Armour - South Dakota Genealogy

Biography of B. T. Boylan

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

B. T. Boylan (b. 1858, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin) was a prominent businessman and politician in Armour, South Dakota. After moving to Cherokee County, Iowa, with his family in 1876, he later settled in Douglas County, South Dakota, in 1882. Initially farming, Boylan transitioned to the implement business in Grand View before relocating to Armour in 1887. He expanded into real estate in 1899 and served as county treasurer from 1894 to 1898 and as a state legislator in 1900. A staunch Republican, Boylan was active in Masonic and other fraternal organizations. He married Mary E. Lawrence in 1886, and they had three children.

Biography of Homer W. Johnson

Homer W. Johnson (b. 1859, Osceola, Iowa) was a state senator and key figure in the Johnson Brothers Company, a leading real estate and loan business in South Dakota. After gaining experience in banking and land management, he co-founded the Citizens’ State Bank of Armour with his brother Edwin, serving as president until 1903. Johnson shifted from Republican to Democratic politics, securing multiple senate terms despite his district’s Republican leanings. Known for his integrity and business acumen, he remained influential in both state politics and local development. Johnson’s collaborative spirit and loyalty made him a respected community leader.

Biography of Edwin S. Johnson

Edwin S. Johnson (b. 1857, Owen County, Indiana) was a prominent banker and real estate operator in Armour, South Dakota. He co-founded the Johnson Brothers Company with his brother Homer, managing extensive land and loan interests across the region. Johnson began his career in Iowa, later pioneering in Nebraska before relocating to South Dakota in 1884. In addition to his business pursuits, he served as state’s attorney and state senator, shifting from the Republican to Democratic Party in 1896. He married Anna Thoreau in 1884 and remained an influential figure in both local politics and the Methodist Protestant church.

Biography of W. E. Tipton

W. E. Tipton, born June 10, 1854, in Schuyler County, Missouri, was a prominent figure in education and law. Son of Jabez B. and Isabel (Wright) Tipton, he descended from early American settlers. Tipton graduated with honors from the state normal school in Kirksville, Missouri, and served as superintendent in various schools. In 1883, he moved to South Dakota for health reasons, establishing himself in Douglas County’s legal community. Tipton contributed significantly to Armour’s development and held various public offices, including district attorney and county judge. He married twice, first to Myra Amsden and later to Emily Rogers, fathering five children.

Biography of Rev. William Lewis Meinzer

Rev. William Lewis Meinzer was born on December 26, 1868, in Winnebago County, Illinois, to William and Mary Julia Meinzer, immigrants from Baden, Germany. He pursued education at Northwestern College, Iowa State College, and the State Agricultural College, earning a Bachelor of Science in 1894. Meinzer entered the Methodist Episcopal Church ministry, serving in various South Dakota towns. He married Dora Jane Squires on December 31, 1895; she passed away in 1902. Meinzer was also known for his lectures based on his European travels. He remained a devoted Republican and influential community figure until his death. Rev. William Lewis Meinzer … Read more

Biography of Soren Mortensen

Soren Mortensen, born April 21, 1846, in Denmark, became one of the wealthiest farmers in Yankton County, South Dakota. After emigrating to the United States in 1869, he worked on a farm in Long Island for seven and a half years before moving to South Dakota in 1876. Mortensen initially focused on wheat farming but shifted to livestock after several crop failures. He built a successful operation handling cattle and Chester White hogs, amassing 1,500 acres of farmland. Mortensen married Meatha Amelia Larson in 1874, with whom he had nine children. After her death in 1896, he married Nora Grant in 1900. A dedicated Republican and respected community member, Mortensen’s achievements reflect his perseverance and effective management.

Biography of Rev. William S. O’Meara

Rev. William S. O’Meara is a highly regarded priest in charge of the Roman Catholic church in Armour, Douglas County. Born in Detroit in 1871, he completed his education in Baltimore and Cincinnati before being ordained in 1898. Since his arrival in Armour, Father O’Meara has shown great zeal and devotion, leading to the growth of the congregation. Under his guidance, a new church was built, reflecting his commitment to architectural beauty. Although the parish is not yet able to establish a parochial school, Father O’Meara personally instructs the children before they attend public schools. He is also active in civic duties as a Democrat.