Otto Peter Theodore Grantz Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1291-1293 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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	OTTO PETER THEODORE GRANTZ is a native of Germany, born November 
9, 1835, in Tonning, duchy of Schleswig, the son of Jurgen and Amalia 
Grantz, the former coming to America in 1849, and settled in California, 
his wife having died in Germany in 1840. Jurgen Grantz was one of the 
first to arrive in the gold fields of the Pacific coast and he continued 
mining in California and other western states and territories until his 
death, which occurred in Idaho, when he was sixty-eight years old. Mrs. 
Grantz died when the subject was five years old and another son, who 
came to the United States, departed this life in the latter part of the 
fifth decade. 

	Otto P. T. Grantz was reared in his native land and received a 
good education in the schools of Tonning, which he attended at intervals 
during his childhood and youth, finishing his intellectual training at 
the age of fifteen. Later he entered a mercantile establishment and 
after becoming familiar with the business, became manager of stores, in 
which capacity he continued in Germany until the year 1858, when he came 
to the United States. 

	On coming to this country Mr. Grantz settled in Iowa, where he 
engaged in agricultural pursuits, but after spending one year in that 
state removed to Illinois, where he, during the ensuing three years, 
also devoted his attention to tilling the soil. Severing his connection 
with farming in 1862, he crossed the plains and on August 24th reached 
Oregon, where he engaged in mining for several months, when he left that 
state for Boise Basin, Idaho, arriving at the latter place in January, 
1863. During the thirteen years following he devoted his time and 
energies to mining in various parts of Idaho, but in November, 1876, 
left that country and came to the Black Hills, which has since been his 
field of action, making his home the greater part of the time at 
Deadwood, of which city he has long been an honored resident. 

	Mr. Grantz has devoted nearly forty-two years to mining and it 
goes without saying that during this long period he has become 
thoroughly familiar with every phase of the important industry which is 
so intimately associated with the developments and prosperity of the 
great west. In the main his undertakings have prospered, success has 
characterized his career and today he occupies a conspicuous place in 
business and industrial circles, besides being identified with 
enterprises and measures having for their object the advancement of the 
city and state and the promotion of the general welfare. In the spring 
of 1863, while a resident of Idaho, Mr. Grantz volunteered to fight the 
Indians, who were then on the war path and causing the settlers much 
trouble, and he experienced considerable active service before the 
hostiles were repulsed and peace was restored. He has ever been ready to 
respond when duty calls, his services at all times are at the disposal 
of his adopted country and as a citizen he is as loyal to the government 
and its institutions as any American-born reared under the protecting 
folds of the stars and stripes. In state and national affairs he is a 
Republican, but in local matters cares little for party ties, giving his 
support to the candidates who in his judgment are best qualified for the 
positions to which they aspire. 

	Mr. Grantz stands high in Masonic circles and is identified with a 
number of the most important branches of the order, being a member of 
Deadwood Lodge, No. 7; Dakota Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons; Golden 
Belt Lodge of Perfection, No. 3; Rose Bruce Chapter, Rose Croix, No. 3; 
Council Knights of Kadish, No. 3; Black Hills Consistory, No. 3, thirty-
second degree K. C. O. H.; Naja Temple, Deadwood, and Deadwood Chapter, 
No. 23, Order of Eastern Star. These different relations with the 
ancient and honorable order have brought him into close contact with the 
leading members of the brotherhood throughout the state, among whom he 
is held in the highest personal esteem. He has also been elected at 
different times to important official stations in the order, in all of 
which he discharged his duties ably and consistently, proving worthy the 
confidence reposed in him and a credit to the organization by which the 
honors were conferred. 

	On February 3, 1877, Mr. Grantz was united in the bonds of wedlock 
with Miss Christina Johnson, the ceremony being solemnized in the city 
of Deadwood. Mrs. Grantz was born in Sweden, and is a daughter of John 
and Johanna Johnson, who were also natives of Sweden. This marriage has 
been blessed with four children, Theoline, Otto, Lillie and Nellie, the 
second of whom died in infancy.