John Holman Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1173-1175 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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	JOHN HOLMAN, of the law firm of Gamble, Tripp & Holman, and 
distinctively one of the leading attorneys of the Yankton bar, is a 
native of Wisconsin and the son of Sjur and Ragrilda Holman, both 
parents born in Norway. Sjur Holman came to the United States in 1849, 
and settled near Deerfield, Wisconsin, where he shortly afterward 
married Ragrilda Aase, who was brought to this country by her parents in 
1845, when about thirteen years of age. After his marriage, Mr. Holman 
turned his attention co agricultural pursuits and, though beginning in a 
modest way with but limited capital, he succeeded by good management and 
consecutive industry in accumulating a handsome competence, so that he 
is now enabled to spend the closing years of his life in comfortable and 
honorable retirement in the town of Deerfield. Of the children born to 
this estimable couple, eight are living at the present time, namely: 
Mrs. Martha Sterricker, of Omaha, Nebraska; Andrew, who lives in Copper 
Center, Alaska, of which place he was the first settler and founder; 
Nel, a graduate of the law department of Wisconsin University, but now 
publishing a paper in Deerfield, that state; Lewis, who is stationed at 
the Oknago Indian Mission in British Columbia; John, of this review; 
Gerina, at home; Edwin, editor and proprietor of a newspaper in 
Minnesota, and Ella, who is still with her parents. 

	John Holman was born February 10, 1867, in the town of Deerfield, 
Wisconsin, and grew up at home, attending for some years the common 
schools and later taking a full course in the seminary at Red Wing, 
Minnesota, from which institution he was graduated in the spring of 
1887. In the following fall he entered the law department of the 
University of Wisconsin, and after prosecuting his legal studies for the 
greater part of two years, was graduated with the class of 1889, 
immediately after which he accepted a clerkship in the office of one of 
the leading attorneys of Madison. Young Holman spent about one and a 
half years in clerical work at the nominal salary of fifteen dollars per 
month and board, but becoming restive under such manner of living he 
resigned his position at the expiration of the time noted, and in 
January, 1891, came to Yankton, South Dakota, where, with something like 
fifty dollars saved from his meager earnings and about two hundred and 
forty dollars of borrowed capital he opened an office and entered upon 
his career as a lawyer. His first year in this City was one of struggle 
and self-denial, clients being few and expenses by no means light. By 
husbanding his resources, however, he managed to acquire sufficient 
business to keep his bark afloat until the fall of the following year, 
at which time he was induced by his Republican friends to announce 
himself a candidate for the office of state's attorney. Arrayed against 
the candidate for the Republican ticket in that campaign were the 
combined forces of Democracy and Populism a fusion which its members 
confidently believed would sweep the country and capture every office, 
state, district and county. Notwithstanding the strong opposition, Mr. 
Holman accepted the nomination and, entering upon the campaign with the 
determination of doing his best, made a thorough, systematic and 
brilliant canvass, the result of which was his election by a very 
handsome majority over a popular competitor. During his first term as 
prosecutor he formed a law partnership with L. L. F. Cleeger, and opened 
a branch office at Centerville, Mr. Cleeger looking after the business 
at the latter place, the subject taking charge of the office in Yankton. 
At the expiration of his term Mr. Holman was chosen his own successor 
and at the same time his associate was elected state's attorney of 
Turner county, in consequence of which their partnership was dissolved, 
the subject shortly thereafter becoming a member of the law firm of 
Cramer & Holman, which continued for a period of two years. 

	After practicing alone for one year, Mr. Holman entered into a 
partnership with Robert E. McDowell, present private secretary of 
Senator Gamble, which lasted until the formation of the present legal 
firm of Gamble, Tripp & Holman in the year Igor. Actuated by a spirit of 
intense patriotism, Mr. Holman, in May, 1898, sacrificed his law 
practice, which in the meantime had become large, far-reaching and 
lucrative to enter the service of his country in its war with Spain. 
Enlisting in Company C, First South Dakota Volunteer Infantry, he was 
soon on his way to the Philippines, where he experienced the 
vicissitudes and hardships peculiar to warfare with a barbarol1s foe in 
a hot and trying climate. Soon after joining the army he was made 
corporal, subsequently was promoted quartermaster sergeant and still 
later rose to the rank of lieutenant, which position he held until his 
discharge, in October, 1899. Returning home, he assumed his law 
practice, which soon regained its former magnitude, and from that time 
to the present he has devoted his attention closely to his profession, 
with the result that he today commands an extensive business and 
occupies a conspicuous place among the leading members of the Yankton 
bar. 

	In the spring of 1900 Mr. Holman was elected mayor of Yankton, and 
the ensuing fall he was further honored by a third election to the 
office of state's attorney, in which position he is now serving his 
fourth term, having been re-elected in the fall of 1902. Mr. Holman's 
frequent election to important official station demonstrates not only 
superior professional ability, but a trustworthiness and popularity with 
members of all political parties such as few attain. 

	In December, 1900, Mr. Holman was married, in Yankton, to Miss 
Alice Flanagan, of this city, the union being blessed with two children, 
a daughter by the name of Susan R. and a son named Bartlett. Mr. Holman 
is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has risen to a high 
degree, and he is also identified with the Knights of Pythias and the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was reared a Lutheran and, though 
still adhering to that faith, he has attended of recent years the 
Episcopal church of Yankton. to which his wife belongs. He contributes 
liberally to the support of both these religions, is also alive to all 
kinds of charitable and benevolent work, and assists to the extent of 
his ability any laudable enterprise having for its object the social 
advancement of the community or the moral good of his fellow men.