Faulk County, South Dakota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 15 of those read), 1909 (part 1 of 3)

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 15 of those read)

MAJOR JOHN A. PICKIvER is a native of Washington county, Indiana, where he was born on the 24th of January, 1844, being a son of George and Emily (Martin) Pickler, the former of whom was born in Indiana and the latter in Kentucky, while both families early settled in the Hoosier state, in the pioneer epoch. The father of Major Pickler was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits, finally removing to Davis county, Iowa, where he engaged in merchandising, as did he later in Kirksville, Missouri, where both he and his wife passed the closing years of their earnest and useful lives. Major Pickler passed his boyhood days on the old Indiana homestead and secured his preliminary educational discipline in the district schools, after which he completed a course of study in the high school at Bloomfield, Iowa, where his parents had taken up their abode. He was later matriculated in the Iowa State University, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1870, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. Shortly afterwards he entered the law department of the celebrated University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he completed the prescribed course and was graduated in 1872, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. After thus fortifying himself for the work of his exacting profession he engaged in the practice of law at Kirksville, Missouri, whence, in 1875, he removed to Muscatine, Iowa, where he entered into a professional alliance as a member of the law firm of Hoffman, Pickler & Brown, which held prestige at the bar of the Hawkey e state, and he continued to be thus associated until coming to Dakota Territory in 1882, since which year he has retained his home in Faulk county. He possesses one of the largest and best selected libraries in the state.

Prompted by intrinsic loyalty and patriotism, Major Pickler early offered his services in defense of the Union when "grim-visaged war reared its horrid front.'* In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Third Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, in which he became a non-commissioned officer. During his period of service with tliis command he was granted a furlough of thirty days in order that he might attend, in Philadelphia, a military training school for applicants for command in colored troops. He was later examined, in the city of St. Louis, and passed for captaincy, and there rejoined his regiment to await developments. He continued in active service with the Third Iowa Cavalry until 1864, when he veteranized and rejoined tlie same company and regiment, being promoted to second lieutenant, first lieutenant and finally captain of Company D, in the meanwhile having declined to be mustered in as captain in the One Hundred and Twenty -second Regiment of the United States Colored Infantry. Upon being mustered out of the Third Cavalry he was made major of the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment of United States Colored Infantry, at the age of twenty-one years,, and commanded this regiment for several months at Atlanta, Georgia This regiment was mustered out in January, 1866, and Major Pickler then received his honorable discharge. He participated in a number of the notable engagements of the great internecine conflict and made an enviable record as a faithful and valiant soldier and able commanding officer. He retains a deep interest in his old comrades in arms and is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

In September, 1882, Major Pickler came from Iowa by railroad to Mitchell, South Dakota and thence by stage to Huron, at which point he joined a party of gentlemen who were going to the center of Faulk county to locate a town, which they hoped to make the county seat. The party proceeded by rail to Miller, Hand county, where the subject of this sketch and others of the company procured lumber for claim shanties, the material being loaded with other lumber belonging to others of the party and designed for the construction of a hotel in the new town. In the procession that finally proceeded northward over the untrampled prairies there were thirteen wagons, each being well loaded. For eight miles out of Miller they followed a somewhat beaten track, but thereafter proceeded across the prairies without a trail, placing lath on various high points as they traveled, in order that they might find their wav back by the same route. On sunfall of the second day they arrived on the present site of Faulkton, locating that town on the south bank of the Nixon river. The next day Major Pickler settled upon a pre-emption claim adjoining the town, and his pleasant home is located on this propsrty, a considerable portion of which is now platted into town lots. He was active in assisting in the organization and development of Faulk comity, being one of the most prominent members of the bar of this section.

legiance to the republican party and has long been known as one of its leaders in the state. He served as state's attorney of Adair county, Missouri, and while engaged in practice in Iowa was a Garfield elector from the second district of that state. He served as a member of the legislature of Iowa, and in 1885 was elected to the territorial legislature of South Dakota. By his old colonel of the Third Iowa Cavalry, General John W. Noble, secretary of the intertor under President Harrison, he was appointed an inspector in the public land service, in which capacity he served until his election to congress in 1889. Upon the admission of South Dakota to the Union, Major Pickler was elected at large as one of the fir.st members of congress from the state, the fifty-first congress. He was re-elected at large to the fifty-second, fifty-third and fifty-fourth congresses, and thus was a representative of his state in the lower house of the federal legislature for four successive congresses, within which he accomplished much for the furtherance of the best interests of South Dakota. He served as a member of the committees of public land, Indian affairs, invalid pensions, irrigation of arid lands, alcoholic liquor traffic and that of claims. He was chairman of the committee on invalid pensions in the fifty-fourth congress. He was not a candidate for re-election to the fifty-fifth congress but was a candidate for nomination for the United States senate. He received tlie Republican legislative caucus nomination and the unanimous vote of the caucus for more than thirty days, but the Republicans were lacking five votes of a majority and as it was deemed improbable that a Republican could be elected, the representatives of the party, with one exception, voted for Hon. James H.

Maj. John A. Pickler Mrs. Alice M. A. Pickler

Kyle to succeed himself as senator, and he was duly elected. The senate succeeding President McKinley's first election was known to be very equally divided between the Republicans and the opposition, and the national Republican committee was very desirous; and so expressed itself to Major Pickler, that in case it became apparent that a Republican could not be elected, the Republican strength in South Dakota be thrown to a man who would, if necessary, vote for the tariff and financial policies of the Republican party. In accordance with this expressed desire of the national leaders, and after protracted support by the caucus, Major Pickler advised the change of vote from himself to Senator Kyle, who could be relied upon to support the measures desired. While acting as chairman of the house committee on invalid pensions Major Pickler 'became so popular with the veteran soldier elements in the Republican party, that petitions poured in from every direction by the thousands asking the Secretary of the Interior to appoint him commissioner of pensions, a request which if seconded by the man who had been so anxious for him to withdraw from the race for senator in the interest of the party, when at last an equal chance for victory was before him, would have assured his appointment, but the request of thousands of comrades was not seconded and the appointment was not made. The Major is identified with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He and his wife are prominent and valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church in their home city.

was born in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1848, being a daughter of Joseph A. Alt, one of the sterling pioneers of that state. They have four children, LulaA., wife of W.J. Frad, dry goods merchant in Faulkton. Madge E., wife of Prof. N. E. Hoy, editor of the Grand Valley Herald and real estate dealer at Meadow, Perkins county, South Dakota, Alfred A., editor of the Aberdeen (South Dakota) Daily American, and Dale Alice, now a student at Simmons College, Boston, Mass.

ALICE M. A. PICKIvER is the daughter of Joseph andElizaAlt. She was born in Johnson county, Iowa, near Iowa City, in 1848. She comes of a family ver\' old in America. A paternal ancestor, Michel Drew by name, left the ser\nce of the king a few years prior to the outbreak of the Revolution, came to America, and enlisted and served in the Continental army. An ancestor on her mother's side, Frederick Kepford, was with Washington at \''alley Forge. A family tradition has it that upon one occasion, as he slept one winter night at his accustomed place under a baggage wagon, his cue froze fast to the ground. The names of these ancestors still survive among the Christian names of the family. Mrs. Pickler's father was born near Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and when a few weeks old was taken by his family to Springfield, Ohio, where he lived until 1840. He then came to Johnson county, Iowa, and resided on land which he obtained from the government, until his death, in January, 1904, a period of sixty-four years. Her mother, Eliza Kepford, removed with her people from Pennsylvania to the same county in the 'forties, where she married Mr. Alt and where they had their home together for fifty-six years. She died February 5, 1904, one week after the death of her husband. They were the last of the early Iowa pioneers in that vicinity.

Mrs. Pickler lived with her parents upon the farm, attending the district school and engaging in the duties devolving upon a girl living in the country at that time. She attended the Iowa State University for a period of six years, commencing when at the age of fourteen. She was one of the early students of that institution and is a membsr of the Elder Daughters of the University. She taught school a portion of the time during her attendance at the university, a part of the time in the model school of that institution. While attending the university she became acquainted with her future husband, J. A. Pickler, who was attending at the same time. They were married November 16, 1870, She accompanied her husband during his law course at Ann Arbor, Michigan; afterwards they resided at Kirksville, Missouri, two years and at Muscatine, Iowa, seven years, from whence they came as pioneers to Faulk county, Dakota Territory. She was accompanied to Dakota by her two younger sisters, Kate E. and Nellie Alt, the wives respectfully of W. G. Faulkner, ex-county auditor, and D. H. Eatham who has been state's attorney for Faulk count}'.

Mrs. Pickler' s parents were quiet, but aggressive and positive, people, who loved good principles as their own lives, and in this atmosphere their oldest daughter, Alice, grew to womanhood. The church and the temperance reform found in her parents warm friends. During the great Civil war eight of their immediate relatives had a part, serving with fidelity and distinction. Mr. Alt was a Whig and cast his vote for John C. Fremont for President. So intense was their loyalty that it was deeply impressed on the minds of the children who were old enough to understand the editorials in the New York Tribune, which was the standard paper in the family. The enthusiasm that sent hospital supplies to the army at the front was shared by the children and young people. When the war ended a number of the younger soldiers attended school at the Iowa State University, among them Major J. A. Pickler, then twenty-two years old. A four years acquaintance in this pleasant college ended in the marriage of Alice M. Alt to him.

Up to the time of their removal to Dakota, Mrs. Tickler's field of work was most and first of all, her family of three children, the Methodist church and a membership in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. When she, with others in that great territory of Dakota, began to make homes and "plant the roots of states," a desire for the same happy environments in the new state that had been left in the old, led her into more active work along broader lines. Her husband was a member of the territorial legislature of 1885, which gave her a wide acquaintance with many of the best and most active men and women of the two Dakotas. This friendship she cherishes at the present time. Her sphere of opportunity was still more widened upon the accession of statehood and during the eight years following she became acquainted with a number of representatives of the western states, who made their home for a time at the national capital.

Astor. Lenox

for many years. Also was honored as the unanimous choice for president of the State Relief Corps. She was also national chaplain of that body in 1900. She was one of the first trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church at Faulk - ton. She has been a grand officer of the Order of the Eastern Star. In all of these organizations she is an earnest member, but to her family she is most devoted. The children, Lula A., wife of W. J. Frad. late editor of the Mitchell (South Dakota) Gazette and now dry goods merchant at Faulkton; Madge E., who has become the wife of N. E. Hoy, editor of the Grand Valley Herald and real estate dealer at Meadow, Perkins county, South Dakota; Alfred A. editor of the Aberdeen (South Dakota) Daily American, and Dale A., now a student at Simmon's College, Boston, Mass., have all done honor to themselves and parents in their college work, and the positions they occupy.

In their pioneer home a large lamp always hung in the window to guide the lost traveler on the great prairies to a place of shelter. The home has grown to one of ample size, of the colonial type. The light still shines and friend or caller there finds the same open-handed hospitality which helped in the 'eighties to weave the ties that bind in unbroken friendship those pioneers who have made the history of the state of South Dakota.

HON. JOSEPH H. BOTTUM of P\^ulk county. South Dakota, comes of sterling old colonial stock, both on the paternal and maternal lines and both families are of stanch English extractions. Record extracts show that two of the ancestors on the maternal side were valiant soldiers in the continental line during the war of the Revolution having

The original patronymic in the agnatic line was L,ongbottom, the initial syllable having been dropped after the establishment of the family in America.

Mr. Bottum is a native of the Empire state, having been born in West Bloomfield, Ontario county, New York, on the 26th of September, 1853, being the oldest of the eight children of Henry C. and Helen M. (Burnham) Bottum, both of whom were born 'and raised in Vermont, as was also the paternal grandfather of our subject, Roswell Bottum, w'ho was a man of prominence and influence in the old Green Mountain state, having served for a number of terms as a member of its legislature and also -held other offices of distinction, public trust and responsibility.

The original American progenitors settled in the Massachusetts colony, and the name has been long and honorablv identified with the annals of New England. As a man the father of our subject removed to the state of New- York, locating in Ontario county, where he was engaged in the mercantile business until 1854, when became west to Wisconsin, settling in Fond du Eac county and became one of the pioneers of that section.

He was prosperous in his efforts and developed a large and valuable farm, and is living at the age of S3 years together with his aged companion upon the old homestead. He always took a prominent part in the politics of county and state and was for three years a member of the Wisconsin legislature. Joseph Bottum passed his boyhood on the homestead farm in Wisconsin, having been an infant in arms at the time of his parents removal to that state, and his early educational discipline was secured in the public schools, after which he completed a course of study in Ripon College in the town of that name, being there graduated as a member of the class of 1877 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Shortly afterwards he entered the law office of the firm of Shephard & Shephard, of Fond du I/ac, the interested principals being leading members of the bar of Wisconsin, and under their able preceptorship he continued his technical study of the law, until 1880 when he was duly admitted to the bar. He immediately came to what is known as South Dakota and located at Sioux Falls where he remained until the spring of 1882, when .he removed to Spink county, w^here he engaged in newspaper work until March, 1883, when he located in the village of I^aFoon in Faulk county, five miles east of the present county seat and was there engaged in the practice of his profession until January, 1887, when the railroad was completed to Favilkton whereupon he removed to this point where he has ever since been prominent in professional work and public and civic affairs, being one of the most successful members of the count^^ bar and being held in the highest regard in the communitv as is evident from the dignified official position which he has been called to fill in the gift of the people.

had the distinction of being its first register of deeds, La- Foon being the county seat. From 1890 to 1894 inclusive, he served as state's attorney for the county, making an enviable record as a public prosecutor. In 1898 he was elected to represent his district in the state senate, serving in the sixth general assembly and in 1902 he was again chosen to that important position, having gained the reputation of

In 1906 Mr. Bottum was again chosen state's attorney for his county which office he so ably and successfully filled, that he was unanimously nominated by the republican convention of 1908 for re-election, an action that was promptly ratified at the November election by the electors of the county by an overwhelming majority.

Mr. Bottum has also served as city attorney for his home city, and upon the creation of the tenth judicial circuit he was appointed by Gov. Vessey, judge of the new circuit, a position which his large, extended and diversified practice has prepared him in a marked degree to fill, with honor for himself, and to the satisfaction of the people he will be called to serve.

Judge Bottum is fraternally a Royal Arch Mason and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workman. He takes great interest in local affairs, especially along educational lines.

In 1885 he was united in marriage with Miss Sylvia G. Smith, daughter of Hon. D. S. Smith, and to them have been born seven children, viz: Nellie, Fannie, Dora, Emily, Julia, Roswell and Joseph H.

In 1879, immediately after his majority he came to Sioux Falls, Dakota Territory. The following year he located a homestead in Grant township, McCook county. In 1888 Mr. Bvrne became a resident of Faulk countv.

Hon. Frank M. Byrne

In 1898 he was elected county treasurer for Faulk county and re-elected to the same ofhce in 1900. In 1906 Mr. Byrne was again elected senator from the thirty-fifth senatorial district, composed of Faulk and Potter counties, and through that session of the legislature his duties were so successfully and satisfactorily performed that he was renominated and elected to succeed himself in 1908.

In the legislature of 1909 his senatorial duties were so faithfully performed that it is safe to predict that the intelligent and far seeing constituency that have so cordially and heartily given him their support, will not permit him to retire from public life.

Mr. Byrne is a self made man and occupies an enviable position socially, financially and politically among his fellow citizens; a man of sound judgment, large experience and yet a comparatively young man. He certainly has a bright future before him.

In April, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Beaver of Kenton, Ohio. To them have been born five children, viz: Carroll, Francis, Malcolm, Joe and Emmons.

Mr. Byrne is engaged in the real estate business with his office on Court street in the city of Faulkton, where he commands the confidence and respect of the entire community.

PATRICK H. O'NEIL who is extensively engaged in stock raising and has come to be recognized as the "Cattle King" of South Dakota, is a native of the Badger state.

having been born in New Richmond, St. Croix county, Wisconsin, on the 16th of February, 1866, being a son of Thomas O'Neil who was born and raised in Ireland and when a young man came to America and located in Wisconsin, where he maintained a home for fort^^ years.

The subject of this sketch was raised and educated in Wisconsin until he attained his legal majority. In 1887 he came to Dakota Territory and located at Faulkton where he engaged in the meat market business, which soon developed into the live stock industry upon a large scale. In 1906 Mr. O'Neil had twenty-two thousand acres under fence, twelve thousand of which he owned, upon which roamed his thousands of head of neat cattle and sheep. That summer he sold ninty-seven thousand eight hundred dollars worth of stock at one sale, to one man. His average run of sheep was about fifteen thousand head.

In 1906 Mr. O'Neil in the consciousness that the best interest of Faulk county demanded an increase of population and the cultivation of its unbroken prairie, yielded to the increasing demand for more farm land and sold ten thousand acres of his pasture land to be cut up into farms. This has not materially changed, but has to some extent modified, his plan of handling live stock. In fact the unfaltering courage, the undying faith that has urged him on while others stood still, is a part of the man. His sound judgment, prompt action and careful looking after the details of every business transaction and ever}' branch of his business has led to success where others failed, a power that enables him to carry out his plans and do the work of half a dozen common men. It is impossible to measure his business energv and force by anv common rule. In a single season to handle ten thousand head of cattle and cut eight thousand to nine thousand tons of hay, with prosperity following every line of industry, is no uncommon feat - for the subject of our sketch.

He has served on the local school board for several years and taken a deep interest in our educational institution. He is a director in the Merchants' Bank of Faulkton, vice president of the Bank of Cresbard and a stockholder in the Western National Bank at Mitchell and the Redfield National. He is active in all live stock interests. He has just returned from the Pacific coast where he was a delegate to the American National lyive Stock Association by whom he was elected a member of the executive board of the association and made a member of the committee on transportation. He was appointed on a committee of five by Governor Crawford to represent the state at the National Corn Exposition at Omaha, Nebraska. He was the first president of the Faulkton Commercial Club, and is still holding that important local office.

Mr. O'Neil is a republican in politics and an active worker in the party. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Chicago last June that placed Judge Taft in nomination for the presidency; and vice president of the convention for South Dakota.

MRS. ANNIE (CARIvINE) O'NEIE, daughter of Bryan and Bridget Carline, was born in Lexington, Illinois. Her parents were natives of Ireland and were among the Illinois pioneers, having immigrated to that state in 1860 and located at Lexington. Eight years later they moved to Chenoa in the same county where they owned a beautiful farm and where their children had, the advantages of the Chenoa city schools, an advantage that Mrs. O'Neil has found of almost untold value to her in the active duties and responsibilities with which she has been surrounded, not only as a wife and mother, but in social and church work, that has been thrust upon her.

As soon after leaving school as her age would allow, in company with her brother, P. J. Carline, she came to Dakota Territory, in 1885, and located government land in Hand county, having used her homestead right upon the northeast quarter of section 29, township 129, range 70 in that county. It was while holding down this claim that Miss Carline first met Mr. P. H. O'Neil and on June 13th, 1888, they were united in holy matrimony at holy mass at the Catholic church at Zell, Faulk county, Rev. Father Benning, assisted by Rev. Father Menser, presiding. To them have been born six children. In addition to all the duties of home life, Mrs. O'Neil has filled an important place in social and christian life, ever lending a helping hand to her husband, Mr. O'Neil, in the all important part he has taken in the erection of St. Thomas Catholic church in their home city and in adv^ancing its interests in every good work. It is not alone upon sectarian lines but» in every effort for the upbuilding of educational and christian work, botli Mr. and Mrs. O'Neil are active and efficient workers.

The New York Public Library

Mrs. O'Neil is a member of the Faulkton Ladies Literary Tuesday Club and is the writer of a chapter in a work of real merit, edited by the club and given the very appropriate title of "Pen Pictures of Pioneer Life," a work that Mr. Robinson, the state historian, speaks of in most complimentary terms. For several years Mrs. O'Neil has represented her club at the annual meetings of the South Dakota State Federation of Women's Clubs and has been assigned committee work by the state organizei .

REV. THOMAS SIMMONS vvas born in Independence, Richland county, Ohio. December 23, 1841, immigrating to Iowa with his parents in 1852, where they located in Tipton, Cedar county, where he grew up to young manhood.

At twenty-three years of age he was converted to God and united with the Methodist Episcopal church. In two years from his conversion he received a call from God to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He gave up all his plans for his future prosperity and entered Cornell College, at Mount Vernon, Iowa, to fit himself for the ministry. At the close of his college career, he joined the upper Iowa conference and in 1873 and for eleven years thereafter advanced steadily, in rising grades of appointment, until through the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Pickler, he took a transfer to the Dakota conference and was assigned to the pastorate of Faulk county. But one feeble Methodist Episcopal church was in existence at that time. He traveled the whole county through in 1882-1885 holding eight revival meetings and organizing as a result of his work three good charges. To accomplish this work he traveled four thousand miles in an open buggy, through winter's cold and summer's heat. Four church buildings have been erected through his labors, viz: at Faulkton, DeVoe, Orient and Seneca. He was pastor of the first three named from 1884-1885 to 1888 and Seneca from 1906 to 1908. At all these places he left strong church organizations. At Seneca he found but one member and the church paid but a nominal salary when he took the charge. When he closed his pastorate he left a church of forty members able to pay an eight hundred dollar salary.

In 1893 he was appointed by Bishop Nird, presiding elder of the Huron district. This office he faithfully and successfully filled for six years, building up the church and assisting his pastors; witnessing an average increase of five hundred souls brought toChrist each year in his district. Through all the dark days of Faulk county's history Rev. Mr. Simmons had unbroken faith in its future and all his careful earnings were invested in Faulk county lands, surrounding a pleasant and happy home adjoining the city limits of Faulkton.

God has greatly blessed his labors through all the years of his ministry but nowhere no more marked and signally than in Faulkton and Faulk count>'. Two most successful revivals were held in Faulkton during the winter of 1 886 and 1887, the latter resulting in driving every gambler and saloon keeper out of town to the rejoicing of Israel's hosts.

[By Mrs. A. M. A. Pickler] MRS. ANNA R. SIMMONS was born in Nashville, Ohio, and came with her parents to Muscatine, Iowa. Later her home was in Tipton. Iowa, where she resided a

Tilden Foundations

In 1873 she was united in marriage with Rev. Thomas Simmons, an honored member of the South Dakota Annual Conference and Methodist Episcopal church. No woman who ever lived or worked in South Dakota is more widely known or more thoroughly respected than Mrs. Simmons, who for six years was president of the South Dakota Equal Suffrage Association, and for nine years vice president of the South Dakota Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

For more than twenty-five years, she has labored in reform work, ever seconding her husbands efforts in his ministerial labors, toiling unceasingly for the betterment of humanity.

She has rendered South Dakota most valuable service in legislative work. The passage of the equal suffrage amendment by the state legislature in 1898 was largely due to her efforts. As a speaker she is earnest and convincing, always impressing her hearers with her honesty of purpose and nobility of soul.

A few years ago Miss Susan B. Anthony invited Mrs. Simmons to address the franchise committee of the United States senate. No address before the committee was better received or called forth more enthusiastic applause. Mrs. Simmons' lecture at Eake Madison Chautauqua was pronounced strong and logical. Her. services have been in demand not only in this, but in every .state of the Union.

While Mrs. Simmons has been wonderfully successful as a reformer, there are few who would undergo the personal sacrifice and hardship which have come to her. She has more than once tested the truthfulne.ss of the words^

"no lonliness is more lonely, no separation more absolute, no tears more hot and bitter than is experienced in the lot of those who would change the world's destiny, heal its sores and quiet its pains," but believing she was doing the Master's service, she has gone forward with steadfastness of purpose and unfaltering faith.

I. AIvIvEN CORNWEI.Iv was born in Arcade, New York, March 18th, 1853, and is a son of John Cornwell, who was born and reared in England and served for sometime as a marine in the British navy. About 1830 the father came to this countr^^ and devoted his time and attention to farming. In 1834 he married Miss Viletta Seamon, a daughter of Peter Seamon, a full blooded Yankee and a farmer by occupation, spending his last days in Canada. Mr. Cornwell is the youngest of a family of six children. Two brothers died in the service of their country during the Civil War.

In his native place I. Allen Cornwell grew to manhood and completed his literary education in the Arcade Academy. From 1876 to 1879 he devoted his attention to the study of law and then conducted the Arcade Leader of Arcade mitil the spring of 1883 when he came to Faulk county, Dakota Territor5^ with three companions. He located on land three miles from the town of LaFoon in a shanty 10 by 12 feet which he erected upon his place. He lived alone for two years, hauling his supplies from Redfield, a distance of thirty-five miles. On September 27th, 1885, Mr. Cornwell was united im marriage with Miss Katie M. Derr, a daughter of Hon. C. H. Derr, a pioneer of Faulk county and who served for twelve years as county judge of this county.

Mr. Cornwell continued to reside upon his farm until the fall of 1886, when he was elected register of deeds for Faulk county on the people's ticket, and removed to Faulkton to assume the duties of the office.

While filling that position he became interested in the real estate business in partnership with P. H. Wilson, and in 1888 also started the Faulk County Abstract Company, a business that has been exceedingly profitable and is now owned and controlled by himself and wife, and successfully managed from their commodious office, in their fine new building, within a stone's throw of the county court house. Socially Mr. Cornwell is affable and congenial and is surrounded by many warm and devoted friends.

Politically he is a democrat and has held an almost commanding influence in the party in this county, but his friendship and sociability is not confined to party lines, he is ever ready to aid any worthy enterprise. Mr. Cornwell became a Roj^al Arch Mason and has served as master of the blue lodge four terms and as high priest of the chapter.

FRED ANDREW SEAMAN was born in Arcade, Wyoming county, New York, on March 11, 1857. His parents were Andrew and Mary A. (Jacknian) Seaman, the former a native' of Holland, who came to America when he was seventeen years of age, with his parents. The mother was born in Sardinia, Erie county, New York. The father died in 1882 and the mother has made her home in Faulkton, being in her 76th year.

He removed to Faulkton in the fall of 1886, moving the bank from EaFoon. The bank was closed in 1890. For the past seven years Mr. Seaman has bean engaged in the real estate business and insurance, both fire and life, in Faulkton.

He was united in marriage, December 2nd, 1886, to Miss Julia E. Smith of EaFoon, daughter of Hon. D. S. Smith who has served in the South Dakota state senate. To Mr. and Mrs. Seaman have been born nine children of whom two sons and two daughters are living, Leonard 17, Paul 12, Sylvia 3 and Fae Harriet 4 months. Mr. Seaman is a Mason being a member of the blue lodge and chapter. Also a member of the Modern Woodman of America, the Ancient Order of the Royal Arcanun and A. O. U. W. He is a member of the Congregational church.

ABRAHAM D. GRIFFEE is a native of the state of Iowa, having been born in the city of Oskaloosa on the 21st day of September, 1861, and being a son of Abraham and Nancy (Higgeubothom) Griff ee, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter in Ohio.

The Griffee family is of German extraction and was founded in the old patrician state of Virginia in the early colonial era, with whose history the name has been prominently identified. The father of the subject was reared and educated in Virginia and as a young man removed to Ohio, where he maintained his residence for a few years, and then about 1840, made the long overland journey to Iowa with team and wagon, being accompanied by his wife and their three children, the other four children being born in the Hawkeye state. He became one of the pioneers of Mahaska county where he reclaimed and improved a valuable farm and wrhere he continued to reside until his death which occurred in 1886. He became a man of prominence and distinctive influence in the community and passed away in the fullness of years and well earned honors. His devoted wife was summoned into eternal rest in 1899. Their children, all are living, the subject of this sketch being the sixth in order of birth.

Abraham D. Griffee was born in the town of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and from his sixth year was reared on a farm, and in youth was accorded the advantages of the excellent public schools of his native state, completing a course in the high school of Oskaloosa. He continued to be associated with the work and management of the home farm until 1884, when he came to Dakota Territory and took up land in Faulk couutv, whose organization had been effected about a year previously. Upon his preemption claim he made good improvements, the place being eligibly located near the village of Seneca, and there he continued to be engaged in farming and stock growing until it appreciated in value in the intervening years. In the year mentioned he came to Gettysburg, the official center of Potter county, and here engaged in the grain business, owning an interest in the elevator at that place, and he continued to be identified with this line of business for the ensuing five years. At the expiration of that time he disposed of his interest in the same and turned his attention to the lumber business at which he was engaged until 1900. In that year he was elected to the office of register of deeds for Potter county, where he gave an able and systematic administration of the office and was chosen to succeed himself in 1902 for a second term of two years. In 1904 Mr. Griffee returned to Faulk county and located at Faulkton where he has been engaged in business. In January of 1909 he entered into co-partnership with Mr. A, W. Phelps and they are carrying on a very successful real estate business.

Mr. Griifee takes a lively interest in public affairs. Politically he is a democrat and an active worker in the party. He is a man of ability and strict integrity, and highly respected in the community. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic Order, Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workman, Modern Woodmen of America and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

On the 2nd of February, 1886, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Griffee to Miss Mary E. Douglas, who was born and raised in Lonaconing, Maryland, being a daughter of Capt. John W. and Ellen Douglas. Mr. and Mrs. Griffee have one daughter, Rhea, who was born July 10th 1887.

Mrs. Nellie A. Latham

HON. D. H. IvATHAM is one of the prominent lawyers and public spirited citizens now practicing at the bar of Faulk county. He is a man who has brought his keen discrimination and thorough wisdom to bear, not alone in professional paths but also for the benefit of the county and state, which has been his home since pioneer days and with whose interest he has been thoroughly identified.

The story of his life is one that offers a typical example of that alert American spirit which has enabled many a person without means, to rise from obscurity to aflBuence and worth solely through native talent, indomitable perseverance and good judgment.

Mr. lyatham was born in Wayne county, Michigan, December 23rd, 1859. The father and mother of our subject were Scotch Irish. His father was a pioneer of Michigan where he settled upon a new farm in the year of 1839.

Our subject worked on a farm and taught school, thus raising the funds to complete a course in the State Normal school and afterwards pursued his legal studies in Detroit.

The call of the west had always been strong with him and in April, 1884, seized with a desire to try his fortune in the west, became to South Dakota, landing at Huron with a total capital of fifty dollars. He secured a first grade teacher's certificate and taught in the schools of Beadle county for one year. In 1885 he came to Faulk county and filed upon land in DeVoe township where he secured title to three hundred and twenty acres of land under the preemption and homestead laws. In April, 1888, he was admitted to the bar at the first term of court held in Faulk county. He practiced at DeVoe until 1890, when he opened an office in Faulkton.

In 1894, he was united in marriage to Nellie A. Alt, a native of Iowa, where her parents were pioneer settlers, her father having settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1839. In March, 1882, Mrs. Latham came to Faulk county with the family of her sister, Mrs. J. A. Pickler, and filed upon government land near Faulkton and still owns the three hundred and twenty acres upon which she made final proof in the early years.

In 1894, he was elected state's attorney and re-elected in 1896, 1902 and 1904, serving in all eight years in a most creditable and sati.sfactory manner.

As one of the early settlers he takes great interest in the Faulk County Old Settlers' Picnic, held at Miller's grove each year, and has been chairman of the conmiittee on -arrangements for many years. Mr. Latham has always had great faith in the value of our black prairie soil and had the good judgment to invest largely in our cheap lands years ago and is now the possessor of over two thousand acres of the best farm land in the county.

ALBERT J. SPRAGUE was born August 23, 1838, in Erie county, Pennsylvania. When about one and onehalf years old his parents removed to the state of Illinois and located in Kane county where he grew up to manhood. In 1855 he remov^ed to Wisconsin and afterwards to Illinois, but in 1861 became a permanent resident of Wiscon.sin, and in 1862 enlisted on the 20th of August in Company B, Twelfth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the end of the war, being mustered out of the service in Washington on May 31, 1865. He then returned to Wisconsin and took up the duties of civil life.

Mr. Sprague remained a resident of Toronto, in the county of Sauk, until 1883, when he took up his residence in Faulk county, Territory of Dakota, locating upon the north-west quarter- of section 19, township 117, range 67, and resided there until 1902, when he removed to Faulkton .

On the 13th of October, 1860, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan A. Kinnemon of Ironton, Wisconsin. To them have been born six children: Almeda Jane, now Mrs. Breytenbach; Henry C, who now is a resident of Faulk county; Mary F.; Ada A.; Theresa M., now Mrs. Wm. Lestsr, and Herald H., who now resides in Illinois.

WIIvIylAM G. FAULKNER was born of Scotch parents in December, 1853; his parents' names were John and Catherine. He emigrated to this country at the age of seventeen and with a boy companion landed in New York, where he had relatives, and spent his first year in that locality, then went to Bay City, Michigan, remaining there twelve years. At the end of that time he made a tour of Montana and North and South Dakota (then Dakota Territory) and. settled on the south-west quarter of section 20, towmship 118, north of range 70, Faulk county, as a preemption, June, 1883. He proved up on the same and filed a homestead, being the south-west quarter of

The board of county commissioners appointed Mr. Faulkner one of the four county justices upon the organization and he was elected to that position in the succeeding general election. In 1885 he was appointed one of the state enumerators to. take the census of the county for that year. In 1889, he was elected county commissioner from the third commissioner district holding the office continuously until elected county auditor in the fall of of 1894, and after an interim of four years he was again elected county auditor, his last term expiring in 1906. The people of the count}^ during this time having voted $50,000 bonds for the erection of a court house. Mr. Faulkner as auditor in his official capacitj^ had a large part in the construction and management of the beautiful and convenient building that contains the priceless records of Faulk county. At present he is serving as a member of the State Board of Agriculture.

Mr. Faulkner was married in 1885, to Miss Kate E. Alt, one of the girls who came from Iowa City, Iowa, in 1883, who took advantage of Uncle Sam's offer to file on government land. Her preemption was the south-east quarter of section 34, township 119, north of range 69. They have seven children, Maud C, student of Dakota Wesleyan University at Mitchell and teacher in the county schools; John A.; Hugh A.; May A., now a student at Dakota Wesleyan University; George W.; Drew J., and James D.

Mrs. W. G. Faui.Kner

artesian well, immense stock barn, good granaries and buildings of every kind needed on the large farm which, with pastures, covers two sections of land. He raises Percheron pedigreed horses, and good breeds of cattle, hogs and sheep. Mr. Faulkner as a pioneer office holder and farmer has fulfilled his duties both in public and private with tenacity of purpose and strict integrity and is rated as one of the substantial and prosperous men of Faulk county.

JOHN H. SHIRK was born in Lancaster county Pennsylvania, March 12th, 1835,; was a descendent of Uhlrich Scherch (now spelled Shirk) , a French Huguenot, who upon the revocation of the edict of Nantes in 1685 by Louis XIV, fled to Switzerland.

His son Uhlrich, from whom our branch of the Shirk family are direct descendants, in company with two brothers, emigrated from Switzerland to America about the year 1729 and settled in eastern Pennsylvania.

The subject of this sketch worked on the farm, with the exception of about four months schooling each winter, until eighteen years of age, then worked at the blacksmith trade two years, after which he attended, a summer term of ten weeks at a normal institute at Millersville, Pa., conducted by Hon. J. P. Wikersham, then county superintendent, afterwards state superintendent of schools, colonel of a Pennsylvania regiment in the Civil War and United States Minister to the Netherlands.

Mr. Shirk taught his first term of school in Salisbury township, Lancaster county. Pa., in the winter of 1855-56. and followed this occupation most of the time until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Co. E. 79th Pa. Vol. Inf. in September, 1861, and was mustered into service October 8th, 1861, at Pittsburg, Pa., and assigned with the 77th and 78th Pa. into a brigade commanded by General James S. Negley, and embarked on steam boats to Louisville. He served in the army of the Ohio, first under General Anderson of Fort Sumpter fame, and subsequently under General Sherman. In August, 1862, the brigade was assigned to McCook's corps and participated in the Buell-Bragg campaign. In December, 1862, they were assigned to the 14th army corps under General (Pap) Thomas, where they remained until after the battle of Chickamauga, when Thomas succeeded Rosecrans in command of the army of the Cumberland. Mr. Shirk was taken prisoner September 19th, 1863, at the battle of Chickamauga and taken to Richmond where the prisoners were confined in large tobacco warehouses, under the name of lyibby prison. About December 12th they were transferred to Danville, Va., and confined in the prison at that place. He was in No. 5 military prison from which in F'ebruary, 1864, in company with a few trusty comrades, he dug a tunnel and about one hundred and twenty-five prisoners crawled through, at last to breathe God's fresh air again, if not to regain liberty.

The .squad he was with was out twenty-one days and got within eight miles of our lines near Suffolk, Va.. when they were recaptured and sent back to Richmond and confined in Libby prison dungeon and Belle Island until about June 1st, 1861-, when they were transferred to Andersonville prison. In September, 1864, when the rebels feared that Gen. Sherman would release the prisoners at that place, they sent them to different parts of the confederacy.

The detachment, he was with was sent to Charleston, S\ C, where they herded them on the grounds of the race track for a month, until the stockade at Florence, S. C, was completed, to which place they were then transferred October, 1864, and kept until Sherman, on his famous march, had already paralleled them, then were loaded on trains and taken under a flag of truce without exchange or parole within three miles of Wilmington, N. C, and within our lines just one week after Wilmington surrendered.

Thev there, for the first time in nearly eighteen months beheld the glorious Stars and Stripes supported by Uncle Sam's boys in blue, a sight never to be forgotten. From Wilmington ha was s^nt on a transport to parole camp at Annapolis, Md., and home to lyancaster, Pa., just three days before Richmond fell.

Mr. Shirk was married in 1867 to Margaret J. Kuhn and in the spring of 1872 moved to Iowa. The climate of south-eastern Iowa not agreeing with him, in the spring of 1883 he came to Faulk county, S. D.

He was a member of the school board of Bryant school township from its first organization, 1884, except one year, until 1889 when elected register of deeds and served two consecutive terms, since which time he has held no public office.

Mr. Stone cannot remember of ever seeing his father, who was a soldier in the Civil War, who suffered a horrible imprisonment in Libby prison, and amid torttures worse

In the fall of 1881, Mr. Stone married Miss Nellie Hall, daughter of Dr. Samuel Hall, late of Faulkton. To them have besn born six children, viz: J. Weston, Preston, Minalv., Steese, Hattie and Willis. All but Hattie are now living, she died in the spring of 1908.

On May 1st, 1902, Mr. Stone's home was made desolate by the death of his wife, the mother of his children. His children are all at his home, except J. Weston, the oldest son, who is married and lives in the state of Washington.

Mr. Stone, like most of Faulk county's pioneers, came here with very little of this world's goods, but a good share of courage and perseverence. He successfuly passed through all the hardships and privations of pioneer life and is now the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres of valuable Dakota land, five hundred of which is in a fine state of cultivation and the remainder a fenced pasture, all necessary improved farm machinery, two sets of good farm buildings; has twenty-five head of horses, seventy head of neat stock and a just claim to be counted among Faulk county's successful and prosperous farmers.

HENRY W. REINICKE was born August 4th, 1861, in Germany and immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1871, locating in Muscatine, Iowa, where he resided with his parents until 1884 when he removed to

Faulk county, Dakota Territory, and preempted the northeast quarter of section 17, township 118, range 72. After proving up his preemption he filed a tree claim and a homestead on the east half of section 8, in the same township where he remained and improved and proved up both his tree claim and his homestead until 1898, and then sold out his possessions and removed to Faulkton where he remained one 3^ear and then removed onto his improved farm nine miles north-east of Faulkton, that he had purchased before settling in the western part of the county.

Since 1899, Mr. Reinicke has remained upon his farm consisting of four hundred and eighty acres, making extensive improvements, including a fine set of farm buildings and a two inch artesian well. In the meantime a new line of railroad has been established, bringing the new towns of Wecota and Cresbard within six and seven miles respectively and increasing the value of his farm.

On January 9th, 1891, Mr. Reinicke was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Holstene of Gettysburg, Potter county, South Dakota. To them have been born four sons, viz: Frank, Richard, Harry, and Carroll.

Mr. Reinicke in early years was surrounded by such influences as to lead to a most bitter hatred against intoxicating liquors, and to best oppose the evil that grow'S out of their use, he has identified himself with and has become an active and efficient worker in the prohibition party. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Reinicke are in sympathy with the doctrine and usages of the Methodist Episcopal church, but being so far beyond any local organization of that church, they have become active and worthy workers in the Myron Congregational church, which is located near their home.

GEORGE H. STODDARD was born at Brandy's Bend sixty miles from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1857, the second son of Holmes and Ellen (Davis) Stoddard in whose family were nine children. The father who was an iron worker, was born in this country, as was also the grandfather, but the great-great-grandfather was a native of England who came to this country prior to the Revolutionary War, and when the colonies took up arras against the mother country he aided then as a soldier of the continental army in achieving their independence. The mother of our subject was born in England and came to this country when a girl of fourteen years. Her father, John Davis, was also an iron worker.

When three years of age his parents . removed to Elmira, New York, where he grew up to manhood and was educated, graduating from the high school at that place. There he \a as engaged in clerking for five months and for three years was employed as an ironworker. In 1878 he became connected with railroading as a brakeman and held that position for four years.

Coming west he landed in Faulk county, Dakota Territory, March 24, 1883, and immediately took up a homestead on which he erected a claim shanty 10x12. Mr. Stoddard started with a capital of seven hundred and twenty dollars. At the time of coming to Faulkton to assume the duties in the office of register of deeds, to which office he was elected in the fall of 1898, he was the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, two hundred of which he had placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings.

In 1885, Mr. Stoddard led to the marriage altar Miss Effie N. Deloy, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Joseph Deloy, a farmer who was born in France and was proud of his French descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard have been born eight children, viz': George E., Chas. E., Mary E., Ruth M., Florence E., Clarence D., Grace Anna Bslle, and Helen Gladys.

Socially Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard are members of the Congregational chvirch and of the societies of A. O. U. W., the Woodman, M. B. A., and Degree of Honor.

JAMES P. TURNER, a well known and highly respected citizen of Faulkton, is a blacksmith by profession, a business that has proved exceedingly prosperous since his coming to this county.

Mr. Turner is a native of Ontario, Canada, born near the town of Aylmer, December 1st, 1858, and is a son of James Turner, who was born in Scotland and immigrated to Canada with his father, Donald Tiu-ner, a carpenter by occupation.

James P. Turner, whose father died when he was only two years old, was given a good common school education and at the age of nineteen years commenced serving a three years apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade. On the expiration of his apprenticeship he continued to work at his trade in Canada for two years. In the spring of 1882 he came to Watertown, Dakota Territor^^ where he remained one year.

In the spring of 1883 he took up his residence in Fanlk cou^ity, and as one of its first blacksmiths started a shop in LaFoon, which was then the county seat. Soon after the removal of the county seat to Faulkton in the fall of 1886, Mr. Turner returned to Aylmer where he was married to Miss Belle K. Puntine, a native of Canada and a daughter of John Puntine, a ship builder by trade. As her mother died when she was but two years old, she was raised by an aunt in her native land.

HON. ALEXANDER MILLER of DsVoe, was born September 3rd, 1845, in Holmes county. Ohio, where he lived until he was twenty-five years of age. From there he went to Cedar county, Iowa. In the falL of 1875 he went to Saline county, Missouri. In the fall of that year he married Miss Emma McCellend of that county. To them have been born six children, viz: JohnL-, Samuel H., Sarah F., William H., James A., and EdnaN., who are now all residents of Faulk county.

He resided in Missouri until the fall of 1882 when he moved to North\nlle, in Spink county and engaged in the livery business. In 1883 he came to this county and proved up a preemption, then moved to his present location and took a homestead. Mr. Miller is one of our most enterprising and prosperous citizens. He is a practical farmer and a successful horseman. He has acquired one thousand nine hundred and twenty acres of valuable land.

six hundred acres of which are under cultivation, while the remainder is enclosed for pasturing. He has made the breeding of Percheron horses a specialty. For fifteen years he has had on an average, one hundred head and often as many as one hundred thirty. Has much of the best registered and graded stock in the north-west and keeps from twenty-five to seventy-five head of neat stock. He has all necessary machinery, a pleasant, delightful home and beautifur grove in which thousands of the citizens of Faulk, Edmunds and Spink counties annually gather to attend the old settlers' picnic.

Four consecutive times he has been elected to the state legislature and is a member of South Dakota's house of representatives at the present time. Mr. Miller stands high in t^e confidence and respect of the community in which he lives and his reputation both as a business man and a public servant is without reproach.

ROBERT KNAPTON, a well known, enterprising and energetic farmer, residing on section 25, Wesley township, Faulk county, South Dakota, and an honored v^eteran of the Civil War, is a native of England, born in Leeds, October 6th, 1843- Having lost his father during his infancy, he was raised by his grandparents and with the family came to the United States in 1847. As a boy he worked as a farm hand, and during the winter months, while pursuing his studies in an old log school house, he out of school hours for his board. He was thus employed until after the opening of the rebellion when on the 27th of December, 1863^ he enlisted in company A.,

Twenty-ninth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which was first ordered to New Orleans. Later the regiment was with Gen. Banks on his Red River expedition and in the engagement of Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Ridge. They helped to construct the dam at Alexander which saved the fleet, and were then sent to Morgonza Bend where they were given six weeks rest. They next went to Memphis and on the 24th of August, 1864, to Port Gibson, where they did patrol duty in the surrounding country. They then returned to New Orleans and in March, 1865, were sent to Ciperdor Island in Mobile Bay, where they remained a few weeks. Crossing the bay they went to Spanish Fort and later to Fort Blakely, where they were stationed when the war ended.

Later Mr. Knapton was engaged in garrison duty at Mobile and from there went to Shreveport, Louisana, where a large force of confederates surrendered. He then returned by boat to Montgomery, Alabama, and was finally mustered out at Mobile, being honorably discharged at Madison, Wisconsin, October 9th, 1865. Returning to his home in that state, Mr. Knapton remained there until the following spring, when he purchased a team of horses and began farming on his own account, upon rented land. Two years were thus passed and in 1867, after his marriage, he moved to Buchanan county, Iowa, where he made his home for four years. He then went to Harrison county, Missouri, but at the end of one year, on account of ague, he returned to his old home in Wisconsin, remaining there until coming to Dakota Territory in the fall of 1882. Here he filed a claim on the north-west quarter of section 25, township 119, range 66, Faulk county and then returned to Wisconsin. In the spring of 1883 he broke fifteen acres of his land, and on the second day of November of that year, brought his family to the home he had prepared for them, having previously erected a house and barn and brought out a carload of goods from the east. He now owns three quarter sections of good land of which three hundred acres have been placed under th^ plow. In his farm operations Mr. Knapton has been eminently successful, about two hundred acres is devoted to wheat and eighty to corn. He generally keeps through the winter about sixty-five head of neat stock, ten horses for his farm work, and thirty or forty hogs» which are considered a good investment.

Since casting his first presidential vote at regimental headquarters, in a rice field in lyouisana, for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864, Mr. Knapton has been unwavering in his support of the republican party. He is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, favors prohibition of the liquor traffic and gives his support to all measures which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit.

DARIUS S. SMITH is the son of John and Mary (Burroughs) Smith, who were from North Carolina, and moved to Indiana in 1835. Mr. Smith was born August 19, 1833, and remained with his parents until his majority. He was married May 20th, 1862, to Miss Adelia M. Williams of Jefferson county, Missouri, and was a resident of that county until 1882, at which time he removed to Dakokota Territory, with his family, consisting of a wife and four children, viz: Silvia G., now Mrs. J. H. Bottum; Julia E., now Mrs. P\ A. Seaman; Hope S., npw Mrs. J.

In April, of 1882, Mr. Smith as president of an association of twenty -five members started out on an exploring expedition for a settlement upon government land. On the morning of April 6th he started out from Redfield in Spink county, Dakota Territory in company with Thomas H. McMullen and Alexander lyaFoon and the evening of that day they were upon the banks of the Snake river where they decided to locate. At that time they were so pleased with the country that they made the best possible selection of land for their entire association, upon the unsurveyed government land and with scrip upon forty acres for a future townsite, and as they hoped, a county seat for Faulk county. The rapidity with which settlers from all parts of the country arrived and squatted upon the land, broke up their plans and disorganized the

The first postoffice in the county was located upon their scripted town site and named Cyclops, by the postoffice department, temporarily, until the new town site should be named, with Miss Norah Reppy, postmaster.

tlement, no other work of improvement showing in all the surrounding country. On the following September he could stand in the door of his board shanty and count over thirty homes erected and occupied upon the surrounding land.

In the early struggle for the location of the county seat, between Faulkton and LaFoon, Mr. Smith was an active and persistent worker, a safe and reliable adviser and a born leader. For twenty years he has served in the important office of justice of the peace, he lias served for two full terms upon the board of county commissioners and in 1895 and 1896 was a member of the South Dakota senate. At the last state election he was re-elected as one of the county justices of the peace, and promptly filed his bond for the faithful discharge of his duties.

Mr. Smith has a most desirable residence located near the court house in the central part of the city, where he and his devoted wife have everything to make life desirable. Only two blocks away are two of his daughters (Mrs. Bottum and Mrs. Ssanian) with their lovely, interesting families; while only a few hours ride will bring them to the homes of their other two daiighters in Minneapolis and St Paul, Minn.

DAVID BRYDEN was born in Ironton, Wisconsin, March 21st, 1860, and with his parents removed to Scotland when he was four years old, that being his father's former home. After remaining there three years, they returned again to Ironton, where his early years were spent upon a farm, from which come so many of our best, jnost reliable aud useful citizens, Wheji twelve years old there was a removal from the farm to the village of Ironton, where he enjoyed all the privileges of the common schools, dividing his time between the school and the outlaying farm, until h^ becam2 of age. Upon his twsnty-first birthday he was married to Miss Eulella J. Blakeslee, who was born in Ironton, Wisconsin, on the 21st day of March, 1862. To them, March 21st, became a red letter day,_ being a double birthday and their wedding anniversary. After their marriage he removed to Reedsburg, Wisconsin, where he became an experienced hardware business man, a business that received his attention all through life. To them were born five children, one son and four daughters: David E., now of Canada; Eva M., now Mrs. Hubert Headly of Faulkton; Elsie E-, now in Minneapolis, Minnesota, receiving lessons in music; Mayhie J., a graduate from the stenographic department of the Dakota Wesleyan University, now holding a position as stenographer in the city of Faulkton; and Janet M., now at home with her mother and attending the public schools in Faulkton.

In the fall of 1886, Mr. Bryden came to Faulkton to look over the country in view of a permanent location, and before leaving, purchased lots on St. John's street, where he subsequently built a hardware store and for five years occupied the second story for a residence, then built his permanent home on the corner of Pearl street and Tenth avenue. He was a careful and reliable business man, yet deeply interested in all that went for the upbuilding of society, active and prominent in the improvement of the public schools and general advancement of all that makes good society. He was an active, influential member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics, he was a democrat, but neither politics or fraternal relations were allowed to interfere with business relations, which always received strict attention, and as the years went by, increased prosperity.

"Mr. Bryden was one of our most enterprising and energetic citizens, ever ready to assist in any public enterprise which promised to aid in the upbuilding of our city, and from a small beginning, had built up a large and prosperous business and was getting into a position to enjoy life, when called away by the grim reaper who waits not for time or circumstances. His last year was one of great suffering, but was borne witli great patience and fortitude. While not a professed christian, he came to have great faith in a better life beyond, his last words being, 'we shall meet beyond the river.'

"His father, David Br3^den, St., died but three months before. He leaves a wife, an aged mother, four sisters and five children to mourn his loss, who have the heartfelt sympath}^ of all in their bereavement."

JAMES W. JOHNSTON, a son of William E. and Agnes Johnston of Center county, Pennsylvania, was born on October 2nd, 1854. When he was fourteen years of age his parents mov^ed to Lee county, Iowa, where he remained until his majority, and where he received the advantages of a first class common school education .

In 1879 he came to South Dakota and located at Watertown. The 12th of January in 1883, he came to Faulk county. In 1885 and 1886 he was register of deeds and at the election of 1892 he was again elected to this important oflfice which he held for two years. Mr. Johnston was an active worker for the advancement of Faulk county interests, especially for the upbuilding of LaFoon, its first count}' seat.

On November 5th, 1885, he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie M. Cochrane, who was a resident of LaFoon and at that time clerk of courts for Faulk county. To them have been born ten children, six of whom died in early childhood; Belle M., a student at Huron College, SD.; Lloyd, Laura and Ralph are vet at home and in the Faulkton public schools.

In 1893 tlie Faulk Coimty Land and Title Company was incorporated with Mr. Johnston, secretary, subsequently Mr. Johnston bought out the other members of the firm and now owns and devotes his time to tliis important business.

LIZZIE M. COCHRANE, daughter of John C. and Sylvia Cochrane, was born at Oshaloosa, Kan., January 13th, A. D. 1860. In early childhood, her parents returned to DesMoines, Iowa, where she enjoyed the advantages of their most excellent schools. In March, 1883, she came to Faulk county and filed on public land which was subsequently proved up on in accordance with the public land law.

On November 5, 1884, she was appointed clerk of courts for Faulk county by Judge Severance Smith of the Fifth Judicial District of the Territory of Dakota, which office she filled with satisfaction to all who had business with that office and with credit to herself. Upon her marriage to Mr. Johnston, her resignation was immediately forwarded to Judge Church, and after several months her resignation was accepted and a young man from California was appointed.

WILEIAM H. EOWER was born in the state of Michigan, April 30th, 1851, of German -English parentage. "When about three years of age his parents moved to La- Crosse, in the state of Wisconsin. When he was about eight years of age his parents removed to Vermont, Ontario county, in the same state, where he enjoyed the privileges of the common schools until he became of age. and where he continued to reside until he came to Dakota in 1884.

In 1875 he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie M. Culver, and to them have been born three children, viz: Roy E., Nellie R.. and Madison E.

township 118, range 72, being now the town of Seneca in this (Faulk) coiint5% being then, and until 1887, when the Chicago & Northwestern railroad was completed to Seneca, twenty-two miles from the nearest railroad point, Mr. Lower and his devoted wife experienced their full share of the privations incident to pioneer life. Neither the failure of crops nor storms of winter deterred hitn. W hile others, who had located land near him, became discouraged and moved away, he struggled on, and today finds himself in possession of his pleasant home, a view of which may be found upon page 99 of this history, surrounded by six hundred and forty acres of the best of South Dakota's rich, productive soil, and is counted among Faulk county's reliable, enterprising and prosperous farmers, and has the satisfaction of having his oldest son located in his own happy home upon adjoining land.

ADAM SANGSTER was born in Scotland, July 28th, 1843, and was married to L,ouisa Lowe in January, 1867. In 1874, with his wife and two children, Mr. Sangster sailed from Liverpool for New York, from there to Wabasha county, Minnesota, where he remained until the 27th of May, 1884, when he located on the north-west quarter of section 18, township 118, range 71, F'aulk county, and returned to Minnesota for his family, consisting of his wife and six children. Since coming to Faulk co-untr>- he has added two more to his family. Through tlie years of hail,, storms and drought, with the prevailing hot winds that. drove so many of the pioneer settlers from Faulk county,, Mr. Sangster experierfced with his large family a full share of hardships and privations. Yet never faltering, never raidy to say dis, h; worked oa, struggled on, with faith in Him who had promised the seed time and harvest, until adversity was changed to prosperity, and not only the necessaries, but the comforts of life were assured,

Mr. Sangster has added to the land he located as a homestead another quarter section. He has an excellent set of farm buildings, good farm machinery for diversified farming, and everything that goes to make a first class agricultural home.

Since 1888 he has held the office of postmaster at the Elli.sville postolfice to the perfect satisfaction of the sur^ rounding community, and a few weeks since he received a very polite invitation from the postmaster general to file his bond for another four year's service.

Mr. Sangster has almost constantly filled the office of school township treasureror or clerk of Ellisville township and is now finishing up his second term of four yQars as treasurer. An illustration of Mr. Sangster's beautiful home may be seen on page 89 of this history.

JOHN H. FINLEY was born July 1861, in Guernsey county, Ohio, and came to Faulk county, South Dakota, May 1883, and located in what is now the town of Union. In March, 1893, he married Miss Cevilla Roth of Indepen- -dence, Iowa. In common with all pioneers of this county he experienced all the hardships and privations from hail and storm, from hot winds and drouth, but with a great climatic change no doubt brought about by the great num- -of artesian wells, bringing to the surface vast quantities of pure, clear water, forming beautiful lakes, abundant crops have followed, bringing prosperity, as indicated by

He finds himself possessor of eight hundred and forty acres of fine land, three hundred and fifty acres of which is under cultivation. With thirteen horses, fifty head of neat stock and sixty hogs, with all necessary farm machinery, making a complete outfit for successfully carrying on his farm work. Forty dollars an acre would be refused for this fine Dakota farm.

ELI AS ROSELAND was born on July 7th, 1866. When seventeen years of age he left home and cut loose from family relations and came to Marshall county, Iowa. In 1892 he came to Faulk county and located on a quarter section of land in township 117, range 71, and in 1893 he married Miss Ida Sangster who was born in Scotland, January 13th, 1870, and came to Faulk county with her parents in the season of 1884. To them have been born two sons, Clarence and Earl. In 1900 they located their present home in the town of Seneca in this county. A view of which may b^ found in this history.

None of the pioneers of the county are deserving of more credit or better entitled to recognition than this young couple, who have succeeded by their own personal efforts in securing a most desirable and lovely home and laying the foundation for future wealth and prosperity.

GABRIEL T. ROSELAND was born in Norway, in 1857, and when fourteen years of age commenced a seafaring life which he followed for ten years. In 1881, arriving at the port of Galveston, Texas, he decided to leave ths ocean for a life upon the land. After a year with the

The New Yqt-'K

Santa Fe Railroad Company, in the spring of 1882, he went to Calma, Iowa, and from there to Wisconsin, where he took a four year's course in the lumber woods. In the spring of 1886 he came to Dakota and settled upon section 20, tdwnship 117, range 71, in Faulk county.

In July of that year he married Miss Lizzie Linton who was born in Rondout, New York. Her parents removed to the state of Wisconsin when she was but three years old. To them have been born eleven children, eight boys and three girls who are all living at the present time. To the quarter section of land first taken, he has added by purchase eight more. Last year he sold from his stock ranch between five and six thousand dollars worth of stock, and now has upon his farm two hundred head of neat stock, fifty head of horses and thirty hogs.

He is not only a successful stockman, but a practical farmer. In 1907 he raised 1,300 bushels of wheat, 2,000 bushels of oats, 1200 bushels of speltz, 800 bushels of flax and 100 bushels of potatoes.

He has a beautifully and pleasantly located farm residence, also a hotel and several lots in the village af Seneca, the important business center of western Faulk county. Here we have an illustration of what enterprise, perseverance, and undying faith in his own judgment will do in making a man prosper in the settling and development of a new country.

FREDERICK D. PERSON was born September 28, 1854, in Clyde, Iowa county, Wisconsin, and on September 12, 1885, came to Faulk county, South Dakota, and located in what is now the town of Union. On March 14, 1889, he was married to Miss Amanda S. Larson, of Dodgeville, Wisconsin. To them have been born two daughters, the first died at the age of two years, the second, Lucile Irene, no\A sixteen years of age, is a graduate of the Aberdeen high school and now attending the normal school in that city. Mr. Person has had a full experience of the hardships and privations of Dakota pioneer life. For the first ten years it was a constant struggle with hail and storm, dry, hot winds and drought. With climatic changes largely brought about by artesian waters, producing beautiful lakes of clear pure water, abundant crops and unusual prosperity has followed. Mr. Person has a beautiful home, a cut of which may be found on page 251 of this history. Nearby is a beautiful lake of five acres of clear pure water surrounded with a border of thrifty trees. He has six hundred and forty acres of the best of Dakota soil, seventeen head of horses, fifty head of neat cattle and thirty hogs. With three hundred and fifty acres inider cultivation and all necessary machinery for farming, $40.00 per acre would not be considered a good offer for the farm. Mr. Person is also a stockholder and vice president of the Chelsea State Bank.

JOHN HARRINGTON was born 1854 in Freeport, Illinois, and in 1884 he came to Faulk county, South Dakota, and located in the present town of Scatterwood. He then had seven hundred dollars, all of which was lost the first year by reason of hail storms and fire.

and came to Faulk county in June, 1883, and located on a homestead one and one-half miles west of Scatterwood lake. To them have been born eight children, sev-en of wh^m are now livang, viz: Lawrence, Inez'M., James Ray, Austa, Clara Edna, Mabelle, and John D.

Mr. Harrington had a large experience in the hardships and privations of Dakota pioneer life, for the first ten years, hail, dry, hot winds, drought and tornadoes all were in his pathway. Every dollar he could earn was expended in improving his land, in sinking wells and in exerting every effort to make a home, never loosing faith that it would be a Faulk county home. Passing over the intervening years we find one of the most complete and perfect farm homes in Faulk county. First of all he settled the water question. An artesian well, 1100 feet deep, was put down on the bank of a deep depression, covering an area of about thirteen acres, which in six months was filled to a depth of eleven feet, which has been stocked with black bass, from the United States fish commission to which has been added several other kinds of fish, and now he has sufficient fish for home use and will soon have them for the market. In addition to the supply of water for his beautiful lake, Mr. Harrington has installed a five horse power water motor which supplies power for his twelve thousand bushel elevator, together with mills for grinding corn and other grain for stock and house use. This elevator hrs scales for weighing and all improved facilities in modern elevators for handling grain. The barn, that years ago wss destroj'ed by a tornado, has been replaced by one 48x60 feet with water piped to the barn and to the pastures. He has sufficient water for irrigating a small tree claim.

In 1907 a fine residence, at a cost of $5000.00 outside of all labor of teams and personal labor, which was no small amount, was erected. A fine cut of his buildings, with all modern improvements, can be seen on page 99 of this history.

In addition to the usual plan of American farming, he has irrigated for his strawberries and other garden products, raising at the rate of one hundred and sixty bushels of strawberries per acre; and sold from only a few square rods, $45.00 worth of cabbage, and from a car load of steers fed on Dakota corn he received $1400.00 on the Chicago market, and by actual experiment knows that more small grain can be raised in ten years from a given number of acres if two of those years the ground has been planted and thoroughly cultivated to corn, than if it had been planted ever}^ one of the ten years to small grain.

Mr. Harrington has not only found time for the accomplishment of all these lines of diversified farming but has done a large amount of work in the advancement of public enterprise. He has b'een chairman of the board of trustees of United Bretheren church in his own town and has been one of the principal promoters of the Mausfield & Scatterwood Telephone Company, incorporated with a capital of $25,000.00. He has been on the board of supervisors for several years, and member of the school board and a road superintendent.

In the year 1906 he raised and sold from four acres of ground $400.00 worth of melons, and manv were left to rot on the ground by reason of a lack of market and the time to gather them .

ADAM FINDEIS was born in Germany, January 14, 1825, and was married in 1849, and in 1850 to them a son was born. After the decease of his wife in 1853, he came to America. After traveling in the east and south, he located in St. lyouis, Missouri, and on the 30th day of September, 1861, he enlisted in the service of the United States and was mustered into service in Company 1., First Regiment Engineer, Missouri Volunteers at St. Louis, Missouri, and mustered out of service at East Point, Georgia, on September 28, 1864, at the expiration of his service. On the 15th day of February, 1865, re-enlisted and was mustered into service as a private in Company F., Sixth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Cavalry for one year and was discharged on the 5th day of November, 1865. His residence is stated as Clayton, Illinois.

On the 14th day of January, 1874, he was married to Miss Margaret Metz at Eacon, Marshall countv, Illinois, and in 1883 he removed to Faulk county. South Dakota. To them has been born one daughter who is now a resident of Wisconsin.

Mr. Findeis was an industrious hard working Faulk county pioneer who finished his earthly career and lay down for his final rest on Januar,y 16th, 1905.

JOEL RUSH was born March 8th, 1844 in Green county, Wisconsin. When twelve years of age his parents moved to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he made his home until 1887. August 15th, 1862, he enlisted in Company E., 10th Minnesota Regiment Volunteer Infantry in which he served three full years and a few days, being mustered out at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, on the 19th of

August, 1865. Although enlisted for service in the war of the rebellion, for a time, the regiment remained in their own state to settle with the Sioux Indians for their bloody massacre at New Ulm, his company doing valiant service, both in fighting, capturing and guarding the "red skins" until he saw twenty-eight of the five hundred captured suffer, the full penalty of the law for the high crimes they committed. With the Indian outbreak suppressed, in 1863 the 10th Minnesota was ordered to join the department of the south at St. Louis and remained at barracks through the winter of 1863. This winter was no means lost time, thorough dicipline and drill were kept up and raw recruits soon became veterans. From that time to the end of the war the 10th was on duty in the army of the west, and proved worthy in every line of duty, an honor to the state and branch of service in which they served. At the battle of Tupelo, raid after Price, battle of Nashville, in pursuit of Hood, in its record in the 16th army corps, Company E., 10th Minnesota in which Comrade Joel Rush did his whole duty to the end of the war is one of which any veteran may well be proud.

On the 15th day of November, 1868, Joel Rush was married to Miss Victorena Ogg, »who was born in Rasville, Iowa, February 22, 1850. To them have been born two children, a son who died when seven years of age, a daughter, Mrs. Cora C. Bowers, who now resides in this city.

Comrade Rush has been a citizen of Faulkton since 1888 and a worthy member of Phil Sheridan Post, No. 72, Department of South Dakota of which he was past commander in 1903, until his death vvhich occurred May 2nd. 1908.

CARIv NIEMKYER was born in Germany, May 1st, 1851, and emig-rated to the United States in 1873 and located in Chicago, 111., working at his trade as a tailor for twelve years.

January 26th, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Emily Wendt, who was born in Germany. To them have been born six children, viz: Carl Frederick, Lizzie, Arthur, William, Emma and Edgar.

In 1884 he came to Ashton and engaged in business as a merchant tailor, remaining there three years until 1887, when he located in the city of Faulkton, where he has since resided and continued in the business of merchant tailor and dealer in ready, made clothing.

Mr. Niemeyer is one of our most reliable citizens, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, an Odd Fellow, and in politics a republican.

D. ROY JONES, son of Robert and Catherine (Humphrey) Jones, whose parents were natives of Wales, and emigrated to the United States at an early day and located in the county of Oneida iu the state of New York.

Mr. Jones was born, November 19th, 1847, in the town of Steuben, Oneida county. New York, and remained with his parents, attending school and working on the farm until his majority. Mr. Jones remained a resident of Steuben until 1883. On December 22, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Humphrey of Ixona, Wis., and to them three children have been born, W. Forrest and W. Florence, who were born in Steuben, N. Y., and Edythe Lyle, who was born in Faulk county, territory of Dakota.

In 1883 on March 22nd, Mr. Jones became a resident of Faulk county and located upon government land, being the south-west quarter of section 3, township 120, range 68, and remained on his homestead until 1889, when he removed to Faulkton on account of educational advantages for his children. Since that time Mr. Jones has been engaged in the ice and water business in this city.

Mr. Jones has been an active worker in public affairs, and both he and Mrs. Jones have been active workers in church circles, being members of the Congregational church, organized by Rev. Clinton Douglas, at Cresbard, and for several years Mr. Jones was superintendent of the Sunday school.

There had been no material change in family relations, save that incident to the passing years until September 10, 1906, when their son, W. Forrest, who had arrived at manhood, and was actively engaged in business as a contractor and builder in this city, and who from his fifteenth year had been a worthy member of the Congregational church in this city, was suddenly called, tho' well prepared for the great beyond, leaving a devoted wife and two small children.

HENRY A. WILKINSON was born December 10th, 1844, in Schennuta county, New York. When five years of age his father removed to the state of Wisconsin and his home was in the town of Gainsville in that state until he was sixteen years of age. In 1861 his father removed to Sangamon county in the state of Illinois, and in 1863 he enlisted in the 124th Illinois Volunteer Infantry to serve in the war of the Rebellion, and in 1865 he received

In 1875 he removed to Butler county, Nebraska, and remained there until the autumn of 1882, and from there became to Sanborn county, Dakota Territory, and took a homestead and after proving up his government land in 1884, he became a resident of Faulk county, and took a preemption claim on the north-west quarter of section 22, township 120, range 69, adjoining his tree claim that he had taken the year before. Since that time Mr. Wilkinson has been a resident of this county. Four years ago he sold his land and became a resident of the city of Faulkton where he engaged in the land business. For the last six months he has been at the National Sanitarium at Hot Springs, S. D., and has just returned to his home greatly improved in health.

WILLIAM J. DODDS was born October 15th, 1856, in the county of Wigton, in Scotland. In 1879 he emigrated to the United States, and arrived at lyansingburg on the Hudson on July 4th and remained in the state of New York, working at his trade as a cabinet maker and carpenter until 1883, then he removed to the state of New Jersey, working at his trade until January, 1900.

On January 1st, 1885, he was united in marriage to Miss Ursula Comptom of Millington, N.J. To them have been born seven children, viz: Wenona Louise, Agnew Comptom, William, Ina, Zelda Randolph, Kenneth Janieson and Margaret Katherine.

Since that time he has been engaged as a contractor and builder in this city. Mr. Dodds is interested in the school and in public affairs, is a republican in politics and a member of the Commercial club in this city. Among the residences and other buildings erected by Mr. Dodds in this city, illustrations of which may be found in this history, are those of C. B. Chambers, A. M. Moore, the Catholic church and the Commercial club building of this citv.

STEPHEN F. THORN was born February 15, 1860, in Hillsdale county, Michigan, son of Albert S. and Louisa (Mosuer) Thorn. When he was but two years old his mother was called to Lexington, Kentucky, to visit and care for her sick and dying husband and she soon returned with his mortal remains. Then commenced her real life work in caring for, supporting and raising to man and womanhood her family of four children.

The subject of this sketch remained at home with his mother, enjoying the advantages of the school and assisting her as best he could until twenty years of age, at which time he was, on the 2Sth day of July, 1880, united in marriage with Miss Anne E. Gibson, of Ranson, Hillsdale county, Michigan. To them have been born se^-en children^ Clark E., Norman S., Hamilton H., Springate L., Delia A., LunaCx., and Grace G.; the four youngest of them were born in Dakota after his removal here in 1886.

Mr. Thorn located his preemption on the south-west quarter of section 18, township 118, range 72, and after proving up under the United States land law, he took a homestead and in common with other Dakota pioneers,, built a sod shanty, an illustration of which may be found in this history (taken on a Sunday morning as they were about to start to Sunday school) in which they resided for nearly five years. Five years later he sold his homestead. Six years ago he became a resident of Faulkton, on account of the better advantages of education for his children. Since coming to Faulkton, Mr. Thorn has been engaged in a ver}^ good business, running a 'bus to the train and other places as circumstances demanded and doing a successful draying business.

Mr. Thorn is a democrat in politics and while being recognized by his party and receiving the nomination at the last election for sheriff, in a county overwhelmingly republican, he failed at election. He is now city marshal.

MERIIvIy S. McDEARMON is of a Scotch descent, tracing his ancestry to a period prior to the Revolutionary War, when they emigrated from Scotland and located in P>ie county in the state of New York. And when the Colonial struggle for independence commenced they promptly took sides with the colonists to defend their manhood against the oppression of the mother county.

The subject of this sketch was born October 14th, 1843, HI Erie county, state of New York. In 1844, his father with his family removed to Chicago, 111., where he grew up to manhood and there enlisted into the 113th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was organized under the auspices of the Chicago Board of Trade in 1862, and served until June 20th, 1865, when he was mustered out of service. His regiment saw active service, having been in sixteen engagements with the Confederate forces; the most strenuous being the battle under General Sherman at Vicksburgin 1862 and the capture of that city by General Grant in 1862, when he triumphantly marched into the captured city on July 4th, of that year.