George S. Rix Biography

	This biography appears on pages 1040-1041 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	A photo of Mr. Rix appears facing page 1040.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
	organizations for their private use. 

	Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval 
	system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other 
	means requires the written approval of the file's author.



	GEORGE S. RIX, the present city attorney of Milbank, Grant county, 
is a native of the state of Minnesota having been born in Spring Valley, 
Fillmore county, on January 26, 1869, and is a son of Porter N. and Emma 
(Winters) Rix, the former of whom was born in Canada, and the latter in 
England. Porter N. accompanied his parents on their removal to Wisconsin 
when a small boy, and he was reared to manhood in that state, whence, 
about 1860, he removed to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he became a 
prominent and successful farmer and stockgrower, devoting special 
attention to the raising of fine horses and high-grade cattle. He was 
one of a large family of boys, and nearly all of them have been more or 
less prominent in politics and other affairs of a public nature.  

	George S. Rix was graduated in the high school of Spring Valley as 
valedictorian of the class of 1889. He was then matriculated in the law 
department of the University of Wisconsin, from which celebrated 
institution he was graduated in 1891, with the degree of Bachelor of 
Laws, while he was simultaneously admitted to the bar. Upon the opening 
of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Indian reservation, in April, 1892, he took up 
his residence on a claim near Brown's Valley, Minnesota, where he 
remained about one year, until the 1st of January, 1893, when he came to 
Milbank, where he entered into professional partnership with the late 
John W. Bell, under the firm name of Bell & Rix. They were associated in 
practice about one and one-half years, since when Mr. Rix has conducted 
an individual practice, retaining a representative clientage and having 
gained marked priority. Mr. Rix early developed oratorical and dialectic 
skill and thus laid an excellent foundation for comprehensive knowledge 
of parliamentary law. His first speech given outside the lyceum or 
school was made in the Methodist Episcopal church of his native town on 
the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the inauguration of George 
Washington to the presidency, and his success was such that he soon 
found himself much in demand as a speaker on public occasions. He has 
continued to appear as a speaker on matters of public polity, political 
affairs, patriotic observances, etc. During the campaign of 1900, while 
a law student, his services were given to the Democratic party at 
various places in Wisconsin. However, he became convinced that the 
principles for which the Republican party stands sponsor most nearly 
represent the highest interests of the people, and he signalized his 
conviction by transferring his allegiance to the "grand old party," in 
whose cause he has ever since been an enthusiastic and active worker. In 
1892, while a resident of Roberts county, he was a delegate to the 
Republican state convention, as was he also from Grant county in 1896, 
while in 1896 he became a member of the Republican state central 
committee, in which capacity he served two years. In 1896 he was elected 
state's attorney of Grant county, continuing incumbent of this position 
two terms and making an admirable record as a prosecutor.  He has served 
as city attorney since 1902.  Fraternally he is identified with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, in the 
former of which he has passed all the official chairs in his lodge.  He 
and his wife are valued members of the First Congregational church, 
taking an active interest in the various departments of its work.  They 
have an attractive home on Fourth street, and he is also the owner of 
other residence property in Milbank.

	On Christmas day of the year i895 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Rix 
to Miss Maud C. Nash, who was born and reared at Cherry Grove, 
Minnesota, being a daughter of I. H. Nash, an old and honored resident 
of that section.  Mr. and Mrs. Rix have one child, Doris C.