Peter B. Dirks Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1425-1426 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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	PETER B. DIRKS, cashier of the Citizens' State Bank at Oacoma, 
the first banking institution incorporated in Lyman county, was born 
in Poland, on the 28th of September, 1869, being a son of Benjamin and 
Agnes (Schartner) Dirks, whose eleven children are all living. The 
parents came with their children to the United States in 1885, locating 
in Turner county, South Dakota, and there the father and mother still 
maintain their home. 

	Peter B. Dirks acquired his early education in the German schools 
of his native land, his parents having been residents of that part of 
Poland which is under German dominion, and he was seventeen years of age 
at the time of the family emigration to America. He remained at the 
parental home for two years after they located in South Dakota and then 
secured a clerical position in a general store at Marion Junction, 
Turner county, where he was salesman for three years and bookkeeper for 
the concern for the ensuing four years, and the knowledge gained through 
this practical experience has enabled him to attain success and to be 
recognized as one of the able and progressive young business men of his 
adopted state. In 1893 Mr. Dirks came to Lyman county and became 
associated with his brother Isaac in establishing a general store at 
Dirkstown. Our subject was made postmaster at this point and the village 
which grew up about their store was named in honor of the two brothers, 
who were practically the founders of the town. In connection with their 
mercantile enterprise they became extensively interested in the 
livestock business, and soon gained a position of prominence in 
connection with the industrial affairs of this favored section of the 
state. In 1896 Isaac Dirks was elected county auditor, and the subject 
removed to Oacoma, the county seat, where he assumed charge of the 
office, as deputy to his brother. In 1898 he was elected county 
treasurer, serving one term and then withdrawing from active politics to 
engage in the real-estate loan business in company with his brother 
Isaac, under the firm name of Dirks Brothers. Upon him devolved the 
responsibility of supervising this enterprise, while his brother 
continued to have charge of their extensive ranching interests. In 1902 
the Citizens' State Bank was organized and the subject was elected 
cashier of the same, and in this capacity he has since given efficient 
service, gaining to the institution a high standing and marked 
popularity in this part oŁ the county. He is a staunch advocate of the 
principles of the Republican party and is at the present time secretary 
of the county central committee. He was the prime mover in organizing 
the Old Settlers' Association of the county, of which he was president 
for the first two years, since which time he has served as secretary, 
having been one of the leading spirits in the organization, which now 
has about four hundred members. He is secretary of the Lyman Creamerv 
Company, whose plant, in Dirkstown, was completed in May, 1903. He is 
also vice-president of the Bankers' Association of Lyman county and is 
one of the representative citizens of this section of the state. 
Fraternally he holds membership in Chamberlain Lodge, No. 126, 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Chamberlain Lodge, No. 88, Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. Mr. Dirks is still a bachelor, and enjoys 
marked popularity in business and social circles.