I. M. Geyer Biography


	This biography appears on page 1880 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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	I. M. GEYER was born in Ogle county, Illinois, and was reared in 
Whiteside county, Illinois, whither his parents removed from Ogle 
county when he was a mere child, and his educational advantages were 
such as were afforded in the common schools of the locality. He 
continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits in Illinois until 
he came to what is now the state of South Dakota, arriving in 
Watertown, Codington county, in the spring of that year. He then 
proceeded on foot to Faulk county, and there took up government land. 
Mr. Geyer forthwith set himself to the task of breaking his land and 
making it ready for cultivation. The very day that he finished 
harvesting his first crop the stacks were struck by lightning and the 
grain entirely destroyed. His second crop, covering two hundred and 
fifty acres, was destroyed by hail, and the third crop secured to him 
only a half yield, as he met with an accident which confined him to the 
hospital for some time, so that he was unable to give the necessary 
attention. These successive misfortunes would have daunted the courage 
of one less self-reliant and determined, but the subject did not waver 
in his loyalty to the state and has lived to see his confidence in the 
same amply justified. He remained in Faulk county two years and then 
removed to Clark county, where he became the owner of land, to which he 
devoted his attention until 1894, engaged in both farming and stock 
raising. In 1894 Mr. Geyer came to Stanley county and took up land on 
the Cheyenne river, at a point forty-five miles northwest of Fort 
Pierre, and here turned his attention more specially to the raising of 
stock, in which he has been very successful. He raises sheep on an 
extensive scale, usually having a large band and that of high-grade 
type, while he also raises horses.

	Mr. Geyer was united in marriage to Miss Winifred Doughty, and of 
this union have been born two children.