Charles Feyder Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1567-1568 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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	CHARLES FEYDER has been an honored resident of Minnehaha county 
ever since 1881 and from 1884 to 1902 he was actively identified with 
the growth and business interests of the town of Hartford, where he 
still makes his home. Charles Feyder, son of Nicholas and Rosa 
(Nicholas) Feyder, was born at Port Washington, Wisconsin, on the 2d day 
of March, 1850, and spent his early life in his native town. He attended 
the public schools of that place until his seventeenth year, and then 
left the parental roof to make his own way, his first experience being 
on the great lakes, which he plied in different capacities during the 
ten years following. He entered the maritime service in a humble 
position, but by faithfully was gradually advanced of twenty he received 
a discharging his duties until at the early age pilot's commission, 
being one of the youngest men ever intrusted with such an honorable and 
responsible post. During the greater part of his experience on the lakes 
Mr. Feyder was in the employ of the Goodrich Transportation Company, 
which fact attests his ability as a pilot, as none but men of the 
highest efficiency were intrusted with the guidance of the company's 
vessels, and when he resigned his position he received from his 
employers flattering testimonials as to his faithfulness in looking 
after their interests. 

	On quitting the lake service, Mr. Feyder returned home and engaged 
in the grain trade at Port Washington, but after spending about four 
years there he disposed of the business and in 1881 came to Minnehaha 
county, South Dakota, and settled on a tree claim in Humboldt township, 
which had been taken up in his name the year previous. He at once began 
improving his land and in due time had a considerable part of it in 
cultivation. A good dwelling and other buildings were erected, fences 
were put up and it was not long until his place became one of the most 
beautiful and attractive country homes in the township of Humboldt. Mr. 
Feyder devoted his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits and 
stock raising until the year 1884, when he abandoned rural life and, 
moving to Hartford, opened a hardware store, which line of business he 
conducted with encouraging success during the ensuing seven years, 
disposing of the establishment in 1901. Two years after changing his 
residence to the town he took charge of the Plavey Grain Elevator, which 
he managed in connection with the hardware trade, building up an 
extensive business, buying and shipping grain and continuing the same 
until 1902, when he turned it over to his son and retired from active 
life. 

	Mr. Feyder's business enterprises proved quite successful, and he 
is now the possessor of a sufficiency of this world's goods to place him 
in independent circumstances, besides rendering unnecessary any care or 
anxiety as far as the future is concerned. His career has been 
characterized by great activity and devotion to duty, and whether 
laboring for others or looking after his own interests, his industry was 
untiring, his management able and judicious and his rewards always 
liberal and certain. A strong Republican and at all times standing for 
the principles of his party and laboring earnestly for its success, he 
has persistently refrained from office seeking and leaves to others the 
honors and emoluments of public position. Mr. Feyder, on January 21, 
1875, was happily married, at Port Washington, Wisconsin, to an 
estimable young lady of that place, by the name of Elizabeth Beck. Five 
children have been the fruits of this union, viz: Nicholas J., Rose, 
William, Charles and Theodore.