Biography - South Dakota Genealogy

Biography of Levi M. Wood

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Levi M. Wood, a prominent pioneer of LaValley Township in Lincoln County, South Dakota, was born on January 27, 1842, in Ohio. The son of Morris and Abashaba (Sudnutt) Wood, he moved with his parents to Iowa, where he grew up. He served in the Civil War with the Second Iowa Cavalry. In 1866, he married Virbett (Bent) Lippincott and, in 1872, they settled in South Dakota, where Wood developed a successful 240-acre farm. He was active in local politics, held various township offices, and contributed to the community’s development. He passed away on August 27, 1901, leaving a legacy of public service and agricultural success.

Biography of Seigal B. Cawood

Seigal B. Cawood was born on December 5, 1861, on the family farm in Putnam County, Missouri, to Thomas and Ellen (Starr) Cawood. After assisting his father on the farm, he moved to South Dakota in 1882, settling in Hand County. There, he claimed a homestead in Pleasant Valley Township, developing a successful 640-acre ranch. Cawood was active in local politics as a staunch Republican and served on the board of trustees. He and his wife, Mary Alice Penwell, whom he married in 1886, were instrumental in founding the first Congregational church in the township. They had one son, Ernest Ray, born in 1891.

Biography of John D. Herman

John D. Herman, M.D., was a respected physician and surgeon who practiced in Conde, Spink County. Born on February 27, 1859, in Freeborn County, Minnesota, he was the son of German immigrants Philip and Augusta Herman. Dr. Herman studied at Ohio Medical College, graduating in 1886, and furthered his education in Chicago and Philadelphia. Relocating to South Dakota in 1883, he became Conde’s first physician and opened its initial drug store. Married to Anna Cowan in 1888, they had four children. Dr. Herman was also known for his public service and extensive farming operations in the area.

Biographies from the History of South Dakota

These 361 biographies are transcribed from the History of South Dakota by Doane Robinson. This is a work in progress.

Biography of John Reich

John Reich, born February 16, 1863, in Russia, is a prominent figure in Scotland, Bon Homme County, South Dakota. He is a successful merchant and postmaster, as well as one of the town’s pioneers. Reich’s family emigrated to the United States in 1873, settling in Bon Homme County. Following his father’s death in 1879, Reich began his independent career at seventeen. He apprenticed as a tinner and later opened his own shop, eventually partnering with his brothers Jacob and Christian in a hardware business. Appointed postmaster in 1902, Reich is a respected Republican and active community member. He married Otillie Nieland in 1886, and they have three children: Robert W., Helen, and Delia.

Biography of Alexander Garrick

Alexander Garrick, born June 8, 1845, in Delaware County, New York, is a second-generation American with deep Scottish roots. Son of William and Elisabeth Garrick, Alexander was raised on the family farm and educated in local schools. In 1874, he moved west to Cedar County and later to Faulk County, South Dakota, in 1883, where he claimed 160 acres near Cresbard. By 1890, he had acquired a large ranch near Faulkton, engaging in diversified farming and cattle raising. A dedicated public servant, he served on the county board of commissioners and school board. Alexander married Elizabeth Cowan in 1870, and they have five children: James, Isabella, William, Alexander A., and one unnamed.

Biography of Joseph C. Young

Joseph C. Young, born in March 1853 in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, was a versatile businessman and civil servant in Springfield, South Dakota. Son of Noah W. and Mary (Purrinton) Young, Joseph moved to Bon Homme County in 1878, initially farming before shifting to carpentry and contracting. In 1890, he acquired the Springfield Times, later selling it to return to contracting. In 1901, he co-purchased a harness and furniture store, and in 1902, he became Bon Homme County’s official surveyor. Married to Florence Britton since 1875, they had four children. Joseph was active in politics, fraternal organizations, and the Congregational Church.

Biography of Philip H. Risling

Philip H. Risling, born June 16, 1825, in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and deceased May 14, 1893, was a notable settler and community member. Son of German immigrants Lewis and Mary Risling, he moved to Iowa in 1856 and then to South Dakota in 1862, where he homesteaded 320 acres. Despite hardships such as floods and crop destruction, he built a successful market garden business. He was married to Elmira Oldham in 1852, and they had eleven children. Philip was active in politics, transitioning from the Whig to Republican and later Populist parties, and was a member of the Lutheran Church.

Biography of Richard Francis Robinson

Dr. Richard Francis Robinson, born January 2, 1868, in Boston, Massachusetts, pursued a medical career after relocating to South Dakota in 1879. His father, Richard Tremaine Robinson, was a Civil War veteran and businessman, while his grandfather, William Day Robinson, emigrated from Nova Scotia in 1852. Dr. Robinson attended medical school in Boston, graduating in 1893, and later practiced in South Dakota. In 1897, he married Jennie Brennan in Egan, where he was active in community and professional organizations, including the South Dakota National Guard and local education and health boards. They had three children: Richard Tracy, Ada Frances, and Roger Chesley.

Biography of John A. Beaner

John A. Beaner, postmaster of Canastota, McCook County, South Dakota, was born on July 5, 1853, in Winnebago County, Illinois. Orphaned early, he was raised by George Fisher. Beaner worked as a farmer in Illinois and Iowa before moving to South Dakota in 1880, where he homesteaded in Turner County. In 1889, he relocated to Canastota, becoming the town’s first grain dealer. A dedicated Republican, Beaner served as postmaster under Presidents Cleveland and Roosevelt and has been involved in local Republican Party leadership. He is a Mason and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Beaner married Mary E. Ellis in 1875, and they have one daughter, Gertrude M., married to Grant Roberts of Rock Valley, Iowa.

Biography of George Watson

George Watson, born in 1851 in Ontario, Canada, is a notable progressive farmer in Davison and Hanson counties, South Dakota. Son of Ebenezer and Margaret (Sims) Watson, he moved to Rockford, Iowa, in 1873, and later to Davison County, Dakota Territory, in 1879, where he homesteaded government land. Watson now owns a 720-acre farm, primarily cultivating corn and oats, and raising Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. A staunch Republican, he served in the state legislature in 1893. He and his wife, Livonia Phelps, married on October 25, 1883, have six children: Florence, Robert, Frances, Earl, Richard, and Herbert. They are members of the Baptist Church in Mitchell.

Biography of Martin N. Trygstad

Martin N. Trygstad, born May 27, 1843, in Norway, moved to Minnesota in 1867 and to Dakota Territory in 1869. He settled in Medary Township, filing for pre-emption in 1872. In 1870, he married Caroline Johnson, and they had eight children. Trygstad became the first postmaster of Medary in 1871, served as a county commissioner for 12 years, and was elected to the territorial legislature in 1872 and 1878. In 1902, he was elected state senator from Brookings County. A devout Lutheran, he was instrumental in founding several churches and promoting community enterprises in Brookings County.

Biography of Caleb P. Taylor

Caleb P. Taylor, born April 25, 1855, in Grant County, Wisconsin, is a prominent farmer and livestock grower in Davidson County, South Dakota. Son of C. and Nancy (Coombs) Taylor, he began farming independently at age twenty-two on a 320-acre farm in Wisconsin. In 1900, he moved to South Dakota, purchasing a 240-acre farm in Badger Township. Taylor has achieved success in agriculture and livestock raising. A staunch Republican, he is active in community affairs and a member of the Congregational Church. He married Izella Shanley on January 18, 1876, and they have four children: Florence, Halbert, Grace, and Clyde.

Biography of William B. Tobey

William B. Tobey, born September 21, 1856, in Steuben County, New York, moved to Davidson County, South Dakota, in 1882. After farming for fourteen years, he established a grain commission business and later opened a general store in Ethan in 1900. Active in the community, Tobey served in various village and township offices, was a postmaster, and a member of the board of education. He married Frances Dabler on July 14, 1874, and they had eight children. Tobey and his family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was affiliated with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Biography of Leander Lane

Leander Lane, born April 23, 1838, in Clermont County, Ohio, played a significant role in the development of Yankton County, South Dakota. He moved to Dakota in 1866, initially settling on Jim River before purchasing land near present-day Gayville. Over time, he expanded his farm to 800 acres, cultivating crops and raising Shorthorn cattle. Lane married twice, first to Ann Sheperdson and then to Mary (Chappel) Case. He was active in local education, politics as a Democrat, and community improvement efforts. Lane passed away on February 28, 1904, and was buried in Yankton Cemetery.

Biography of William H. Smith

William H. Smith, born April 28, 1857, in Juneau County, Wisconsin, was the son of Irish immigrants John and Bridget Smith. Raised on a farm, he moved to South Dakota in 1878, filing a claim in Brookings County. Initially living in a sod house, he later bought a substantial farm in Parnell Township. Smith diversified his agricultural endeavors and amassed significant landholdings. He married Mary Buckley in 1882, and they had nine children. Smith was involved in local politics, the Catholic Church, and fraternal organizations such as the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America.

Biography of James P. Turner

James P. Turner, born December 1, 1858, in Elgin County, Ontario, Canada, was of Scottish descent, son of James and Mary (Jardine) Turner. He learned blacksmithing in Ontario before moving to South Dakota in 1883. Turner settled in Faulk County, establishing a blacksmith business in La Foon and later in Faulkton. He owned a section of land northeast of Faulkton for farming and stock-grazing. Active in local politics, Turner served as mayor of Faulkton from 1902. He married Belle K. Puntine in 1887, with whom he had five children. Belle passed away in 1899.

Biography of William W. Rounds

William W. Rounds, born on June 1, 1857, in Monkton, Addison County, Vermont, was the youngest of six children. Leaving home at age twelve, he worked various jobs before moving to Chicago in 1877 and then to Spink County, South Dakota, in 1882. There, he initially took up a pre-emption claim, later establishing a homestead in what became Conde. Transitioning from farming to business, he developed a successful hardware store and held several public service roles, including deputy sheriff. Rounds married Margaret Park in 1884, and they had a daughter, Hazel. William W. Rounds hails from the old Green Mountain … Read more

Biography of Frank M. Huber

Frank M. Huber, born on July 25, 1862, in Bavaria, is a notable German-American farmer in Yankton County, South Dakota. He married Nellie Strunk on August 20, 1893, and they have three children: Nellie, Mary, and Herman. Huber owns and operates a 160-acre farm near Jamesville, where he raises Poland-China hogs and Shorthorn cattle. His farm, marked by numerous improvements he made, reflects his industrious and progressive nature. A Democrat, Huber has served as a school clerk but focuses primarily on his farming endeavors. He is a communicant of the Catholic Church and is known for his public-spirited and honorable life.

Biography of George William Cook

George William Cook, born on September 10, 1850, in Elkader, Clayton County, Iowa, is a prominent farmer in Grovena Township, Moody County, South Dakota. The son of Henry and Mary (Beckman) Cook, he received a common-school education and worked on the family farm until 28. In 1878, he moved to Moody County, where he established and improved a 160-acre homestead. Cook is also involved with the Egan Elevator Company and the Egan Lumber Company. A supporter of the People’s Party, he served as the first treasurer of Grovena Township and as a board member. Cook is affiliated with the Modern Brotherhood of America and attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. Though a bachelor, he is known for his hospitality and has many friends.