John Michaels Biography

	This biography appears on pages 958-959 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 MICHAELS, one of the prominent citizens and honored pioneers 
of Codington county, is a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, where he was 
born on the 29th of March, 1843, being a son of John and Minnie 
(Schroeder) Michaels, who passed their entire lives in the fatherland, 
the former having been there identified with agricultural pursuits 
during - the major portion of his life. The subject received his 
educational training in the excellent schools of his native land, and 
thereafter followed farming there until 1866, when he severed the ties 
which bound him to home and fatherland and set forth to seek his fortune 
in the new world. On July 1st of that year he was united in marriage to 
Miss Lena Dahl, who accompanied him to America, and who has proved to 
him a devoted wife and helpmeet. He located in Dodge county, Wisconsin, 
becoming the owner of a good farm, but meeting with such reverses during 
the financial panic of 1873-4 that he was finally compelled to dispose 
of his property at a great sacrifice. In 1881, in the hope of 
recuperating his resources, he came with his family to what is now the 
state of South Dakota and located in Codington county, where he 
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land, twelve miles 
north of Watertown, which was then a mere hamlet of a few primitive 
houses. He was very successful in his efforts, in which he had the  
assistance of his sons, and in time became the owner of one and one-
quarter sections of land, while he made the best improvements on the 
property and in time became one of the most prosperous and influential 
farmers and stock growers of the county in which he had settled as a 
pioneer. He has retained in his possession four hundred acres of his 
land, the remainder being now in the possession of his sons. Mr. 
Michaels continued to reside on his ranch until 1897 when he removed to 
Watertown, where he has an attractive modern residence, at 220 Elm 
street. Upon coming to town he became associated in the clothing 
business, as previously noted under the firm name of Nelson & Michaels, 
and they have a finely equipped establishment at the corner of Kemp and 
Maple streets, carrying a large and complete stock of clothing, men's 
furnishing goods, etc., and catering to an extensive and appreciative 
trade. The firm also have a branch store at Clark, in the county of the 
same name, and this also controls an excellent business.  

	Mr. Michaels is a man of sterling integrity, marked individuality 
and much business acumen, and he has ever shown a lively interest in the 
welfare of the county and state of his adoption. He served for six years 
as a member of the board of county commissioners, being an 
uncompromising Republican in his political proclivities, and in 1894 he 
was elected to represent Codington county in the state legislature, 
where he made an excellent record, being chosen as his own successor in 
1896. Since that time he has been practically retired from public 
affairs, though he still manifests much interest in the questions and 
issues of the hour. He and his wife are prominent members of the German 
Lutheran church and take an active part in the various departments of 
its work.  

	Mr. and Mrs. Michaels are the parents of five children, concerning 
whom we offer the following brief data in conclusion of this sketch: 
Herman is a member of the clothing firm of Nelson & Michaels; Anna is 
the wife of Henry Stein, of Codington county; John R.; Max C., who 
married Miss Ella Weber, is a clergyman  of the Lutheran church and  is 
pastor of the churches at Henry, Grover and Carrollton; Frank B. is 
superintendent of the branch store maintained by the firm of Nelson & 
Michaels at Clark.