George Holmes Bronte Biography


	This biography appears on pages 231-232 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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			GEORGE HOLMES BRONTE.  

	George Holmes Bronte, a capitalist and pioneer resident of 
Pierre, has been connected with the capital city for almost a third of 
a century, having taken up his abode there in 1882. England claims him 
as a native son, his birth having occurred in Yorkshire, December 18, 
1851, his parents being Robert and Maria (Holmes) Bronte. The father, 
who was a saddlery and harness manufacturer, died when his son George 
H. was but a year and a half old. The latter attended the common 
schools of his native county and at the age of seventeen years ran away 
from home, taking passage to New Zealand, where he remained for about a 
year and a half at Christ Church. He later went to New South Wales, 
Australia, where through the succeeding three or four years he followed 
the business of a trader among the sheep camps. In 1874 he returned to 
England on a visit but again he heard and heeded the call of the west 
and the following year came to America, intending to cross the country 
on a return trip to Australia, thus completing a journey around the 
world. However, while visiting an aunt he formed the acquaintance of 
Miss Jennie E. Daubner, and this circumstance led to his becoming an 
American citizen. He sought the lady's hand in marriage and in October. 
1875, the wedding ceremony was celebrated at the home of her parents, 
Joseph and Rebecca (Holmes) Daubner, of Brookfield, Wisconsin.  

Not long afterward Mr. Bronte purchased a farm near Toledo, Ohio, where 
he resided until 1882, when he came to Dakota territory, locating at 
Pierre. The following year he returned to Ohio for his family. He began 
investing and dealing in city property and his keen sagacity was 
displayed in the success which attended his undertakings in that 
direction. His ability also lead to his selection for various public 
offices, and he served as commissioner of streets, city marshal, 
justice of the peace and member of the board of education. In all of 
these different capacities he rendered valuable service and his 
effective efforts were seen in the city's progress and improvement. He 
was one of the most prominent and efficient workers in the entire 
campaign for the location of the capital at Pierre and to him no small 
credit is due for the fact that that city became the center of state 
government. He was one of the first to select the north side as a place 
in which to build a home and has lived to see this become the finest 
residence district of the city.  

	In 1893 he removed to Chicago, where he entered the real-estate 
business and later he became interested in the manufacture and sale of 
duplicating machines. He was appointed western sales manager of the 
Neostyle Company, having the sales management for a large group of 
western states. In connection with his son, Loron H. Bronte, he became 
a large stockholder and was elected one of the directors of the South 
Side Savings Bank of Chicago. He is still interested to a considerable 
extent in real estate in that city, but in 1907 he retired from active 
business and returned to Pierre to reside permanently, devoting his 
time to the care of his various private interests.  

	In 1907 Mr. Bronte was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, 
who passed away on the 17th of March of that year, and their only son, 
Loron H., met a tragic death by drowning on the 17th of October, 1913. 
On the 1st of January 1914, Mr. Bronte wedded Mrs. Florence J. Daubner, 
of Waukesha, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Bronte recently purchased a home 
in Pierre, beautifully located on the heights on the north side of the 
city. 

	Mr. Bronte belongs to Pierre Lodge, No. 17, A. F. & A. M.; to 
Pierre Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M., to which he demitted from Normal Park 
Chapter, No. 210, of Chicago; and Pierre Commandery, No. 21, K. T. 
Motoring and travel, both in America and abroad, constitute his chief 
recreation. Although largely deprived of educational advantages in his 
youth, extensive reading, travel and contact with the world have made 
him an exceptionally well informed man with broad and enlightened views 
of life, its opportunities, possibilities and purposes. Industry, 
conservation of his resources, good business judgment and a close 
conformity to the highest ethics of commercial transactions have been 
the salient factors in his growing success and prosperity, while his 
individual worth has made him one of Pierre's most prominent citizens.