History of South Dakota - South Dakota Genealogy

Biography of Henry Clay Andrus

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Henry Clay Andrus, born September 26, 1844, in Highland Township, Michigan, was a Civil War veteran and early settler in South Dakota. After serving in the First Michigan Light Artillery, he relocated to Brown County in 1883, establishing a successful homestead in Highland Township, which he named after his birthplace. Active in local public service, he was township treasurer and a member of Aberdeen’s board of education. A dedicated Baptist, Andrus organized a Sunday school and helped establish a church in the community. He married Amelia Curdy in 1867, and they had two sons, Ernest and Homer.

Biography of Wellington J. Andrews

Wellington J. Andrews, born April 14, 1865, near Ottawa, Canada, moved with his family to Bon Homme County, South Dakota, in 1874. After completing his education at Scotland Academy in 1886, Andrews pursued business ventures in Parkston and Scotland before establishing a successful grocery store in Sioux Falls in 1898. A dedicated Democrat, he actively participated in state and county politics but avoided seeking major office. Andrews was a member of several fraternal organizations, including the Masons and Elks. He married Persis U. Tyler in 1899, and they had one daughter, Edith Alice.

Biography of Nels C. Andrews

Nels C. Andrews, born August 14, 1868, in Racine, Wisconsin, became a prominent figure in Irene, South Dakota, where he managed J. H. Queal & Company. His parents, Christ and Marie Christensen, emigrated from Denmark in 1868, settling in Wisconsin before moving to Turner County, South Dakota, in 1877. Nels attended Sioux Falls College, graduating in 1899, and spent a decade teaching in Turner County. He married Christine Olson in 1895, and they had four children: Rubie, Una, Pearl, and Newell. Active in local politics and civic organizations, Andrews served as mayor and held various public offices in Irene.

Biography of John Quinn Anderson

John Quinn Anderson, born January 1, 1866, in LaGrange, Missouri, became a prominent figure in South Dakota’s cattle industry and government service. After the early deaths of his parents, Anderson moved to South Dakota in 1882, working various jobs before establishing a successful stock ranch in Brule County. In 1901, he became a bonded Indian trader at the Crow Creek Indian Agency. Politically active, he served in the South Dakota legislature and was named a presidential elector. Anderson married Clara L. Willrodt in 1898. He was affiliated with the Elks and Knights of Pythias.

Biography of Henry O. Anderson

Henry O. Anderson, born November 15, 1842, in Sweden, emigrated to the United States in 1866 after completing a cabinetmaking apprenticeship in Norway. He initially settled in Wisconsin, later moving to Yankton, South Dakota, in 1870, where he became involved in public affairs and served in the state legislature. After various ventures, including a successful planing mill, Anderson moved to Sturgis in 1884. There, he established a flourishing hardware and furniture business, H. O. Anderson & Son, with his son Albert. Anderson was active in local politics and community organizations. He married Inga M. Nordgran in 1867.

Biography of C. J. Anderson

C. J. Anderson, born in Zanesville, Ohio, pursued his education at the Ohio State Normal School before enlisting in the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1861. He served for over four years during the Civil War. Afterward, he settled in Delavan, Illinois, where he worked in the hardware business. Anderson later moved to Aurora County, South Dakota, becoming one of the founders of Plankinton and establishing its first mercantile business. He held various public offices, including register of deeds, and was active in the Republican Party. He married Elizabeth Gates, and they had three children.

Biography of Martin Amundson

Martin Amundson, born in Norway, became a prominent farmer and stock raiser in Kingsbury County, South Dakota. After losing his father at age eight, he worked for local farmers and, at sixteen, began earning wages. He spent three years working in railroad construction and sawmills before immigrating to the United States. Arriving in South Dakota, he took up a pre-emption claim, later selling it to acquire 320 acres of farmland. Amundson became a successful farmer, raising livestock and cultivating crops. A Republican and a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, he played a significant role in his community’s agricultural development.

Biography of Charles H. Allen

Charles H. Allen was born on March 17, 1857, in Osage, Iowa, to Joseph and Abigail Allen. He was the fifteenth of sixteen children, and his father served as a Civil War surgeon. Charles left home at age 13, traveling and learning stone cutting before returning to Iowa in 1881. He moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, in 1882, establishing a successful draying business and later transitioning to wood and coal distribution. In 1882, he married Ida M. Owen, with whom he had two children: C. Lewis and M. Estelle. Allen was also active in local politics and several fraternal organizations.

Biography of Charle F. Allen

Charles F. Allen was born on March 4, 1869, in Chatfield, Minnesota. After beginning his career as an apprentice at the Chatfield Democrat, he moved to Rochester in 1886 to work at the Record and Union. In 1890, Allen purchased the Brookings County Press in Brookings, South Dakota, where he continued to publish. He married Julia Garvey in 1888, and they had three daughters: Norma, Doris, and Mildred. Allen served as postmaster of Brookings and held various civic roles, contributing significantly to the community’s growth.

Biography of Rudolph Alexander

Rudolph Alexander was born on April 20, 1849, in Germany to William and Mary Alexander. The family emigrated to Sauk County, Wisconsin, where Rudolph was raised. His older brother, Richard, served in the Civil War, while Rudolph worked on the family farm. In 1882, Rudolph moved to South Dakota, settling in Faulk County. Over the years, he developed a prosperous 1,000-acre ranch near Miranda, specializing in cattle farming. On April 12, 1877, he married Mary Trueb, and they had six children: Louis, Annie, Edward, Ella, Edna, and Hilbert.

Biography of Frank Alexander

Frank Alexander, a pioneer of Campbell County, South Dakota, settled in Mound City in September 1884. Born in Dubuque County, Iowa, his family had been pioneers in the state since 1837. Alexander was elected the first register of deeds for Campbell County in 1884 and later became county judge when South Dakota joined the Union in 1889. He served in various governmental roles, including special agent for the General Land Office and state’s attorney. A dedicated Republican, Alexander was actively involved in local politics and contributed to the development of the region.

Biography of Alva N. Aldrich

Alva N. Aldrich, born August 29, 1866, in Ionia, Michigan, became the mayor of Aberdeen, South Dakota, and the proprietor of the Wisconsin House hotel. After relocating to South Dakota in 1887 and facing hardships with his homestead in Brown County, Aldrich moved to Aberdeen, where he transitioned into the hotel business in 1896. His leadership in the city was marked by reforms, including stricter enforcement of alcohol and gambling laws. Elected mayor in 1904, he previously served on the city council. In 1895, Aldrich married Louise Wylie, and they had one son, Louis Wylie Aldrich.

Biography of Alfred Alder

Alfred Alder, born August 29, 1846, in Buffalo, New York, became a prominent businessman in Volin, Yankton County, South Dakota. Son of John and Mary A. (Rosenbach) Alder, he learned the millwright trade from his father and operated a flour mill in Eastman, Wisconsin, before relocating to Nebraska and South Dakota. After establishing a successful mercantile business, he built the Volin flouring mill in 1892, significantly benefiting the community. A Union Army veteran, Alder enlisted in 1864 and served in the First Illinois Light Artillery. He married Mary A. Finney in 1873, and they had ten children.

Biography of Christian Aisenbrey

Christian Aisenbrey, born January 30, 1857, in southern Russia, was postmaster of Menno, Hutchinson County, South Dakota. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1874 with his parents, Andrew J. and Elizabeth (Bentz) Aisenbrey, who settled in Dakota Territory. Christian worked on the family farm before marrying Christiana Keck in 1877 and establishing his own homestead. He later moved to Menno, where he served as county treasurer and became a successful furniture and undertaking business owner. Appointed postmaster in 1898, Aisenbrey was a dedicated Republican and active in the German Reformed Church.

Biography of John Q. Adams

John Q. Adams, born November 8, 1867, in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, was a prominent attorney in Flandreau, Moody County, South Dakota. His parents, William T. and Clara (Blackstone) Adams, were of English descent, with roots in America since the colonial era. Raised in Franklin County, Iowa, Adams attended Iowa State Agricultural College and later graduated with a law degree from Iowa State University in 1893. He practiced law in Flandreau, served as Moody County state’s attorney, and held federal positions. In 1896, he married Cecilia F. Pallansch, and they had one daughter, Lillian Frances, born in 1900.

Biography of John E. Adams

John E. Adams, a prominent lawyer and early member of the Brown County bar in South Dakota, was born in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1857. After moving with his family to Pennsylvania, he attended Allegheny College and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1880. In 1883, Adams moved to Dakota Territory, establishing his practice in Columbia before relocating to Aberdeen when it became the county seat. He served as mayor of Columbia in 1887, as county judge from 1890, and as mayor of Aberdeen in 1900. Adams was also active in Scottish Rite Masonry and various fraternal organizations. He married Martha E. Wilkinson in 1888, and they had five children.

Biography of J. F. Adams

J. F. Adams, born in Mankato, Minnesota, in 1877, moved with his family to Brookings, South Dakota, in 1880. After completing his education, he apprenticed in printing, working in various towns before establishing the *White Leader* in White, South Dakota, in 1900. As editor and publisher, Adams made the *Leader* a strong voice for local interests and Republican politics. He was active in the Modern Woodmen of America and the South Dakota Press Association. In 1900, Adams married M. H. Halstead, who assisted in the newspaper business and was involved in local social and church affairs.

Biography of Francis D. Adams

Francis D. Adams was born in Waterbury, Vermont, in 1838 and later moved to Michigan, where he worked in manufacturing before serving in the Civil War as a lieutenant in the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics. In 1880, he relocated to Groton, South Dakota, where he co-founded the Farmers’ Bank and became a prominent civic leader. Adams served in the South Dakota State Senate and was appointed to the state board of regents of education. He passed away in 1899, survived by his wife, Jane (Ashley) Adams, and their four children: Persis, George, John, and Charles.

Biography of F. J. Adams

F. J. Adams was born in Cologne, Germany, in 1852 and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1864. After settling in Minnesota, where his father became a farmer, Adams apprenticed as a harness maker. In 1880, he moved to Brookings, South Dakota, where he opened a harness shop with his brother. He later established a successful business in White, South Dakota. A dedicated Republican, Adams served in various public offices and was active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Lena Kohl in 1876, and they had seven children, six of whom survived to adulthood.

Biography of Frank Abt

Frank Abt was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1838, the son of Francis and Mary (Schneider) Abt. He immigrated to the United States in 1861, settling in Iowa and later enlisting in the Second Iowa Volunteer Cavalry during the Civil War. After his service, he moved west, engaging in gold prospecting and mining in Montana and the Black Hills. Abt eventually settled in Lead, South Dakota, where he became a successful businessman, hotelier, and local political figure, serving as mayor and postmaster. He married Mary Distel in 1867, with whom he had several children.