John L. Lockhart Biography


	This biography appears on pages 826-827 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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	JOHN L. LOCKHART was born near Portage City, Columbia county, 
Wisconsin, on the 17th of April, 1856, being a son of John and Agnes 
(Gray) Lockhart, both of whom were born in Scotland, whence they 
emigrated to the United States in 1852, locating in Wisconsin, where 
the former still resides, his devoted wife having passed away in- 
March, 1901. The educational advantages of the subject of this sketch 
were such as were afforded in the common schools of his native county, 
and at the age of twenty-four he became identified with the great 
lumbering industry in Wisconsin, as a foreman in a logging camp, for 
two years. In the spring of 1882 he came to Clark county, Dakota, and 
took up homestead and preemption claims, there continuing to reside for 
one year and then removing to Milbank, Grant county, where he was 
engaged in the hardware business for the ensuing five years, when he 
disposed of his interests in the same and turned his attention to the 
real-estate and insurance business. In 1894 he was elected commissioner 
of school and public lands for the state of South Dakota, and thereupon 
took up his residence in Pierre, where he has ever since maintained his 
home. In 1899 he here engaged in the general merchandise business, 
which he has since continued, having secured a large and representative 
supporting patronage, and having the implicit confidence and esteem of 
all who know him. In 1889, while a resident of Milbank, he was elected 
clerk of the courts of Grant county, and was reelected three times, 
while an idea of the confidence in which he was held in the party ranks 
is conveyed when we state that he was thrice nominated by acclamation 
for this office. In the spring of 1893 Mr. Lockhart was elected mayor 
of Milbank, having been nominated for the office while absent from 
home, serving one term and refusing a renomination. In 1894, as before 
stated, he was elected commissioner of school and public lands, being 
chosen as his own successor two years later, on which occasion he was 
one of the five candidates 011 the Republican ticket successful at the 
polls. He has ever been a staunch advocate of the claims of Pierre as 
the permanent capital of the state, in which connection he did most 
effective and enthusiastic work as a member of the executive committee 
of the board of trade and also of the capital commission of Pierre, 
while he has long been a prominent figure in the Republican party ranks 
here, uncompromising in the advocacy of its principles. Fraternally, he 
is identified with the Knights of Pythias, being past chancellor 
commander of the lodge at Milbank and also a member of the grand lodge 
of the state, while he also holds membership in the grand lodge of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen.  

	On the 1st of December, 1885, Mr. Lockhart was married to Miss 
Delilah C. Burman, daughter of William T. and Eliza (Russell) Burman, 
of Grant county, this state, and they are the parents of four children, 
John B., William H., Margaret E. and Grace G.