L. L. Lostutter Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1605-1607 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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	L. L. LOSTUTTER was born October 15, 1863, in Switzerland county, 
Indiana, and is the third in a family of four children, whose parents 
were W. C. and Avarilla Lostutter, both natives of the Hoosier state. 
After farming for a number of years in Indiana, W. C. Lostutter moved to 
Illinois, where he also followed agricultural pursuits, subsequently 
engaging in the mercantile business. In the fall of 1880 he changed his 
abode to Hand county, South Dakota, locating at St. Lawrence, of which 
he was one of the first settlers and until the spring of 1883 ran a 
lumber yard in that town. He then removed to Iroquois, where he also 
engaged in the lumber business in partnership with his son, to whom he 
subsequently sold out, and in 1884 established a bank which soon became 
one of the successful and popular institutions of the kind in the county 
of Kingsbury. He departed this life September 13, 1885, deeply lamented 
by all who knew him, leaving to mourn his loss a widow and three 
children, the names of the latter being as follows: Mrs. Addie 
Frederick, Mrs. Fannie Pinkerton and L. L., the subject of this review. 

	The early life of L. L. Lostutter was spent in Clarence, Illinois, 
and he received his education in the public schools and Paxton Normal 
Institute. When a mere lad he became his father's assistant in the 
store, and after the family moved to South Dakota he remained one and a 
half years in charge of the business, closing the establishment out at 
the expiration of that time and rejoining his parents at St. Lawrence. 
Later, in partnership with his father, he engaged in the lumber 
business. When the father died, L. L. took charge of the banking and 
lumbering interests and managed the same with success and profit until 
1887, when he bought out the other heirs and from that time until 1903 
was sole proprietor of the Farmers and Merchants' Bank of Iroquois. In 
January of the latter year he sold out and retired from banking and 
since then has devoted his attention mainly to the handling of real 
estate, in which business he had previously been engaged, and in which 
he built up a large and lucrative patronage in connection with his other 
enterprises. He now deals extensively in all kinds of realty, city and 
country, is also identified with other lines of activity and occupies a 
commending position in business circles, locally and throughout the 
state. Mr. Lostutter is one of the prominent Odd Fellows of South 
Dakota, and has filled all the chairs in the local lodge to which he 
belongs, besides being high in the councils of the grand lodge, in which 
body he has also been honored with exalted official station. He served 
five years as grand treasurer, was grand warden for a considerable 
length of time, held the office of deputy grand master for a term and 
later rose to the honorable position of grand master, the highest office 
within the gift of the order. For a series of years he was chosen 
representative to the sovereign grand lodge, in which exalted assemblage 
his activity and influence brought him to the favorable notice of the 
leaders of the fraternity throughout the Union, among whom he is now 
numbered. In addition to his deep interest in Odd Fellowship, Mr. 
Lostutter is also a zealous Mason, in which ancient and honorable 
brotherhood he has held offices of high rank, serving two years as 
treasurer of the grand lodge, being the only man in South Dakota ever 
re-elected to that responsible position. 

	Politically Mr. Lostutter is a Republican and has always been an 
unswerving supporter of the party and judicious advisor in its councils, 
also a splendid organizer and successful campaigner. For years he has 
been a delegate to city, county, district and state conventions, has 
served several terms as chairman of his delegations to the latter and in 
1896 was alternate to the national convention, which met in St. Louis, 
Missouri. also attended as a delegate the national convention at 
Philadelphia in 1900. 

	Mr. Lostutter was appointed receiver of the Huron National Bank in 
1891, and in due time wound up the business of the institution to the 
satisfaction of all concerned. He is a safe, reliable business man of 
sound judgment, prudent and resourceful in his dealings, but at all 
times honorable, and his integrity is unstained by the slightest 
suspicion of anything savoring of disrepute. 

	In March, 1887, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lostutter with 
Miss Minnie Hall, daughter of Jackson Hall, an old settler of Kingsbury 
county, who now lives in the state of California. Mrs. Lostutter has 
been a true helpmeet to her husband, presiding over his home with true 
wifely dignity, and sympathizing with him in all of his aspirations and 
endeavors. She is a leader in the Rebekah lodge of Odd Fellows at 
Iroquois, has attended a number of high assemblages of the order, 
besides holding important official positions; and is a faithful and 
consistent member of the Congregational church. Mr. Lostutter also 
subscribes to this faith, and for a period of seven or eight years has 
been a trustee of the Iroquois congregation. He is fond of travel and in 
addition to visiting nearly every state of the Union, has made a trip to 
Mexico, in which he was accompanied by his wife. Recently, 1903, the two 
went upon an extensive and pleasant sea voyage, during which they 
visited Porto Rico; Venezuela, South America; stopping at St. Pierre, 
Martinique, and the Spanish Island of St. Thomas and many other 
interesting places, spending nearly a hundred days making the trip.