Surname: Van Auken

Biography of George E. Countryman, M. D.

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

George E. Countryman, M.D., was a respected physician and surgeon in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He was born on July 31, 1865, in Hastings, Minnesota, to Peter F. and Elizabeth (Gleason) Countryman, who were of Holland Dutch and English ancestry, respectively. Dr. Countryman, a descendant of Baron Johana Von Konderman, completed high school in Hastings and continued his studies at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Missouri Medical University in 1888 and began practicing in Mellette, South Dakota. He moved to Aberdeen in 1894, where he built a significant practice. He served as coroner of Brown County for eight years and as librarian of the Alexander Mitchell Free Library for five years. A member of the South Dakota State Medical Society, he was active in the Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. On November 15, 1888, he married Kate A. Van Auken. They had a daughter, Marguerite, born August 27, 1890.

History of Newark Township

History of Marshall County Dakota title page

Newark Township lies west of White township, and for school purposes was included in the same until last spring, when it was set off. The surface is slightly rolling and the soil fertile and productive. It was not until April 10th, 1883, that the settlement of the township began. On that day, Homer Johnson and his sons, Fred and Stark, located on section 14 and put up the first claim shanty in the township. Mr. Johnson was born in Ovid, Seneca County, New York, and came here from Plymouth, Michigan. On April 15th, 1883, P. C. Howell, C. and J. … Read more