South Dakota Genealogy is a genealogical and historical resource for your personal use. It contains information and records for South Dakota ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Specifically, it provides sources for birth records, death records, marriage records, census records, tax records, court records, and military records. It also provides some historical details about different times and people in South Dakota history.
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South Dakota Genealogy
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What’s New at South Dakota Genealogy
The following 20 biographies have been transcribed from the History of South Dakota by Doane Robinson. Added to the other 149 that brings the total to 169 biographies from this four volume set. You can access all of them here: Biographies from the History of South Dakota
- Bollard, Major Robert
- Borst, William R.
- Clow, Lester H.
- Dunmire, J. M.
- Elliott, James D,
- Fales, Charles H.
- Grebe, Henry
- Hill, Charles
- Lacy, Ernest Jasper
- Lavery, Charles J., M. D.
- Lawrence, Charles L.
- Lumley, George W.
- Morehouse, Eli M., M. D.
- Powers, William M.
- Smith, Hon. Ellison Griffith
- Sutherland, John
- Van Tassel, Frank L.
- Wagner, Joseph A.
- Whiting, Joseph Williams
- Wilcox, Edward Parker
Biography of Fred Rilling
Fred Rilling, born March 20, 1859, in West Bend, Wisconsin, is a notable farmer and stock grower in Brookings County, South Dakota. A son of German immigrants George and Elizabeth Rilling, Fred relocated to South Dakota in 1879, where he claimed land in Brookings County. Initially struggling, he eventually expanded his holdings to 320 acres and acquired additional land in Deuel County for livestock. He married Hannah Smith in 1883, and they have four surviving children: Benjamin, Earl, Harry, and Elsie. A dedicated Republican and Methodist, Fred is active in his community, serving as a church trustee and Sunday school…
Biography of A. L. Bullis
A. L. Bullis, born December 28, 1872, in Owatonna, Minnesota, is a prominent and progressive farmer in Brookings County, South Dakota. The son of Frederick J. and Mary A. Bullis, he moved with his family to South Dakota in 1882. He attended public schools and the State Agricultural College in Brookings. After completing his education, he managed the family homestead and expanded his agricultural operations. Bullis purchased significant land, cultivated it effectively, and invested in modern farming equipment. Active in the Republican Party, he has served as a delegate to county conventions and as a school board clerk.
Biography of Frederick J. Bullis
Frederick J. Bullis, born July 22, 1841, in Schuyler’s Falls, New York, was a pioneering figure in Brookings County, South Dakota. He moved to Minnesota in 1866, married Mary A. Morton in 1870, and relocated to Brookings County in 1882. Establishing a prosperous farm, he became a respected citizen, known for his integrity and community involvement. A devoted Methodist and Republican, Bullis passed away on April 20, 1903. He left behind his widow Mary and their children: A. Leroy, Fred, Ira, Nellie, Bessie, Lucy, and Grace, who continued to uphold the family’s legacy on the homestead.
Biography of Peter Oscar Olson
Peter Oscar Olson, born February 1, 1874, on his family’s homestead in Yankton County, South Dakota, is a dedicated farmer. His father, Christian Olson, emigrated from Norway in 1866, settling in Yankton County the following year. Peter was educated locally and at Yankton College. He worked alongside his father and brothers, expanding their farm by 640 acres despite various hardships. A staunch Republican and Lutheran, Peter married Bergine Marie Olson on October 24, 1901. They have a daughter, Laura Caroline, born August 6, 1902. Peter values hard work, timely effort, and eschews vices for success in agriculture.
Biography of Alois Jezewski
Alois Jezewski, born November 24, 1880, in Winona, Minnesota, is the manager of the lumber yards for J. H. Queal & Company in Tabor, Bon Homme County, South Dakota. A son of Polish immigrants Andrew and Pauline Jezewski, Alois grew up in Winona and served in the Spanish-American War. His career includes roles with the Winona Lumber Company, Herman Dahl, the Lunds Land Agency, and C. M. Anderson, among others. Jezewski is an accomplished musician and has completed a course in architecture. He married Stella Hakl on June 3, 1902. Alois Jezewski is one of the progressive young business men…
Biography of Charles Frederick Halbkat
Charles F. Halbkat, born June 20, 1870, in Fillmore County, Minnesota, is a prominent jewelry businessman in Watertown, South Dakota. He acquired the oldest jewelry business in Watertown from W.T. Keating in 1898, succeeding the establishment originally founded by pioneer W.R. Arnold. Halbkat’s store, located in the Granite block, offers a wide range of jewelry, watches, silverware, and features a well-equipped optical department. An official watch inspector for three railroads, Halbkat is esteemed in both commercial and social circles. Married to Georgia Wert in 1899, they have one son, Charles Angus.
Biography of George P. Winston
George P. Winston, born June 29, 1857, in Evansville, Rock County, Wisconsin, is a prominent rancher and stock grower in Brown County, South Dakota. Son of Nelson and Eliza A. Winston, he moved to Frederick, South Dakota, in 1881, establishing a significant farming and livestock business. In 1900, he acquired a 1,560-acre ranch known for its high-quality Aberdeen Angus cattle. Winston married Florence E. Yager in 1877, and they have three sons: Roy, Earl, and Paul. He is also active in the Masonic fraternity, attaining the thirtieth degree of the Scottish Rite.
Biography of Myron D. Thompson
Myron D. Thompson, born on January 13, 1847, in Saratoga County, New York, was the son of Orville W. and Fidelia P. (Ingalsbee) Thompson. He was educated in Washington County public schools and graduated from Fort Edward Institute in 1864. Moving to Columbus, Wisconsin, at nineteen, he later settled in Vermillion, Dakota Territory, in 1867. Thompson co-founded the Thompson-Lewis Company, a significant business in the region. A Republican and active community member, he helped establish the Bank of Vermillion. He married Anna E. Lewis on January 6, 1870, and they had two sons, Orville W. and Martin L.
Biography of Fred LaPlant
Fred LaPlant, born in 1861 in Deer’s Ear, North Dakota, is a prominent stock grower in South Dakota. His father, Louis LaPlant, was among the first white settlers in Dakota, significantly contributing to its early history. Fred was raised on the frontier, gaining firsthand experience in livestock raising alongside his father. In 1888, he began raising cattle independently with his brother George, and since 1896, he has utilized the Cheyenne Indian reservation’s range for his cattle operations. Fred typically manages five to six thousand head of cattle and has expanded into the general merchandise business at the Cheyenne agency. A…
Biography of Charles J. Gunderson
Charles J. Gunderson, born October 13, 1868, in Fillmore County, Minnesota, is a prominent lawyer in Vermillion, South Dakota. His parents, Harvey and Anna (Thompson) Gunderson, emigrated from Norway and settled in Clay County, South Dakota, in 1869. Charles grew up on the family homestead, attended local public schools, and graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in 1893. He earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1896 and began practicing law in Vermillion. Originally a Republican, he switched to the Democratic Party in 1896. Charles is active in the Masonic order…