Julius Deetken Biography This biography appears on pages 678-681 in "History of Dakota Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm JULIUS DEETKEN. Julius Deetken passed away in Deadwood on the 19th of April, 1915. He had been continuously engaged in the drug business in Deadwood since 1876 and was therefore one of the oldest merchants in years of continuous connection with the business interests of that city. His plans were well formulated and carried to successful completion as the result of his enterprise and close application. He was born near Heidelberg, in Baden, Germany, October 27, 1844, a son of Leonard and Julia (Bender) Deetken, who were also natives of the fatherland. The former was a minister of the Lutheran Evangelical church. Julius Deetken was the youngest of six children, three sons and three daughters He was only about six years of age when his mother died. He attended school in Germany, becoming a pupil in a preparatory school in Wertheim after attending the public schools in his home town. It was his intention to prepare for the ministry of the Lutheran Evangelical church but owing to his father's death he was compelled to abandon his preparations for that holy calling. When seventeen years of age he entered upon a three years' apprenticeship in a pharmacy and at twenty years he began clerking in a pharmacy, spending three years in that way. In the fall of 1867 he bade adieu to friends and fatherland and sailed for the new world. All three of the sons came to the United States but the three daughters remained in Germany. Julius Deetken settled first at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he clerked in drug stores For a year he was in Omaha, Nebraska, and in 1869 went to Deer Lodge, Montana, where he also spent a year as clerk in a drug store He could not speak English when he came to the new world but his experience as a salesman enabled him to acquaint himself with the language of the country. He afterward returned to Council Bluffs, where he engaged in business with a brother from 1870 until 1876. In the latter year he came to the Black Hills by way of Cheyenne, walking most of the way in company with those who were driving freighting teams. By way of Fort Laramie he proceeded to Custer, where he arrived on the last day of April, 1876, having engaged in an encounter with the Indians the day before. He camped at Custer, waiting for his goods, which were delayed by the Indians. Upon the arrival of his goods he packed them and made his way to Deadwood, where he resided continuously from May, 1876, until his demise. He opened the first exclusive drug store in the town, starting in a log store about a block below his subsequent place of business. He continued in that place for about six or eight months and in November, 1876, consolidated his interests with those of E. C. Bent, who had gone to Deadwood and was engaged in the same line of business. This firm existed for twelve years, under the style of Bent & Deetken, and on the expiration of that period Mr. Deetken purchased his partner's interest and afterward continued the business alone, carrying a full line of drugs and druggists' sundries. His store was large and well appointed and the integrity and enterprise of his business methods were salient features in his growing success. He was honored by being chosen president of the Pharmaceutical Association of South Dakota, which office he held in 1909 and 1910. At different times he was connected with mining interests and with the banking business and he was one of the organizers of the First National Bank. In November, 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Deetken and Miss Genevieve Maxwell, who was born in Kansas City, Missouri, a daughter of Thomas and Martha (Hiltibidal) Maxwell, the former of French and Scotch descent and the latter of German lineage, although both parents were American born. In early life the father followed farming but he and his wife now reside in Kansas City. Mr. anti Mrs. Deetken became the parents of two children: Albert M., who was graduated from the Creighton College of Pharmacy; and Martha C., who is now attending school in Galesburg, Illinois. Mr. Deetken was a member and the secretary of the Black Hills Pioneer Society and was regarded as one of its most valued representatives. He acted as its secretary for twelve years and he enjoyed in the fullest measure the esteem and love of the members of that organization. To him, more than to any other, is due credit for the erection of the monument to the Rev. Henry Weston Smith. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party but was never a politician in the sense of office seeking. He attended the Congregational church and upright, honorable principles ever guided his life and shaped his conduct in relation to his fellowmen. He embraced the opportunities which came to him in a business way and earnest, unremitting labor was the foundation of his success He was familiar with all the phases of pioneer life and few there are who could give a more intimate and accurate description of the conditions which existed here in an early day and of the activities which have led to the upbuilding of the Black Hills district. At length, when he had reached the age of seventy years, five months and nineteen days his life's labors were ended by death. To his family he was a devoted husband and father, to his associates a faithful friend and to the district in which he lived a loyal and public-spirited citizen. The many sterling traits which he displayed endeared him to all, so that his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.