Jerauld County

Biography of William F. Bancroft

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

William F. Bancroft, born October 21, 1868, in Monmouth, Illinois, relocated to Yankton, Dakota Territory, with his parents at age two. Educated in Yankton, he pursued a printing career before moving to Wessington Springs in 1893. Two years later, he acquired and became editor of the True Republican, a prominent Republican-aligned newspaper. Appointed postmaster in 1898 under President McKinley, Bancroft also served as city clerk and held various fraternal memberships. He married Maud S. Spears on July 3, 1894, and they had four children: Merrill, Lowell, Darrell, and Melba. William F. Bancroft, postmaster at Wessington Springs and editor and publisher … Read more

Biography of Edward V. Miles

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Edward V. Miles, a renowned and prosperous farmer, is considered a pioneer of Jerauld County, South Dakota. Born in Wessington, Hand County, Virginia in 1838, he displayed unwavering loyalty during the Civil War, serving in the Second Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. After the war, he returned to Illinois, engaging in farming, mercantile pursuits, and grain trading. In 1882, he settled in Jerauld County, developing a valuable farm and becoming a respected figure in the community. Eventually, he sold his farm, moved to Wessington Springs, and enjoyed a well-deserved retirement. A prominent citizen, Miles actively participated in local affairs, and his contributions to South Dakota’s history are commendable.