Edward P. Brockman, the efficient and popular Register of Deeds of Grant County, was born in Hastings, Minnesota, on October 16, 1868. He received his education in Minnesota and North Dakota, eventually becoming a teacher before venturing into the merchandise business. Brockman’s journey led him to Milbank, where he served as Register of Deeds and established himself as a valuable member of the community. He is actively involved in local affairs, a loyal citizen of Grant County, and holds positions in various organizations. Married to Elizabeth E. Wasem, the couple has two children. Brockman’s dedication and contributions have made him a respected figure in Milbank.
EDWARD P. BROCKMAN, the efficient and popular Register of Deeds of Grant County, was born in Hastings, Minnesota, on the 16th of October, 1868, and is a son of Edward B. and Susan G. (Powell) Brockman. The former was born in England and the latter in the state of Wisconsin, and they were among the early settlers in Minnesota, where they took up residence in 1857. Edward B. Brockman worked as a tinsmith and pursued that trade for many years before retiring from business. The family relocated to what is now North Dakota in 1881, settling in the city of Fargo. Edward P. Brockman has two living brothers and one sister, and he is the second child in the birth order.
Edward P. Brockman received his elementary education in the public schools of his native town and was about thirteen years old when his parents moved to North Dakota. He then attended the public schools of Fargo and, after completing a course in the high school, enrolled in the normal school at Moorhead. At the age of nineteen, he began his career as a teacher and continued in this profession successfully until he entered the general merchandise business in Tower City, North Dakota. He remained in Tower City until 1893 when he relocated to Grant County and settled in Milbank. There, he was involved in mercantile pursuits until 1896 when he joined the banking establishment of Gold & Company in Big Stone City, where he worked for over two years. Subsequently, he engaged in the general merchandise business in Big Stone City for about eighteen months before selling his interests. In the autumn of 1900, he was elected as Register of Deeds for Grant County, which led him to move to Milbank. He was re-elected in 1902 for a second term. In addition, he has an interest in the abstract business, with its headquarters located in his office. He also serves as the cashier of the Corona State Bank, which opened in November 1903. Edward Brockman is a devoted member of the Republican Party and has been actively involved in local affairs since coming to the county. He is known for his attentiveness, public-spiritedness, and loyalty as a citizen of Grant County. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, where he holds the position of Worthy Advisor. Edward and his wife are prominent and esteemed members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Milbank. He serves as the superintendent of its Sunday school. Their residence, situated at the corner of West Park Avenue and Second Street, is one of Milbank’s well-regarded homes. On the 17th of May, 1893, in Tower City, Mr. Brockman married Miss Elizabeth E. Wasem, who was born in Winona, Minnesota. She is the daughter of John Wasem, a respected pioneer of that region. Edward and Elizabeth have two children, Clayton E. and Kenneth Powell.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.