South Dakota Genealogy

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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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

Biography of William B. Tobey

William B. Tobey, born September 21, 1856, in Steuben County, New York, moved to Davidson County, South Dakota, in 1882. After farming for fourteen years, he established a grain commission business and later opened a general store in Ethan in 1900. Active in the community, Tobey served in various village and township offices, was a postmaster, and a member of the board of education. He married Frances Dabler on July 14, 1874, and they had eight children. Tobey and his family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was affiliated with the Masonic order and the Independent Order…

Biography of Leander Lane

Leander Lane, born April 23, 1838, in Clermont County, Ohio, played a significant role in the development of Yankton County, South Dakota. He moved to Dakota in 1866, initially settling on Jim River before purchasing land near present-day Gayville. Over time, he expanded his farm to 800 acres, cultivating crops and raising Shorthorn cattle. Lane married twice, first to Ann Sheperdson and then to Mary (Chappel) Case. He was active in local education, politics as a Democrat, and community improvement efforts. Lane passed away on February 28, 1904, and was buried in Yankton Cemetery.

Biography of William H. Smith

William H. Smith, born April 28, 1857, in Juneau County, Wisconsin, was the son of Irish immigrants John and Bridget Smith. Raised on a farm, he moved to South Dakota in 1878, filing a claim in Brookings County. Initially living in a sod house, he later bought a substantial farm in Parnell Township. Smith diversified his agricultural endeavors and amassed significant landholdings. He married Mary Buckley in 1882, and they had nine children. Smith was involved in local politics, the Catholic Church, and fraternal organizations such as the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America.

Biography of James P. Turner

James P. Turner, born December 1, 1858, in Elgin County, Ontario, Canada, was of Scottish descent, son of James and Mary (Jardine) Turner. He learned blacksmithing in Ontario before moving to South Dakota in 1883. Turner settled in Faulk County, establishing a blacksmith business in La Foon and later in Faulkton. He owned a section of land northeast of Faulkton for farming and stock-grazing. Active in local politics, Turner served as mayor of Faulkton from 1902. He married Belle K. Puntine in 1887, with whom he had five children. Belle passed away in 1899.

Biography of William W. Rounds

William W. Rounds, born on June 1, 1857, in Monkton, Addison County, Vermont, was the youngest of six children. Leaving home at age twelve, he worked various jobs before moving to Chicago in 1877 and then to Spink County, South Dakota, in 1882. There, he initially took up a pre-emption claim, later establishing a homestead in what became Conde. Transitioning from farming to business, he developed a successful hardware store and held several public service roles, including deputy sheriff. Rounds married Margaret Park in 1884, and they had a daughter, Hazel. William W. Rounds hails from the old Green Mountain…

Biography of Frank M. Huber

Frank M. Huber, born on July 25, 1862, in Bavaria, is a notable German-American farmer in Yankton County, South Dakota. He married Nellie Strunk on August 20, 1893, and they have three children: Nellie, Mary, and Herman. Huber owns and operates a 160-acre farm near Jamesville, where he raises Poland-China hogs and Shorthorn cattle. His farm, marked by numerous improvements he made, reflects his industrious and progressive nature. A Democrat, Huber has served as a school clerk but focuses primarily on his farming endeavors. He is a communicant of the Catholic Church and is known for his public-spirited and honorable…

Biography of George William Cook

George William Cook, born on September 10, 1850, in Elkader, Clayton County, Iowa, is a prominent farmer in Grovena Township, Moody County, South Dakota. The son of Henry and Mary (Beckman) Cook, he received a common-school education and worked on the family farm until 28. In 1878, he moved to Moody County, where he established and improved a 160-acre homestead. Cook is also involved with the Egan Elevator Company and the Egan Lumber Company. A supporter of the People’s Party, he served as the first treasurer of Grovena Township and as a board member. Cook is affiliated with the Modern…

Biography of S. P. Waxdahl

S. P. Waxdahl, born in Norway in 1847, emigrated to America in 1869. He initially settled in Wisconsin, working on farms and as a sailor on Lake Michigan. After a stint in California from 1875 to 1878, he moved to Moody County, South Dakota, in 1877, where he homesteaded a tract of wild prairie land near Flandreau. Waxdahl transformed this land into a productive farm, engaging in diversified farming and stock raising. A committed Republican and active community member, he has served as a school director. On January 31, 1880, he married Regina Anderson, and they have six children: Regina,…

Biography of Thomas Dignan

Thomas Dignan, born June 12, 1846, in County Cavan, Ireland, emigrated to America with his family in 1849, settling first in Ohio, then in Winneshiek County, Iowa, in 1853. His father, Michael, became a successful pioneer farmer there. In 1884, Thomas moved to Faulk County, South Dakota, establishing a 400-acre ranch and a 6,000-acre grazing range. He specialized in high-grade Hereford cattle, hogs, and Percheron horses. Thomas was an active Republican, serving on the township board. On July 4, 1874, he married Catherine Hand, with whom he had five children: George (missing since 1901), Edward M., Loretta, Alice, and Cleophas.

Biography of William Byrne

William Byrne, a prominent farmer and stock grower in Faulk County, South Dakota, was born on September 18, 1861, in Allamakee County, Iowa, to Lawrence and Delia Byrne. Raised on the family farm, he received his education in Iowa’s public schools. In 1882, Byrne moved to South Dakota with his family, initially settling in Turner County before relocating to Faulk County in 1883. He claimed a pre-emption of 960 acres near Orient, where he developed a successful agricultural operation, producing wheat, oats, corn, barley, and hay, and raising high-grade livestock. A dedicated Republican and member of the Independent Order of…

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