Biography of Torge Thompson

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Torge Thompson, born in Norway on February 27, 1863, emigrated to the United States with his family in 1869, settling in Clay County, South Dakota. His father, Thomas A. Thompson, secured a 160-acre homestead and developed it into a prosperous farm despite setbacks like the 1881 flood. Torge, educated in local schools and at the University of South Dakota, took over the farm at age 20. In 1900, he acquired 640 acres in Yankton County, where he established a successful mixed farming operation. Torge married Bertha Brake in 1889, and they had five children. Active in community affairs, he served as a school officer and was a committed Lutheran and Republican.

Biography of James W. Parker

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

James W. Parker, born November 24, 1855, in Warren, Illinois, is a prominent businessman in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He moved to Hillsboro, Wisconsin, at age thirteen and later attended Hillsdale College in Michigan. Parker began his career in his father’s general store in Wisconsin and co-founded the Sioux Falls Lumber Company in 1881. He has managed the company since its incorporation, growing it into a leading enterprise. A dedicated Republican, Parker is also involved in educational work, serving on the board of education. He married Nellie Thompson on May 19, 1892, and they have two children, James Thompson Parker and Natalie.

Biography of Myron D. Thompson

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

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.

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 … Read more

History of Victor Township

History of Marshall County Dakota title page

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 … Read more

South Dakota Biographies

The Picturesque Story of South Dakota

Marthy Jane Cannary Biographies from the Memorial and Biographical Record These biographies are from “Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography, including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and representative citizens of South Dakota…” W. G. Ackerman Ell Nathan Aldrich Irwin D. Aldrich M. D. Alexander Andrew … Read more