Biography of David D. Wipf

David D. Wipf (b. 1872, Southern Russia) was a prominent figure in Hutchinson County, South Dakota, serving as county auditor and editor of the Olivet Leader. The son of David and Katherina (Stahl) Wipf, he immigrated to Dakota Territory with his family in 1879. Raised on a homestead near Freeman, he taught school before becoming deputy treasurer and later county auditor in 1901. In 1903, he co-purchased the Olivet Leader, becoming its editor. Wipf was active in local Republican politics, Masonic organizations, and the Mennonite church. He married Katharina Wipf in 1891, and they had two children.


David D. Wipf, auditor of Hutchinson County and also editor and publisher of the Olivet Leader, was born in southern Russia on the 4th of August, 1872, being a son of David and Katherina (Stahl) Wipf, of whose eleven children seven are living, namely: David D., subject of this sketch; Anna, wife of Paul Wollmann, of Wells County, North Dakota; Katherina, wife of Jacob B. Hofer, of that county; Paul, a resident of Hutchinson County, South Dakota; and Maria, Rebecca, and Sarah, who remain at the parental home. The parents were both natives of southern Russia, whence they emigrated to the United States in 1879, being numbered among the pioneers of the territory of Dakota and being now residents of Hutchinson County, the father having devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. Upon coming to the territory, he took up a homestead claim in Hutchinson County, eight miles northwest of the present village of Freeman, where he still resides, now having a valuable landed estate of three hundred and twenty acres and having been signally prospered in his efforts as a farmer. He is a Republican but has never consented to become a candidate for political office, and he and his wife are devoted members of the German Mennonite church.

The subject of this sketch was a lad of seven years at the time of his parents’ emigration to America, and he was reared on the homestead farm in Hutchinson County, while his educational advantages were those afforded in the public schools. That he made good use of the same is evident when we revert to the fact that at the age of nineteen he began teaching in the district schools, continuing to devote his attention successfully to this work for about five years during the winter months, while during the summer seasons he was engaged in farm work. Within this period, the Sioux Indian reservation was thrown open to settlement, and he filed entry on a quarter section in Lyman County, but as the land did not come up to his expectations, he finally abandoned it. In June 1897, Mr. Wipf resigned his position as teacher in district No. 31, Hutchinson County, where he had taught for three terms, and accepted a position in the office of the county treasurer, where he worked one month in a clerical capacity and was then, on the 1st of March, appointed deputy treasurer under Christian Buechler, and of this position he continued incumbent until January 1, 1901. In the fall of the preceding year, he was nominated for the office of county auditor, to which he was duly elected, and on the 1st of March, 1901, he entered upon the discharge of his duties. He gave a most acceptable administration and was chosen as his own successor in the fall of 1902 for a second term of two years. He is a staunch advocate of the principles of the Republican party and has been an active worker in its cause. In May 1903, Mr. Wipf purchased an interest in the Olivet Printing Company, publishers of the Olivet Leader, a weekly paper and one of the best and most popular in the county, and he has since been editor of the same. G. W. Murner is president of the company and J. B. Ashley secretary and treasurer. Mr. Wipf is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 71, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Bridgewater; Scotland Chapter, No. 52, Royal Arch Masons, at Scotland; and Oriental Consistory, No. 1, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in Yankton, while he is also identified with Menno Camp, No. 3071, Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife are members of the Mennonite church.

On the 1st of June, 1891, Mr. Wipf wedded Miss Katharina Wipf, of this county, she likewise being a native of southern Russia, whence her parents came to the territory of Dakota in 1877. Of this union have been born two children, one of whom died in infancy, while the surviving child is John D., who was born on the 19th of July, 1895.


Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.


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