Victor K. Stillwell, born on December 8, 1856, in Kilbourn City, Wisconsin, was the cashier and general executive manager of the Farmers’ Bank of Alexandria, South Dakota. Son of David and Melissa N. (Augir) Stillwell, he moved to South Dakota in 1880 and homesteaded in Hanson County. In 1881, he married Eugenia A. Clark. After farming, he joined the Farmers’ Bank in Alexandria in 1888, becoming cashier in 1891. A dedicated Republican, Stillwell served as County assessor, mayor, board of education president, and state senator. He was an active member of several fraternal organizations and the Freewill Baptist church.
Victor K. Stillwell, cashier and general executive manager of the Farmers’ Bank of Alexandria, was born in Kilbourn City, Columbia County, Wisconsin, on the 8th of December 1856, a son of David and Melissa N. (Augir) Stillwell, to whom were born three children, namely: Arthur, who died in Alexandria, this state, on the 24th of February, 1882; Victor K., who is the subject of this sketch; and Wendell H., who is a division superintendent of the Illinois Central Railroad, with headquarters in the city of New Orleans. David Stillwell was born in the state of New Jersey, and as a boy accompanied his parents on their removal to Waukesha County, Wisconsin, where he was reared to manhood and was married. In 1855 he removed to Kilbourn City, that state, where he purchased property. He was a man of versatility, and was employed in various mechanical pursuits, working in a sash and door factory, as an engineer and as a stonemason, at different intervals, the last-mentioned business constituting his principal vocation. He purchased and operated stone quarries near the town and as a stonecutter did a large and profitable business. He died there, on the 24th of July 1883, at the age of fifty-eight years, honored by all who knew him. He was a staunch Republican in politics and was a member of the Freewill Baptist church, while he was strenuously opposed to secret societies of all descriptions. His widow, Melissa N. Stillwell, is now living at Alexandria, South Dakota.
Victor K. Stillwell, whose name initiates this article, was reared to maturity in his native town, and after availing himself of the advantages afforded in its public schools, he continued his studies in Rochester Seminary, at Rochester, Wisconsin. At the age of eighteen he began teaching in the district schools, and he successfully continued to follow this vocation about twelve terms, giving his attention to farm work during the intervening summer vacations. In August 1880, Mr. Stillwell, in company with his brother, Arthur N., came to South Dakota, both filing entry on homestead claims in Taylor township, Hanson County, where they took up their residence and inaugurated the work of improving and developing their farms. In 1881 our subject returned to Rochester, Wisconsin, where, on the 25th of May, of that year, he was united in marriage to Miss Eugenia A. Clark, daughter of Samuel Clark, a prominent citizen of that place. He soon afterward returned to his new home in South Dakota, being accompanied by his bride, who proved a true helpmeet to him during the days of his early experiences as a farmer in a new country. He continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock growing until February 1888, when he disposed of his farm and took up his residence in Alexandria, where he accepted a position in the Farmers’ Bank. On the 1st of January 1891, he was made cashier of the institution and has since managed its business with consummate discrimination and ability. He is a Republican in his political proclivities, and in the ‘eighties he served two years as County assessor, while he has also held the office of mayor of the town and been a member of its board of education, of which he was president for a time, also having been clerk of the board. In the fall of 1898 Mr. Stillwell was elected to represent his district in the state senate, and so acceptable was his work in that body that his constituents honored him with re-election in 1900, his second term expiring December 31, 1902. He is a member of Alexandria Camp, No. 2956, Modern Woodmen of America, and of Alexandria Lodge, No. 11, Ancient Order of United Workmen. In the latter order he was for three years grand receiver of the grand lodge of the state, while in his local lodge he has held the offices of recorder, receiver and master workman. His religious faith is that of the Freewill Baptist church, but he is liberal in his views and has ever shown himself ready to aid all denominations in their work. Mr. and Mrs. Stillwell occupy a prominent position in the social life of the community and their attractive home is a center of refined hospitality. They are the parents of four children, namely: Elmer W., who is a graduate of the State University of South Dakota, at Vermillion; Clarke H., who is a graduate of the Alexandria high school, being a member of a government surveying party in New Mexico at the time of this writing; Verna K., who is likewise a graduate of the high school; and Ellis D., who is still a student in the public schools.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.