Douglas County - South Dakota Genealogy

Biography of B. T. Boylan

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

B. T. Boylan (b. 1858, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin) was a prominent businessman and politician in Armour, South Dakota. After moving to Cherokee County, Iowa, with his family in 1876, he later settled in Douglas County, South Dakota, in 1882. Initially farming, Boylan transitioned to the implement business in Grand View before relocating to Armour in 1887. He expanded into real estate in 1899 and served as county treasurer from 1894 to 1898 and as a state legislator in 1900. A staunch Republican, Boylan was active in Masonic and other fraternal organizations. He married Mary E. Lawrence in 1886, and they had three children.

Biography of Homer W. Johnson

Homer W. Johnson (b. 1859, Osceola, Iowa) was a state senator and key figure in the Johnson Brothers Company, a leading real estate and loan business in South Dakota. After gaining experience in banking and land management, he co-founded the Citizens’ State Bank of Armour with his brother Edwin, serving as president until 1903. Johnson shifted from Republican to Democratic politics, securing multiple senate terms despite his district’s Republican leanings. Known for his integrity and business acumen, he remained influential in both state politics and local development. Johnson’s collaborative spirit and loyalty made him a respected community leader.

Biography of Edwin S. Johnson

Edwin S. Johnson (b. 1857, Owen County, Indiana) was a prominent banker and real estate operator in Armour, South Dakota. He co-founded the Johnson Brothers Company with his brother Homer, managing extensive land and loan interests across the region. Johnson began his career in Iowa, later pioneering in Nebraska before relocating to South Dakota in 1884. In addition to his business pursuits, he served as state’s attorney and state senator, shifting from the Republican to Democratic Party in 1896. He married Anna Thoreau in 1884 and remained an influential figure in both local politics and the Methodist Protestant church.

Biography of Robert M. Hutchinson

Robert M. Hutchinson, born September 8, 1858, in Henderson County, Illinois, became a prominent figure in South Dakota’s business and political landscape. After moving to Douglas County in 1882, he established a successful farming operation before transitioning to business in Delmont, dealing in grain, livestock, and agricultural supplies. A dedicated Democrat, Hutchinson served in the South Dakota legislature, first elected in 1898 and re-elected in 1902. He also held local roles, including on the village council and school board. In 1896, he married Etta M. Culler, and they had two sons, Earl and Ray.

Biography of W. E. Tipton

W. E. Tipton, born June 10, 1854, in Schuyler County, Missouri, was a prominent figure in education and law. Son of Jabez B. and Isabel (Wright) Tipton, he descended from early American settlers. Tipton graduated with honors from the state normal school in Kirksville, Missouri, and served as superintendent in various schools. In 1883, he moved to South Dakota for health reasons, establishing himself in Douglas County’s legal community. Tipton contributed significantly to Armour’s development and held various public offices, including district attorney and county judge. He married twice, first to Myra Amsden and later to Emily Rogers, fathering five children.

Biography of C. Loran Robertson, M. D.

Dr. C. Loran Robertson, born on April 11, 1867, in Zaleski, Ohio, is a respected physician practicing in Delmont, Douglas County, South Dakota. Son of Henry and Avaline (Smith) Robertson, he grew up in Ohio, where his father was a notable carpenter, contractor, and Civil War veteran. Dr. Robertson financed his medical education by teaching and graduated from the American Medical College in St. Louis in 1899. He established his practice in Delmont and has since gained recognition in the medical community. In 1897, he married Edith W. Vaughn of Olivet, South Dakota.

Biography of Major Robert Bollard

Major Robert Dollard, born on March 14, 1842, in Fall River, Massachusetts, was a prominent lawyer and public figure in South Dakota. He served with distinction in the Civil War, advancing to the rank of Major. After the war, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1870. In 1879, he became the first settler in Douglas County, Dakota Territory, and played a key role in fighting corruption there. Dollard served as South Dakota’s first Attorney General and held various legislative positions. He married Carrie E. Dunn in 1875. His contributions to public service and law left a lasting legacy in South Dakota.

Biography of Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson, a notable farmer, dairyman, and stock grower in Douglas County, South Dakota, was born and educated in Denmark before emigrating to America in 1873. Initially settling in Hartford, Connecticut, he moved to Iowa in 1877, where he farmed until 1900. Johnson then acquired a half section of land in Douglas County, cultivating 220 acres into a valuable homestead. He focused on general farming, dairy farming, and raising Shorthorn and Jersey cattle. A committed Republican and Presbyterian, he and his wife, Hannah Sorenson, had one daughter, Meta C., who married Henry Singleman.

Biography of Rev. William Lewis Meinzer

Rev. William Lewis Meinzer was born on December 26, 1868, in Winnebago County, Illinois, to William and Mary Julia Meinzer, immigrants from Baden, Germany. He pursued education at Northwestern College, Iowa State College, and the State Agricultural College, earning a Bachelor of Science in 1894. Meinzer entered the Methodist Episcopal Church ministry, serving in various South Dakota towns. He married Dora Jane Squires on December 31, 1895; she passed away in 1902. Meinzer was also known for his lectures based on his European travels. He remained a devoted Republican and influential community figure until his death. Rev. William Lewis Meinzer … Read more

Biography of Rev. William S. O’Meara

Rev. William S. O’Meara is a highly regarded priest in charge of the Roman Catholic church in Armour, Douglas County. Born in Detroit in 1871, he completed his education in Baltimore and Cincinnati before being ordained in 1898. Since his arrival in Armour, Father O’Meara has shown great zeal and devotion, leading to the growth of the congregation. Under his guidance, a new church was built, reflecting his commitment to architectural beauty. Although the parish is not yet able to establish a parochial school, Father O’Meara personally instructs the children before they attend public schools. He is also active in civic duties as a Democrat.