Masons - South Dakota Genealogy

Biography of Charles Frederick Halbkat

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Charles F. Halbkat, born June 20, 1870, in Fillmore County, Minnesota, is a prominent jewelry businessman in Watertown, South Dakota. He acquired the oldest jewelry business in Watertown from W.T. Keating in 1898, succeeding the establishment originally founded by pioneer W.R. Arnold. Halbkat’s store, located in the Granite block, offers a wide range of jewelry, watches, silverware, and features a well-equipped optical department. An official watch inspector for three railroads, Halbkat is esteemed in both commercial and social circles. Married to Georgia Wert in 1899, they have one son, Charles Angus.

Biography of George P. Winston

George P. Winston, born June 29, 1857, in Evansville, Rock County, Wisconsin, is a prominent rancher and stock grower in Brown County, South Dakota. Son of Nelson and Eliza A. Winston, he moved to Frederick, South Dakota, in 1881, establishing a significant farming and livestock business. In 1900, he acquired a 1,560-acre ranch known for its high-quality Aberdeen Angus cattle. Winston married Florence E. Yager in 1877, and they have three sons: Roy, Earl, and Paul. He is also active in the Masonic fraternity, attaining the thirtieth degree of the Scottish Rite.

Biography of Charles J. Gunderson

Charles J. Gunderson, born October 13, 1868, in Fillmore County, Minnesota, is a prominent lawyer in Vermillion, South Dakota. His parents, Harvey and Anna (Thompson) Gunderson, emigrated from Norway and settled in Clay County, South Dakota, in 1869. Charles grew up on the family homestead, attended local public schools, and graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in 1893. He earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1896 and began practicing law in Vermillion. Originally a Republican, he switched to the Democratic Party in 1896. Charles is active in the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is a member of the Lutheran church. He married Mamie L. Weeks on August 27, 1902.

Biography of James Alfred Copeland

James Alfred Copeland was born on September 21, 1852, in Fountaindale, Illinois. He was the son of Alfred Williams Copeland, born June 18, 1809, in Massachusetts, and Hannah Brewster, a Pennsylvania native and descendant of Elder Brewster from the Mayflower. James received his education in Illinois and attended Wheaton College. In 1879, he began studying law in Nebraska and was admitted to the South Dakota bar in 1890. He served as clerk of courts, justice of the peace, and county judge in Vermillion, South Dakota. Copeland was active in the Republican Party and various fraternal organizations. He married Estella E. Hayes in 1880, and they had eight children, though three died young.

Biography of Charles F. Lotze

Charles F. Lotze was born on February 22, 1857, in Vienna, Trumbull County, Ohio, to George and Catherine Lotze. His father, a German immigrant, was a merchant in Ohio. At age four, Charles moved with his family to Girard, Ohio, where he completed his public school education. In 1875, he moved to Berrien Springs, Michigan, and started a jewelry business. In 1879, he relocated to Vermillion, South Dakota, where he expanded his business to include books and music. A successful entrepreneur, Lotze also participated in the Masonic order. He married Martha C. Hurd in 1885, and they had three daughters: Hazel C., Marie L., and Laura B.

Biography of William H. H. Beadle

William H. H. Beadle, born on January 1, 1838, in Liberty Township, Parke County, Indiana, had a distinguished career as a scholar, educator, legislator, soldier, and lawyer. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he served as a Union officer in the Civil War, earning several promotions and honors. After the war, he practiced law and was appointed surveyor general of Dakota Territory by President Grant in 1869. As president of the State Normal School in Madison, South Dakota, from 1889, Beadle played a crucial role in shaping the state’s educational system, particularly in preserving school lands. A dedicated public servant, he was instrumental in drafting Dakota’s legal codes and championing education throughout his career. Married to Ellen S. Chapman in 1863, Beadle had one daughter, Mae Beadle Frink. He was a member of the Loyal Legion and a 33rd-degree Mason. His contributions to education and public service were recognized with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from his alma mater in 1902.

Biography of Rev. Edward Ashley

Rev. Edward Ashley, a prominent Protestant Episcopal clergyman in South Dakota, was born on December 12, 1854, in Road Hill, Wiltshire, England. He emigrated to the United States in 1873, settling in Muskegon, Michigan. Initially working as a carpenter, he later became a missionary teacher among the Sioux Indians in Dakota Territory, and was ordained a deacon in 1877 and a priest in 1881. Ashley served on various Indian reservations and became rural dean and examining chaplain for the state. He married Elizabeth Ann Martin in 1877, and they have five children. Ashley is also active in Masonic and fraternal organizations.

Biography of Ambrose B. Robinson

Ambrose B. Robinson, born on July 18, 1857, in Broome County, New York, is the mayor of Frankfort, Spink County, South Dakota. Son of Edward and Eunice Robinson, he moved with his family to Iowa in the early 1860s and later to Wisconsin. Robinson engaged in lumbering before relocating to Frankfort in 1885, where he achieved success in various business ventures. A dedicated Republican, he was elected mayor in 1902. Robinson is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He married Alma Jane Ellis on March 27, 1881, and they have five children: Bessie M., Grace D., Clark A., Clare, and Zedna.

Biography of Gustaf A. Uline

Gustaf A. Uline, born on October 12, 1849, in Wermland, Sweden, emigrated to America at nearly eighteen. After stints in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, he settled in Dell Rapids, South Dakota, in 1874. Uline opened one of the first general stores in the town, eventually establishing the Dell Rapids State Bank in 1892, where he served as president. A Republican, Uline was Dell Rapids’ mayor and a member of the state board of charities and corrections. Married to Minnie Friborg since 1877, they have five children. Uline is active in the Baptist church and the Masonic order. Gustaf A. … Read more

Biography of George W. Abbott

George W. Abbott, born on October 10, 1858, in Sandwich, Carroll County, New Hampshire, was the son of Lyman and Shuah W. Abbott. He pursued his education at Phillips Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire. At twenty, Abbott moved to Colorado as a secretary for a mining expert before relocating to McIntosh County, North Dakota, in 1882, where he was the first superintendent of schools and postmaster. In 1887, he moved to Minneapolis and later to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he became general manager of the Union Savings Association. Abbott married Mary G. Quinlan in 1896, and they had four children.

Biography of Leonard C. Mead

Leonard C. Mead, a highly esteemed physician and superintendent of the State Hospital for the Insane in Yankton, South Dakota, has earned a prominent position in his profession. Born into a loving and supportive family, he overcame limited educational opportunities through hard work and determination. Dr. Mead’s exceptional abilities as a physician and executive shine through his transformative leadership at the State Insane Hospital. He has revolutionized the institution, elevating it above political influence and establishing it as a leading facility for the treatment of nervous diseases and mental health. His expertise is widely recognized, and he continues to contribute significantly to the medical field.

Biography of Frank Mullen

Frank Mullen, an esteemed pioneer of South Dakota, has resided there for over thirty years. Serving as the clerk of the Rosebud Indian agency, he has earned a reputation for his dedicated and responsible role. Born in Texas in 1848, Mullen’s parents were early settlers in the state. After engaging in various endeavors, he arrived in Dakota as a pioneer in 1872. Since 1883, Mullen has held the position of agency clerk, providing exemplary service. A staunch Republican, he is also an active member of various fraternal organizations. Mullen married Jennie Colomb in 1880, and they have three children together.

Biography of George S. Adams, M.D.

George S. Adams, M.D., is a highly regarded and accomplished member of the medical profession in Yankton, South Dakota. Born in Michigan, he grew up in South Dakota and pursued his education at State Agricultural College and Rush Medical College. Graduating with a degree in Medicine, Dr. Adams began his career as an assistant physician at the state hospital for the insane in Yankton, where he continues to serve with great dedication. He is esteemed for his abilities and discernment in his profession. As a Republican, Dr. Adams is also affiliated with St. John’s Lodge, No. 1, Free and Accepted Masons.

Biography of William G. Porter

William G. Porter, a distinguished member of the South Dakota bar, is the senior partner of the renowned law firm Porter & King in Sioux Falls. Born in Thetford Center, Vermont, in 1858, Porter’s lineage can be traced back to a Norman knight in the eleventh century. After an impressive academic journey, including graduating from Dartmouth College and obtaining a law degree from Drake University, he embarked on a successful legal career. Serving as state’s attorney and later as assistant United States attorney, Porter has excelled in his profession, earning a reputation for his expertise and commitment. Additionally, he has been actively involved in Republican politics and various fraternal organizations throughout his life.

Biography of Willard A. Lathrop

Willard A. Lathrop is a successful farmer and stock grower in Charles Mix County, South Dakota. Born in Iowa in 1848, he inherited his father’s passion for agriculture and dedicated himself to farming and stock raising. Lathrop acquired a well-improved ranch of four hundred and eighty acres, cultivating one hundred and sixty acres while utilizing the rest for grazing and hay production. Known for his expertise in breeding Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine, he ships a significant amount of stock annually. Lathrop is an esteemed citizen, actively involved in public service, and affiliated with various organizations, including Geddes Lodge.

Biography of Richard H. Booth

Richard H. Booth, a respected pioneer of the northwest, has been a prominent contractor and builder in South Dakota for over thirty years. Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1826, he honed his carpentry skills and established himself as a skilled artisan. Moving to Sioux Falls in 1870, Booth dedicated himself to constructing significant public and private buildings, including the first church in the county. He was known for his integrity, public spirit, and commitment to the Democratic Party. Despite nearing the age of eighty, Booth remained active in his profession and was revered as a highly esteemed citizen of Sioux Falls.

Biography of Roy J. Sweet

Roy J. Sweet, the esteemed cashier of the First State Bank of South Shore, is a native of Glencoe County, Minnesota. Born in 1875, he hails from a family deeply rooted in Minnesota, with his father, William H. Sweet, having survived the tragic Indian outbreak of 1862. Roy J. Sweet’s remarkable career in banking began as an assistant cashier in Iowa, eventually leading him to his current position. Highly regarded for his expertise and careful approach to finance, he has played a pivotal role in the enduring success of the First State Bank. A respected figure in both professional and community spheres, Sweet’s dedication to the growth and well-being of his town has garnered him widespread admiration.

Biography of Samuel S. Lockhart

Samuel S. Lockhart, judge of the Grant County Court, is a respected citizen of Milbank and a leading member of the bar. Born in Scotland in 1850, he immigrated to America with his family and settled in Wisconsin. Lockhart pursued a career in law, serving as a clerk of the circuit court before establishing himself as a prominent attorney in Grant County. He held various legal positions, including district attorney and state’s attorney, and was elected judge of the county court. With a successful legal career, ownership of valuable property, and involvement in fraternal organizations, Lockhart is a highly esteemed figure in his community.

Biography of Svante Josephson

Svante Josephson, a respected citizen of Brule County, South Dakota, is an extensive landowner and successful farmer. Born in Sweden in 1840, he immigrated to America in 1863, working as a carpenter before settling in Iowa. In 1884, he moved to South Dakota, where he purchased land and developed a thriving farm. Today, his home ranch spans 800 acres, and he owns an additional 320-acre tract. Known for his progressive approach and dedication to education, Josephson serves on the school board and is an active member of the Presbyterian church. His children have also excelled, with one daughter becoming a popular teacher in Brule County.

Biography of Thad L. Fuller

Thad L. Fuller, a prominent lawyer practicing in Milbank, South Dakota, has established himself as a distinguished figure in the state’s legal community. Born in Eldora, Iowa, Fuller’s early education was received in public schools before pursuing further studies at Redfield College and the state university. After being admitted to the bar, he formed a successful partnership with Burtin D. Gamble. Known for his effective advocacy and exceptional public speaking skills, Fuller has made significant contributions to the Republican Party and was elected as Grant County’s state’s attorney. His professional achievements are complemented by his involvement in fraternal organizations, enjoying widespread popularity in various circles.