Meade County

Biography of Henry O. Anderson

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Henry O. Anderson, born November 15, 1842, in Sweden, emigrated to the United States in 1866 after completing a cabinetmaking apprenticeship in Norway. He initially settled in Wisconsin, later moving to Yankton, South Dakota, in 1870, where he became involved in public affairs and served in the state legislature. After various ventures, including a successful planing mill, Anderson moved to Sturgis in 1884. There, he established a flourishing hardware and furniture business, H. O. Anderson & Son, with his son Albert. Anderson was active in local politics and community organizations. He married Inga M. Nordgran in 1867.

Biography of Charles Francis

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Charles Francis, born near New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1837, became a prominent pioneer in the American West. At 16, he joined a horse-driving business, leading herds across the plains to Colorado and Central America. Drawn by the 1860s gold rush, he prospected in Montana and later worked in Fort Thompson, aiding in Native American relations. By the 1870s, he was freighting goods to the Black Hills and developing ranches in South Dakota, notably in Sturgis. Francis also held significant mining and banking interests, contributing to the region’s growth until the early 20th century.