Victor K. Stillwell Biography


	This biography appears on pages 868-869 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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	VICTOR K. STILLWELL, cashier and general executive manager of the 
Farmers' Bank of Alexandria, was born in Kilborn City, Columbia county, 
Wisconsin, on the 8th of December, 1856, a son of David and Melissa N. 
(Augir) Stillwell, to whom were born three children, namely: Arthur, 
who died in Alexandria, this state, on the 24th of February, 1882; 
Victor K., who is the subject of this sketch; and Wendell H., who is a 
division superintendent of the Illinois Central Railroad, with 
headquarters in the city of New Orleans. David Stillwell was born in 
the state of New Jersey, and as a boy accompanied his parents on their 
removal to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, where he was reared to manhood 
and was married. In 1855 he removed to Kilborn City, that state, where 
he purchased property. He was a man of versatility, and was employed in 
various mechanical pursuits, working in a sash and door factory, as an 
engineer and as a stone-mason, at different intervals, the last 
mentioned business constituting his principal vocation. He purchased 
and operated stone quarries near the town and as a stone-cutter did a 
large and profitable business. He died there, on the 24th of July, 
1883, at the age of fifty-eight years, honored by all who knew him. He 
was a staunch Republican in politics and was a member of the Freewill 
Baptist church, while he was strenuously opposed to secret societies of 
all descriptions. His widow, Melissa N. Stillwell, is now living at 
Alexandria, South Dakota.  

	Victor K. Stillwell, whose name initiates this article. was 
reared to maturity in his native town, and after availing himself of 
the advantages afforded in its public schools he continued his studies 
in Rochester Seminary, at Rochester, Wisconsin. At the age of eighteen 
he began teaching in the district schools, and he successfully 
continued to follow this vocation about twelve terms, giving his 
attention to farm work during the intervening summer vacations. In 
August, 1880, Mr. Stillwell, in company with his brother, Arthur N., 
came to South Dakota, both filing entry on homestead claims in Taylor 
township, Hanson county, where they took up their residence and 
inaugurated the work of improving and developing their farms. In 1881, 
our subject returned to Rochester, Wisconsin; where, on the 25th of 
May, of that year, he was united in marriage to Miss Eugenia A. Clark, 
daughter of Samuel Clark, a prominent citizen of that place. He soon 
afterward returned to his new home in South Dakota, being accompanied 
by his bride, who proved a true helpmeet to him during the days of his 
early experiences as a farmer in a new country. He continued to be 
engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock growing until February, 
1888, when he disposed of his farm and took up his residence in 
Alexandria, where he accepted a position in the Farmers' Bank. On the 
1st of January, 1891, he was made cashier of the institution and has 
since managed its business with consummate discrimination and ability. 
He is a Republican in his political proclivities, and in the 'eighties 
he served two years as county assessor, while he has also held the 
office of mayor of the town and been a member of its board of 
education, of which he was president for a time, also having been clerk 
of the board. In the fall of 1898 Mr. Stillwell was elected to 
represent his district in the state senate, and so acceptable was his 
work in that body that his constituents honored him with reelection in 
1900, his second term expiring December 31, 1902. He is a member of 
Alexandria Camp, No. 2956, Modern Woodmen of America, and of Alexandria 
Lodge, No. 11, Ancient Order of United Workmen. In the latter order he 
was for three years grand receiver of the grand lodge of the state, 
while in his local lodge he has held the offices of recorder, receiver 
and master workman. His religious faith is that of the Freewill Baptist 
church, but he is liberal in his views and has ever shown himself ready 
to aid all denominations in their work. Mr. And Mrs. Stillwell occupy a 
prominent position in the social life of the community and their 
attractive home is a center of refined hospitality. They are the 
parents of four children, namely Elmer W., who is a graduate of the 
State University of South Dakota, at Vermilion; Clarke H., who is a 
graduate of the Alexandria high school, being a member of a government 
surveying party in New Mexico at the time of this writing; Verna K., 
who is likewise a graduate of the high school; and Ellis D., who is 
still a student in the public schools.