George J. Jarvis Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1756-1757 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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	GEORGE J. JARVIS, of Faulkton, South Dakota, is a native of Ohio, 
having been born at Columbus, March 26, 1843. He is the son of George 
and Sarah Jarvis, the former of whom was born at Staffordshire, England, 
and the later at Broekelburst, Sheffield, England. The paternal 
grandparents were William B. and Mary (Green) Jarvis, the former a 
native of Wales and the latter of Birmingham, England. The subject's 
grandparents on both the paternal and maternal sides came to America 
early in 1830. The subject was not favored with special advantages for 
securing an education in his youth, and as a consequence is practically 
selfeducated. May 17, 1849, the subject accompanied his parents upon 
their removal to Wisconsin, the trip being made in a "prairie schooner," 
so much used by emigrants in those days. In the winter of 1851-2 they 
returned to Ohio, but in April, 1856, they went to Richland county, 
Wisconsin. On July 26, 1863, Mr. Jarvis enlisted in the Third Battery, 
Wisconsin Light Artillery, at Madison, Wisconsin, with which he served 
until October 15, 1864. Since becoming of age Mr. Jarvis has conducted 
business on his own account. He was in the milling business, in which he 
was fairly successful, and at the same time he also met with several 
severe reverses, having the mill once burned down and once destroyed by 
flood. He subsequently turned his attention to the study of law and was 
admitted to the bar at Richland Center, Wisconsin, in April 1875. He 
came to his present location in South Dakota on August 2, 1883, and has 
since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession having 
attained an enviable standing among his fellow members of the bar and 
the public generally. The only official position he has ever held is 
that of judge of the courts of Faulk county, in which position he is now 
serving, to the satisfaction of all having business in the court and 
with great credit to himself. The Judge has always taken an active 
interest in politics and was formerly a staunch abolitionist, and since 
the formation of the Republican party he has exerted his influence in 
its behalf. He is also engaged in farming to some extent and has made of 
this a success in an eminent degree. He maintains a deep interest in his 
old comrades by membership in the Grand Army of the Republic.

	Judge Jarvis was united in marriage to Miss Diantha M. Nichols, a 
native of Somerset, Ohio, and to them have been born the following chil-
dren: Nellie A., born April 26, 1866; George L.. October 2, 1867; Harry 
J., April 24, 1869; Fred W., May 14, 1872; S. Belle, December 2, 1874.