William F. Berens Biography


	This biography appears on pages 987-988 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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				WILLIAM F. BERENS. 

	William F. Berens, editor and owner of the Worthing Enterprise of 
Worthing, Lincoln county, is recognized not only as an able journalist 
but also as a public-spirited citizen. He was born in Perry township, 
Lincoln county, on the 3Ist of March, 1892, and is a son of Frank and 
Jessie (Sabin) Berens. The father removed to South Dakota in 1884 and 
settled north of Lennox upon a farm, which he operated continuously for 
twenty years. While engaged in agricultural pursuits he met his future 
wife, who was a daughter of George Sabin, one of the first settlers of 
that section and who homesteaded land there in the early days. Previous 
to his demise, which occurred in 1905, Mr. Berens was engaged in the 
newspaper business in Irene and Humboldt. His wife died in 1896. 

	William F. Berens was educated in the high school of Lennox and 
made an unusual record. when but nine years of age he began to learn 
the printing business and at the age of sixteen purchased the Worthing 
Enterprise, becoming the youngest newspaper owner and editor in the 
state. He has gained a gratifying measure of success in his venture and 
has increased the circulation of his paper four times, even though the 
population of the town has decreased. The paper now has six hundred 
subscribers. He does all of the work of the office, being at once 
printer, editor and business manager, and is very efficient in the 
discharge of his varied duties. His plant is well equipped and the 
typographical work is well done. The paper, which is a weekly, is 
absolutely independent in politics and is at the forefront in 
advocating improvements in the community. Worthing has the distinction 
of shipping more grain than any other town on the Milwaukee system and 
there are six large elevators in the town. 

	Mr. Berens was married on the 9th of January, 1913, to Miss Laura 
Donahue, a daughter of Roger O. Donahue, who was very prominent in 
public affairs in the state. He served twice in the legislature and 
proved a valuable member of that body. Mr. and Mrs. Berens have a son, 
Joseph. 

	Mr. Berens is a Catholic in his religious faith and fraternally 
is connected with Marquette Council, K. C., at Sioux Falls. He is very 
fond of outdoor life and finds a great deal of pleasure and needed 
recreation in an occasional outing. However, his work as editor and 
business manager of the Enterprise makes heavy demands upon his time 
and leaves him little opportunity for vacations. He has passed his 
entire life in Lincoln county and the fact that those who have known 
him from boyhood hold him in high esteem is proof of his integrity and 
uprightness.