Joseph Nikodin Biography


	This biography appears on page 1860-1861 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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	JOSEPH NIKODIN was born in Bohemia, March 12, 1833, and was 
educated in his native country, but left school at the age of twelve 
years in order to learn the weaver's trade, serving an apprenticeship 
of three years. He afterward began learning the trade of house 
building, which he followed for three years and when a young man of 
twenty years he joined the army of his native country, spending eight 
years in military service. On returning to civil life Mr. Nikodin was 
married to Miss Annie Holly, also a native of Bohemia, and of this 
union two children were born in Bohemia, and two in the United States. 
It was in 1869 that Mr. Nikodin sailed for America, and with his family 
went to Iowa, where he lived for about six months. Not being 
particularly pleased with that state he then removed to South Dakota 
and took advantage of the opportunity which the government offered for 
the securing of farms. He entered one hundred and sixty acres near 
Utica, Yankton county, and he still lives upon the old homestead, which 
became his place of residence in 1870. He also purchased an additional 
tract, but since that time he has given part of the tract to his sons.