Samuel W. Oviatt Biography


	This biography appears on page 1899-1900 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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	SAMUEL W. OVIATT, one of the venerable and honored pioneer 
citizens of Beadle county, is a native of the old Buckeye state, having 
been born on the old homestead farm in Trumbull county, Ohio, and being 
a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of that state. 
He was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm and his educational 
advantages were such as were afforded in the common schools of the 
locality and period. About the time of the outbreak of the war of the 
Rebellion he removed with his family to Minnesota, where he continued 
to be engaged actively in farming until his change of residence to 
South Dakota. He changed his allegiance from the Whig to the Republican 
party, and is a staunch advocate of the principles of the latter. While 
a resident of Minnesota he served with marked ability in the office of 
justice of the peace. He and his family are members of the Baptist 
church, whose faith he has held from early youth, and he has long been 
identified with the Independent Order of Good Templars, being a staunch 
friend of the temperance cause.

	Mr. Oviatt was united in marriage to Miss Julia Salisbury, who, 
like himself, was born and reared in Ohio, and they have had six 
children.