Howe - South Dakota Genealogy

Biography of James P. Wilson

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

James P. Wilson (b. 1855, Caledonia, Wisconsin) was a prominent lawyer in Lead City, South Dakota. After studying law in Wisconsin and being admitted to the bar in 1881, he built a successful practice before relocating to Lead in 1891. Wilson became known for his involvement in significant legal cases, most notably a decade-long battle over the Lead town site, in which he successfully represented the community against the powerful Homestake Mining Company. A skilled advocate, Wilson served as city attorney and on the local board of education. He married Julia Frances Howe in 1881, and they had two children, James H. and Oliver Chester. A dedicated Republican, Wilson was also active in the Elks Lodge, serving as exalted ruler of the Lead chapter.

History of Britton, South Dakota

History of Marshall County Dakota title page

During the spring of 1883 a few claim shacks were built on what now comprises the town site of Britton; the squatters little dreaming that three years of ‘time would bring, them a railroad, a flourishing town and county seat. Wm. Ross, of Stena township, while tramping over this portion of Miller township the latter part of April, 1883, became tired and lay down. He fell asleep, and awoke when the sun was fast sinking in the western horizon; about twenty rods from him were eleven antelope quietly grazing, where Mr. Hindman‘s lumber yard now is, near the railroad, unconscious … Read more

History of Victor Township

Victor Township lies in the northeast corner of the county, west of the Sisseton reservation and north of the military reservation and at present includes a strip three miles wide lying between it and the military reservation. The western part is quite level, while the eastern part extends up into the Coteaus. The principal part of the land in the hills is good farming land, free of stones and nearly all settled. There are five coulees emerging from the hills, four of which contain timber. Chas. Bailey, mentioned elsewhere, was the first settler on section 12. Peter Sirai, a native … Read more

Organization of Marshall County

Marshall County was originally a part of Day County. In March, 1885, the legislature passed a bill to divide Day County and create Marshall County north of the township line of 124, and to be divided by a vote of the people, May 2d, 1885. Division was carried by a large majority, although there was bitter opposition in the southern part f what is now Marshall County. The bill provided that Marshal county shall assume the Day county indebtedness in proportion to the assessed valuation of the new county in 1884, which was one-third, and in the final adjustment of … Read more