Republican in politics. In 1886 Mr. Nisbet purchased the
interest of Mr. Davis, and continued the publication of the Times
until August, 1892, when he sold it to Ward Brothers. While under
the charge of Mr. Nisbet it became a good local paper, and during
the last vears under his management it took quite an active part in
poUtics. ' The Ward Brothers are still the editors and proprietors
of the Times, and have worked not without success to keep it up to
the standard of a thoroughly good newspaper. They get the news
and publish it in a bright, attractive manner, and the editorials are
clear and incisive. The citizens of Dell Rapids during the last
decade have had reason to be proud of their newspapers, and it is not
too much to say that no place of equal size in the state can boast of
two as good newspapers as the Tiraes and Tribune.
Dell Rapids Tribune.— This newspaper has been published
by the Tribune Publishing Company since October 11, 1892. W. C.
Nisbet has had editorial charge during the entire time, and this alone
is sufficient to establish the fact that it is ably edited. It is pub
hshed weekly, and until 1896 was Republican in politics. The Trib
une during that tirae was the exponent of the political vieAvs of Mr.
Nisbet, and was quite independent in its political course. It advo
cated the election for office of good men only, and that republicanism
did not require a Republican to vote for a man he believed to be m-
corapetent or dishonest because he had been nominated by the party,
but on the contrary, that he should follow the dictates of his con
science and refuse to vote for such a man. During the presidential
campaign in 1896, the Tribune warmly espoused the free siWer issue
of the fusionists, and advocated the election of W J. Bryan for pres
ident. Since then it has been politically opposed to the Repubhcan
party, and its editorials criticise unsparingly the present adminis
tration of national affairs. BANKS.
Dell Rapids Bank.— This bank is the pioneer bank institution
of Dell Rapids, and was organized in 1880 .with a capi al stock of
$25,000. The stockholders were C. E. McKmney of ^'"^f ^^^l^^'^.'
P. Easton of Aberdeen and G. R. Scougal of Yankton It w-as oper
ated under the management of G, H Johnson -"^il 1887, when ,t was
incorporated under the territorial bank law. The directors were.

1028 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

G. H. Johnson, E. J. Elliot and G. E. BoAverraan, and they filled the
offices of president, vice president and cashier, respectively, until
1889, when Johnson resigned as director and president. Upon his
resignation, E. J. Elliot was elected president, W. A. Guild vice
president and G. E. Bowerraan cashier, the officers constituting the
board of directors. On April 8, 1892, the bank went into voluntary
liquidation, and the Dell Rapids State Bank succeeded to its busi
ness and good will on that day. It coramenced business with a capi
tal of $25,000, which has since been reduced to $10,000, but it has a
surplus fund of $10,000. The directors and officers have been the
same since its first election, namely, G. A. Uline president, E. J.
Elliot vice president and G. E. Bowerman cashier. It has the un
qualified confidence of the public.
First National Bank of Dell Rapids. — This is one of the
first established banks in the city, and has a capital of $60,000. It
has been in successful operation since its organization, and is one of
the strongest and best manag-ed banks in the county. The directors
are: O. E. Guernsey of Dubuque Iowa, Harlan W. Cooley of Chi
cago, Illinois, John O. Langness of Baltic, South Dakota, G. A.
Uline, Henry Robertson, C. J. Johnson, M. R. Kenefick, O. P.
Bowles and W. C. Nisbet, all of Dell Rapids. O. E. Guernsey is
president, Harlan W. Cooley vice president, M. R. Kenefick cashier,
L. K. Larson teller. It is centrally located, in a substantial building
constructed of Sioux Falls quartzite.
Granite City Bank.— This bank was incorporated July 13,
1889. O. H. Sraith, A. C. Folsom and P. J. Hiltgen were the in
corporators. It has a paid up capital of $50,000. The present board
of directors are: C. S. Gifford, O. Ecker, R. M. Smith, O. H. Sraith,
A. Jurgens, Thoraas N. Sraith and John Roysem. O. H. Sraith is
president, C. S. Gifford vice president, O. Ecker cashier. Its raanage
raent has been conservative and successful, and it has the confidence
of the public. DELL rapids CREAMERIES.
Dell Rapids was early in the field to establish a crearaery. As
early as 1882, J. E. Fargo and John Dowe built a creamery^on the
present site of Mrs. Marshall's residence. The proprietors went
about among the farmers in the vicinity of Dell Rapids and purchased
the cream, which was taken by them to the crearaery and there made
mto butter. It was, however, a short-lived enterprise, lasting only
^J^^^'r^ second crearaery was built in 1887, by a stock company;
W. E. Grossman, G. H. Johnson and G. A. Willard were araong the
principal stockholders. The business was carried on upon the sarae
plan as was the first one, but at the expiration of about three years
It ceased to exist. This crearaery was located on Orleans street
near the bridge
. .^"/\\-^?""^ °^ ^^^^' H^"^T Larapraan and K. H. Goodwin
started a third creamery, which has been successfully operated since
then, although it has changed hands twice. Its capacity is 25,000
pounds of milk per day, and it has been running at about two-thirds
its full capacity ever since it began business. The plant is a good

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1029

one, and complete in all its appointments. In addition to the main
building- there is an ice house of larg-e capacity. Farmers bring- their
milk to this establishraent, and until August, 1885, they received
eighty-five cents for one hundred pounds of milk, but at that time it
went down to sixty cents, and the average price during the year 1896,
Avas fifty-five cents. During the last raentioned year this creamery
received 3,262,399 pounds of milk, which was an increase of 441,830
pounds over the amount received in 1895, and the araount paid out for
milk alone in 1896, was $17,943.17. Since the establishraent of this
crearaery nearly all its product has been shipped to New York.
waterworks.
For some time previous to the final decision that Dell Rapids
should have a system of waterworks the matter was discussed with
great interest by the citizens and in the colurans of the city neAvs-
papers, and there were those who felt that the city could not afford
to bond for this purpose, and that the benefits that would result
therefrom Avould not justify the expenditure of so large a sum as
would be necessary in its construction. But it was finally deter
rained that a systera should be constructed, and S. B. Howe of Sioux
Falls was employed to make plans and specifications, which were ac
cepted, and bids called for. April 26, 1894, the bids were opened,
seven in all, ranging from $10,940 to $16,150. The firm of C. W. Hub
bard & Co. of Sioux Falls, was the lowest bidder and was awarded
the contract. The work was coraraenced in May and corapleted in
October following, and was forraally accepted by the city council on
the 19th day of November, 1894, when the balance due the contract
ors was also paid. The system is what is known as the stand pipe
systera. The tower is built of Dell Rapids granite, is 30 feet in di
ameter at the base, and 24 feet at the top, and is 45 feet in heig-ht.
The system has about three miles of mains, twenty-five fire hy
drants, and the pressure is about sixty pounds to the square inch;
the capacity of the engine and purap is very much in excess of the
present deraand, but the whole system is such that extentions can be
made when desired Avithout inaking any change in what has already
been done. It is a complete system, and a credit to the enterprise
of the city, as well as being of great value as a fire protection and a
convenience and luxury to the citizens, enabling them to have pure
water upon their premises for domestic use, and to beautify their
lawns, thus adding greatly to the attractions of the city. The water
is obtained frora a spring near the Sioux river, and its quality is not
surpassed in this section of the country. A large well, gr reservoir,
was dug in solid rock from which the Avater is pumped. S. P. Peters
was the first one to procure a lawn sprinkler and hose, but anyone
visiting Dell Rapids in the summer of 1895 could see, by looking at
the beautiful lawns, that his example had been followed by a good
many residents of the city. The people of the city are now of one
accord in reference to the waterworks, and all the more so frora the
fact that the system was constructed honestly, economically and
thoroughly, and has resulted in giving the taxpayers full compensa
tion for the money expended.

1030 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

DELL RAPIDS FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In the latter part of 1883, a fire department was organized at
Dell Rapids, and a hand engine purchased by the village. Soon after,
two volunteer companies were org-anized, an engine company and a
hose coinpany, each having about fifteen members. The first chief
of the department was R. W. Howland. In 1884, I. W. Howland was
chief, and in 1885-6-7, Mike Collins. During 1887, the departraent
g-radually ceased to exist, and the village reraained without any
organized fire departraent until the 13th day of October, 1894. At
this tirae a new organization was effected, with eighteen raerabers,
E. S. Tresidder was elected chief, Wm. Landers foreman, N. M. Mc
Donald secretary, H. W. Wood treasurer. In 1895, the same officers
were re-elected. In 1896, John Meldrura was elected chief, A. W.
Griswold foreraan, E. S. Tresidder secretary, and R. W. Hobart
treasurer. In 1897, A. W. Griswold chief, Wm. Lander foreman, R.
W. Hobart secretary, and Charles Blow treasurer. In 1898, A. W.
Griswold chief, J. J. Adcock foreman, P. E. Holdridge secretary,
Charles H. Blow treasurer. In 1899, A. W. GrisAvold chief, J. J.
Adcock foreman, R. B. Meldrura secretary, Charles H. Blow treas
urer. The city has a hose cart and 1,300 feet of hose.
SOCIETIES.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Dell Rapids Lodge No. 8.— This was the first secret society
instituted in Dell Rapids, having received its charter Noveraber 22,
1876, frora the Grand Lodge of the Territory of Dakota. The
charter raerabers of this lodge were Thoraas Lyons, M. W. Richard
son, W. B. Parker, George Hoyt and Wra. M. Carr, and the first
raeeting was held May 22, 1876, at the residence of Thoraas Lyons.
The first officers elected were as follows: Thoraas La'ous, noble
grand; George Hoyt, vice grand; W. B. Parker, secretary; Win. M.
Carr, treasurer. This lodge has been in a flourishing condition
since its organization, having by initiation alone received nearly one
hundred and eighty persons, besides those received by card. The
present raembership (1896) is eighty-eight. Since the fall of 1889,
the raeetings of the lodge have been held in the lodge rooras in the
First National Bank building.
The following is a list of noble grands of the lodg-e frora its in
stitution to 1896: "
1876, second terra, Thoraas Lyons; 1877, N. C. Lyons, L. D.
Moran; 1878, L. D. Moran, W. B. Parker; 1879, M. R. Kenefick, D.
o' J^y^^'Jo^.^^^', ^- ^- ^^^^^' ^- J- Shriver; 1881, P. M. Way, Robert
i^ ,/'.ooFvT^¥"\xr.^'''^^^y' I- N- Neher; 1883, I. N. Neher, W. B.
?o^J/' w^t: ^'r^: W'^ia^S' P- M. Way; 1885, I. N. Neher, B. Hall;
Jooo' ^^^^^^ ^tt'^P' ^- ^- Bowen; 1887, E. A. Ervin, S. H. Burk;
1888, Thoraas HaAvley B. P. Carter; 1889, M. S. Wellraan, G. E.
Bowerman; 1890 M. W. Griswold, Geo. Fargo; 1891, 'Dan. P. Jones,
?^; ^V^?'^^''"^= ^^^^' ^- ^^^y- J- P- Richardson; 1893, W. C. Nis-
^l : ^^^'''^^\}^?^' ^- ^- Ditcher, Dennis Walters; 1895, R. W.
Hobart, Thomas DeVaney.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1031

Occidental Encampment No. 20. — This Encampment was or
ganized in Dell Rapids September 9, 1886, Avith a charter membership
of seven. The officers were as follows: 1886, Albion Thorne, Chief
Patriarch; I, N. Neher, High Priest; S. H. Burk, Senior Warden.
1887, S. H. Burk, C. P.; W. B. HaU, H. P.; I. F. Angstead, S. W.
2d term, S. H. Burk, C. P.; W. B. Hall, H. P.; W. B. Parker, S. W
1888, Walter Crisp, C. P.; W. B. HaU, H. P.; M. W. Griswold, S.W.
2d term, M. W. Griswold, C.P.; W. B. Hall, H. P.; J. R. Richardson
S. W. 1889, M. S. Wellman, C. P.; W. B. Parker, H. P.; Geo
Gardner, S. W.; 2d term, G. E. Bowerman, C. P.; W. B. Hall, H. P.
Walter Crisp, S. W. 1890, B. P. Carter, C. P.; W. B. Hall, H. P.
W. S. Wellman, S. W.; 2d term, L. M. BoAven, C. P.; W. B. Hall
H. P.; O. H. Smith, S. W. 1891, I. N. Neher, C. P.; W. B. Hall
H. P.; L. M. BoAven, S. W.; 2d term, J. R. Richardson, C, P.; W. B
Hall, H. P.; B. P. Carter, S. W. 1892, M. W. Griswold, C. P.
W. B. Hall, H. P.; R. Cady, S. W.; 2d term, W. B. Parker, C. P.
W. B. Hall, H. P.; M. R. Kenefick, S. W. 1893, W. B. Parker, C. P.
W. B. Hall, H. P.; R. Cady, S. W.; 2d term, R. Cady, C. P.; W. B
Hall, H. P.; Geo. Fargo, S. W. 1894, Geo. Fargo, C. P.; W. B. Hall
H. P.; C. H. Blow, S. W.; 2d term, C. H. Blow, C. P.; A. L. Bishop
H. P.; A. R. Sullivan, S. W. 1895, C. H. Blow, C. P.; A. L. Bishop
H. P.; A. R. Sullivan, S. W.; 2d term, A. R. Sullivan, C. P.; A. L
Bishop, H. P.; E. C. Bent, S. W. The membership in July, 1893,
was forty-two, and the members met on the first and third Wednes
days of every month in Odd Fellows Hall.
Coralynn Lodge No. 21, Daughters of Rebekah.— This
lodge was instituted in Dell Rapids May 11, 1893, with about seven
teen charter members. The officers for 1893 were: Mrs. Coralynn
Kenefick, Noble Grand; Mrs. Carrie WilHams, Vice Grand; Mrs.
Cora L. Henderson, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Anna C. Nisbet,
Treasurer. 1894, first terra, Mrs. Kenefick, Mrs. Prances McGill,
Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Mary J. Anthony; second term, Mrs Mc
Gill Mrs. Carrie Neher, Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Eleanor Rowland.
1894, first term, Mrs. Carrie Williams, Miss Lizzie Harrison, Mrs.
Kenefick, Mrs. Zola Maule; second terra, Mrs. Neher, Mrs. Nisbet,
Mrs. Kenefick, Mrs. Maule. The raembership m 1895 w'as fittv-
one, and the lodge raet on the first and third Fridays m each raonth,
in the lodge rooms in the First National Bank building.
masonic.
Dell Rapids Lodge No. 40, A. P. and A. M -This lodge Avas
instituted in Dell Rapids Noveraber 24, 1882, „^,^*h sixteen char ter
raerabers, and received its charter June 15 1883^ ^^ p°?k I'n o
1882-3 were Wra. D. Keller, worshipful raaster; Henry Cobb, senior
warden; R. S. Alexander, junior warden; Henry A^^add, secre
tary W. B. Hall, treasurer. 1884, Eber Wilde W M W M.
Ca?;,S W.; Pete'r Morse, J. W \885, Eber Wilde, WM. ;^^^^^^
Keller, S. W.; A. C. Folsom L W ^f%^-I^.^^T^j Ellioi'
A. C. Folsom, S. W.; M. W. Gnswold, J W. 1887^ ^.-io E J
W. M.; W. E. Grossman, S. W.; G. A. Uline, J. W. 1888, E^ J .
EUiot, W. M.; W. D. Briley, S. W.; M. W. Griswold. J. W. 1889,

1032 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

E. J. EUiot, W. M.; J. E. Brodie, S. W.; J. Ridlington, J. W. 1890,
A. C. Folsom, W. M.; J. Ridhngton, S. W.; W. S. MitcheU, J. W.
1891, A. C. Folsom, W. M.; Jaines Ridhngton, S. W.; G. J. Kinnev,
J. W. 1892, Jaines Ridlington, W. M.; W. S. MitcheU, S. W.; L. C.
Harrington, J. W. 1893, the officers of the year preceding were re
elected. 1894, W. S. MitcheU, W. M.; Ritchie Sirapson, S. W.; H. S.
Barber, J. W. 1895, W. S. MitcheU, W. M.; Ritchie Simpson, S. W.;
H. S. Barber, J. W. Meetings of the lodge are held on the first and
third Mondays of each month in their large, coraraodious hall in the
Aug-ustine-Johnson block. In connection with the hall there is a
well furnished parlor and antechamber. Over eighty persons have
been enrolled since its institution, and at the present writing, 1895,
there are forty-five members.
Miriam Chapter No. 31, Order of the Eastern Star. — On
Thursday evening, March 21, 1895, a chapter of the Eastern Star
was duly instituted in Dell Rapids. About twenty members of the
order at Plandreau were present to assist in the work, and the raeet
ing was held in the Masonic hall. Will S. Catlin acted as deputy
grand patron, assisted by Mrs. W. A. Clark, grand raatron, and
other members of the order, and Mrs. Clark installed the following
officers: Worthy matron, Mrs. M. R. Kenefick; worthy patron,
W. S. Catlin; associate matron, Mrs. W. S. McGill; secretary, Mrs.
V. A. Potter; conductress. Miss Cora Rathraan; associate conduct
ress, Mrs. A. S. McAlona; chaplain, Mrs. J. Ridlington; raarshal,
Miss Nellie Harrington; treasurer, Mrs. A. L. Bishop; Ada, Mrs.
W. W. Briley; Ruth, Mrs. J. E. Irwin; Esther, Mrs. W. E. Parker;
Martha, Mrs. H. C. Briley; Electa, Mrs. W. S. Catlin; warder, Mrs.
A. McAlona; sentinel, L. K. Larson. Number of charter members,
twenty-eight. The regular raeetings of the chapter were ordered
held on the first and third Tuesday evenings of each month.
KNGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
IvANHOE Lodge No. 41.— This lodge was instituted May 9,
1890, in Dell Rapids, by Grand Chancellor Arthur C. PhiUips of
Sioux Palls, Avith thirty-four charter raerabers. The chanceUor
coramanders and vice chancellors of the lodge Avere, in 1890, first
terra, W. C. Nisbet, P. D. Meredith; second terra, W. C. Nisbet,
W. S. Catlm. 1891, first terra, W. S. Catlin, G. E. Bowerraan; sec
ond terra; G. E. Bowerraan, T. H. Richards. 1892, first terra, T. H.
Richards, H. Robertson; second terra, H. Robertson, W. S. Mitchell.
1893, first terra, W. S. MitcheU, L. K. Larson; second terra, W. S.
MitcheU, L. K. Larson. 1894, first terra, L. K. Larson, A. W. Gris-
vvold; second terra, L. K. Larson, A. W. Griswold. 1895, first terra,
AW. Griswold, W. J. Crisp. The membership of the lodge in
18 )5 was thirty-five, and meetings were held every Thursday evening
m the first National Bank building-.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
T^ ,,^^^^f^-A^,^ ^^^^ ^°- 1.104.— This camp was instituted in
DeU Rapids February 16, 1892, with eighteen charter members. The
officers m 1892 were: C. J. Johnson, venerable counsel; W. C. Nis-

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1033

bet, adviser; W. G. Milne, banker; W. S. Catlin, clerk. 1893, the of
ficers Avere the same as in 1892. 1894, Lars K. Larson, V. C; I. E.
Ewan, A.; L. W. Roberts, clerk; G. E. Bowerman, banker. 1895,
Lars K. Larson, V. C; W. G. Lund, A.; L. W. Roberts, clerk; G. E.
BoAverraan, banker. The raerabership in 1895 was thirty-eight, and
monthly raeetings were held in the First National Bank building.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Dahlgren Post No. 20.— This post was org-anized in DeU
Rapids May 21, 1883, with a charter raembership of thirty-nine.
FoUoAving- are the names of the commanders of the post from its or
ganization to 1896. 1883, Albion Thorne. 1884, W. B. Parker.
1885, George Heywood. 1886, R. S. Alexander. 1887-8, E. T. Cook.
1889, John Hale. 1890, R. S. Alexander. 1891-2, E. T. Cook. 1893,
M. J. Firestine. 1894-5. A. E. Charrington. About seventy mem
bers have been enrolled since the post was organized, and the mera
bership in 1896 was twenty-six.
July 2, 3, 4 and 5, 1895, the encampment of the Lake Madison
Veterans association Avas held in Dell Rapids, bringing about 7,000
people to the city. Addresses were made on that occasion by Mrs.
Mary E. Lease of Wichita, Kansas, the Rev. Clemraens of Minneapo-
hs, the Rev. Jesse Cole of Cherokee, loAva, Judge C. S. Palraer of
Sioux Palls, Hon. John A. Pickler and wife of Paulkton, South Da
kota, and others.
Woman's Relief Corps. — This corps was org-anized in Dell
Rapids, April 17, 1895, under the jurisdiction of the state organiza
tion and auxiUary to Dahlgren Post No. 20, G. A. R., and was called
Dahlgren Corps No. 61. The charter members nurabered thirty-
seven, and the first officers were: President, Mrs. M. R. Kenefick;
senior and junior vice presidents, Mrs. Mary H. Thorne and Mrs.
W. W. Spear; treasurer, Mrs. A. L. Bishop; chaplain, Mrs. C. De-
Witt; secretary, Mrs. W. C. Nisbet; guard. Miss Eva Norton; as
sistant guard. Miss Hattie Bapp. Meetings are held the first Satur
day in every month for business purposes, and the third Saturday
for working purposes. INDEPENDENT ORDER OP GOOD TEMPLARS.
A lodge of Good Templars was instituted in DeU Rapids as early
as October, 1877, consisting of tAventy-five members, but there are
no records to show who the officers were or how long it existed.
February 8, 1895, a new lodge was instituted, which was caUed
DeU Rapids Lodge No. 315, I. O. G. T. The lodge had sixtv-one
members to start with and its membership rapidly increased tor a
few months. The first officers were: Chief templar, John Meldrura;
vice templar. Miss Lotta Rathraan; past chief teraplar E S. 1 re-
sidder; chaplain, Mrs. E. F, HuU; secretary, M. S. Wellraan; as
sistant secretary. Miss Laura Spear; financial secretary, K. W. Mo-
bart; treasurer, Mrs. E. S. Tresidder; raarshal, Charles Sraith; de
puty marshal, Mrs. I. N. Neher; guard. Miss Ina BoAven; sentinel
Dan Ridlington; lodge deputy, C. DeWitt.

1034 HISTORY OP MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

woman's christian TEMPERANCE UNION.
This society was org-anized in Dell Rapids January, 1894, with a
raerabership of twenty. The officers were as follows: 1894, Mrs.
M. W. HuU, president; Mrs. H. E. Norton and Mrs. E. J. Elliott,
vice presidents; Mrs. J. E. Fargo, secretary; Mrs. G. R. Krause,
corresponding secretary; Miss Anna OA'er, treasurer. 1895, Mrs.
P. D. Neister, president; Mrs. M. A. HuU, Mrs. H. E. Norton and
Mrs. (t. R. Krause, vice presidents; Mrs. E. J. Elliott, secretary;
Mrs. J. E. Fargo, corresponding secretary; Mrs. E. E. Eaton, treas
urer. The raerabership in 1895 was twenty-five.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Bowerman, Guy E., was born in Coldwater, Michigan, October
8, 1866, and Avas educated in the schools at that place. In 1884, he
reraoved to DeU Rapids, this county, and entered the Dell Rapids
Bank as clerk, but was soon after proraoted to the position of assist
ant cashier, and in 1887, he becarae cashier of the bank. Upon the
dissolution of the Dell Rapids bank, he became the cashier of the
Dell Rapids State Bank, and has held this position since that tirae.
He has held the office of alderraan frora the Fifth Avard, and is an
esteeraed citizen.
Bowles, O. P., is a native of Lisbon, Grafton county. New
Hampshire, and was born in 1846. He lived in that neighborhood
until 1858, and then went to Janesville, Rock county, Wisconsin, and
engaged in farraing until 1883, Avhen he carae to this county and set
tled on a farm in DeU Rapids township. He remained on the farm
until 1888, at which time he accepted a position as inanager of the
DeU Rapids Elevator Company, and removed into the c'ity of DeU
Rapids, where he has since resided. He was a member of the Board
of County Coraraissioners in 1887-8-9, and in Januarv 1895, becarae
president of the First National Bank of DeU Rapids, having been a
director since its organization. Mr. Bowles is a highly respected
citizen and a good business raan.
Carr, William M., isa native of New Jersey, and was born
Noveraber 4, 1827. After having resided in several of the middle
states and California, he carae to Dakota and located in this
county m July, 1871. He took up land under the horaestead,
pre-emption, and tree culture laws, in the immediate vicinity
ot what IS now the city of DeU Rapids. In the spring of 1873, he re
raoved his faraily from Osage, loAva, and they were on the road
twenty-nme days betAveen that place and DeU Rapids. He resided in
DeU Rapids until 1893, when he removed to California. While a resi
dent of this county he was an active, enterprising citizen, was county
superintendent of schools for one terra, and was elected to township
offices. His removal from Dell Rapids was sincerely regretted by
his triends and neighbors.
Carr^ Elmer P., a son of of Wra. M. Carr, was born in Penn
sylvania Septeraber 4, 1854. He carae to this county June 4, 1872,
bemg at that tirae in poor health from too close application while at-

history of minnehaha county. 1035

tending school. He came to Avhat was then DeU City, frora MitcheU,
Iowa, by ox-teara conveyance, and was on the road twenty-eight
days. He resided in Dell Rapids until the faU of 1892, vvhen "he re
raoved to California. While a resident of this county Mr. Carr ac
cumulated considerable property, being the owner of tvvo farms,
and a residence in the city of Dell Rapids. He Avas a quiet, unassum
ing man, and a respected citizen.
Ecker, O., is a native of Norway, and was born in 1852. He era
igrated vvith his parents to the United States when ten years of age,
and located in Freeborn county, Minnesota. In 1863 he went to
Winona, Minnesota, and worked in a hotel until in 1867, when he
took employment on a farm adjoining the cit}^ In 1869 he went to
Spring Valley, Minnesota, and engaged as clerk in a dry goods
store until 1876, when he went to Blooming Prairie and started in
the dry goods and general raerchandise business for hiraself, which
he continued for eight years. In the fall of 1888 he carae to Sioux
Palls and engaged in the real estate business for one year, and then
went to Dell Rapids and became the cashier of the Granite City
Bank, which position he still holds. Mr. Ecker is a popular citizen
and a good business man.
Elliott, E. J., was born at St. Catharine, Canada West, in 1852.
In 1856 he removed with his parents to Milwaukee, Avhere he received
his education, and afterwards worked in the flouring mills of that
place as a miller. In 1878 he engaged in the manufacture and whole
sale of boots and shoes, which he continued until 1880, when he re
turned to the milling business for three years. In 1883 he carae to
Sioux Palls and became employed as a miller at the Queen Bee
raill, and remained as such until the mill was shut down in 1884.
He then went to Dell Rapids and engaged in the flour and feed busi
ness, in which he still continues. In 1894 he was elected state sen
ator on the republican ticket by a large raajority. Mr. EUiott is one
of the most genial, gentleraanly men in the county, and popular
wherever known.
Farrand, Henry, was born in Forest, Richland county Wis
consin, May 24, 1865. He was reared on a farra and educated in the
pubhc schools. In 1879 he reraoved with his parents to Lake county,
Dakota, and in 1889 came to DeU Rapids, where he has since re
mained. He is a mason, and worked at his trade for some time, and
then took employment in the DeU Rapids Creamery for two years.
Since then he has been chief of police in Dell Rapids two years, and is
at this writing engaged as coUector and agent for the DeU Rapids
Tiraes. He is a good, reliable citizen.
Gifford, Carmi S., was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania,
June 13, 1832. He was in the miUtary service during the civil Avar
for one year, serving in the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, Battery
L. He came to this county in June, 1879, and resided in Sioux h alls
four months and then went to DeU Rapids. He took up a quarter
section of land in Moody county, but resided at DeU Rapids until he
removed from the state in 1894. During his residence in Dell Rapids,
he was engaged in the lumber business as agent for C. L. Coleman.

1036 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

He Avas president of the village of Dell Rapids three years, and a
raeraber of the council two years. He was also a raeraber of two con
stitutional conventions, and at the constitutional convention convened
in Sioux Palls July 4, 1889, Mr. Gifford was appointed on the follow
ing- coraraittees: Executive and Administrative, Banking and Cur
rency, Amendments and Revision of the Constitution, and Manufac
turers and Agriculture. His record while a resident of this county
is araple proof that he was a highly esteeraed citizen.
Hobart, Ralph Whidden, was born in Calais, Maine, March
24, 1865. He Avas graduated from King's College at Windsor, Nova
Scotia, in 1885, and frora the law departraent of the Michigan Uni
versity in 1888. He carae to South Dakota in 1889, and located at
Dell Rapids, Avhere he has since been engaged in the practice of law.
He has been city attorney of Dell Rapids, and received the noraina
tion of county judge on the Republican ticket in 1898, but was de
feated at the polls with the rest of the ticket. He, however, re
ceived more votes in the city of Dell Rapids than any other candidate
on either ticket. In May, 1899, he Avas elected deputy grand raaster
of the I. O. O. P. grand lodge. Mr. Hobart takes an active part in
local politics, is an enterprising citizen, and is building up a good
business in his profession. In June, 1899, he entered into co
partnership with E. M. Green for the practice of law. He is genial
and companionable, and well liked.
Huntemer, Augustus, was born in Grant county, Wisconsin,
August 28, 1847. He lived in Wisconsin and lUinois until 1885,
Avhen he removed to this county, arriving in Dell Rapids on the Sth
day of March of that year. Soon after he purchased the northeast
quarter of section 1, in Taopi, and resided there for several years.
He has been postmaster at DeU Rapids since February 15, 1896, and
now resides there. Mr. Huntemer, Avhile a resident of Lancaster,
Wisconsin, was alderraan for two years, and Avhile a resident of
Taopi, was town clerk several years. He is an honest, upright citi
zen, and highly esteeraed by a large circle of acquaintances.
Kenefick, M. R., is a native af Canada, and was born in Quebec,
1853. The year following, his parents raoved to the United'^States
and engaged in farraing in Wisconsin. The subject of this sketch,
after having received his education, foUoAved the' sarae pursuit until
he lost his hand in 1868 by a gun accident. About this time the
family removed to Iowa, and Mr. Kenefick engaged in teaching
school m Butler and Grundy counties. During this time he also
read law, and was adraitted to the bar in Franklin county, Iowa, in
18/4 Iraraediately thereafter he carae to Dakota, took "up land in
Moody county, and reraained there four years. In 1878 he re
moved to DeU Rapids and engaged in the law business with Robert
Robertson, who died in 1881, after which Mr. Kenefick continued the
practice by himself. In 1884 he became connected with the People's
^ank of DeU Rapids, which was afterwards changed to the First
National Bank. He was elected its cashier, and has held this po
sition to the present time. Was president of the city council for
several years, and also a member of the school board. In 1890 was

M. R. Kenefick.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1039

elected mayor of the city of Dell Rapids, and served in that capacity
until 1894. Mr. Kenefick is independent, energetic and enterpris
ing-, and is recog-nized as one of the best business men in the city of
Dell Rapids, and one of the foremost citizens of the county.
Martin, Rev. M. J., was born in Sligo, Ireland, Nov. 10, 1868.
His ancestors were of "the real old Irish stock." He was educated at
Summer Hill college in Slig-o, and then studied medicine at Edin
burgh University, Scotland. After completing this course of study
he entered Maynooth Ecclesiastical coUeg-e, where he studied for the
priesthood, and was ordained with a class of one hundred and four,
June 24, 1893, by Archbishop Walsh of Dublin, and sent as assist
ant priest to Tulsk, Roscommon county. Soon after he AA'as sent to
a more important parish, where he established -several schools and
Avas instrumental in erecting a fine church. Owing to over exertion
in this work, at the end of two years his health became so greatly
irapaired that he was compelled to accept a parish where his duties
Avere not so laborious, but at the end of another year, his health not
improving, he was advised by his physicians to try a different
climate. He accepted their advice, and came direct to South Da
kota. He is now in charge of the Catholic churches at DeU Rapids,
Garretson and Taopi, and the work he has accomplished during his
short residence here, staraps him as a man of more than ordinary
energy and ability.
Nisbet, William Cornwall, Avas born in Dane county, Wis
consin, December 30, 1863, of Scotch parentage. Soon after his
birth his parents removed to Osage, Iowa, and in 1872 moved from
there to Dakota, and settled on a claim four miles north of Dell Rap
ids. The subject of this sketch has resided in Dakota ever since,
except when away attending school. In 1883 he commenced learning
the printer's trade and Avorked as a compositor in several offices in
the state. In 1885, in coinpany with W. L. Davis, he established the
DeU Rapids Times. In 1886 he became the sole proprietor and ed
itor of that paper, and continued to publish it until August, 1892,
Avhen he sold it to Ward Bros. In October, 1892, he becarae the ed
itor of the DeU Rapids Tribune, established and pubUshed by the
Tribune Publishing Co., and this paper is stiU under his editorial
management. On the llth day of June, 1891, he was appointed post
master of Dell Rapids, and perforraed the duties of this office until
February 15, 1896. On the 30th day of January, 1889, he was raar
ried to Miss Anna C. Morrison of Leeds Centre, Wisconsin. He is
a raember of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and
Modern Woodmen orders. While in control of the Dell Kapids
Times he estabUshed an enviable reputation as an all-around news
paper raan. Although a Republican in principle he has always main
tained that he was not bound to support any nominee of the party it
he did not believe he was qualified for the office, either morady or
otherwise, and has voted accordingly. This course has resulted m
his being severely censured by his editonal brethren, but as this
class of people are increasing rapidly, he seems to enjoy the dis
tinction of being one of the pioneers in advocating that only men of
character and standing should be elected to office. He is one of the

1040 history of minnehaha county,

foremost citizens of Dell Rapids, as well as being a good newspaper
man, and is highly respected as a raan and citizen throughout the
county and state.
Norton, Rev. Homer E., was born February 18, 1839, in
Springfield, Erie county, New York. In 1842, he removed with his
parents to Rochester, Racine county, Wisconsin, where he spent
most of his tirae at school and in his father's wagon factory, and dur
ing the suraraer worked on a farra to relieve the monotony of shop
work. In 1856, they reraoved to Payette county, Iowa, where the
subject of this sketch took charge of the farm, while his father and
elder brother worked in town. In the fall of 1858, he entered the
"Upper Iowa University" and remained there until 1861, except dur
ing one terra he taught a district school. During that year his elder
brother enlisted in the military service, and his father being feeble,
he returned home and assisted him in taking care of the farra until
the spring- of 1864. At that tirae he enlisted in the 46th Iowa In
fantry Regiment for 100 days, at the expiration of which he entered
the Burling-ton Collegiate Institute at Burlington, Iowa, having de
termined to take up the ministry as his life work. He was graduated
from this coUeg-e in 1868, and was the valedictorian of his class. He
was then city raissionary for six raonths, under the auspices of the
Burlington Y. M. C. A., and then accepted a call from the First
Baptist Church of Kirkwood, Illinois. Soon after this he Avas or
dained to the gospel ministry. He has been pastor of Baptist
churches at Berwick, Havana and Pekin, Illinois; St. James, Fari
bault, and the Emmanuel church in St. Paul, Minnesota; Sioux Falls
and Dell Rapids, South Dakota. He resided in Dell Rapids from
1892, as pastor of the First Baptist Church at that place, until Octo
ber, 1896, when he removed to Batavia, Illinois. Mr. Norton has a
well disciplined, logical mind, and is more than an ordinary preacher,
and as a pastor stands in the front rank. He was an active partici
pator in the affairs of the city in which he resided, and ahvays ready,
by word and deed, to promote the general Avelfare.
Rice, Dennis, was born at Panama, Chautauqua countv. New
York, January 2, 1830. On the 19th of April, 1855, he and his broth
ers. Prank C. and Gilbert H. settled in Iowa at a place Avhich soon
after received the narae of Riceville. In 1868, the brothers moved to
Osage, loAva, where they built and operated the Cedar Valley
raills. On the 1st day of July, 1871, he came to Sioux FaUs to pur
chase a half interest in the water power where the Cascade mill is
noAV located, but in this he Avas not successful. He, in connection
with his brothers, however, soon obtained a foothold at DeU Rapids,
then knoAvn as the Dells, and the sarae fall they coraraenced building
a dam across the Sioux river, which was corapleted in 1872, Avhen a
saw mill was also erected. In 1873, they built a flouring mill which
was operated by Frank C. Rice until August, 1874, when it was pur
chased by WiUiara VanEps of Sioux Falls. In 1875, Mr. Rice re
turned to Osage, Iowa, where he resided until 1881, 'and "then came
again to Dell Rapids and engaged in farraing and various enterprises.
In 1890, he removed to Running Water, Texas, and engaged in the

W. C. Nisbet.

6s

history of minnehaha county. 1043

real estate business. His family returned to Dell Rapids in October,
1894, where they noAv reside.
Mr. Rice at an interview said that "the first Christmas tree at
the Dells was a cedar, and the celebration was held at ray house.
Lew Hulitt, Albion Thorne and wife. Miss Bolster (Mrs. Thome's
sister), E. P. Metcalf, and myself and wife, made up the entire party,
but we had Christmas all the same. A good many funny incidents
happened in those days, sorae resulting frora fear of the Indians, and
some from causes that attend all new settlements. A little incident
occurred in 1872, which Avill always arause me when I think of it. I
was working at the mill when a man by the name of Gibbs came down
from Flandreau and wanted to sell a claim he had at that place. Upon
inquiry I found that he had been shot at several times, and after re
lating his experience he said in a cool, honest sort of away: "I kind
of mistrust they don't want me up there any more."
Mr. Rice is one of those enterprising sort of men Avho keep
things moA'ing, and to this element in his make-up Dell Rapids is
greatly indebted for many of its early enterprises.
Robertson, Henry McNeil, was born in Barrington, Shel
burne county. Nova Scotia, on the 18th day of March, 1859. He re
ceived his education in the common schools, the Seminary at Yar
mouth, U. S., and the McGill University at Montreal, Canada, and
AA'as graduated from the Law Department of Dalhousie University at
Halifax, in 1886, and adraitted to the bar in November of that year.
In May, 1887, he became a resident of the city of Dell Rapids, and
has been in the active practice of his profession at that place since
then. He has been city attorney of Dell Rapids several years, and
is one of the most reliable attorneys of the Minnehaha county bar.
He comes of a good faraily, his father having been a prominent citi
zen of Nova Scotia for half a century, and a member of the legisla
ture for tvA'enty-one consecutive years. His elder brother has also
been a member of the Nova Scotia legislature two terms, and of the
Dorainion parliament for ten years. It only remains to be added
that Mr. Robertson is active and enterprising, and is highly re
spected not only for his ability as a lawyer but as an honest, up
right citizen.
Sawyer, Dr. Ora O., son of E. T. Sawyer, was born at West-
field, Vermont, January 6, 1856. At the age of seven years he re
moved with his parents to Stoughton, Wisconsin, where they re
mained until 1873, and then removed to Osage, Iowa. He worked on
a farm and attended the common schools during his youth, and grad
uated from the Cedar Valley Seminary in Iowa, at the age of twenty
years. He then commenced the study of medicine, and at the ex
piration of three years, in March, 1879, graduated frora Rush Medi
cal College. He was married the sarae year he graduated and
iraraediately after his marriage went to DeU Rapids arriving there
the first of AprU, 1879. He at once coraraenced the practice of
medicine, and since then has been actively engaged in his profession.
He is highly esteemed as a careful, conscientious physician and has
a good practice. He was one of the charter raerabers of the old
Territorial Medical Society, and has been president of the Mmne-

1044 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

haha County Medical Society. He is not only prominent in his pro
fession, but is an active, enterprising citizen and highly respected
by aU Avho have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
Smith, O. H.,was born in Norway in 1846. In 1869 he einigrated
to this country, and the first three months after his arrival worked
on a farra in Fillraore county, Minnesota. Then entered a store at
Rushford, Minnesota, Avhere he was employed as clerk for two years;
then engaged in the raercantile business for hiraself in the sarae
place until 1876, Avhen he became a resident of this counly, and car
ried on a general store in Dell Rapids until 1885, Avhen he changed
his occupation and engaged in the real estate business. In 1889, Mr.
Sraith, in connection with others, organized the Granite City Bank
of Dell Rapids, and has since then been its president. He has been
a meraber of the city school board and of the city council, and was
elected raayor of Dell Rapids in the spring of 1894, and re-elected in
1896 and 1897. He has been quite active in political matters, ar.d
especially so in his city and county. As a business raan he has
been successful, and as a citizen he is enterprising and respected.
Thorne, Albion, was born in Canton, Oxford county, Maine,
on the 19th day of October, 1836, He was reared on a farm, attended
the common schools, the state seminary at Westbrook, Maine, and
Tufts college, where he corapleted his education and was graduated
in 1862. In Septeraber of that year he enlisted in the 23d Maine In
fantry, and was first lieutenant of Corapany C, during the tirae of
his service. It was a nine raonths' regiraent, and he received his dis
charge in July, 1863. He then eng-aged in the mercantile business
for eighteen months. Previous to his entering college he had
studied law, and in Septeraber, 1865, Avas admitted to the bar, and at
once comraenced the practice of his profession. He remained in his
native state until 1868, when he reraoved to Waterloo, Iowa. He Avas
engaged as teacher in the schools at that place, and Avas principal of
the schools at East Waterloo a little over tAvo years. In the spring
of 1871 he removed to Beloit, Iowa, where he resided until the 12th
day of August, following, at which date he put in an appearance at
Avhat is now the city of DeU Rapids. From this time he Avent back
and forth between this place and Beloit until fall, when he removed
to Dell Rapids. Since that time he has been engaged in farming,
suryeying, practicing law, editing newspapers and holding official
positions. He has been county superintendent of schools, county
attomey, postraaster, clerk of the courts, besides holding several
rainor official positions in DeU Rapids township and the city of Dell
Rapids. In July, 1899, he purchased the Plain Talker plant of Hart
ford, and is now pubUshing the Hartford Herald. He has good,
staying qualities, and would not give an inch of ground to a coach-
and-four. He has had what is terraed "bad luck" on more than one
occasion. Three tiraes he has been burned out, as he says, "shck
and clean," having no insurance, entailing a loss of at least $5,000.
Mr. Thorne has a good many Avarm friends, and no one of his wide
circle of acquaintances wishes him anything but prosperity and hap
piness.

O. H. Smith.

G. A. Uline.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1049

Tresidder, Stephen, Avas born near Galena, Illinois, April 12,
1855; AA-as reared on a farm and educated in the public schools and at
the Cedar Valley seniinarv'; in 1875 he coraraenced learning the har-
nessmaker's trade, and on the 22d day of June, 1880, located at Dell
Rapids, and opened a harness shop, but at the end of ten years had
gradually Avorked into the boot and shoe trade. In January, 1898,
he transferred his business to the city of Sioux Palls, where he is
at the present time doing a good business. While a resident of
Dell Rapids he was a member of the city council seven years, three
years of which he Avas its president. Mr. Tresidder is a g-ood busi
ness man and an enterprising, highly respected citizen.
Uline, Gust. A., is a native of Sweden, and was bom in the
province of Wermland on the 12th day of October, 1849. He came
to the United States in 1867, and stopped first in Michigan for about
five months, then went to Wisconsin for six raonths and from there
to northAvestern Minnesota. In the spring af 1870 he Avent to Cher
okee, Iowa, being then so hard up that the first good meal he had
had in months he got at the old Cottonwood hotel at that place. He
secured Avork in Cherokee at eight dollars per raonth, and took up
land Avhere the city of Sheldon now is, which he afterwards sold for
fifty dollars. At that time there was only one other piece of land
taken up in that locality. He left Cherokee on the 5th day of July,
1871, and went to Jackson, Minnesota, where he reraained three
years in the store of J. W. Cowing. March 5, 1874, he started for
Dell City, Dakota. He then had just $700, and concluded to cora
mence business for himself. When Mr. Uline reached DeU City
there were only two buildings where the city of Dell Rapids is now.
He rode his pony up to a man Avho was sawing wood, and said he
was looking for Dell City. "You are right in it," answered the man.
A man by the name of Cowan had started a store in Dell City in
1872, but his mother died and he grew melancholy, and in sixty days
after he had commenced business he shot himself. His store was a
httle north of the VanEps raiU, and there Mr. Uline commenced
business. He purchased $1,000 worth of goods, and paid $1.25
per hundred to get thera transported frora the nearest raUroad sta
tion. At this time B. D. Graves had a smaU store at DeU City, but
his stock was quite limited, and Mr. Uline Avas the first merchant
who put in a general stock of merchandise in this place. He con
tinued in trade for seventeen years, and made a success of his busi
ness. In 1881 he was elected president of the village, and has at
various times since then served the vUlage and city of DeU Rapids m
official positions. In 1885, he was appointed by Governor Pierce a
meraber of the board of directors of the Dakota penitentiary at
Sioux Falls, and served two years. In 1889, he received an appoint
raent to the sarae position from Governor MeUette, and serA/ed one
year and when South Dakota became a state he was appointed a
member of the state board of charities and corrections, and was the
first president of the board. He was also appointed colonel on the
staff of Govemor MeUette. In 1892, he organized the Dell Rapids
State Bank and became its president, which position he stiU holds
He is also a director in the First National Bank at Dell Rapids, and

1050

HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

the Minnehaha National Bank at Sioux Falls. It would be super
fluous to add anything to the foregoing record to establish the fact
that Mr. Uline is recognized as one of the foremost citizens of the
state. Ward, David Edward, was born at Darlington, Lafayette
county, Wisconsin, August 7, 1864, and resided there until he was
twenty years of age, receiving- his education in the high school at
Darling-ton. In 1884 he Avent to Cherokee county, Iowa, for two
years, and has during the last fifteen years been engaged in the
printing business, working on papers in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minne
sota and South Dakota. On the 1st of August, 1892, in connec
tion with his brother, H. W. Ward, he purchased the Dell Rapids
Times, and since then the firra of Ward Brothers has published this
paper. David E. is an energetic practical newspaper man, and
takes an active part in all local raatters. He is a good fellow and a
good citizen, and highly respected by his acquaintances.

D. E. Ward.

BURK TO^WNSHIP. (104-50)
Burk township is bounded on the north by Moody county, on the
east by Dell Rapids, on the south by Lyons, and on the west by
Taopi townships. The township lines Avere surveyed by W. J.
Neeley in July, 1859, and the subdivision was raade by Carl C. P.
Meyer in September, 1864. The township contains 22,901.32 acres
of land. Skunk creek enters the township on the northeast quarter
of section 4, and flows in a southwesterly course, leaving the town
ship on section 31. There is very little waste land in the township,
and along the course of Skunk creek there is considerable bottora
land. It is settled by an industrious, thrifty class of farraers, and
there are some excellent farms in the township.
Arnst Buhring was one of the first settlers in this township,
taking up a homestead in 1872. Jonathan Stout with his faraily carae
in 1873, and the following year several actual settlers located there,
araong whora were S. Dybedahl, Thomas Thompson, S. K. Ducken,
Ole K. Possum, Ole Hanson, Thomas Hanson and Dennis Walters.
The first school was taught in 1876, in school district number
32, by R. M. Mansager. Henry Porter was director of the school
board, T. S. Dybedahl treasurer, and Dennis Walters clerk.
As early as 1887, a resurvey of the township was raade by E. H.
Van Antwerp of Yankton, which survey changed the boundary lines
of a good many farms, and a suit was brought by Alice, Paulina and
Mary Randall to enjoin the township from opening roads upon the
lines of the new survey. Judge Palraer granted a teraporary injunc
tion. Soon after, however. Judge Carland dissolved the injunction.
The suit was finally tried before Judge Aikens, and the township
prevailed. The case was then taken by appeal to the supreme court,
and was there reversed. When it carae up for trial the second tirae
the case was dismissed by Judge Jones upon the pleadings, but an
appeal was again taken to the suprerae court. New suits were
brought and tried before Judge Jones, who decided in favor of the
Randalls and was sustained by the suprerae court, and the contro
versy ended in April, 1897. It was a bitter contest frora begmning
to end, and during the ten years of litigation it attracted the atten
tion of the public, and especially of those who were personally mter
ested in the resurveys that were being made m the county.
The first post office estabhshed in the township was called Gen
eseo, now Fleetwood, and Dennis Walters was the first postmaster.
The office was located on the southeast quarter of section 28. In

1052 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

1877, Henry Porter was appointed postraaster and the office removed
to the southwest quarter of section 32. In September, 1879, Dennis
Walters Avas again appointed postraaster, and the office reraoved to
the southwest quarter of section 28. In 1888, Rasmus Mansager
Avas appointed postmaster, and the office removed to the northAvest
quarter of section 29. In 1897, Mrs. Mary Buhring was appointed
postmistress, and the office reraoved to its present location in section
32. Samuel H. Burk, one of the earliest settlers in the township,
located on the southeast quarter of section 4. Late in the seventies
a post office was established at this point called Look Out, and Mrs.
Jane Burk was appointed postmistress. She held the office a few
years, and then it was removed to the northwest quarter of section
4, and HenrA' Cox becarae the postraaster. The office was discon
tinued several years ago.
Scandinavian Evangelical Congregation of Willow
Creek. — This church Avas organized with thirteen members. In
1888, a church building was erected on the southeast corner of sec
tion 22 in Burk toAvnship, at a. cost of $3,500, the money being raised
by subscription. The first minister was the Rev. H. Z. Hvid, suc
ceeded by the Reverends A. N. Kliven, H. O. Opsal, E. H. Midtbo,
and C. C. Moe. At the present tirae there are two hundred and
fifty-six persons who attend this church. There are two societies in
aid of the church, the north, and the south Willow Creek societies.
The church presents quite an iraposing appearance, and is a credit
to the enterprise of the people residing in Burk township,
BURK TOWNSHIP BOARD.
The first township record is of a meeting of the town board of
supervisors at the house of S. H. Burk on the 26th day of July, 1881.
The supervisors Avere Thor S. Dybedahl chairraan, Jonathan Stout
and Ole J. Berdahl; clerk, S. H. Burk. At this raeeting a tax of five
mills for road fund and four raills for bridges and town fund was
levied. A warrant, probably the first one, was drawn in favor of
Dennis Walters for $16 for services as assessor. S. H. Burk
tendered his resignation as clerk, and at a subsequent meeting of
the board Franklin Stout was appointed to fill the vacancy.
' 1882. A meeting of the board Avas held January 6, 'the super
visors Avere all present, but their naraes are not raentioned. Ole A.
Nyhus was clerk, Dennis Walters assessor and Franklin Ferguson
justice. 1883. Supervisors, Thor S. Dybedahl chairraan, Jonathan
Stout, Thomas Thompson; clerk, O. A. Nyhus; assessor, Thoraas
Hanson. 1 884. At the first March election the following officers were
elected: Supervisors, Thor S. Dybedahl chairraan, A. H. Berais, P.
Ferguson; clerk, O. A. Nyhus; assessor, Thomas Hanson; treas
urer, R. M. Mansager. At a raeeting of the board March 17, Dennis
Walters Avas appointed supervisor in the place of P. Ferguson.
1 885 Supervisors, A. H. Berais chairman, Thor S. Dybedahl,
Dennis Walters; clerk, O. A. Nyhus; assessor, Thomas Hanson;
treasurer, R. M. Mansag-er.

HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY. 1053

1886. Supervisors, Franklin Ferguson chairman, Thor S. Dy
bedahl, Dennis Walters; clerk, O. A. Nyhus; assessor, Thomas
Hanson; treasurer, R. M. Mansager. March 20, the board resolved
that the election of road overseers should be "by a separate ballot
and ballot box" and a special election was ordered to be held for
that purpose on the 1st day of June.
1887. Supervisors, Ole B. Olson, Jaines Blow, Ole J. Berdahl;
clerk, Franklin Stout; assessor, P. Walters; treasurer, R. M. Man
sager; constable, H. M. Mansager. April 2, Henry Cox Avas ap
pointed assessor, and the clerk was directed to write D. C. Rice,
county surveyor, to ascertain when the township could be re-
surve5'ed. June 1, a special meeting was held to consider raatters
in reference to the survey. July 9, it Avas ordered that the quarter
corners be established and the survey recorded according to the
field notes. August 7, several orders were drawn in favor of per
sons who had been engaged in surveying the township. August 15,
E. H. Van Antwerp, the surveyor, Avas directed to erect landmarks at
every quarter section comer in the township. October 15, the board
directed the clerk to post eight notices ordering each and every
freeholder to open all roads in the township according- to the re
survey before the first day of April, 1888.
1888. Supervisors, Thor S. Dybedah Ichairman, Ole J. Berdahl,
James Blow; clerk, O. H. Nyhus, Jr.; assessor, Thoraas Hanson.
There were several meetings of the board during the year to con
sider questions arising out of the resurvey. A suit had been com
menced in the interest of those opposed to the lines established by
the resurvey, and raeasures were adopted by the board to defend
the suit and open the roads on the new lines. Balance in the treas
ury $29.17. 1889. Supervisors, Thor S. Dybedahl chairraan, O. J. Berdahl,
Jaines Blow; clerk, O. H. Nyhus, Jr.; treasurer, R. M. Mansager;
assessor, FrankUn Stout. The board during the year raade pro
visions for expenses incurred in the Randall survey suit.
1890. Supervisors, Thor S. Dybedahl chairraan, O. J. Berdahl,
Jaraes Blow; clerk, O. H. Nyhus; treasurer, M. E. Mansager; asses
sor, O. A. Nyhus. A committee Avas appointed "to look oA'er the town
ship books and see if the money used during the last year had been
correctly expended and recorded." March 25, the board raet and
quite a nuraber of other citizens of the township were present, and
the coraraittee reported as follows: "We have examined the books of
the township and found them all corresponding with the treasurer s
books with the exception of $6.50, which the treasurer has paid over
and above the amount of orders issued, and that we are satisfied that
that money has been paid as interest on orders between the time
they were presented and until paid. We also find that the board has
drawn more money from the township than the record shows they
are entitled to for such services, and we desire the board to make a
record of such money that has been used outside of the meetings and
elections held in the town during their term of office. We tmd that
the board has consumed $211.20 for service for their terra of three
years, and the records of raeetings don't allow thera that rauch. ^^ e

1054 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

further ask the board to explain why they did not settle and draw
orders for services in 1889, as they have done before. We find the
orders issued for services for the year 1889, as follows: James Blow
$48.20, O. Berdahl $43.80. P. B. "Stout, John H. HiU, Coraraittee."
After some discussion and explanation a raotion was raade that it
proved satisfactory, and the raatter was disraissed. August 20, an
order of $150 vvas issued to Thor S. Dybedahl to pay witnesses in the
survey suit their raileage and fees.
1891. Supervisors, Miles Walters, A. T. Harare, Thomas Han
son; clerk, O. H. Nyhus, Jr.; assessor, Knut Fossura. June 22, Thor
S. Dybedahl was appointed justice of the peace. July 25, the board
raet to look over the account of the expenses in the survey case, and
the clerk was instructed to raake out an iteraized bill of fees paid to
the witnesses. 1892. Supervisors, Jaines Blow, A. T. Hamre, Thomas Han
son; clerk, O. H. Nyhus, Jr.; assessor, O. A. Nyhus. March 29, the
board appointed Nels Haugse constable, and alloAved H. H. Keith's
bill of $100 for legal services in the survey case, and ordered two
roads opened.
1893. Supervisors, O. J. Berdahl, James Blow, Thor S. Dybe
dahl; clerk, O. H. Nyhus, Jr.; assessor, O. B. Dahlgren; treasurer,
R. E. Mansager; justice, Thoraas Hanson. At the first meeting of the
new board the road overseers in districts No. 1 and 4 were instructed
to open a new road in each of the two districts, according to descrip
tion. May 24, the board directed the chairman and clerk of the board
to go to Sioux Falls and procure an injunction to be served on Pau
lina Randall and others, as plaintiffs in the survey case. July 10, the
board resolved to go to Sioux Palls and see an attorney about what
could be done "in regard to the corners that are lost or destroyed."
At the end of the fiscal year the treasurer reported a balance in the
treasury of $1,014.78.
1894. Supervisors, Thor S. Dybedahl chairman, Ole J. Ber
dahl, James Blow; clerk, O. A. Nyhus; treasurer, R. M. Mansager;
assessor, O. B. Dahlgren.
1895. Supervisors, Thor S. Dybedahl chairman, Ole J. Ber
dahl, James Blow; clerk, Franklin Stout; treasurer, Thoraas Han
son; assessor, J. R. Jones.
1896. Supervisors, Thor S. Dybedahl chairman, John Mag-
ness, A. A. Morse; clerk, P. B. Stout; treasurer, R. M. Mansager;
assessor, J. M. Berdahl.
1897. Supervisors, Thor S. Dybedahl chairman, John Mag-
ness, John WiUiamson; clerk, P. B. Stout; treasurer, S. K. Ducken;
assessor, J. M. Berdahl.
1898. Supervisors, T. S. Dybedahl chairman, John WiUiam
son, Ole Nyhus; clerk, O. B. Dahlgren; treasurer, S. K. Ducken; as
sessor, J. M. Berdahl.
1899. Supervisors, T. S. Dybedahl chairman, Ole A. Nyhus,
Thoraas Hanson; clerk, O. B. Dahlgren; treasurer, S. K. Ducken; as
sessor, J. O. Berdahl.

A. H. Bemis.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

1057

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Aga, Lars J., is a native of Norway, and was born April 20,
1854. He emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1860,
and settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa. He attended school and
worked on his father's farra until 1872, when he entered Luther Col
lege at Decorah, loAva, and was graduated in 1876. He then cora
raenced teaching- school at Albert Lee, Minnesota, and taught in the
same district tAvelve consecutive years.
He came to this county in the spring of
1888, and bought the southAvest quar
ter of section 18 in Burk. Although
he had a farm he taught school in Burk
and Grand Meadow townships until he
was elected a member of the legisla
ture in 1891. In the fall of that year
he became principal of the Lutheran
Normal school at Sioux Falls, and held
this position until he assumed the
duties of county superintendent of
schools of Minnehaha county in the fall
of 1893. He was re-elected to the same
office in 1895. He raade a good official,
and attended to the duties of the office
Avith great fideUty, and worked indus
triously to elevate the standard of the
district school in this county. When
his terra of office expired, he engaged
in farming in Burk township, where he
owns a very fine farm in section 18, on
which he is at this writing erecting
one of the most commodious and modern farm
can be seen in

Lars J. Aga.
 dwelling houses that
the county. He is highly respected as a citizen.
Bardell, N., was born in Elsass, Germany, December 15, 1839.
After coraing to this country he lived ^"1111"°;?^^"^ Jo^.t %iT^
tirae and came to Minnehaha county in May, 1876 He then filed a
tree claim upon the_ northeast quarter of section 10 in Burk, where
he engaged in farming.
Bemis, Alvin H., was born at Spencer, Massachusetts Sep
tember 2 1837. He Uved there and in IlUnois, Wisconsin and Iowa
pHor to his coraing to Dakota in 1881, when he settled m this county.
He took up as a horaestead the northwest quarter of section 6 m
Burk Avhere he stiU resides. He has since purchased the southwest
quartJ of the sarae section and has a good farra. He en isted in t^e
Union armv in August, 1864, and served until September 1865. He
has held Sweral olces in Burk township is a good citizen, a suc
cessful farmer, and weU known throughout the county.
Berdahl Ole J., was born in Norway, October 15, 1841. He
• f ^ r Zl!; IT J+^d States in 1861, and settled in Wisconsin.
emigrated to the United states m ±oyj^, a. . t, ^ T.,„p
In 1877 he removed from there to Dakota, and arrived m Burk, June

67

1058 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

15, of that year. He took up as a homestead the northeast quarter of
section 18, and as a tiraber claim the northwest quarter of the sarae
section. He resides on his horaestead and has a good farm with com
modious buildings. He has held various town offices, has been chair
raan of the town board and was county commissioner three years.
He Avas the first Scandinavian who settled in Burk west of Skunk
creek, and built the first frame house in that locality. During the
first six weeks he resided on his horaestead he saAv only two persons.
He is an active, prominent citizen, and highly respected by his
neighbors. Berge, OsTEN, was born in Norway, 1847; emigrated to this
country in 1883, and settled in Lyons, this county, taking up as a
horaestead the northwest quarter of section 6, where he resided until
in 1892, when he sold it to his son, and raoved on to a farm of 160
acres which he owns in section 32 in Burk, where he now resides,
and has a good farra. He is a properous farraer and a good citizen.
Blow, James, Avas born in Tioga county. New York, November
27, 1839. He was reared on a farm, and received his education in
the coramon schools. In April, 1883, he came to this county and
bought the southwest quarter of section 6 in Dell Rapids, but sold
this, and in the faU of 1886, bought the northwest quarter of section
15, in Burk, where he has since resided. He has quite a good farm,
and has been an active citizen, holding the office of supervisor several
years. He has been one of the foremost men in Burk in the litiga
tion growing out of the resurvey of that township, favoring the hne
estabUshed by the resurvey. He usually puts in an appearance at
the county conventions as a delegate from Burk, and is one of the
enterprising men in that vicinity.
Buhring, Arnst, one of the first settlers in Burk, is a native of
Germany, and was born in 1850. He emigrated to this country,
lived in Wisconsin for some time, and came to Minnehaha county in
1872. He took up as a homestead the east half of the northwest
quarter, and the west half of the northeast quarter of section 32, in
Burk, where he still resides. He is a successful farmer, and a good
citizen. His wife, Mrs. Mary Buhring, is the present postmistress
ot l^leetwood postoffice, which is located on his farra.
Cox, Henry, is a native of England, and was born in July, 1834.
After eraigratmg to this country in March, 1864, he lived in several
states, and finally came to this county and settled in Burk in 1880.
He purchased the northwest quarter of section 4 in that township,
^Qo/^^-^ ? ^I't'"'' ""^'^ ^^^ decease on the 14th day of November,
18 .)4. He had been a miner for a great many years, and his health
Avas greatly irapaired when he carae here. He was a respected
citizen. '^
o iu?o^^^^^^'.^; B., was born in Christiania, Norway, Noveraber
;• iS?' ,^"^!f r^^^.?ii ^^th his parents to the United States in the faU
of 1866; hved in New York state a short tirae, and then reraoved to
Kansas, where they reraained eleven years; in Julv, 1880, came to
Dakota and located in this county, on section 23 in Burk township,
and stiU resides there. The subject of this sketch bought and now

Ole j. Berdahl,

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1061

owns the south half of said section. He was assessor of Burk town
ship in 1893 and 1894, and clerk of the town board in 1898, and is a
g-ood farmer and a good citizen.
Dybedahl, Thor S., is a native of Norway, and was born in
1849. He einigrated to the United States in 1869, and settled in Iowa
for five years. On the 18th day of June, 1874, he came to this countv
and took up the northwest quarter of section 23 in Burk as a horae
stead, and the southeast quarter of section 15 as a tree claira, which
he proved up in 1882, and secured a patent. Mr. S. Dybedahl, his
father, (who was born in Norway, Noveraber 1, 1817, and died in
Burk, September 3, 1878), Thoraas Thorapson and S. K. Ducken,
Avere the first NorAvegians who settled in Burk. A few Araericans
had located near Skunk creek before they carae. Mr. Dybedahl's
father took up the northeast quarter of section 22, which the subject
of this sketch now owns. He has been a raeraber of the town board
ten years, nine years of which he was its chairman, and has also
held the office of justice of the peace. He is a good farmer and an
active, respected citizen.
Possum, Ole K., came to the United States from Norway, where
he was born Noveraber 22, 1819. He Uved in Iowa and Minnesota
before he settled in this county in 1874. He then secured quite a
large amount of land, and owns at the present time the northwest
quarter of section 35, the west half of the southwest quarter of sec
tion 34, and the east half of the southeast quarter of section 33 in
Burk. He resides with his son Knut O. Possum on the northeast
quarter of section 33. Mr. Possum has been school district clerk.
Gronsdal, G. O., is a native of Norway, and was born July 7,
1848. He emigrated to the United States in 1864, and resided in
Iowa until 1880, when he removed to this county. He took up as a
homestead the southwest quarter of section 8 in Burk, Avhere he now
resides. He has held the office of justice of the peace.
Hanson, Ole, was born in Norway in 1848; emigrated to this
country and lived in Iowa until in 1874, when he removed to Minne
haha county. He took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of
section 14 in Burk, where he now resides. He also filed a timber
claim on the north half of the northeast quarter of section 23 in
the sarae town, and has a good farm, vvith good iraproveraents. He
is an industrious farmer and a good citizen.
Hanson Thomas, is a native of Norway and was born October
17 1857 He eraigrated to the United States in 1869. 'and lived in
lo'wa until 1874, when he removed to Dakota and settled m Burk
He took up the southwest quarter of section 13 as a homestead and
now resides there. He also secured the northwest quarter of section
24 under the tree-culture laws, and has a good farm. He has held
various school and town offices, among them that of chairman of
the town board of supervisors. He is an active, enterprising citi
zen, and weU liked in his neighborhood.
Hamre, Aad T., was born in Norway, August 6,1848; emigrated
to the United States and settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, m 1867;

1062 HISTORY OF minnehaha county.

carae to this county in 1874, and resided in Lyons township four
years; then moved to Burk township and took up as a homestead the
southeast quarter of section 20, where he has since resided. He has
been a meraber of the township board several years, and is a good
citizen. Hamre, Adolph, son of Aad Hamre, was bom in Clinton
county, Iowa, October 21, 1872, and carae to this county with his par
ents in 1874; was reared on a farm, attended the district schools, and
took a two years course in Augustana college at Canton, South Da
kota. He has taught school in this county during the last eight
years, and has the reputation of being a proficient and successful
teacher. Hayward, Charles E., was born in Spencer, Tioga county.
New York, February 25, 1835. He was reared on a farm and at
tended the public schools. In 1879 he removed to Dakota, arriving
in Burk on the 7th day of Noveraber of that year. He purchased a
pre-emption relinquishment on the southwest quarter of section 3,
and resided there until February, 1897, when he removed to New
York. On the first day of August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 109th
N. Y. Inf., and served until the 14th day of May, 1865. While in the
railitary service he received a gun-shot wound in his right shoulder,
and since then his right arra has been partially disabled.
Johnson, Hendrick N., was bom at Springdale, Wisconsin,
Noveraber 21, 1858. He received a common school education, and
always engaged in farming. On the 26th day of March, 1897, he re
moved to Burk, where he now resides. He is a good citizen and an
enterprising farmer.
KiTTLESON, Thomas O., came to the United States in 1862 from
Norway, where he was born April 15, 1851. He resided in Iowa fif
teen years, and carae to Dakota in 1877, when he located on the
southeast quarter of section 21, which he filed upon as a homestead.
He also owns the northeast quarter of the sarae section; has a o-ood
farm and is a good citizen.
Magness, John, is a native of Norway, and was born Septeraber
15, 1823. He eraigrated with his parents to the United States, and
settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1855. January 15, 1873, he
carae to Sioux Falls, and during the next three A'ears was engaged in
freighting for C. K. Howard and Knut Thorapson. In 1876 he pre-
erapted the southwest quarter of section 19, in Burk, and settled
down to farraing. He stiU resides in Burk, but sold his farra there,
and bought the north half of section 23 in Taopi, and other land, and
now OAA'ns about 800 acres of fine land, and a fine live stock. He is a
good citizen, has been on the town board several years, and is quite
active in local politics.
Mansager, Michael E., was born in Norway in 1825, and emi
grated to Iowa. He came to DeU Rapids in this county in 1876, but
soon after secured a homestead and a tree claim in sections 29 and
30 in Burk. He is an industrious man and a good citizen.

history OF minnehaha county. 1063

Mansager, R, E., was born in Northwood, Worth county, Iowa,
October 20, 1858. He was reared on a farm and educated in the
common schools. In 1876 he came to this county and settled in Burk.
He AA'as elected toAvn treasurer in 1882, and has been re-elected frora
year to A'ear to the present writing-, and has also been school treas
urer for several years. He was appointed postmaster at Fleetwood
in 1886, and is one of the g-ood citizens of Burk.
Nyhus, Ole A., is a native of Norway, and was born March 11,
1852. He emigrated to the United States in 1866, and resided in
Wisconsin until he removed to this county, where he arrived on the
2d day of June, 1878. He took up the northwest quarter of section
7 in Burk, and has made a good farm of it. Mr. Nyhus taught the
first school in Burk, in the school house located on the southeast
corner of the southwest quarter of section 7. He has held the offices
of assessor and justice, and has been town clerk several years. He
is a good neighbor and citizen.
Randall, Frank, was born in the city of Valparaiso, Indiana,
January 23, 1850. During his rainority he worked on a farm and at
tended public schools. He engaged in farming in loAva previous to
coraing to Dakota in 1882, at which time he located in this county
and bought a farm in section 9 in Burk township, where he has since
resided. He has been one of the prominent actors in the litigation
o-rowing out of the resurvey of that township, and has to the best of
his abiUty endeavored to maintain the lines as they were before the
resurvey." He is a good farmer and an energetic citizen.
Stout, Jonathan, was born in 1822, in Ohio. He Uved in that
state and in Indiana, IlUnois and Iowa, prior to his coming to Dakota,
in 1873 when he settled in this county". He took up as a horaestead
the northwest quarter of section 28, in the town of Burk, where he
still resides.
Stout, James, was born in 1849, in IlUnois. He reraoved with
his parents to Iowa, and from there he came to Dakota in 1873, and
has been a resident of this county since then He resides "pon the
homestead taken up by his father, having sold his homestead, which
he took up on the southeast quarter of section 21.
Stout Franklin, is a brother of Jaraes Stout, and was born in
1857, in the state of Illinois, where he lived until he reraoved with his
parents to Iowa; from there he went to Nebraska, and came to Da
kota in 1873. He then secured land in the sarae section as his father
and located on the northeast quarter, where he still resides They
are all three good farraers and have good farms, and are well-known
citizens of the county.
Thompson, Thomas, was born in Norway May 17 1828 and was
reared on a fa;m. In 1850, he emigrated to the United States and
located at Racine, Wisconsin. In 1853, he removed to Lincoln,
Winneshiek coTnty, Iowa, where ^e engaged m farming until 1874
Avhen he came to this county. He settled in Burk, taking up thiee
ourths of section 27, as a homestead, timber c aim and pre-erapt^
He has since bought the balance of this section, and has erected his

1064

history of minnehaha county.

buildings in the center of the same. Mr. Thompson has in addition
to his farm of 620 acres a few acres of woodland, and is considered

Farm Residence of Thomas Thompson.
one of the best farraers in the county. He has held school and town
offices, and is a highh'- respected citizen.
Walters, Dennis, Avas born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania,
February 12, 1847, and raoved with his parents to' Iowa when six
years of age. On the 22d day of October, 1864, he enlisted in Com
pany K, 15th Iowa Infantry, and served through the remainder of
the civil war. After the war he engaged in farming in Iowa until
the spring of 1874, when he reraoved to Dakota, arriving in Sioux
Palls on the 1st day of April. He soon after took up as a horaestead
the southeast quarter of section 28 in Burk township, where he lo
cated and engaged in farming. In May, 1875, a post office was estab
lished in Burk called Geneseo, and Mr. Walters was the first post
raaster, with the post office at his residence. He held the office for
about two years. In 1879, he was again appointed postraaster and
held the office until 1888, when he removed to DeU Rapids, where he
has since resided. While a resident of Burk he held school offices,
was assessor two years, and one of the town supervisors several
years. In January, 1870, he raarried Caroline Stout, daughter of
Jonathan Stout, then of Iowa, but now a resident of Burk.

TAOPI TOAVNSHIP. (104-51)
This township is bounded on the north by Lake county, on the
east by Burk, on the south by Grand Meadow, and on the west by
Buffalo townships. The township lines were surveyed by W. J.
Neeley in August, 1859, and the subdivision was raade by H. T.
Austin in July, 1867. The township contains 22,234.96 acres of land.
At the time the subdivision was made there was a body of water
comprising 146.20 acres in the north half of section 3, and a sraall
body of water covering 37.10 acres in the northwest quarter of sec
tion 5. There was a sraall lake called Boot Lake in sections 4, 8 and
9 comprising 258.20 acres. Its form is similar to that of a boot and
it is probable that its narae was the result of its peculiar formation.
Clear Lake, at the time referred to, covered 550.80 acres, 133.85 of
Avhich was in section 31 in this township. There were also three
small streams having their source in this township, which flowed in
a southeasterly direction.
George Aker and Charles T. Austin settled in the township in
1876, and after this time the land was gradually taken up by actual
settlers. In May, 1878, J. B. Goddard settled on the southwest
quarter of section 20, and the following December a post office was
established at this point. Mr. Goddard was appointed postraaster,
and has retained the office since then. He also opened a general
store, and has continued the business down to the present time.
Early in April, 1897, the Taopi Creamery Company was incorpor
ated. Its capital stock was fixed at $4,000, divided into one hundred
and sixty shares. The incorporators were J. E. Colton, John An
drews, W. O. Colton, Austin Thompson, George Aker, C. B. Hunte-
raer and Andrew B. Lemme. A creamery was soon constructed and
fully equipped, and opened for business June 16, 1897, and has been
in s'uccessful operation since then. It is located on the northeast
corner of section 27.
The location of a creamery at this pomt, with its large patron
age, made it a desirable location for other business enterprises. In
July, 1898, a post office was established, and H. Lovald appointed
postmaster. Colton has already two stores and a blacksmith shop,
and is rapidly putting on the appearance of a lively little village.
The first school was taught in district number 62, during the
suraraer of 1880, in an old sod house located on the northeast quarter
of section 26, where the present school house is located, and Mrs.
Ellen Colton was the teacher.

1066 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Minnehaha Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church.—
This church which is connected with the Norwegian Evang-elical
Lutheran Synod of Araerica, was organized February 28, 1879, by
the Rev. O. O. Sando. In 1881 a church building was erected on the
northeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 35 in Taopi, at
a cost of $700, Avhich was paid for by the members of the church.
The Rev. O. O. Sando has remained its pastor since its organization,
and services are held once in two weeks. It has one hundred and
five communicants, and the congregation is so large that the erection
of a more commodious building is contemplated in the near future.
There is a Ladies' society and a Young Girls' society connected with
the church, which are in a flourishing condition.
St. Ansgar Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. —
This church was organized August 22, 1887, by people residing in
the townships of Taopi and Burk, with a membership of sixty. In
1889, a church building was erected on the southeast corner of the
northeast quarter of section 13 in Taopi, at a cost of a little over
$3,000. It is located on the farra of C. A. Grinde, and presents a fine
appearance. Services are held every third Sunday, and at the pres
ent time there are two hundred and seventy persons connected with
this cong-regation. Three Ladies' societies have been org-anized
in aid of the church work. Its first pastor was the Rev. A. O.
Berge, Avho officiated until 1891, and since then the Rev. C. C. Moe
has been its pastor.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church. — This church was organized
in 1888, by the Rev. Father Flynn of Madison, South Dakota. Ser
vices were held in a school house until the spring- of 1889, Avhen a
church building was erected on the southeast corner of the south
east quarter of section 2, in Taopi. The cost of the church was
about $1,500, which has been all paid by subscription among the
members, except about $200 given by outsiders, and the building is
a coraraodious and appropriate house of worship. Services are held
once or twice in each raonth. The Rev. Fathers Flynn, Maher,
Wise, Zink, Gavin, Grabig, Hogan, Mentzing, O'Hora and Peinler
have had charge of the church, and the Rev, Father M, J. Martyn,
Avho resides at DeU Rapids, is the present pastor. The congrega
tion consists of about fourteen famiUes. There is also a Sunday
school connected Avith the church with about twenty scholars.
TAOPI TOWNSHIP BOARD.
At the first general election held at the residence of J. B. God
dard on Tuesday, November 2, 1880, the following persons were elec
ted town officers: J. E. Colton, C. T. Austin and Jaraes Murphv
supervisors; Ebenezer Kilburn and Peter J. BardeU justices of the
peace, A. G. Birura and E. S. Grinde constables, Frank Stowel
clerk, W. O. Colton treasurer, L. L. Willard assessor, J. B. God
dard poundmaster, Adolph Klein overseer of the highways. It was
Aoted that the township be called Taopi. W. C. Rowland was clerk
of election, and J. B. Goddard one of the judges.
1881. January 10, the board raet at the" post office. J. B. God-

history of minnehaha county. 1067

dard Avas appointed town clerk to fill vacancy in place of Frank
Stowel. C. F. Heberlein was appointed supervisor in place of Jaines
Murphy, and Geo. O. Goddard in place of J. E. Colton. C. T. Aus
tin Avas chosen chairraan. The first warrant was issued in favor of
John Paul for $10, on the 1st day of October, 1881.
1882. Supervisors, B. C. Baarson chairraan, E. Kilburn, J. E.
Colton; clerk, J. B. Goddard; treasurer, W. C. Lovering. February
11, C. T. Austin was appointed assessor.
1883. SuperA'isors. W. C. Lovering- chairraan, J. E. Colton, B.
C. Baarson; clerk, J. B. Goddard; treasurer, Georg-e O. Goddard;
justice, E. Kilburn. December 31, E. Kilburn was appointed chair
raan of the board, Mr. Lovering having" reraoved frora the township.
1884. Supervisors, E. Kilburn, W. O. Colton, C. A. Grinde;
clerk, B. C. Baarson. Septeraber 22, the resignation of B. C. Baar
son as clerk was accepted and J. B. Goddard Avas appointed to fill
vacancy. 1885. Supervisors, E. Kilburn chairman, W. O. Colton, C. A.
Grinde; clerk, J. B. Goddard; treasurer, G. O. Goddard; assessor,
C. T. Austin.
1886. Supervisors! L. L. Willard, E. KUburn, C. A. Grinde;
clerk, W. O. Colton; assessor, Tom Larson; justice of the peace,
Zadock Clark. The equalized value of property assessed in the
toAvnship was $104,895.
1887. Supervisors, C. A. Grinde chairman, L. L. Willard, J.
O. Reed; clerk, J. B. Goddard; treasurer, Geo. O. Goddard; assessor,
Tom Larson; constable, Elias Larson. May 25, J. O. Reed resigned
as supervisor and C. H. Reed was appointed to fill the vacancy.
1888. Supervisors, C. A. Grinde, L. L. Willard, C. T. Austin;
clerk, J. B. Goddard; treasurer, G. O. Goddard; assessor, Tora Lar
son; justices, J. E. Colton, C. B. Hunteraer; constables, W. O. Col
ton, Alfred Stenson. March 12, George P. Aker Avas appointed jus
tice in place of C. B. Huntemer, who failed to quaUfy. March 31, E.
Kilburn was appointed justice to fill vacancy,
1889. Supervisors, L. L. Willard chairraan, C. T. Austin, Tora
Larson; clerk, J. B. Goddard; assessor, C. A. Grinde; treasurer,
Geo. O. Goddard; justice, E. Kilburn. November 6, contract Avas
let to J. E. Colton for grading road on south line of section 4, across
Boot Lake, and on December 3, an order was drawn .for the grading,
for $205.50. At the end of the year there AA'as a balance on hand m
the treasury of $5.53. . ^ <¦ ,¦
1890. Notwithstanding there were quite a number of meetings
of the board during the year, it is impossible to ascertain from the
records the names of the officials. March 25, E. A. Searaan was ap
pointed justice of the peace for one year. , ^, t^- a
1891 Supervisors, J. E. Colton chairman, A. G. Birura, A.
Stinton; Clerk, A. Huntemer; treasurer, C B. Huntemer ; assessor,
EU Larson; justices, E. A. Seaman, E. Kilburn; constable Ole P.
^°?892 Supervisors, J. E. Colton chairman, George Aker, J.M.
Berdahl; 'clerk, A. Huntemer; treasurer, C B. Huntemer; assessor.
Elias Larson; justice, E. KUburn; constables, A. G. Birum, C. R.

1068 history op minnehaha county.

stondahl. It was ordered at this meeting that "the noxious weeds
on the highways be destroyed by the road overseers."
1893. The records are silent as to who were elected at the an
nual town election, but it appears on March 28, that A. E. WiUard
was appointed town clerk, and that C. B. Hunteraer treasurer, W. O.
Colton assessor, E. Kilburn justice and C. Kilburn constable gave
their official bonds. Several meetings were held during the year and
routine business was transacted.
1894. Supervisors, G. O. Goddard, Martin Thompson, L. L.
Willard; treasurer, C. B. Huntemer; justice, Peter P. Bowen; con
stable, C. K. Stondahl. April 17, the board decided to give notice
through the Dell Rapids Tiraes for the destruction of the Russian
thistle. 1895. Supervisors, Geo. O. Goddard, C. B. Hunteraer, Austin
Thompson; clerk, C. A. Grinde; treasurer, Nels Baardson.
1896. Supervisors, George O. Goddard chairraan, C. B. Hun
teraer, Charles Thompson; clerk, C. A. Grinde; treasurer, Nels
Baardson; assessor, M. T. Austin.
1897. Supervisors, L. L. Willard chairman, Charles Thomp
son, C. B. Hunteraer; clerk, C. A. Grinde; treasurer, Nels Baardson;
assessor, M. T. Austin.
1898. Supervisors, George O. Goddard chairraan, Iver I. Eit-
reira, C. T. Austin; clerk, C. A. Grinde; treasurer, Nels Baardson;
assessor, M. T. Austin.
1899. Supervisors, George O. Goddard chairman, Iver I.
Eitreim, C. T. Austin; clerk, C. A. Grinde; treasurer, W. O. Colton;
assessor, C. H. Reed; justices of the peace, C. H. Reed, Louis
Clarke. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Aker, George, was bom in Norway in 1858; emig-rated to the
United States and lived in Iowa until 1876, when he located in this
county, Avhere he has since resided. He took up a homestead on the
southeast quarter of section 24 in Taopi, and has agood farm. He
has been justice of the peace, and supervisor of the town board, is an
industrious farmer and a respected citizen.
Austin, Charles T., was bom in Norway in 1850; came to the
United States when only ten years of age, and his opportunities for
an education in his native country and in this country were so broken
up that raost of his attainments may be considered self-acquired.
He went to Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1865, lived there a few
years, and then reraoved to Fillraore county, Minnesota. In 1876 he
carae to Minnehaha county, Avhere he has since resided engaged in
farming. He secured a homestead on the southeast quarter of sec
tion 35 in Taopi, to which he has added by purchase the east half of
the southwest quarter of section 36, and has a corafortable and well
improved farm. He has been an active participant in aU public
affairs in his township and county; vvas elected member of. the house
of representatives of the state legislature in 1890, on the Republican
ticket, and again in 1895, during- which term he served on the judi
ciary and other importcint coraraittees. In 1898 he was elected to the

Charles T. Austin.

HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY. 1071

same office on the fusion ticket. He is deservedly popular with all
who knoAV him.
Baardson, Nels, is a native of Norway, and was born in July,
1853. He emigrated to the United States in 1874, and located in
loAA-a. In 1878 he reraoved to Dakota and settled in this county. He
took up as a homestead the southwest quarter of section 24 in Taopi,
and purchased eighty acres adjoining, and has a good farm. He has
been town treasurer several years, and is an esteemed citizen.
Bell, Archibald, came to this country frora Glasgow, Scot
land, AA'here he was born in 1830. He Uved in lUinois and Wisconsin
before he came to Dakota, and settled in this county in 1878. He
filed on 160 acres of land as a homestead, sold 80 acres, and of the
remaining part, the west half of the northwest quarter of section
28, in Taopi, he has made a good farra, with substantial buildings
and resides there at the present time. He enlisted in the array in
1864, served 18 months, and Avas discharged in June, 1865.
Berge, Ole A., is a native of Norway, and was born January
30, 1851. He came to Araerica in 1854, and located with his parents
in Wisconsin for three years; then resided in Minnesota till 1881,
Avhen he came to Minnehaha county and located on his present farra,
the southeast quarter of section 7, in Taopi, where he still resides,
engaged in farming. He has been school director and road overseer.
Birum, Albert G., is a native of Baraboo, Sauk county, Wis
consin, where he was born in 1850. He came to Dakota frora Iowa
in the summer of 1878, and was for several years a resident of this
county. He owned a fine farra on the northeast quarter of section
32 in Taopi, where he resided until 1893, when he sold his farm and
reraoved to Sioux Falls, and for about a year was the proprietor of
the Phillips House, and then reraoved from the state. He was one of
the first constables of Taopi after the county had been organized into
townships, and was a member of the town board of supervisors and
also of the school board.
BoRViK, Ole B., was born January 10, 1864, in Norway. He
emigrated to the United States when twenty years old, and carae to
Minnehaha county May 28, 1884. He bought the southwest quarter
of section 21 in Taopi, and engaged in farraing.
Carson, Martin O., was born in Fillraore county, Minnesota,
February 4, 1866. He carae to this county with his father, Ole J.
Carson, of Grand Meadow, in 1884, and has at the present time a
nice farm of his own, comprising the east half of the southeast quar
ter of section 36 in Taopi.
Chandonette, Joseph, is a native of Canada, and Avas bor
February 23, 1833. In the fall of 1860 he came to the United States
and settled in New York. On the I5th day of July, 1878, he carae to
this county, where he has since resided. He took up a horaestead
in section 28 in Taopi, and is a good farmer and a good citizen.
Clark, Zadock, was born at Henderson, New York, in 1832.
On the 22d day of October, 1861, he enlisted in the army and served
until August, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. In 1882 he
came to Dakota and located in this county, where he has since re-

1072 HISTORY OF minnehaha COUNTY.

sided. He bought a farra on the southwest quarter of section 28
in Taopi, and engaged in farming. In 1886 he was elected justice
of the peace, and is a good citizen.
Colton, J. E., was born in Sylvester, Green county, Wisconsin,
March 28, 1857. He resided for some time in Iowa, and came to this
county in May, 1878, and settled in Taopi, taking up a pre-emption
the first year and a homestead and tree claim in 1879. He has a very
fine farra, coraprising- three quarters of section 27, and is a progres
sive, successful farmer. He has held town offices, and was county
superintendent of schools from January 1, 1883, to 1887. He raade a
good superintendent, and performed the duties of the office with great
fidelity. He is well informed upon public raatters and takes an ac
tive part in politics, and is recognized as one of the raost influential
citizens in the county. Right or wrong he is always earnest and hon
est in maintaining his views. He is a good neighbor and has a host
of friends. Colton, W. O., was born in Wisconsin, February 26, 1859, and
vvas reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. He
carae to this county in 1880, and took up as a homestead the south
east quarter of section 21, in Taopi, and has since bought the north
east quarter of section 28, in the same township. His large farm is
well cultivated, and he has some valuable iraprovements in the line of
buildings. He has held town offices, and was county commissioner
from his district for the term of three years, ending January 1, 1895.
In Noveraber, 1896, he was elected to the lower house of the legis
lature on the Populist ticket. He made a good official, is an upright,
honest citizen, and is well liked by all who know hira.
Eitreim, Iver, was born in the beautiful part of Norway called
Hardanger, June 6, 1862. When twenty years of age he einigrated
to the United States, and lived in Minnesota for three years. In 1885,
he carae to Dakota, and has been a resident of this county ever since.
He resides on his farra in section 16, in Taopi, engaged in farraing.
He is a raember of the town board, and is a good citizen.
Fish, John, was born in Iowa, April 5, 1862. In 1873, he located
in VaUey Springs township, this county, and when of age bought 160
acres of land in section 28, in Taopi, and engaged in farming.
Glennon, H. p., was born at Potosi, Grant county, Wisconsin,
March 30, 1858. He located in Minnehaha county in March, 1888, and
has since resided there. He bought 320 acres of land, coraprising
the north half of section 10, in Taopi, where he resides and has a fine
farra. He is an enterprising farmer and a good citizen.
Goddard, George O., was born in Monona. Clayton county, la.,
March 6, 1856. He reraoved to Taopi, this county, in May, 1878, and
took up as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 29, and as a
tree claim the southeast quarter of section 20, where he resides and
has a very good farm. He is engaged in the raercantile business with
his father, J. B. Goddard. He has been a member of the town board
for several years, the greater part of which time he has been its
chairman. He is public-spirited, a good business man, and a highly
esteemed citizen.

J. E. Colton.

history of minnehaha county. 1075

Goddard, J. B., was born in Rutland county, Vermont, October
16, 1830. He came West, and resided for a few years in Iowa and
Minnesota, and removed to this county and settled in Taopi in 1878,
securing- a pre-emption on the southwest quarter of section 20, where
he has since resided. In December, 1878, the Taopi post office was
established and Mr. Goddard was appointed postmaster, which posi
tion he has held ever since. For ten years he was town clerk of
Taopi. In addition to farming he has been engaged in the raercan
tile business at Taopi since 1878. He is not only a good official, but
is a g-ood farraer and a successful business raan. His location for
country trade is all that could be desired, and "Goddard's store" is
knoAvn to all the residents of Minnehaha county and vicinity. Mr.
Goddard is a strong raan with decided views upon all public ques
tions, and is well liked by his neighbors.
Grinde, Carl A., was born in Norway, January 9, 1857, but his
residence in that country was of short duration, as his parents emi
grated to the United States when he Avas only two weeks old. In
June, 1879, he came to this county, and for one year resided in Edi
son; then removed to Taopi and secured by pre-emption the south
east quarter of section 13, where he has since resided. He has a
good farm with good improvements. He has held several important
town offices, and was a raeraber of the house of representatives of the
state legislature in 1893. He has a large faraily of children of which
he is proud. He is well Uked by his neighbors, and is highly es
teeraed by all who know him.
Gunderson, Gunder,, is a native of Norway, and was born in
1843. In 1869 he emigrated to the United States, and lived in lUinois
and Iowa until in 1879, Avhen he removed to Dakota, coming, Uke so
many other earlv settlers, by ox-team. He located in this county,
securing as a horaestead the southeast quarter of section 22 m Taopi,
and engaged in fanning.
Hatland, Jacob, is a native of Norway, and Avas born March 6,
1866. He einigrated to Dakota, and located in this county in 1887,
where he has since resided. He bought the northeast quarter of
section 20 in Taopi, and is engaged in fanning. He has a good farra,
and is a good citizen.
Huntemer, Charles B., was born in Potosi, Grant county,
Wisconsin, Deceraber 29, 1853. He came to this county m 1878, and
settled in Taopi on the southwest quarter of section 2, where he
still resides At that time he had $500 in raoney and a pair of
old horses, harness and wagon. He is now the owner of a large
farm of about 1,000 acres. He is a good farmer and has made the
raost of his opportunities. His residence and other farra build
ings are among the best in the county, and their arrangeraent and
completeness for farm purposes is admirable. He keeps a large
stock of cattle, horses and hogs. Mr. Hunteraer clearly demonstrates
what a man can do as a farraer in this county, provided he is indus
trious and attentive to business. He is a good neighbor and a re
spected citizen.

1076 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Huntemer, George Valentine, was born at Potosi, Grant
county, Wisconsin, July 10, 1859. He has been engaged in farraing
in Taopi for several years, and is one of the brothers whose names
appear on nearly all ithe northern tier of sections in Taopi township."
He has a g-ood farm of 320 acres, and is a good citizen.
Huntemer, Prank J., was born at Potosi, Grant county, Wis
consin, August 31, 1867. He has lived in this county for many years
engaged in extensive farming, and is the owner of about 600 acres of
good farm land in Taopi. He is one of the active and enterprising
citizens of that township.
Huntemer, Joseph, Avas born at Potosi, Grant county, Wis
consin, September 20, 1869. He came to this county and settled in
Taopi where he engaged in farming until the fall of 1896, when he
sold out and removed to Wisconsin. He was an enterprising young
raan, and his departure was regretted by his neighbors.
JoRGENSON, Peter, was born in Norway, March 29, 1831, He
eraigrated to this country and lived in Iowa until 1878, when he re
raoved to Dakota. On the 19th day of May, 1879, he carae to this
county and took up as a horaestead the southwest quarter of section
17 in Taopi, upon which he resides, and a tree claira on the south
east quarter of the sarae section, raaking in all a very fine farm, with
substantial buildings and other improvements.
Kilburn, E., was born in Canada, May 1, 1825. He came to the
United States in 1846, and Uved in Wisconsin and New Hampshire
until he settled in this county in 1878. He took up a homestead on
the northeast quarter of section 31 in Taopi, where he has since re
sided and has a good farm. He has always been prominent in town
affairs; has held the office of justice of the peace several terms, and
supervisor and chairraan of the town board ; and is a well liked and
highly respected citizen.
Kline, Adolph, came to this country frora Germany, Avhere he
was born in 1847. He came to Dakota in 1878, after having lived in
Wisconsin and Iowa for sorae tirae. He filed a tree claira and a pre-
eraption upon the east half of section 30 in Taopi, and engaged in
farming. Larson, Elias, is a native of Norway, and was born January 11,
1856. He einigrated to this country in 1872, and lived in Iowa for six
years, then reraoved to Minnehaha county and settled on his present
farm, the northeast quarter of section 25, in Taopi, Avhere he has
since resided. He is an active and well-known citizen, and has held
the office of assessor.
Larson, Tom, was born in the province of Bergen, Norway,
February 15, 1862. When he first came to this country'he located in
lowaandUved thereuntil thespringof 1878,Avhenhe moved to Dakota.
He owns and resides upon the southwest quarter of section 15, and
on April 3, 1885, he filed a tree claim upon the southwest quarter of
section 26, m Taopi. He is an industrious farmer and a good citi
zen, and has been assessor for three vears.

W. O. Colton.

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1079

Olson, Ole, Avas born in Sweden August 4, 1844, and was
reared on his father's farm. In 1871, he einigrated to the United
States, worked on a farra in Wisconsin for awhile, three years in a
pinery in Michigan, three years on a farm near Lincoln, Neb., and
six months in a gold mine in the Black Hills, after which he bought a
farm in Wahoo precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, and lived there
about seven years. He removed to this county in the spring of 1885,
and bought the southwest quarter of section 1, in Taopi, where he
still resides with his family, consisting- of wife, three girls and three
boys. His farra is Avell iraproved Avith good buildings, seven acres of
trees, and orchard. He is a g-ood farraer and a good citizen.
Reed, James O., a son of Orville H. Reed, Avas born in Water-
town, New York, May 9, 1852. He came to this county in 1880, and
settled in Taopi, taking up a homestead and a tree claim in section
31, and has since that tirae resided there. He has held various town
offices, and was norainated for the legislature in 1892, but his party
AA'as in the minority, and he did not secure the election. He is an ac
tive citizen, and stands well with his neighbors and acquaintances.
Reed, Orville H., was born in Watertown, Jefferson county,
NeAV York, December 13, 1828, and was educated in the common
schools. He was at one time engaged in the oil business in Pennsyl-
A'ania, and aftervA'ards lived seven years in Wisconsin. In 1880, he
carae to this county and settled in Taopi, taking up the southwest
quarter of section 29 as a horaestead, where he has since resided.
He foUoAved the trade of carpenter and joiner for twenty-five years.
While residing in NeAv York he held town offices. He is a good
neighbor, and a respected citizen.
Stondahl, C. Knutson, Avas born in Minnesota, April 25, 1857,
and carae to this county in 1878. He had no property when he first
carae here, but took up 160 acres of land in the northwest quarter of
section 18, in Taopi, as a horaestead. By industry and economy, he
soon had quite a good farra, although the hail storms destroyed his
crops three tiraes. He has been school treasurer, and also constable
of Taopi, and is a good citizen.
Thompson, Austin, is a native of Iowa, and was born July 1,
1857. He came to this county on the 16th day of August, 1878, and
secured a homestead on the southeast quarter of section 23 in Taopi,
where he has since resided, and has a good farm. He was one of the
supervisors of the town board in 1895, is an industrious farmer and
a good citizen.
Thompson, Charles, was born in Norway, October 22, 1853.
He einigrated to the United States and resided in Howard county,
Iowa, for some time, but reraoved to this county in 1878, and settled
on his present farra, coraprising 160 acres in sections 25 and 26 in
Taopi, which is now a well improved farm. He was one of the super
visors' of the town board in 1896 and 1897, and is an enterprising,
good citizen.
Topham, Thomas H., is a native of England, and was born
March 18, 1851. He einigrated to the United States in 1880, lived a

1080 history of minnehaha county.

few months in New York, then resided in Connecticut until he re
moved to Dakota. He arrived in this county March 20, 1892, resided
in Grand Meadow a short time, and is now engaged in farming in
section 31 in Taopi. He was one of the grand jurors at the Novera
ber term of Minnehaha county circuit court in 1894, and during his
short residence in the county has established a good reputation as a
citizen. Willard, Levi Laroy, is a native of Vermont, and was born in
1846. He lived a few years in Iowa and Wisconsin, and removed to
this county in 1879. He took up a homestead and tree claim in sec
tions 27 and 31, and engages in general farraing, raising grain,
horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. In 1896 he was nominated on the
Republican ticket to the house of representatives of the South Dakota
legislature, but his party was in the minority that year, and conse
quently he was not elected. Mr. WiUard is a good neighbor and cit
izen, and is one of those men whom everybody likes.

J. B. Goddard.

BUFFALO TOWNSHIP.
(104-52)
Buffalo is the northwest township in the county and contains, ac
cording to the government survey, 19,355.53 acres of land. In Au
g-ust, 1859, the township lines were surveyed by W. J. Neeley, and
the subdivision was made by H. T. Austin in June, 1867. This sur
vey shows that Buffalo lake in sections 2 and 10 covered 440 acres of
land at that time. Diamond Lake 282 acres, a portion of Clear Lake
126 acres in section 36, and another lake, part of which is in McCook
countA', covered 191 acres in sections 19 and 30. There Avere some
small streams tributary to these lakes, and one of the branches of
Skunk creek had its source at the northeast corner of section 30. If
a surA'ey should be made of these lakes and water courses at the
present tirae they would not make so good a showing- upon a map of
the toAvnship. Alexander Irvine settled on the northeast quarter of section 27
in May, 1877. H. J. Dallen, Sever O. Henjum, B. E. Nelson, and
Freeman O. Nichols came in 1878, and seA'eral prominent, Avell-to-do
farmers residing in this township at the present time settled there
in 1879. The first school house in Burk was located on the northeast cor
ner of section 9. It was covered Avith one thickness of boards, and
warmed by a sheet-iron stove. The fuel used was hay, and the
scholars twisted it ready for use during the recesses and at noon.
The teacher was Mary E. Brenner, who taught the school for three
months, at $18 per month.
During the last ten years some fine farra buildings have been
erected, and taking the township as a whole the evidence of pros
perity is not wanting. There is not a post office in the township,
and the residents receive their raail at Taopi and Montrose. The
nearest railroad station is Montrose on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minne
apolis and Omaha railway.
Seventh Day Advent Church. — The church of the Seventh
Day Advent was erected in 1889, on the southeast quarter of the
southeast quarter of section 26 in Buffalo, and was paid for by sub
scription. It is principaUy open for the Seventh Day Adventists.
who keep their Sabbath on Saturday, but Protestants of all denomi
nations are welcome to worship in the church.
St. Jacob's Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congrega
tion. — This church organization was perfected in 1884 by the Rev.
O. O. Sando, who remained its pastor until he was succeeded by the

1084 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Rev. M. Shirley. The present pastor is the Rev. M. Swaren, and
the cong-regation consists of ninety members of which forty-seven
are communicants. It is connected with the Norwegian Evangelical
Lutheran Synod of America. In 1887, this society built a church on
the southeast comer of section 15. It is a fine church building,
twenty-eight by forty feet and has a steeple eighty-one feet in
height Avhich can be seen for several miles in all directions.
BUFFALO TOWNSHIP BOARD.
The first meeting of the township board was held at the resi
dence of S. O. Henjura January 14, 1881. At this raeeting S. O.
Henjum Avas chosen chairraan; the other raerabers of the board were
Jacob Stevens and J. Nebbergall; H. J. Dallen was assessor, B. C.
Baarson clerk, C. Bode treasurer, William Eggert, L. W. Granger
justices, H. Stevens constable. The first warrant issued was in
favor of H. J. Dallen for services as assessor in the sum of $18.
1882. Supervisors, S. O. Henjum chairraan, Edgar Kilburn,
James Nebbergall; clerk, John Archer; treasurer, Carl Bode; as
sessor, Matthew Owens; constable, A. Gregory; pound raaster, A.
J. Anderson. June 28, Carl Bode tendered his resignation as treas
urer, which was accepted, and H. J. Dallen was appointed to fill the
vacancy. 1883. Supervisors, S. O. Henjura chairman, Edgar Kilburn,
B. E. Nelson; clerk, John Archer; treasurer, H. J. Dallen; justices,
L. W. Granger, W. Rodway; constables, E. A. Packard, Jacob
Stevens. 1884. Supervisors, P. J. Burnett chairraan, H. J. Dallen, B. E.
Nelson; clerk, John Archer; treasurer, John Arneson; assessor, S.
O. Henjura; justices, Henry Guth, L. W. Granger; constables, S. J.
Holland, John Hand.
1885. Supervisors, S. O. Henjura chairraan, Edgar Kilburn,
Jaraes NebbergaU; clerk, P. J. Burnett; assessor and justice, L. W.
Granger; constable, John Hand. May 12, the board appointed Wm.
Eggert constable, John Hand having removed frora the township.
1886. Supervisors, S. O. Henjura chairraan, Edgar Kilburn, E.
A. Packard; clerk, John Archer; treasurer, D. W. Kennison; as
sessor, P. J. Burnett; justices, L. W. Granger, Henry Guth; con
stables, WiUiara Eggert, S. J. Holland.
1887. Supervisors, L. W. Granger chairman, E. A. Packard,
H. J. Dallen; clerk, John Archer; treasurer, D. W. Kennison; as
sessor, Matthew OAvens; justice, James NebbergaU; constable, J. N.
Hartrauft. 1888. Supervisors, P. J. Burnett chairman, B. E. Nelson,
John Hart; clerk, Matthew Owens; treasurer, H. J. Dallen; assessor,
John Arneson. February 26, 1889, a petition for the resurvey of
the township Avas received, asking that the question be submitted to
a vote at the next annual election.
1889. Supervisors, P. J. Burnett chairraan, John Hart, B. E.
Nelson; clerk, M. Owens; assessor, John Arneson; treasurer, H. J.
Dallen. In May, after having canvassed the votes for delegates to
the constitutional convention, the question arose who should deliver

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1085

the election returns at Sioux Falls, and no meraber of the board was
Avilling to do so. It was then voted that $2.50 should be paid in ad
dition to the fees to the person perforraing the service, still no one
being Avilling the supervisors and the clerk drew lots in order to de
cide the question. The lot fell on the clerk, who reraarks in the
record "that he being out of money as usual" made a bill in advance,
AA'hich Avas allowed. October 1, Sivert Olson was appointed con
stable. 1890. Supervisors, S. O. Henjum chairman, P. J. Burnett, L.
W. Granger; clerk and justice, Matthew Owens; assessor, John
Arneson; treasurer, H. J. Dallen; constables, B. E. Nelson, S. S.
Olson. April 21, F. J. Burnett resigned as supervisor and G. V.
Huntemer was appointed to fill the vacancy.
1891. Supervisors, L. W. Granger chairman, G. V. Huntemer,
D. W. Kennison; clerk, John Archer; assessor, John Arneson;
treasurer, H. J. Dallen; justice, A. J. Erikson. It was voted to hold
all town meetings in the school house in district No. 98. Twenty-
five votes were cast.
1892. Supervisors, B. E. Nelson chairman, G. V. Hunteraer,
John B. Johnson; clerk, S. O. Henjura; treasurer, H. J. Dallen; as
sessor, John Archer; justice, C. H. Radspinner; constables, Peter
A. Nerdahl, E. J. Archer.
1893. Supervisors, B. E. Nelson chairman, John B. Johnson,
Jacob Stevens; clerk, S. O. Henjum; treasurer, H. J. Dallen; con
stable, Albert Arneson; assessor, John Archer.
1894. Supervisors, Hans Johnson chairman, J. B. Johnson,
George Ingalls; clerk, T. J. Burnett; treasurer, John Arneson; (Geo.
Hill was elected but did not qualify); assessor, P. O. Nichols.
1895. Supervisors, John B. Johnson, Geo. W. Ingalls, H. J.
Dallen; clerk, F. J. Burnett; treasurer, John Arneson.
1896. Supervisors, John Arneson chairman, S. M. Riveness,
Alex. Irvine; clerk, P. J. Burnett; treasurer, J. B. Johnson; as
sessor, P. O. Nichols. Txr r> A u XT
1897. Supervisors, John Arneson chairraan, W. C. Archer, i±.
J. Dallen; clerk, P. J. Burnett; treasurer, John B. Johnson; as
sessor, J. J. Ordal. . TT T T^ 11 TX7
1898. Supervisors, B. E. Nelson chairman, H. J. Dallen, W.
C. Archer; clerk, P. J. Burnett; treasurer, John B. Johnson; as
sessor, Joseph J. Ordal. .^ „ , it, a
1899. Supervisors, B. E. Nelson, A. E. Packard, John Arne
son; clerk, P. J. Burnett; treasurer, John B. Johnson; assessor,
Joseph J. Ordal. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Archer, John, is a native of Ohio, and was born February 6,
1831 He removed to IlUnois, then to Iowa, and came frora there to
Dakota May 1, 1881. He secured a homestead on the southwest
quarter of section 13 in Buffalo, where he stiU resides. He has been
clerk of the town board for about seven years, and school district
clerk eight years. He has a well iraproved farm, with substantial
buildings and a large nuraber of horses and cattle.

1086 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Archer, Ernest J., Avas born in Kane county, Illinois, Febru
ary 16, 1859. He reraoved with his father to Iowa, and carae to Da
kota, May 1, 1881, taking up a homestead adjoining his father's, on
the northeast quarter of section 24. He also owns the east half of
the northwest quarter and the east half of the southwest quarter of
the sarae section, and has a good farra.
Arneson, John, has resided in Buffalo since April, 1881. He
made a pre-eraption filing upon the northwest quarter df section 15,
but changed it to a horaestead and now resides there. He also has a
tree claira upon the southAvest quarter of section 15. He has been
assessor, treasurer, and chairraan of the town board, and has held
school district offices several years. He was born in Norway, March
11, 1849; einigrated to the United States and resided for awhile in
Iowa and three years in Minnesota before coming to this county
in 1881. Burnett, F. J., was born at Jordan, Onondaga county. New
York, March 1, 1841. Before coraing to Dakota he lived in Ohio,
Wisconsin, Michigan and lovA'a. On the 23d day of April, 1861, he
enlisted in Co. H, Second Reg-iment Wis. Vol. Inf., and served until
August 16 of that year. On the 24th day of January, 1864, he en
listed in Batter}' D, First Michigan Light Artillery, and served until
August 3, 1865. On the 2d day of May, 1878, he arrived in this
county and took up 320 acres of land in Taopi township, also the
southAvest quarter of section 3 in Buffalo township, which he now
oAvns, and upon which he resides. He was chairman of the toAvn
board in 1884-8-9, town clerk and enumerator of census in 1885, asses
sor in 1886, supervisor in 1890, and guard at the penitentiary from
April 9, 1890, to March 21, 1893, since which time he has resided on
his farra. He Avas elected town clerk in 1894, and by re-elections has
held the office since then. Mr. Burnett is a good neighbor, and an
upright, respected citizen.
Dallen, H. J., was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, Noveraber
16, 1856. resided for awhile in Iowa and renioved to this county in
May, 1878. He made a horaestead entry on the southwest quarter of
section 21, in Buffalo, where he now resides. He has held the office
of town treasurer six years, and has also been town assessor and
supervisor of the town board.
Guth, Henry, was born in Mihvaukee, Wisconsin, in March,
1854, and was educated in the coraraon schools. He resided in Wis
consin until he reraoved to Dakota in May, 1879, at which time he lo
cated in Buffalo, taking up as a homestead the southwest quarter of
section 4, where he has since resided. He also pre-empted 160 acres
and secured a tree claim in the adjoining- county. He is a good
farmer and a good citizen. In relating his early experiences as a
pioneer he said: "I did not have any vegetables for a year and a half,
and I had such a yearning for anything- in that line that I ate green
oats and other grain with the greatest relish. Pioneers are slaves
for those who come after thera."
Holden, Oscar L., was bom in Verraont May 21, 1853. He re
sided in Iowa six years, and reraoved to Dakota in August, 1882, and

HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY. 1087

settled in Minnehaha county. He boug-ht the northwest quarter of
section 13, in Buffalo, where he engaged in fanning-, besides working-
at his trade of carpenter. He resided on his farm until his death,
Avhich occurred June 4, 1897. He Avas a good citizen.
Hill, George H., Avas born in Essex county, NewYork, in 1857.
He removed with his parents to Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1860,
and remained there until January, 1876, when they located in -this
count}-, his father, Hiram N. HiU, securing- about 200 acres in sec
tion 20, in Benton township. The subject of this sketch raoved on to
his present farm, comprising- the north half of the northeast quarter
of section 22, and the southwest quarter and the south half of the
southeast quarter of section 15, in Buffalo township, in 1879, and has
resided there ever since. He Avas elected justice of the peace in
1894. Holland, Severt J., is a native of Norway, and was bom May
21, 1858. He emigrated to the United States in 1870, and lived in
loAA'a until he carae to Dakota in 1880. He took up as a horaestead the
east half of the southeast quarter of section 29, and as a tree claira
the northwest quarter of section 31, and has purchased the north
half of the northeast quarter of section 29, in Buffalo, and resides on
his homestead. He has been road supervisor five years and constable
four years.
Henjum, Sever O., is a native of Norway, and Avas born May 21,
1851. He einigrated to the United States and lived in Iowa and
Minnesota until 1878, when he carae to Dakota, arriving in this
county on the 27th day of May of that year. He took up a homestead
on the northwest quarter of section 21, in Buffalo, where he stiU re
sides, and a tree claira on the northeast quarter of section 20, in the
same town, which half section of land he still retains and has a fine
farm. He has been prominent in town affairs, having held both town
and school district offices.
Irvine, Alexander, the first permanent settler of Buffalo, Avas
born at JanesviUe, Wisconsin, February 4, 1856. He lived in loAva
for some time, and removed from there to Dakota in May, 1877, Avhen
he located a homestead on the northeast quarter of section 27 in
Buffalo, where he stiU resides, and has a good farra. He also owns
the east half of the northwest quarter of the sarae section.
Jaastad, Lewis Henderson, was born in Norway, February 22,
1855, and emigrated to the United States in 1873 and settled in Iowa.
In 1881 he carae to Burk, this county, but soon after took up the
southeast quarter of section 8 in Buffalo. He has been school clerk
for several years and has also held the office of justice of the peace.
He has a good farm, and raises both grain and stock; is a good neigh
bor, and a respected citizen.
Johnson, John B., was born in Norway, January 14, 1862, and
emio-rated to this country with his father, Johannes J. Ordal, in 1880.
Since May of that year he has resided in Buffalo township, and' is the
owner of a good farra in section 11; has been on the town board four
years, one year of Avhich he was chairman, and has held the office of
town treasurer. He is a good citizen.

1088 HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.

Kennison, Daniel W., is a Verraonter by birth, and was born
August 11, 1829. He lived in New York and Illinois for several
years and carae to this county on the 22d day of August, 1882, frora
Grundy county, Iowa. He took up a horaestead on the northeast
quarter of section 35 in Buffalo, to Avhich he added the northwest
quarter of section 12, and eighty acres in section 36, and in a few
years had a fine farra, with good buildings and improvements. But
on account of feeble health he was obliged to give up farming, and in
1893 reraoved to Madison, in Lake county, where he resided until in
1898, Avhen he went to Arkansas, in hopes of regaining his health,
but failing in this, carae to Sioux Falls, and after a long siege ih the
hospital, recovered his health to quite an extent. He disposed of his
farra in Buffalo, except the eighty acres in section 36, and bought
some property in Sioux Palls, where he now resides. He was treas
urer of Buffalo township in 1886 and 1887. His two sons, C. A. and
C. C, are still residents of Buffalo, where they are engaged in farm
ing, and they are all enterprising men and good citizens. In 1856 he
raarried Miss Jane R. Gage of Chateaugay, New York.
Nelson, Benedict E., is a native of Bergen, Norway, and was
born March 20, 1854. He eraigrated to the United States in 1871,
and resided in Dane county, Wisconsin, seven years. In 1878 he
carae to this county and settled in Buffalo township, taking up as a
homestead the northeast quarter of section 23, and the Avest half of
the northwest quarter and the southwest quarter of section 24
as a tree claira, and has since purchased the southeast quarter of
section 14. He has a good farm and is a good farmer. He has been
supervisor of the town board for several years, and two years its
chairman, and has been a raeraber of the school board since 1887.
He is frequently elected a delegate to the county conventions, and
is one of the raost reUable and highly respected citizens in the county.
Nichols, Freeman O., of Buffalo, was born in Illinois, Sep
teraber 19, 1852. When two years old he reraoved with his parents
to Iowa, and lived there until 1878, when he located in this county.
He secured a pre-eraption in Buffalo, but sold it and went to Lincoln
county, where he reraained three years. He then returned to Min
nehaha county and took up as a homestead the south half of the
northeast quarter of section 32 in Buffalo, where he still resides. He
is also the owner of the southeast quarter of the same section, and
has a good farra. He has been director and clerk of the school board,
and town assessor, and is a pleasant neighbor and a good citizen.
Owens, Matthew, was bom in Maine June 5, 1852, and was
reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. He removed
to Wisconsin and then to Minnesota and carae frora there to Dakota
in July, 1879. He settled in Buffalo township, taking up as a home
stead the northeast quarter of section 3, and also secured a timber
claira in section 10. He has been a successful farraer, and is an
active, respected citizen. He has held school and town offices, and
is well liked by his neighbors.
Ordal, Johannes J., Avas bom in Norway, January 19, 1841,
and eraigrated to this country in 1880, and located in this county on

D. W. Kennison and Wipe.

60

history of minnehaha county. 1091

May 16, of that year, on section 10 in Buffalo township, where he
has since resided. He is a good citizen.
Ordal, Joseph, son of Johannes, was born in NorAvay March 4,
1866, and came to this county with his parents in 1880. He lives on
the horae farm, and owms 80 acres of land adjoining; has been town
ship assessor two years, and is a good citizen,
Packard, Edward A,, was born in Iowa county, Wisconsin,
June 18, 1856, and was educated in the coramon schools. He re
moved to Iowa and came from there to Dakota May 10, 1879. He
settled in Buffalo, taking up as a tree claim the southwest quarter
of section 25, AA'here he still resides. To this he has added 240
acres in sections 26 and 36, in the same town. He has a well im
proved farm and a thrifty apple orchard of about 150 trees. He has
held toAvn offices and has been an actiA'e citizen. He is well Uked by
his neighbors, and is highly respected by all who know hira.
Stevens, Jacob, an old resident of the town of Buffalo, Avas
born in Ohio, in 1847. He resided for sorae time in Minnesota but
came to Minnehaha county in 1879 and took up the north half of sec
tion 9 in Buffalo, Avhere he now resides. He is a good citizen.
* BALTIC.
Soon after the Milwaukee railroad was built between Dell Rap
ids and Sioux Palls, a way station was established on the southeast
quarter of section 32 in DeU Rapids township, and was called St.
Olaf. A post office was also established, with a Mr. Ebert as post
master. Two or three years after this, J. A. Pettigrew built the
St. Olaf's flour mill at this point. The name of the station and post
office was changed to Keyes. In October, 1889, John O. Langness
platted four blocks in section 5 in Sverdrup township. At this point
several business buildings were erected, and at the present writing-
most of the business is done in the Sverdrup portion of the village.
The station, raill, one elevator, and a drug store, are north of the
line dividing the townships. On the Sverdrup side there are two
elevators, three general stores, two blacksmith shops, harness shop,
and lumber yard. There is also a good school house, a crearaery,
and hotel at this point. Baltic is a good wheat raarket, and has sorae
very energ-etic, good business men engaged in business there.
Among them are John O. Langness, T. J. and Knut Questad, T. T.
Vrenne, and C. H. McFarlin. The location of Baltic, upon the
banks of the Big Sioux river, with its water power, surrounded by a
rich farming country, makes it a good business point, and now that
it has got its name permanently established, it will undoubtedly
increase rapidly in population and commercial importance.
=*'At the time Baltic was reached in its proper order, a question arose in reeard to the correctness of a statement
which the miinuscript contained, and it was taken out for the purpose of verification. At this point the writer was
compelled to be absent from the city several days, and upon his return found that it could only appear, as it does, at
the end of this work.

INDEX.

Preface 
Introductory  ..
Chapter I. Early History.
Legislative Act Establishing Minne
haha, Lincoln, Hrookings and Duel
Counties — Boundaries of Minne
haha County — Series of evolution
that made this possible, beginning
with 1762 
First information in regard to the
Falls of the Big Sioux — Western
Town Company 
First land taken up under the U. S.
laws in Dakota — First Log House
— Dakota Land Company — Sioux
Falls City— First Settlers 
Indian hostilities — Sioux Valley de
serted — Sioux Falls City again set
tled 
First white woman — Indians again
threatening the settlements in the
Sioux Valley— "Fort Sod"— Let
ter written by an occupant of same
in 1858 
First printing press, newspaper,
editor, etc 
Interesting report of Dakota Land
Company 
Emanija, County Seat — First polit
ical convention and election 
"Squatter Legislature" 
Death of the first Governor 
Second Session of the "Squatter Leg
islature" 
Dakota Territory organized, and di
vided into judicial districts 
First Territorial Election, Legisla
ture, Members — Soldiers arrive —
Indian massacre— The murder of
Judge Amidon and Son 

PAGE, I
5'
6

19
21

24

25

PAGE.
Soldiers and Settlers leaving the
Sioux Valley — Sioux Falls City
burned by the Indians — Second
Territorial Legislature  26
Memorials to Congress praying for
the estabUshment of a Military
Postal SiouxPalls  27
Military Post established — Bounda
ries of the Military Reservation  28
"The Barracks"  28,34
Sioux Falls settled for the third time
—First sutler  28
Memorial to Congress praying for
bloodhounds — Names of early set
tlers — Melvin's Log House  31
Memorials to Congress praying for a
government road — Names of a
large number of new settlers  32
The Military Post at Sioux Falls va
cated — The Military Reservation
opened — Immigration increasing —
First Sunday School — Cataract
House built — Other Improvements 33
First Residence at Dell Rapids — Dell
City Journal — First church build
ing erected in Sioux Falls — Sioux
Falls Pantagraph — Land Office
opened — School house and Metho
dist church erected — Brick manu
facturing — Improvements during
1873  34
Grasshoppers destroy the crops  35
Valley Springs first school and mar
riage  3S-=64
Explanatory remarks by the author. 35
Chapter II. Board of County Commissioners
Big Sioux County, First Officers, Pro
ceedings  13, 36
First county warrant  37
Minnehaha County established —
First officers  9, 37

11

•INDEX.

PAGE.
Minnehaha County reorganized —
Present boundaries established  32, 38
Record of the first meeting of
County Board  38
County divided into districts — Offi
cers appointed  38,39
County divided into Commissioner
Districts  53
County Redistricted  59
Sheriff  36.8, 44-6-55
District Attorney  36.9,45-7, 52.9
Register of Deeds and County Clerk
 36.8.9, 41.5.6, 56
Clerk of Courts  60,3-4
County Treasurer  38,41 -5-6-8, 54.5, 64
County Superindent of Schools _. 39, 41 -9, 53-4
Coroner  40, 56
Surveyor  41, 53.54, 60-I.5
Roads  ..39-40. 1 -4, 65
Bridges  41.2.6-7-8, 51-2.3, 60.1.2.3-4.5 6
Liquor License  41.5-6-7.8, 53.5
Places designated for holding elec
tions  42-3
Ballot boxes  42, 60
Financial Statement of County June
30, 1872,  41
Election Returns  44, 62
Assessments  44-7, 62-3-4-6
Official Newspapers 45. 6. 8,50. 2. 4. 6-8-9,60 -4 -5- 6
Ferry across Big Sioux River  45, 51.2
Treasurer's Report  47.8,61.5
Board of Insanity  48,61.2-5
County Jail  48-49, 50-I-2, 60-I
County Poorhouse and Poor- farm . .
 48-9, 52.6-7-S, 6o-s
County Bonds  48-9, 55-6-7
Township Organization, Numbers
and Names  49-5°
County Offices, Court Room  52
County Physicians  52-6,65
Prohibition  54-5, 62
Office of County Auditor created  55
Court House  55.6.7.9
Court House Tower-clock  60
Hospital  55
Seed'Grain Applications   58,64-5
Appropriation for Exhibit at World's
Fair   .._ 60
Vote 'of Thanks to Commissioner
McKee — Lease of School Lands-- 61
Reward for capturing Dr. Fisher  61-3
Rainmaking  63
Boarding Prisoners — Places desig
nated for selling mortgaged prop
erty — Appropriation for County
Exhibit  65

Appropriation for ist South Dakota
Regiment and Company B 
List of County Commissioners, 1871-
1899 
Chapter III. Courts.
United .States District Court  L-
District Court of Minnehaha County :
First Term, May, 1871; Second,
May, 1872; Third, May, 1873-..
Fourth, June, 1874; Fifth, May,
1875 
Sixth, May, 1876; Seventh, May,
1877; Eighth, May, 1878; Ninth,
June, 1879; Tenth, December,
1879 
Eleventh, June, 1880; Twelfth,
April, 1881 ; Thirteenth, Novem
ber, 1881 
Fourteenth, April, 1882; Fifteenth,
November, 1882; Sixteenth,
April, 1883 
Seventeenth, April, 1884 
Eighteenth, November, 1884; Nine
teenth, April, 1885 
Twentieth, November, 1885; Twen
ty-first, April, 1886; Twenty-sec
ond, November, i886 
Twenty-third, April, 1887; Twenty-
fourth, November, 1887; Twen
ty-fifth, April, 1888 
Twenty-sixth, November, 1888;
Twenty-seventh, April, 1889 
Circuit Court of Minnehaha County:
First Term, May, i8go; Second,
December, 1S90 
Third, April, 1881 
Fourth, Noveraber, 1S91 
Fifth, April, 1892 
Sixth, November, 1892 
Seventh, April, 1893; Eighth, No
vember, 1893 
Ninth, April, 1S94; Tenth, Novem
ber, 1894; Eleventh, April, 1895.
Twelfth, November, 1895; Thir
teenth, April, 1896; Fourteenth,
Noveinber, 1896 
Fifteenth, April, 1S97; Special,
July, 1S97; Sixteenth, December,
1S97 
Seventeenth, May, 1898; Eigh
teenth, December, 1S98; Nine
teenth, April, 1899 
Probate Court 
County Court 

66
66
68 7374
76
77

81
82
85

86
87 88

91
92 95
9798

103

104

107 107108

INDEX.

Ill

Chapter IV. Constitutional Conventions.

Constitutional Convention, 1883 
Constitutional Convention, 1885 
Constitutional Convention, 1889 
Territorial and State Officers, 1S61-
1889 
Federal and State Officers, 1889-1899
Chapter V.
Plats, Alphabetically Arranged 
Statistics: Population in Dakota Territory,
1860-70-S0 — North and South
Dakota, 1890 — Minnehaha
County, 1870-80-90 
Population of Subdivisions of Min
nehaha County, 1890 — Native
and Foreign Born — Male and
Female — Nationality, State and
County— Nativity, Age, Color,
in County, and City of Sioux
Falls in 1890 
Number of Dwellings, Families,
Average number of Persons in
each Dwelling in Dakota, 1850
to 1890 — Same in Minnehaha
Count y — S c h o ol enrollment,
State, 1890— Church Organiza
tions in State, 1890— Mortality
in State, County and City of
Sioux Falls, 1890— Causes of
Death— Infirm Persons in State
and County, 1890 
Prisoners, Native and Foreign
born in State, 1S90— Indebted
ness of County— Census of
County, 1895 

119 121125 126127

129

141

142

143

144

Chapter VI. Railroads and Motor Lines.

Railroad meetings   
Worthington & Sioux Falls railroad-
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis &
Omaha railroad 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul rail
road 
Buriington, Cedar Rapids and North
ern railroad 
Illinois Central railroad 
Willmar & Sioux Falls railroad 
South Sioux Falls Railroad and
Rapid Transit 
South Dakota Rapid Transit and
Railroad Company 
Sioux Falls, Yankton and South
western Railway 

14s147 149 149 "51153 157161 162 165

Schedule of Distances from Sioux
Falls to Railroad Stations in this
Countv and other important points
Elevation of Stations — Elevation of
Big Sioux River 
Chapter VII.
South Dakota Penitentiary 
Minnehaha County Poor-farm 
Children's Home 
Chapter VIII. Schools.
Organization of School Districts 
South Dakota School for Deaf-mutes
Sioux Falls College 
All Saints School 
Lutheran Normal School 
Chapter IX. Fairs, Races.
County Fairs 
State Fairs 
Tri-State Fair 
Sioux Falls Carnival— Racing and
«
Race Horses 
Chapter X.
Minnehaha County Aid Society-
Farmers Grange — Farmers Alli
ance 
Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance As
sociation— Eariy Settlers Associa
tion  Chapter XI.
Water Supply 
Snow and Rain Fall 
Flood of .\pril, 1881 
Cloud-burst in Highland, 1876,— Ex
tremes of Heat and Cold 
Blizzards 
Cyclones 
Electric Storms 
Chapter XII.
Sale of Intoxicating Liquors 
Santa Fee Scrip and its Bogu^ Issue
by J. D.Cameron  ---
Impeachment of Alderman Joseph
Sampson 
Politics  Chapter XIII.
The Murder of Mary Egan 
Burning of the Egan Homestead
(Poem) 

168 16S

169
¦73 175

'77
178 185 186 I go

193 195 197
19S

204
206
207 20921 1
21.3 215

216 226

229

IV

INDEX.

The Lacey-Bunker Tragedy  232
The Murder of Alfred Erikson  233
The John McDonald Homicide  234
The Messiah Craze and Trial of
Plenty Horses for the Murder of
Lieutenant Casey  235
Chapter XIV. Reminiscences.
Sioux Falls in 1862.1866  238
Sioux Falls in 1870  241
Reminiscences of Mrs. Hattie C.
Phillips  243
John Nelson's "Indian Scare"  244
Experience of two early settlers, dur
ing their walk from Redwood, Min
nesota, to the Sioux Valley, in 1866 245
Chapter XV. Anecdotes and Jokes.
Anecdotes of Cephas Talcott  248
Raising a Church Debt  249
Charles Norton's Bird Dogs  249
An Incident at Lone Rock  251
They saw the Goat — Charies Bar
rett's narrow escape  252
Buchanan Brother's Great Show —
Rainmaking  254
Statement in reference to the Ar
rangement and Contents of the
Remainder of this work  258
Organization of Civil Townships  259
Valley Springs Township (101=47).
Boundaries — Water supply — Survey
— Acreage — First Settlers — Post
Office and Postmasters — First In
dustries and Improvements — Rail
road 
First Marriage and Birth — First
School and Teacher — Central
House — Cemetery Association —
Ben Clare 
Churches:
Methodist — Episcopal — Beaver Val
ley Swedish Lutheran 
Valley Springs Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally Arranged 
Village of Valley Springs.
Incorporation — Territory — Gov
ernment — First Election — Liquor
License — Townhall — Fire De
partment  270

263

264

264
265266

Town of Valley Springs — Incor
poration — Schools — Mills — Ele
vators — Creamery Company —
Building Associations 
Newspapers: Valley Springs Enterprise — Valley
Springs Vidette 
Churches: Congregational — Free Will Bap
tist — Methodist — Episcopal 
Fraternal Societies;
Knights of Pythias 
Modern Woodmen — Royal Neigh
bors of America — Fraternal
Brotherhood of the World 
Officers of the Village and Town of
Valley Springs 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally Arranged 
Split Rock Township (101=48).
Boundaries — Survey — Acreage —
Water Supply — Emenija — Ban
ning's Mill — Rowena — Sioux
Quartzite — Railroad — Post Office.
Postmasters — First settlers 
Split Rock Township Board 
City of East Sioux Falls.
Location — Railroad--Incorporation
— Stone Quarries 
List of Officers of City of East Sioux
FaUs  .'. 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally Arranged 
Sioux Falls Township (101=49).
First Settlement — Topography — Sur
vey and Acreage — Interesting De
scription of First Map 
Sioux Falls Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally Arranged 
City of Sioux Falls.
Incorporation of Village of Sioux
Falls 
Incorporation of City of Sioux Falls
— First Election 
Financial Condition of City at time
of incorporation 
"Telephone War" 
Village Officers— City Officers 
Schools 

271
272
272
272
273
273274

2S5 2S6
286

28g
289291

302 303307

313
3143' 5
315317

INDEX.

Churches: Calvary (Episcopal)  333
Saint Augusta Cathedral, Memorial
Church of Mrs. Astor  337
First Methodist Episcopal  337
Free Methodist — ^Jordan Methodist 339
Scandinavian Methodist Episcopal
— Congregational  340
Gerinan Congregational Emanuel
— First Baptist  343
Swedish Baptist — Free Will Bap
tist  345
St. Michael's Pro-Cathedral  346
German Evangelical Lutheran
Zion  34S
St. Olaf's Norwegian Lutheran — 349
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran —
United Evangelical Lutheran
Trinity Church  35°
Seventh Day Adventist — All
Souls  351
First Presbyterian  353
Delaware Avenue Presbyterian —
First Reformed  354
First Christian  355
The Pioneer Union Sabbath School
— Salvation Army  357
Newspapers: The Democrat — Sioux Falls Pant
agraph  359
The Sioux Falls Independent — Da
kota Pantagraph  360
Sioux Falls Weekly Press— Sioux
Falls Daily Press— Sioux Falls
Times  36i
The Dakota— The Argus-Leader. 362
Sioux Falls Review — Sioux FaUs
Leader  363
Minnehaha County Mail— Church
News — Dakota Deutsche Zeitung
— Dakota Staats Zietung — Sued
Dakota Nachrichten — The Da
kota BeU  , 364
The Sioux Falls Journal— Minne
haha Teacher— Sioux Falls Daily
Call — South Dakota State
Forum  365
South Dakota Record— Fremad—
The Successful Farmer  366
Dakota Field and Farm — The Gat
lin Gun — Syd Dakota Ekko —
The Commercial News  367
Banks: First Bank — Bank for Savings-
Sioux Falls Bank — Citizens Bank
 jfirst National Bank  36S

Easton, McKinney &: Scougal
Bank — Sioux Falls National —
Dakota National — Minnehaha
National  369
Sioux Falls Savings Bank —
Union Trust Company— Ger
man Bank  37°
Union Savings Association — Co
operative .Savings and Loan As
sociation  37 ¦
Hotels: Dubuque House— Cataract House 371
Sherman House— Central House —
Commercial House  272
Merchants Hotel— Phillips House
Parker House — Christiania House
— Rockingham House  373
Columbia Hotel— Forde House-
Williams House — The Ameri
can Hotel  374
Public Improvements:
United States Court House and
Postoffice  374
Sioux FaUs Post Office and Post-
rnasters  375
Paving— Street Railways  377
Numbering Buildings and Streets. 378
The Auditorium  379
Fire Department  380
Local Industries:
Webber & Harthorn Grist Mill-- 381
Cascade Mill— Queen Bee MUl... 382
Polishing Works— Pork Packing
Houses— Sioux FaUs Stock Yard
Company  383
Northwestern Packing Company —
A. Lester Heyer Packing Com
pany — Sioux Falls Brewery  384
Sioux Falls Water Works  388
Sioux FaUs Gas Works  39^
Electric Lights— Telegraph  393
Telephone  394
Cigar Manufacturing — Stone In
dustry  395
Wholesale Trade  396
Commercial Associations:
Board of Trade— Commercial Club
— Business Men's League  397
Sioux FaUs Jobbers' and Manu
facturers' Association  398
Insurance Companies:
Insurance Company of Dakota  39S
Dakota Mutual Life Association. _ 399
Western Fire & Marine Insurance
Co. — Fargo Insurance Co  400
Race for Register of Deeds' Office. - 400

VI

INDEX.

Literary and Benevolent Organizations:
First Public Reading Room  402
Ladies' History Club  403
Siou.x FaUs Public Library  404
Ladies' Musical Society — Minne
haha Mandskor  405
Woman's Benevolent Association 406
Hospitals  407
Temperance Societies:
First Temperance Organization —
Good Templars — Woman's
Christian Temperance Union  408
Scandia Total Abstinence Society
— Good Templars Lodge No. 255 409
Young Men's Christian Association- 410
Military Organizations:
Company B, Second Regiment
D. N. G  412
Third Regiment, U. S. V. Cavalry
(Grigsby's Cowboys)  414
Joe Hooker Post No. 10, G. A. R. 415
Minnehaha Medical Society  415
Cemetery Association — Catholic
Cemetery  416
Fraternal Organizations:
Masonic: Minnehaha Lodge No.
5, A.F. & A.M  416
Royal Arch Masons, Sioux Falls
Chapter No. 2 — Cyrene Com-
inandery No. 2  419
Alpha Council No. i, K. and S. M.
—El Riad Temple A. A. O. N.
Mystic Shrine  420
Eastern Star, Jasper Chapter No. 8 421
Independent Order of Odd Fel
lows: Royal Purple Encamp
ment — Sioux Falls Lodge No. g 421
Harmonia Lodge No. 56 (German) 422
Canton Veritas No. 2, Patriarchs
Militant — Evelyn Lodge No. 7,
Daughters of Rebekah  423
Knights of Pythias: Granite Lodge
No. 18 — Damon Division No. i_ 424
Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks No. 262  425
Knights of the Maccabees — An
cient Order of United Workmen 426
Germania Verein  426
Turn Verein  427
Valhalla Club— Marquette Club—
.Sunset Club  42S
Labor Unions:
Sioux Falls Typographical Union
— Knights of Labor, Jasper As
sembly No. 4g7 — Federation of
Labor  429

Cigar Makers' Union No. 153 —
Retail Clerks' Union No. 201 —
Barbers' International Union No.
123 — United Commercial Trav
elers, Sioux Falls Council No. 100
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally Arranged 
Town of South Sioux Palls.
Location — Incorporation — First Offi
cers — Industries 
Buffalo Park 
List of Officers 1891-1899 
Biographical Sketches 
Wayne Township. (101-50).
.Survey — Acreage — Settlement —
First School and Teacher — School
House blown away — Railroad —
Post (Jffice — Elevators at Ellis 
Wayne Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally Arranged 
Wall Lake Township (101-51).
Survey — Acreage — WaU Lake —
Town laid out — Post Office — Near
est railroad — German Settlement-.
Churches :
Zion German Lutheran 
German Lutheran — Free Metho
dist 
Wall Lake Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged  
Wellington Township (101-52).
Survey — Acreage — Settlement — Post
Offices — Nationalities — Water Sup
ply — Nearest Railroad stations 
Churches: German Methodist Episcopal —
Presbyterian — Roman Catholic.
WeUington Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged 
Red Rock Township (102-47).
Survey — Acreage — Water Supply —
First Settlers — Railroad and Sta
tion — Booge Post Office — First
School and Teacher — Shipping Fa
cilities — Resurvey 
Red Rock Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged 

430

433

7.';2753754755

757
758 759

771
771
772 772774

783

7S3784 7S5

790790 792

INDEX.

Vll

Brandon Township (102-48).
Water Supply — Survey — Acreage —
Brandon Village— Post Offices and
Postmasters — Railroads — Eleva
tors — First School and Teacher.. _
Corson — Distances from Sioux Falls
to Brandon and Corson— Plat of
Corson — First settlers 
Churches: Split Rock Norwegian Evangeli
cal Lutheran 
Norde Split Rock Norwegian
Evangelical Lutheran 
Brandon Co-operative Creamery
Company 
Brandon Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged 
Mapleton Township (102-49).
Survey — Acreage — Water Supply —
First settler — Post Office and Post
masters — Railroad and station 
Mapleton Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged  • 
Benton Township (102=50.)
Settlement — Principal Nationalities
— Survey — Acreage — Water sup
ply 
Churches: Bethel Methodist Episcopal 
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran —
Good Templars — New Hope Cream
ery 
New Hope Co-operative Creamerj'
Company 
Benton Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic-
.ally arranged 
Hartford Township (102-51.)
Survey — Acreage — Water Supply —
Early settlers — Railroad— Hartford
village^Post Office and Post
masters — Elevators — Separator and
Creamery Company — School
house 
Hartford Township Board 
Town of Hartford:
Incorporation — Territory — Officers
Churches: Hartford Methodist Episcopal — St.
George Roman Catholic 

Soo80 1
801802
802
802 804

S22822

837
83783883S 839839841

853
853 85s856

Newspapers: The Plain Talker— Hartford Her
ald  S56
Fraternal Societies  S57
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged  S57
Humboldt Township (102-521.
Survey — Acreage — Water Supply
First settlers — First School and
Teacher — Railroad and station —
Improvements — Post Office  871
Farmers' Mutual Fire and Lightning
Insurance Company  871
Humboldt Township Board  872
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged  873
Palisade Township (103-47).
Survey — Acreage — Why named
Palisade — First School and
Teacher— Post Offices  8S0
Hotel — Postmasters — Mill — Tim
ber from the "Old Barracks" —
Palisade Village — Railroad —
Garretson — Sherman — Elevators. S81
Palisade Township Board.  _._ 8S1
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged  884
Devil's Gulch — Romantic Story  888
City of Garretson.
Incorporation — First Officers — Syn
opsis of Council Records, and list
of Officials  S91-J
Churches: First Congregational  893
First Methodist Episcopal — St.
Rose Roman Catholic  . S94
Newspapers :
The Garretson Progress — South
Dakota Weekly Vindicator  S94.5
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged  895
Edison Township (103-48).
Survey — Acreage — First Settlement
— First marriage and birth — First
School and Teacher — Debating So
ciety — Nearest Shipping points  901
Churches: Norway Lutheran  , ..  901
St. Paulus Evangelical Lutheran. go2
An Ancient Bible and Family Rec
ord (Translated)  902

Vlll

INDEX.

Jig

919
920920923

939

941

Edison Township Board  904
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged  906
Sverdrup Township (103=49),
Survey — Acreage — Water supply —
First Settlement — First Church
organization in the County — First
school house, school board and
teacher — Railroad — Baltic — Scan
dinavian settlement — Assessed val
uation 
Churches: Nidarors Norwegian Evangelical
Lutheran 
St. Olaf's Norwegian I>utheran 
Sverdrup Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic-
all}' arranged 
Lyons Township (103=50).
Survey — Acreage — First settlers —
Lyons and West Point Post Offices
— Lyons Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally Arranged 
Grand Meadow Township (103=51).
Survey — Acreage — Early settlers —
Oran Post Office — First Post
master — Grand Meadow Post
Office and Postmasters — Grand
Meadow Township Board  gqi
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged  9:53
Clear Lake Township (103=52).
Boundaries — Survey — Acreage —
Water Supply — Fish Plentiful —
Early settlers — First School and
Teacher — Nearest Shipping Points
Zion Baptist Church 
Clear Lake Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged 
Highland Township (104=47).
Survey — Acreage — Water Supply —
First settlers — Post Offices and
Postmasters — Hotel — First School
and Teacher — Nearest Shipping
Points — Creamery Company —
Gust. Olson's RecoUections of Pio
neer Days  r)73

96s965966967

Churches: Rosendal Norwegian Evangelical
Lutheran Congregation — High-
1 a n d Evangelical Lutheran
Church 
Church Blown Down — Stordal
Evangelical Lutheran Church-.
Highland Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged 
Logan Township (104-48).
Boundaries — Survey — Acreage —
Water Supply — Actual Settlement
— Log House 
First Frame House — First Birth.s —
First School Board, School House
and Teacher — Stage Road — Post
Office and Postmasters — Logan
Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged 
Dell Rapids Township (104=49).
Boundaries — S u r vey — Acreage —
Water Supply — First Settlement.
Stordal Evangelical Lutheran Church
— Dell Rapids Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally Arranged 
Baltic  City of Dell Rapids.
Location— Natural advantages— First
settlers and industry 
Post Office and First Postmaster —
Ferry— Dell City Journal— First
marriage and birth — Union Sab
bath school — Railroad — Albion
Thorn's recollections of early davs
at the Dells  "__
Dell Rapids Village— Organization-
Officers 
City of Dell Rapids — Organization 
Financial standing — Officers 
Schools 
Churches :
First Baptist— Episcopal 
Methodist Episcopal 
Roman Catholic Mission — Pres
byterian 
Scandinavian Baptist 
Lutheran 

974
975975
977

984
9859S7

998
1000 109 r

1007

1008101310151017

1020102310241025 1026

INDEX.

IX

Newspapers; Dell City Journal— Dell Rapids
Exponent    1026
Dell Rapids Times— Dell Rapids
Tribune    1027
Banks: DellRapids Bank  1027
First National Bank — Granite City
Bank  102S
Dell Rapids Creameries  1028
Waterworks  1029
Dell Rapids Fire Department  1030
Societies: I. O. O. F.— Dell Rapids Lodge
No. 8  1030
Occidental Encamp
ment No. 20 — Cora
lynn Lodge No. 2i_. 1031
Masonic — DeU Rapids Lodge No.
40, A. F. and A. M  1031
Miriam Chapter No. 31,
Order of Eastern Star.. 1032
Knights of Pythias — Ivanhoe
Lodge No. 41  1032
Modern Woodmen — Minnehaha
Camp No. 1104  1032
G. A. R. — Dahlgren Post No. 20—
Woman's Relief Corps  :o33
Independent Order of Good Tem
plars  1033
Woman's Christian Temperance
Union  1034
Biographical Sketches, Alphabetic
ally arranged  1034
Burk Township (104-50).
Boundaries — Survey — Acreage —
Water Supply — First Settlers —
First school board, school and
teacher — Resurvey — First post
office and postmaster  1051

Scandinavian Ev. Luth. Congrega
tion of Willow Creek 
Burk Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, alphabetic
ally arranged 
Taopi Township (104=51).
Boundaries — Survey — Acreage —
Water supply — Early settlers —
First post office and postmaster —
Store — Taopi Creamery Co. — Col
ton — Post office and postmaster —
Other improvements — First school
and teacher 
Churches: Minnehaha Norwegian Ev. Luth. —
St. Ansgar Norwegian Ev. Luth. —
St. Joseph's Catholic  
Taopi Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, alphabetic
ally arranged 
Buffalo Township (104=52).
Acreage — Survey — Water supply —
Settlers — First school and teacher —
No post office — Nearest shipping
points 
Churches: Seventh Day Advent — St. Jacob's
Norwegian Ev. Luth. Congre
gation 
Buffalo Township Board 
Biographical Sketches, alphabetic
ally arranged 

10521052 1057

1065

1066 10661068

10S3

1083
10S41085

Index to Portraits of Persons and their
Biographies.

PORTR. BlOG.
Residents of Sioux Falls: page page
Abbott, Geo. W  432 433
Aikens, Frank R.  Sg 433
Albright, S. J.,  359
Bailey, D. R  2 437
Bates, C. P  440 441
Becker, Peter  443 442
Binks, Prof. G. M  445 447
Black.J. H.J  448 448
Blauvelt, S. E  449 448
Boe, Rev. N. N  453 452
Booth, C.V.  455 452
Booth, R. H  457 461
Booth, Mrs. R. H. Booth   459 461
Boyce, F. L  463 462
Brookings, W. W  75 468
Brown, T. H.   472 473
Brown, Mrs. T. H  475 474
Buchanan, Robert  477 474
CaldweU, E. W  483 4S1
Carland, John E.  71 485
Cherry, U.S. G  489 488
Coats, C. G  493 492
Coats, Mrs. C. G  495 497
Corson, W. H  499 498
Daniels, E.J  503 505
Davis, Park    507 505
Day,C.M  ,  509 511
Donahoe, Den  513 512
Doolittle, W. T  517 515
Edgerton, A.J  6g 5ig
Emerson, F. S  521 520
Estabrook, L. M  525 524
Fowler, O. A  529 531
Fox, J.B  533 531
Frizzell, A.  535 532
Gale, Artemas  539 537
Gates, J. H  541 53S
Greene, H. L  549 547
Grigsby, Col. Melvin  657 548
Hare, Rt. Rev. W. H  553 552
Hawkins, R. C.    109 566
Howard, C. K.    569 568
Jeffers, CT  577 575
Johnson, N.'S.  581 579
Jones,J.W   100 583
Jordan, Rev. W. H  585 583
Keller, Dr. A, H  588 588

PORTR. BlOG.
Residents of Sioux Falls: page page
Keith, H. H.  .589 587
Kidder, J. P.  79 591
Kirby, Joseph  593 591
Kittredge, A.B  597 595
Lien, Jonas H  603 602
Marty, Rt. Rev. Martin  609 607
McKinney, C. E  613 611
McKinney, D. L  615 611
McMartin, T. B.  617 612
McNulty, O. T.  621 619
Meredith, Rev. E. B  624 619
Mikkelsen, Rev. A. and Wife  625 620
Mills, T.J  627 620
Morgan, Dr. J. C.  631 630
Norton, C. L.  635 639
Norton, J. F  637 640
O'Gorman, Rt. Rev. Thomas  641 640
Palmer, C. S.  83 644
Parliman, E.  113 646
Patterson, Hibbard  647 645
Peabody, Miss Helen S  .. 651 650
Peck, Porter P.  655 650
Pettigrew, R. F  661 660
Phillips, N. E  665 664
Ravndal, G. Bie  673 671
Ross, H. W.  677 679
Schaetzel, Jr., Jacob  681 683
Scott, Daniel  685 684
Scott, Rev. D. B  6Sg 687
Scott, Mark D  691 688
Sherman, E. A.  695 693
Sheppard, W. J.  697 693
Sherman, P. F  701 699
Stanfield, J. A   705 704
Stites, A. H.  709 708
Stoddard, W. H  713 711
.Sundback, John   71:; 719
Swenson, O. S  717 719
\'anEps, William  725 724
VanEps, Mrs. William  729 728
Weston, O. P. and Wife  737 736
Whipple, H. J.   106 739
Wilkes, W. A  115 739
Wilkes, Rev. Eliza T  741 740
Williams, Ora  745 743
Williams, Roy   747 743

XI

INDEX.

PoRTR. Biog.
Residents OF THE Townships: page page
Valley Springs:
HiU, Charies E  278 279
Hunt, \\'.J  281 279
Split Rock:
Bergerson, Ole  293 292
Simons, Nels  299 298
Sioux Falls Twp.:
Forde, Frank  306 307
Wayne :
Jones, W. S.  763 761
Moulton, G. B.  765 762
Oaks, D. W   _- 767 762
Wall Lake;
Knott, George A.  777 776
Red Rock :
Manning, J. R  797 795
Brandon :
Egge, John A.    805 80S
Graff, Nels N.  . 809 811
Hokenstad, T. O. and wife  813 815
Lee, John T  817 S16
Mapleton: Gunderson, Ole  825 827
Nelson, John  829 831
Peterson, Robert  833 832
Benton: Crooks, W. A  S43 84s
Eldridge, J. C    847 845
Hartford: Kibbe, E. C   S61 859
Tyler, J. G   865 867
Van De Mark, F. E.  869 868
Humboldt: Mundt, Henry  875 877
Palisade: Ward, H. W  899 8g8
Edison :
Berdahl, Andrew J.  gog 907
Wangsness, Chris H  917 916

PoRTR. Biog.
Residents OF THE Townships: page page
Sverdrup: Langness, John O.  927 926
Peterson, Nels B  .   g3i 929
Sando, Rev. O. O.  933 930
Thompson, John  937 935
Lyons :
Stordal, Ole J  945 947
Grand Meadow:
Foster, John J.  g55 g57
Meyer, Lewis  959 961
Clear Lake:
Gage, Luther S.  969 968
Highland: Olson, Gust  .  981 980
Logan :
Crisp, Walter  gSg gSS
Hart, James   993 991
Wood, George L  gg5 997
DeU Rapids Twp.:
Eistin, Eistinson and wife  1003 looi
Dell Rapids City:
Thorne, Albion  1009 1044
Norton, Rev. H. E.  1021 1040
Kenefick, M. R.   1037 i°36
Nisbet, W. C.  1041 1039
Smith, O. H.  1045 1044
Uline, G. A  1047 1049
Ward, D. E.  1050 1050
Burk: Bemis, A. H  1055 1057
Aga, Lars J   -1057 1057
Berdahl, Ole J  1059 1057
Taopi :
Austin, Charles T. ......  1069 1068
Colton, J. E.  1073 1072
Colton, W. O  1077 1072
Goddard, J. B.  1081 1075
Buffalo: Kennison, D. W. and wife  1089 1088

Index to Illustrations of Farm Residences,
Buildings and Scenery.

page
South Dakota State Seal  4
Sioux Falls in i865  29
Melvin Log House  3(
Minnehaha County Court House  -. 93
C, St. P., M. & O. Depot  148
C, M. & St. P. Depot  150
B., C. R. &. N. Depot  152
Illinois Central Depot ..  156
Minnehaha County Poor-farm  174
Deaf Mute School Buildings  178
Sioux Falls College  184
All Saints School  187
Lutheran Normal School  191
High Water Sioux Falls 18S1  207
Ofiicers' Quarters, 1866  240
Cascades at Sioux Falls  257
View below the Falls  260
Panoramic View  262
Lone Rock   312
View ofthe Falls  313
Irving School Building  325
LoweU School Building  330
First Episcopal Church  333
St. Augusta Cathedral  336
First M. E. Church  33S
Interior Congregational Church  341
German Congregational Emanuel Church.. 343
First Baptist Church  344
St. Michael's Pro-Cathedral  347

page
St. Olaf's Norwegian Lutheran Church  349
United Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church 351
All Souls Church  352
Cataract House, 1871  372
U. S. Court House and Post Office  375
Sioux Falls Fire Department  381
A Peep at the Falls  430
The Last Buffalo  753
W. S.Jones' Farm Residence  1763
Zion German Lutheran Church in Wall Lake 771
Harvesting in Minnehaha County  782
Harvest Scene  799
N. N. Graff's Farm Residence  S09
Robert Peterson's Log House  S33
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Benton  S38
Chris Christianson's Farm Residence  842
Grain Field Scene  879
Palisades on the Split Rock River  880
Devil's Gulch  S89
St. Paulus Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Edison  902
Nidaros Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Sverdrup  920
Grain Field in Grand Meadow  950
Sod House in Logan  984
Railroad Bridge at Dell Rapids  1006
Dells on the Sioux River  1007
Thomas Thompson's Farm Residence  1064