Walter B. Saunders Biobraphy


	This biography appears on page 691 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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	WALTER B. SAUNDERS. - Among the enterprising men whose business 
careers have been closely identified with the financial interests and 
material development of Grant county, the name of Walter B. Saunders, 
cashier of the Merchants' Bank of Milbank, stands out clear and distinct. 
Preeminently a progressive man, and as such deeply interested in 
everything relating to the advancement of his adopted city and county, 
he fills no insignificant place in public esteem, but on the contrary 
enjoys worthy prestige in business circles and has won much more than 
local repute as an able and far seeing financier. Mr. Saunders was born 
in Cattaraugus county, New York, May 13, 1859, and is one of two 
children constituting the family of Nelson and Maria (McCoy) Saunders, 
both natives of the Empire state. The father, who was for many years 
one of the most distinguished physicians and surgeons of western New 
York, died in the year 1896, the mother having preceded him to the 
other world, departing this life in 1875. Grace Saunders, the only 
sister, married a gentleman by the name of A. D. Hapgood, and died in 
1885, leaving two sons, Karl and Chester.  

	Walter B. Saunders was reared in his native state, and received 
his education in Chamberlain Institute at Randolph, being graduated 
from that institution with the class of 1876. His first experience in 
practical life was as a clerk in a bank at Randolph, but after a short 
time he was made assistant cashier, the duties of which position he 
discharged until 1882. In July of that year he came to Milbank, and, in 
partnership with A. C. Dodge, organized a private bank, of which he was 
made cashier. Subsequently, in 1901, the institution was incorporated a 
state bank, and as such it has since continued, its history presenting 
continued success. Mr. Saunders holds the position of cashier and to 
his practical knowledge of banking and thorough acquaintance with 
finance is largely due the credit of making the enterprise one of the 
strongest and most popular local monetary institutions. Mr. Saunders 
has large real estate and live stock interests in Grant county, to 
which he devotes considerable attention, making a specialty of graded 
Durham cattle, in the raising of which his success has been most 
encouraging. He also owns valuable property in New York. He is a man of 
fine intellectual ability, a careful and discriminating reader, and 
being public-spirited, keeps himself well informed upon the leading 
questions and political issues of the times. Since coming to Milbank, 
he has been an influential factor in the affairs of the city, served 
four years as mayor and for a period of thirteen years has been a 
member of the common council. In that body he has been instrumental in 
bringing about much important municipal legislation, standing for 
progress and improvement within the legitimate bounds. Mr. Saunders is 
one of the three Louisiana Purchase Centennial Exposition commissioners 
from this state, and is president of the commission.   

	Mr. Saunders is a prominent Knight Templar Mason, and is also a 
member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.  

	Mr. Saunders, on the 25th of May, 1884, was married in his native 
state to Miss Kate Crowley, whose father, Addison Crowley, was a 
prominent citizen and for many years a leading and prosperous business 
man of Cattaraugus county. He dealt largely in lumber and real estate, 
conducted for a long term of years a successful mercantile 
establishment and at one time served as sheriff, having always been 
prominent in public affairs. To Mr. and Mrs. Saunders have been born 
four children, Phil, a student in Northville College; Corinne, 
attending school at St. Mary's Hall, Faribault, Minnesota; Lewis and 
Earl M. Mr. Saunders subscribes to the Episcopal faith, he and wife 
being active members of the church. Socially they are popular and their 
home is one of the centers of culture and refined influence in the city 
of Milbank.