Biography of Fred LaPlant
Fred LaPlant, born in 1861 in Deer’s Ear, North Dakota, is a prominent stock grower in South Dakota. His father, Louis LaPlant, was among the first white settlers in Dakota, significantly contributing to its early history. Fred was raised on the frontier, gaining firsthand experience in livestock raising alongside his father. In 1888, he began raising cattle independently with his brother George, and since 1896, he has utilized the Cheyenne Indian reservation’s range for his cattle operations. Fred typically manages five to six thousand head of cattle and has expanded into the general merchandise business at the Cheyenne agency. A staunch Republican and a 32nd-degree Mason, he is married to Virginia Travesty of Sioux City, Iowa. They have four children: Maud D., Lucille, Fred Ellsworth, and Irene.