Marwood R. Baskerville Biography


	This biography appears on pages 92-93 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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			MARWOOD R. BASKERVILLE.  

	Marwood R. Baskerville, residing in Watertown, has gained for 
himself an enviable position in business circles through the possession 
of the qualities of industry, initiative and integrity. He has been 
identified with various enterprises and business concerns which have 
contributed largely to the upbuilding of the city and he is now the 
president of the Watertown Gas & Light Company. His birth occurred in 
Delaware county, Iowa, on the 16th of July, 1861, his parents being the 
Rev. Job and Grace (Caldwell) Baskerville, both of whom were natives of 
Devonshire, England, where they were reared and married. About 1848 
they came to America, making their way at once to Delaware county, 
Iowa, where they settled upon a farm, the father there engaging in 
agricultural pursuits for a long period. He was also an ordained 
minister of the United Brethren church and occasionally filled the 
pulpit for other ministers, but never held any regular pastorate after 
coming to this country. He died in Delaware county at the advanced age 
of eighty-four years, while his wife passed away at the age of eighty-
two years.  

	Marwood R. Baskerville was reared under the parental roof, with 
the usual experiences of the farm lad. His early education was obtained 
in the public and high schools of Earlville, Iowa, and later he 
attended the Western College of Cedar Rapids and Epworth Seminary at 
Epworth, Iowa. He also pursued a commercial course in Bayless Business 
College at Dubuque and following the completion of his student days he 
secured a position as bookkeeper in the Chamberlain Plow Works at 
Dubuque, in which capacity he continued for three years or more. He 
next went to Winona, Minnesota, as business manager of the Winona Plow 
Company and acted in that capacity for three years. On the 1st of May, 
1888, he arrived in Watertown and has since been closely and 
prominently connected with the commercial and industrial development 
and upbuilding of the city. He established an implement business soon 
after his arrival and has since been prominently identified with that 
line, building up a trade of large and gratifying proportions. His 
business methods are thoroughly reliable, his energy unfaltering and 
his initiative has carried him beyond a point where a less venturesome 
man would go. In all things, however, his actions have been guided by 
sound judgment and a keen sagacity that has permitted no false steps In 
1907 he was the principal factor in the organization of the Baskerville 
& Rowe Wholesale Grocery Company, which opened its doors for business 
on the 1st of January, 1908. For five years Mr. Baskerville remained as 
president of the company, which in 1913 sold out to the Winslow & 
Griffin Company, Mr. Baskerville then severing his connection with the 
business. In 1906 he was one of four who organized the Watertown Gas & 
Light Company, which was incorporated and which owns and controls the 
gas system of the city. He is president of that company and is also a 
stockholder and director of the Citizens National Bank. In connection 
with his sale of farm implements he does an extensive business in the 
sale of automobiles. He is today one of the prosperous residents of 
Watertown and what he has accomplished represents the fit utilization 
of the innate powers and business talents which are his. In addition to 
his other interests he is a heavy investor in farm lands in Codington 
county.  

	In his political views Mr. Baskerville has long been a stalwart 
republican and for a number of years he has been recognized as one of 
the dominant factors in shaping the policy of the party in this 
locality. While never seeking public office, he has worked untiringly 
for his friends and for the adoption of party principles and he has 
served as a member of the republican state central committee and as 
chairman of the county central committee at different times. In fact, 
his opinions carry great weight in the councils of his party and he 
enjoys a state-wide reputation in connection with his political 
activity, While he has never been an aspirant for office, his fellow 
townsmen have urged upon him the duty of serving them in public 
positions and for two terms, beginning in 1904, he was mayor of 
Watertown. His administration was most businesslike and utility and 
progress were the dominant features of his official record.  

	On the 28th of November, 1895, Mr. Baskerville wedded Miss 
Harriett Lord Fahnestock, of Watertown, a native of Gettysburg, 
Pennsylvania, who in 1887 came to this state with her father, Henry 
Fahnestock, who is now deceased but for some years was widely and 
favorably known among the business men of the city. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Baskerville have been born two children, Henry Marwood and Walter 
Gregory.  

	In fraternal circles Mr. Baskerville is well known, holding 
membership in Watertown Lodge, No. 838, B. P. O. E., of which he has 
served as exalted ruler. He was the principal factor in bringing about 
the erection of the lodge building in 1908, Watertown now having one of 
the finest Elks homes of the. state. In recognition of his part in this 
undertaking Mr. Baskerville was elected a life member of the lodge and 
presented with a beautiful gold card of life membership. In Masonry he 
is equally prominent, belonging to Kampeska Lodge, No, 13, A. F. & A. 
M.; Watertown Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M.; Watertown Commandery, No. 7, 
K. T.; Watertown Consistory, A. & A. S. R.; and Yelduz Temple, A. A. O. 
N. M. S., of Aberdeen. He also has membership in Trishocotyn Lodge, No. 
17, K. P., in the Minneapolis Athletic Club and the Watertown Country 
Club --connections which indicate his social nature, while his 
geniality and cordiality have made him popular in those organizations. 
In the midst of a most active and busy life Mr. Baskerville has never 
neglected his religious duties and he and his wife are valued and 
zealous members of the Episcopal church, For the past three years he 
has served as superintendent of its Sunday school. His position is 
established by the consensus of public opinion, which places him in the 
foremost rank among the business men and citizens of Watertown.