Abraham H. Dirks Biography


	This biography appears on pages 80-81 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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			ABRAHAM H. DIRKS.  

	Abraham E. Dirks, a representative and substantial citizen of 
Turner county and South Dakota, has served as postmaster of Marion 
since 1911 and has made a most commendable record in that connection. 
He was born in South Russia, of German parentage, on the 12th of May, 
1868, a son of Henry and Agnes Dirks, who emigrated to the United 
States in 1872 and located in Pennsylvania. Eight years later, in the 
spring of 1881, the family came to South Dakota, taking up a homestead 
claim in Turner county, where the father devoted his attention to 
agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. The mother 
of our subject is also deceased.  

	Abraham H. Dirks, who was a youth of twelve years when he came to 
this state with his parents, attended the public schools in the 
acquirement of an education and remained at home until he had attained 
his majority. He then removed to Marion and was here employed by Mr. 
Heib from the spring of 1889 until 1895. Subsequently he was engaged in 
the implement business until 1898 and then devoted his attention to 
banking and real estate interests until 1911. In that year he was 
appointed postmaster of Marion by President Taft for the term expiring 
in 1915 so that he is now the incumbent, discharging the duties 
devolving upon him in a most competent and satisfactory manner. He is 
likewise treasurer and director of the Hurley Telephone Company and 
widely recognized as a prosperous and enterprising citizen of the 
community,  

	On the 28th of September, 1895, Mr. Dirks was united in marriage 
to Miss Lucy Kolbe, a daughter of Albert Kolbe. They have three 
children, namely: Elma, Arthur and Lloyd.  

	Mr. Dirks is a democrat in politics and serves as chairman of the 
board of education, having ever been a helpful worker in the interests 
of the schools. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, 
while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and the Woodmen. The period of his residence in South Dakota 
covers more than a third of a century and during that time he has been 
not only an interested witness of its development but also an active 
participant in the work of progress and upbuilding. The circle of his 
friends is an extensive one, and his record well deserves a place in 
the annals of this state as he is one of its public-spirited, 
progressive and esteemed citizens.