Town: Volin

Biography of Alfred Alder

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

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 Thomas Inch

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Thomas Inch, born in County Derry, Ireland, on August 12, 1888, emigrated to the United States, first settling in Connecticut before moving to Yankton County, South Dakota, in 1868. Initially securing 160 acres of government land, Inch expanded his holdings to 720 acres, developing a prosperous farm known for its modern equipment and well-tended fields. He specialized in general farming and livestock raising, including Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs. Although never married, he lived with his brother Major Inch and his family. Thomas served as a county commissioner from 1891 to 1897 and was active in school work and the Episcopal church.