William P. Biddle Biography


	This biography appears on page 1843 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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	WILLIAM P. BIDDLE, who is the owner of a fine ranch in Jackson 
township, Charles Mix county, was born in Decatur county, Iowa, on the 
19th of December, 1857, and was reared to the work of the farm. He 
secured his early education in the public schools of his native state, 
his advantages being somewhat limited, as, owing to the death of his 
father, he was early compelled to depend upon his own exertions. He 
worked on a farm from the age of fourteen until he had attained his 
legal majority, and then went to Nebraska, where he secured land, for 
which he paid two and one-half dollars an acre, and he there devoted 
his attention to farming for the ensuing four years, at the expiration 
of which he disposed of the property. Subsequently he came to South 
Dakota and located in Charles Mix county, where he purchased three 
hundred and seventy-eight acres of land. He forthwith turned his 
attention to the improvement and cultivation of his farm, and 
subsequently purchased additional land so that his estate now comprises 
six hundred and forty acres, while the property is equipped with 
excellent buildings and other substantial improvements and is one of 
the valuable farms of this favored section of the state, the greater 
portion of the land being under a high state of cultivation. In 
connection with his agricultural enterprises Mr. Biddle devotes much 
attention to the raising of cattle and swine. In state and national 
affairs he is a staunch Democrat, but in local matters he is 
independent.

	Mr. Biddle was united in marriage to Miss Kate Grant, who was 
born in New York, and of this union have been born seven children.