Order of Home Guardians - South Dakota Genealogy

Biography of Nels C. Andrews

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

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 James E. Wells

James E. Wells, born May 23, 1858, in Cambria, Wisconsin, was a prominent alderman representing the fourth ward in Mitchell, South Dakota. He was the son of Ora B. and Sarah T. (Campbell) Wells and moved to South Dakota in 1873. After working various jobs in Wisconsin and Minnesota, he settled in Mitchell in 1880. Wells built a career in the lumber industry and later served as Davison County’s register of deeds for six years. He then established a successful business in abstracts, insurance, and real estate. A dedicated Republican, he also held multiple public offices, including clerk of the board of education and alderman. Wells was an active member of the Masonic order and other fraternal organizations. He married Fanny Wedehase in 1883, and they had three children: Ora B., Frederick A., and James Earl.

Biography of James L. Hannett

James L. Hannett, born March 28, 1855, in Washington County, New York, was a notable lawyer in Mitchell, South Dakota, and a member of the law firm Preston & Hannett. Son of Edward and Elizabeth (Bailey) Hannett, he was educated at Masson College in Montreal and the University of Michigan’s law department, graduating in 1876. Hannett began his legal career in New York before relocating to Mitchell in 1882. He served as district attorney (1888-1890) and county judge (1891-1893). Married to Martha Ryan in 1877, they had eight surviving children. He was active in local politics and several fraternal organizations.

Biography of E. M. Cramer

E. M. Cramer, born May 10, 1849, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, moved with his family to Sterling, Illinois, in 1866. After working in Clinton, Iowa, he settled in Plankinton, South Dakota, in 1882, where he claimed a homestead and later established a successful general merchandise business. Cramer’s store, a significant local enterprise, grew alongside the town’s development. A committed Republican, Cramer also actively participated in the Methodist Episcopal Church and several fraternal organizations. He married Anna Heckerman on October 21, 1875, and they had two children: Mabel, who married G. H. Bryan, and Noble, who died young.