William Henry Stokes Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1111 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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	WILLIAM HENRY STOKES was born in the town of Porter, Rock county, 
Wisconsin, on the 16th of May, 1845, being the son of Charles and Anna 
E. (Kimble) Stokes, the former of whom was born in Axbridge, 
Somersetshire, England, in 1812, while the latter was a native of 
Saugerties, New York, being of English and Dutch lineage. He was 
educated in the district schools in Wisconsin until the age of nineteen, 
finishing with one term in a select school at Mitchell, Mitchell county, 
Iowa. His early life was spent on the farm. His business life began May 
16, 1866. He was associated with his brothers in the sawmill and lumber 
business until the spring of 1872. From 1872 until the present time, 
1904, he has been interested with various parties in the milling 
business, ten years in Janesville, Waseca county, Minnesota, and the 
remainder of the time up to the present date in the milling and grain 
business at Watertown, South Dakota. At present he is president and 
manager of the W. H. Stokes Milling Company, while his son-in-law, F. E. 
Hawley, is the secretary and treasurer. 

	The old milling plant, built in 1882 at Watertown, South Dakota, 
was destroyed by fire March 13, 19O1, and the summer following the fire 
the present substantial mill and elevator plant was erected on the same 
site, business being resumed on December 19, 19O1. The W. H. Stokes 
Milling Company's mill and elevator are decidedly the largest and most 
modern in the state. The brick elevator and steel tanks have a capacity 
of one hundred and forty thousand bushels and are practically fireproof. 
The subject of this sketch has also been largely interested in farming, 
now owning and controlling something over five thousand acres of land, 
most of which is in Codington county, South Dakota. 

	W. H. Stokes is recognized as one of the leading business men of 
the state and at the present time is found worthy of having his name 
enrolled in the Financial Red Book of America for 1903 

	Mr. Stokes was married to Miss Elsie Minerva Grout on December 23, 
1872. She was born at York, Wisconsin, September 18, 1853, being the 
daughter of Leroy and Cordelia (Flower) Grout, the former of whom was 
born at Vermont and the latter in the state of New York. Nine children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stokes. Their names are: Ella Glencora, wife 
of F. E. Hawley; Gladys May, Maud Leonore, Alice Wilhelmena, Elsie 
Minerva, William Henry, Jr., Louisa Alcott, Anna Kimble and Philip 
Douglas, all of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Stokes and six of 
their children are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Stokes is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with the Kampeska 
Lodge, No. 13, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Watertown Chapter, No. 
12, Royal Arch Masons, and Watertown Commandery, No. 7, Knights Templar. 
He served as eminent commander of the commandery for two years. 

	Politically Mr. Stokes has always been a Republican, although he 
has never aspired to any political office or influence.