Charles Nelson Herreid Biography


	This biography appears on pages 609-610 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	CHARLES NELSON HERREID, fourth governor of South Dakota is a native 
of Wisconsin, where he was born October 20, 1857. His parents were among 
the earliest pioneers of that state. His boyhood was spent upon the 
farm, where he imbibed that love of nature and of life in the open 
which has continued a marked characteristic of his life. He early 
evinced a love of learning and made his own way through the common 
schools and Galesville University and after a course of reading in a 
law office, where he acquired a knowledge of practice, he took the 
course at the Wisconsin Law School, and graduated with the class of 
1882. That year he was married to Miss Jeannette Slye, of LaCrosse 
county, and they took up their home at Leola, in McPherson county, 
where from the first Mr. Herreid, with commendable public spirit, 
became a leader in every movement for the development of his locality, 
in material, moral and educational lines, and very early. was accorded 
recognition as a distinct power in the affairs of the territory. He 
prospered in his affairs, two lovely children were born to his home, he 
became associated in the ownership of one of the local banks, and when 
every prospect seemed to be propitious, there came the awful holocaust 
of 1889, when a flood of flame swept McPherson county, and in a 
twinkling of an eye, almost, Leola was literally wiped from the map. 
Miraculously, among the very few structures which escaped the fury of 
the flames were Governor Herreid's home and bank. Leola was not to 
speedily recover from this disaster. The reactionary period which came 
to Dakota at this time, following the boom of settlement, the great 
historic drought period of 1889 and 1890, accompanying it, were 
especially trying to that section and only the most courageous of the 
settlers remained to fight out the battle. The effect upon business was 
inevitable, but Governor Herreid was not the kind of man to be overcome 
by the untoward conditions which had overtaken him, but, with abiding 
faith in Dakota and that victory would come to him who had the courage 
and tenacity to fight to the end, he remained, carrying forward his 
business, protecting his property and maintaining his credit, and by 
his example giving courage and assistance to his despondent neighbors. 
He was, during this period, called by his neighbors to serve as 
prosecuting attorney and county judge, and in 1889 was appointed 
trustee of the State University, and his good judgment was a factor in 
bringing that institution through the complications which came near to 
wrecking it in the period following the death of President Olson. From 
1893 to 1897 he was lieutenant governor and won the highest 
commendation from both political friends and enemies for his good 
judgment and absolute fairness. In 1898 he was made chairman of the 
Republican state committee and conducted a masterful campaign, and was 
the acting member for South Dakota on the Republican national 
committee. In 1900 he was elected governor, a position he still holds, 
and his administration has been most satisfactory, free from all 
scandals and characterized by several administrative reforms, 
inaugurated by Mr. Herreid, which are certain to bring lasting benefit 
to the state. It should be noted that from 1897 until he became 
governor Mr. Herreid was a regent of education. The writer is fully 
aware that this brief sketch of Governor Herreid's life appears to be 
intended as an eulogy, but submits that every word of it is sustained 
by the facts and is, in view of the facts, but faintly drawn. His life 
and career have been such as to bear the closest scrutiny, exhibiting 
very much to commend and very little to criticize.  

        Governor Herreid is a consistent member of the Presbyterian 
church, and a faithful worker in all of its activities. He is a close 
student of social problems and of political economy, and a courageous 
and original thinker upon all lines of progress. In February, 1903, he 
was called upon to, mourn the death of his son, Roscoe C., a splendid 
boy of fifteen years. Governor Herreid's home is now at Eureka, in 
McPherson county, whither he removed from Leola after the building of 
the railroad. The Governor is a thirty-second-degree Mason and has held 
various important places in the grand lodge of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, and has been grand chancellor of the Knights of 
Pythias, domain of South Dakota.