Samuel T. Voorhees Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1295-1296 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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	SAMUEL T. VOORHEES was born on October 5, 1851 at Irvington, New 
Jersey, and there he remained until he reached the age of eighteen and 
received his education. In 1869 he moved to Indiana and the next spring 
to Coles county, Illinois, where he was engaged in the lumber business 
for three years. In 1873 he came farther west to Nebraska, and, getting 
together an outfit for the purpose, he went with others hunting 
buffaloes in Texas, being on this trip until the fall of 1875. He then 
came to the Loop river country and hunted deer during the winter. In 
1876 he moved into the Black Hills, journeying through a section full of 
hostile Indians, and coming through Custer City, which then consisted of 
a few tents and rude shacks. He arrived here in March with one 
companion, and they hunted through the Hills, being in search of elks 
and deer for the most part, selling their meat at the mining camps and 
later disposing of the skins. They also did some prospecting and, being 
pleased with the country, they returned to Nebraska in the fall for 
supplies, and after wintering in that state, returned to the Hills in 
the spring with a large outfit and party, coming by way of Buffalo Gap 
on what is known as the old Kearney trail. They located at Crook City 
and in March Mr. Voorhees settled on Oak Grove ranch at the head of 
Spring creek, four miles from Sturgis. Here he engaged in the stock 
business and also conducted a road house, his location being on the main 
trail from Lincoln, Sidney and Pierre, and one of the principal camping 
places on this end of the road. In 1877 the settlement was attacked by 
Indians, but the whites escaped without loss. Mr. Voorhees was the first 
settler between Rapid City and Sturgis except one, and saw the country 
in all its native wildness. He remained on his ranch raising stock until 
1886, frequently making trips to Minnesota to buy cattle. In the fall of 
1878 he brought in the material for the erection of a building on the 
site of the present town of Sturgis, this being the first building 
within the present limits of the town, which had just then been laid 
out. In 1885 he placed his ranch in charge of a manager and opened a 
flour and feed store at Sturgis, handling also wagons and farm 
implements. Some little time afterward he contracted with the government 
to furnish supplies to Fort Meade, and in 1888 opened a hardware store 
in a brick building where his present business is conducted. He also 
built the first large warehouse in this section and occupied himself in 
forwarding freight to Deadwood in connection with his other business. He 
owned several freighting outfits which were always kept busy. In 1889 he 
enlarged his business and also his store to accommodate it, adding 
furniture and undertaking departments. During the first two years of his 
mercantile career at this point he was in partnership with a Mr. Miller, 
but since the dissolution of this partnership he has been alone. 
Adjoining the large and modern store he now occupies, the old storehouse 
he first used is still standing. Keeping pace in business with the 
progress and requirements of the country, in 1896 Mr. Voorhees opened a 
general store at Galena, which he placed in charge of a manager and 
which he still owns. In 1899 he built and equipped a cyanide plant on 
Whitewood creek four miles from Deadwood. In this enterprise he has a 
partner. They work over tailings with good results and the undertaking 
has been very profitable. In 1902 he sold his ranch, having previously 
sold his cattle, but is still interested in raising and handling horses, 
and since 1897 he has been interested in mining around Galena. He owns 
considerable property in Sturgis and has always been deeply and 
intelligently concerned for the welfare and advancement of the town. He 
is an ardent Republican in politics and is earnest and effective in the 
service of his party, but he has never consented to accept office of any 
kind. Being an active member of the Modern Woodmen of America, he has 
risen to prominence in the order and holds a state office in its 
organization. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. 

	On April 8, 1888, Mr. Voorhees was married at Sturgis to Miss 
Catherine Miller, who died in December of the same year, leaving one 
child, Harry. On December 25, 1890, also at Sturgis, Mr. Voorhees 
married a second wife, Miss Dana Eveleth, a native of Boston, 
Massachusetts.