Loomis S. Cull Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1556-1557 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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	L00MIS S. CULL, who is not only one of the leading members of the 
Fall River county bar, but enjoys honorable distinction in legal circles 
throughout the state, is a native of New England and dates his birth 
from the 24th day of July, 1860, having first seen the light of day in 
the village of Waterville, Lamoille county, Vermont. He spent his 
childhood and youth at the place of his birth and after finishing the 
public-school course, prosecuted his studies for some time at Norwich 
University, at Northfield. When twenty years of age, Mr. Cull went to 
Marshaltown, Iowa, where he studied law in the office of a prominent 
local attorney and in due time was admitted to the bar, following which 
he came to Dakota, locating in April, 1882, at Plankinton, where he 
opened an office and began the practice of his profession under 
favorable auspices. He built up a lucrative business in that town and 
made it his place of residence until 1886, in September of which year he 
located at Hot Springs, where, as already indicated, he soon won 
recognition at the local bar, besides earning the reputation of one of 
the ablest lawyers in the Black Hills. In addition to his general 
practice, he was frequently employed to try important cases in the 
United States courts, and in 1891 was appointed by Judge Edgerton United 
States commissioner, which position he filled with marked ability during 
the five years following, retiring from the office in 1896. 

	The same year in which he entered upon his duties as commissioner 
Mr. Cull was appointed county judge, to fill out the unexpired term of 
Judge Wood, and the next year was chosen his own successor by the votes 
of the people, having been the Republican nominee for the office. His 
career on the bench was creditable to himself and eminently satisfactory 
to the public, as he discharged the duties of the position ably and 
impartially and by the uniform fairness of his rulings and decisions 
gained the confidence of all who had business to transact in his court. 
In 1897 Mr. Cull removed to Lead and a little later was appointed city 
attorney, but after a brief residence at that place he returned to Hot 
Springs and resumed the practice of his profession. In the spring of 
1900 he was appointed to the office of city attorney of Hot Springs, and 
the following fall was further honored by being elected, on the 
Republican ticket, state's attorney, holding the latter position two 
terms, having been re-elected in 1902. In addition to the offices 
enumerated, Mr. Cull has served the people in several other public 
capacities, besides being identified with various important enterprises 
for the advancement of the different interests of the community. As 
already indicated, he has achieved a distinguished record as a lawyer 
and stands today among the foremost practitioners in his part of the 
country. In the trial of suits he has been uniformly successful. The 
careful preparation of his cases, his watchfulness over the just 
interests of his clients, his knowledge of authorities and his ability 
to see and utilize the strong points in his cause, combined with his 
earnestness and well-known integrity make him a strong advocate before 
court and jury, as well as a formidable antagonist in matters involving 
legal acumen and technical knowledge of the law. Mr. Cull has long been 
recognized as one of the Republican leaders in southwestern Dakota, 
being firm and decided in his political opinions, and earnest in their 
support. 

	Mr. Cull was married at Buffalo Gap, South Dakota, in the year 
1887, to Miss Carrie M. Holp, a native of Ohio and a sister of Col. P. 
E. Holp, formerly of Sioux Falls, later a prominent citizen of 
Watertown, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Cull have one child, a son by the 
name of George C.