Joseph J. Stehly Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1765-1766 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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	JOSEPH J. STEHLY, of Hecla, Brown county, is a native of Lakeville, 
Dakota county, Minnesota, and a representative of one of the honored 
pioneer families of that state. He was born on the 3d of September, 
1860, and is a son of John and Mary Stehly, the former of whom was born 
in Manheim, Baden, Germany, whence he immigrated to America when a young 
man, taking up his residence in Minnesota, where he turned his attention 
to farming, having been one of the early settlers of Dakota county, 
where he remained until the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, when 
he showed his loyalty to the land of his adoption by enlisting as a 
member of Company K, Third Minnesota Volunteer Cavalry, with which he 
served until the time of his death, which occurred on the 28th of 
August, 1864, at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as the result of hardships 
endured while in the army. His wife survived him by many years, her 
death occurring in 1880, while their three children survive them. The 
father was but thirty-four years of age at the time of his death.

	The subject was reared on the homestead farm and secured his early 
educational discipline in the public schools of Minnesota. He continued 
to be identified with the work and management of the homestead until 
1884, when he entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, 
becoming a skilled artisan in the line and following his trade in 
Minnesota until 1888, when he came to South Dakota, locating in the 
village of Hecla on the 30th of May of that year. Here he found ample 
demand upon his services as a contractor and builder, and in July, 1888, 
he purchased a half interest in a local furniture establishment, being 
associated in the enterprise with Fred Rock, under the firm name of Rock 
& Stehly. In 1890 the firm purchased the lumber yard of the town and 
continued to conduct both enterprises until January 20, 1892, when the 
partnership was dissolved and our subject secured the lumber business as 
his share. He has since conducted this most successfully, his trade 
being exceptionally large for a town of the size and this fact indicates 
that he is specially energetic, progressive and straightforward in his 
methods, his annual transactions reaching a large aggregate. As he is a 
thorough mechanic and an excellent judge of material, he is able to dis-
criminate in the selection and care of stock, and this fact is 
appreciated by his patrons. He also carries a full line of builders' 
materials, including paints, glass, special hardware demanded in the 
line, etc. He is also the owner of a considerable amount of good farming 
land in the county, and has in the town an attractive modern residence, 
located in the vicinity of his lumber yards. Fraternally he holds 
membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and his wife belong 
to the Roman Catholic church.

	On the 12th of January, 1891, Mr. Stehly was united in marriage to 
Miss Katie Dietrich, who was born in Germany, whence she came to America 
with her parents when a child, being reared and educated in Iowa. Mr. and 
Mrs. Stehly have six children, namely: Nicholas J., Michael W., Mary C., 
Frank J., Theodore H. and Leo P.