Herbert D. Oaks Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1565-1566 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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	HERBERT D. OAKS, dealer in hardware and farm machinery, Hartford, 
South Dakota, is native of Olmsted county, Minnesota, born in the town 
of Viola, on the 21st day of July, 1858. When a youth of twelve he 
accompanied his parents, D. W. and Loraine (Waite) Oaks, on their 
removal to South Dakota and during the ensuing nine years lived with 
them on a farm twelve miles west of Sioux Falls, attending school the 
meanwhile and assisting his father in developing the latter's land. On 
attaining his majority, he entered the employ of the Peavey Elevator 
Company, at Montrose, conducting the business of the company in an able 
and satisfactory manner and becoming familiar in the meantime with every 
phase of the grain trade. Resigning the above position in 1883, Mr. Oaks 
came to Hartford and accepted a clerkship in the mercantile house of 
John Mundt, continuing to sell goods during the five years following. At 
the expiration of that time he became a member of the mercantile firm of 
Shimmech, Oaks & Company, which partnership lasted three years, when Mr. 
Shimmech disposed of his interest in the business, this change resulting 
in the organization of the well-known firm of John Mundt & Company, with 
which the subject was identified until 1897. In the latter year Mr. Oaks 
severed his connection with the firm and began handling hardware and 
farm machinery, in which he soon built up an extensive business, being 
at this time one of the leading dealers in these lines in Hartford. Mr. 
Oaks carries a large and carefully selected stock of hardware, 
represents a number of the leading implement firms of the United States, 
and the steady growth of his establishment in public favor bears 
evidence to his ability, tact and resourcefulness as a business man. In 
politics he was originally a Republican, but of recent years he has 
affiliated with the Bryan wing of the Democratic party, and is now one 
of its earnest advocates and active supporters in the county of 
Minnehaha. Mr. Oaks is identified with the Odd Fellows fraternity, and 
stands high in the local lodge to which he belongs. He was married on 
March 23, 1883, to Miss Ida G. Marson, of Sioux Falls, and has a family 
of children whose names are as follows: Mabel, Cliff, Elma, Elsie, 
Marcene, Loraine, Lelia, Dorotha and Mildred.