Thomas H. Pritchard Biography


	This biography appears on pages 913-914 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	THOMAS H. PRITCHARD, proprietor of the Watertown Marble and 
Granite Works, is a native of Wales, having been born on the 31st of 
July, 1857, and being a son of Hugh and Ellen (Barrette) Pritchard, the 
former of whom was born in Wales and the latter in France. The father 
of the subject was a farmer by vocation and both he and his wife 
continued to reside in Wales until their death.  

	The subject secured his educational training in the excellent 
schools of his native land, and after leaving school, in 1872, he came 
to the United States, locating in the state of Wisconsin, where he was 
variously employed for the first two years, at the expiration of which, 
in 1874, he entered upon an apprenticeship at the trade of marble 
cutting, in Evansville, Wisconsin, while he was thereafter employed at 
his trade in that town and also in the city of Chicago. In 1877 he 
engaged in the marble business in Evansville, on his own 
responsibility, and there continued operations in the line until 1882, 
when he disposed of the business and came to Watertown, South Dakota, 
arriving in the spring of that year and establishing the first marble 
and granite shop in the town, and one of the first in the state, it 
being now the oldest in the state. He began business upon a modest 
scale, but by perseverance, energy and good management, as combined 
with his distinctive skill in the work of his trade, he has built up a 
large and flourishing business, securing his patronage from a wide 
radius of territory, while his well equipped establishment is located 
on the corner of Dakota avenue and Elm street. He keeps a corps of 
experienced workmen employed throughout the year, and the work turned 
out is of the highest grade of excellence, the business reputation of 
our subject being unassailable. He ships work into the most diverse 
sections of North and South Dakota, as well as into Minnesota and Iowa, 
and his business is constantly expanding in scope and importance. It 
should be noted that Mr. Pritchard is one of the pioneers of the state, 
since he came here as early as 1878 and took up government land in 
Codington county, eventually perfecting his title to the same and 
passing a considerable portion of his time here prior to taking up his 
permanent residence in Watertown, in 1882. In politics he is arrayed as 
a supporter of the Republican party, and both he and his wife are 
members of the Episcopal church. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed the various 
official chairs in his lodge, while he was a delegate to the grand 
lodge of the state in 1902 and 1903, and he is also affiliated with the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, and the Modern Woodmen of America.  

	In Evansville, Wisconsin, on the 28th of September, 1878, was 
solemnized the marriage of Mr. Pritchard to Miss Blanche Lovejoy, who 
was born and reared in Wisconsin, being a daughter of Captain William 
C. and Harriet M. Lovejoy, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. 
Pritchard have four children, Ethel E., who has an art studio in 
Watertown, and Lyle H., Winifred M. and Sybil L., who remain at the 
attractive family home, which is located on the corner of Oak street 
and Washington avenue.