George B. Bale Biography


	This biography appears on page 1520 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	GEORGE B. BALE is a native of England and dates his birth from 
November 25, 1867. He first saw the light of day in Norfolk and spent 
his early life in that place, receiving a good education in the schools 
of the same, and remaining with his parents until eighteen years of age. 
Severing home ties in the spring of 1885, he came to the United States, 
making his way direct to Watertown, South Dakota, where he remained for 
a brief period, after which he traveled extensively over various western 
states and territories, going as far as the Pacific coast. Being pleased 
with Dakota, he finally returned to this state, and took up a pre-
emption on the "Divide" near Battle creek, Custer county, where he 
engaged in farming, but the venture not proving successful, he left his 
place and for some time thereafter was employed by a horse dealer, to 
whom his services proved of great value. Later Mr. Bale began buying and 
selling horses upon his own responsibility, and in due time worked up an 
extensive and lucrative business in the vicinity of Battle creek. In 
1890 he changed his location to the Cheyenne river, where he continued 
running horses until 1897, when he effected a co-partnership in the 
business with C. W. Arnold, the two greatly extending the scope of their 
operations, buying up all the outfits in a large area of territory and 
within a short time achieved the reputation of being the largest and 
most successful horse dealers in the western part of the state. The firm 
thus constituted lasted until 1902, in which year the subject withdrew 
from the partnership and purchased the ranch on Battle creek, twenty-
three mines east of Hermosa, where he has since lived and prospered, as 
a cattle raiser, devoting considerable attention the meantime to the 
improvement of his place. In addition to the live-stock business, Mr. 
Bale also carries on farming, the greater part of his land being 
irrigated and easily susceptible to tillage. He raises abundant crops of 
grain, vegetables and fruits, which with the returns from his cattle 
sales yield him a handsome income every year. He belongs to the Masonic 
lodge at Hermosa, and, like the majority of intelligent and progressive 
citizens, manifests an abiding interest in public and political affairs, 
giving his support to the Republican party. 

	On November 11, 1901, Mr. Bale and Miss Nettie Bower, of South 
Dakota, were united in the holy bonds of wedlock, the marriage resulting 
in the birth of one child, a son who answers to the name of George J.