John B. Uhrich Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1179-1180 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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	JOHN B. UHRICH is a native of Alsace, Germany, but since the year 
1868 has been an honored resident of South Dakota, consequently he can 
legitimately claim to be one of the old settlers of the state. Christian 
Uhrich, the subject's father, was a well-known teacher in Alsace and in 
addition to educational work, in which he spent twenty-four consecutive 
years, he was also employed for a considerable time in the office of the 
treasurer of state. He married in his native land Louisa Zabe, and in 
1866 came to America, settling in Genesee county, New York, thence two 
years later moved to Hutchinson county, South Dakota, where he took up 
land on which he spent the remainder of his days in retirement, dying in 
the year 1886, his companion departing this life in 1895. To Christian 
and Louisa Uhrich were born eight children, seven of whom are living, 
namely: Joseph, a farmer residing in Hutchinson county, South Dakota; 
John B., of this review; Reichart, of Yankton, this state; Madeline, 
Christine and Christian, also living in that city, and Victor, whose 
home is in Hutchinson county. Paul, the only member of the family 
deceased, was the seventh in order of birth. 

	John B. Uhrich spent his early life in his native country and grew 
up pretty much after the manner of the majority of lads in the 
fatherland. In 1865 he came to the United States and after spending the 
ensuing two years in Genesee county, New York, came to South Dakota and, 
in partnership with his brother Joseph, engaged in the draying business 
at Yankton. Two years later he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth 
Rapsch, a native of Bohemia, and shortly thereafter moved to Hutchinson 
county and entered a quarter section of land in township 99, range 59, 
in which he now lives and which under his labors and efficient 
management has been brought to a high state of cultivation and otherwise 
improved. Mr. Uhrich increased his real estate from time to time until 
his farm now contains five hundred acres of excellent land, in addition 
to which he recently gave two hundred acres to his son. He has about two 
hundred acres in cultivation and, in connection with general farming, 
devotes a great deal of attention to cattle, horses and hogs, having met 
with most encouraging success both as an agriculturist and a breeder and 
raiser of fine live stock. It is not too much to claim for Mr. Uhrich 
distinctive prestige as an enterprising farmer and public-spirited man 
of affairs. He is a friend of education and for a period of eighteen 
years was a member of the local school board, in addition to which he 
has also given his influence and support to all measures having for 
their object the moral and social, as well as the intellectual 
advancement of the community. 

	Politically Mr. Uhrich is a Republican, but he has steadily 
avoided position in partisan affairs and refrained from seeking the 
honors or emoluments of office. He and his estimable wife have a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances and their pleasant home is the abode 
of an openhearted hospitality. Mr. and Mrs. Uhrich have a family of four 
children, the oldest of whom, Victor A., married Tillie Harnisch and 
lives on the home farm; Rehard, the third in order of birth, is the wife 
of Charles Peshak, of Spokane, Washington, a tinner by trade; Joseph 
married Mary Stoberal and lives at Petersburg, Virginia, and Louisa, the 
youngest of the number, is still with her parents.