Biography of Edward Parker Wilcox

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Edward Parker Wilcox was born on December 17, 1837, in Victor, New York, to Jairus and Mary E. Wilcox. He moved to Chicago with his family, where his father, a Yale graduate and Presbyterian minister, succumbed to cholera in 1851. Edward began his career in the lumber business and served with distinction in the Civil War, achieving the rank of captain. Post-war, he established successful lumber and grain businesses in Chicago and later Yankton, South Dakota. In 1887, he founded the American Mortgage Company. Married to Fannie S. Hurlbut in 1867, they had two children, Jessie and Dudley.

Biography of Samuel Livingston Tate

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Samuel Livingston Tate, born in Leeds, England in 1839, was a man of remarkable achievements. Despite limited means, he pursued education, graduating from Albion College and the University of Chicago. He practiced law before venturing into real estate, where he made significant contributions to the development of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Tate’s entrepreneurial endeavors included promoting railroads, constructing street-car lines, and establishing manufacturing plants. He actively served in the war, held various public offices, and espoused progressive ideals. Married to Frances Belle Wilcox, he raised a family and left an indelible mark on the industrial and civic history of South Dakota.