Theodore William Dwight Biography


	This biography appears on pages 519-520 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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				HON. THEODORE WILLIAM DWIGHT.  

	Hon. Theodore William Dwight, conducting a real-estate, loan and 
insurance business as a member of the firm of Knowles, Dwight &; 
Toohey, has achieved a creditable measure of success in business 
circles and at the same time has become a prominent representative of 
political interests and activity in the state, being one of the 
recognized leaders of the republican party in South Dakota. He makes 
his home in Sioux Falls, to which city he removed in 1901. Wisconsin 
claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in the town of 
Oregon, Dane county, March 12, 1865. His parents were Edward Wolsey and 
Elizabeth (Foote) Dwight, both of whom were natives of New York and 
representatives of prominent old American families. The grandfather, 
Benjamin Dwight, was likewise a native of New York and the direct 
descendant of Rev. Timothy Dwight. D. D. one of the early presidents of 
Yale College, and of Rev. Jonathan Edwards, the eminent divine of New 
England in colonial days.  

	The common schools afforded Theodore W. Dwight his early 
educational opportunities. He attended the high school at Evansville, 
Wisconsin, and afterward entered the high school at Red Wing, 
Minnesota, from which he was graduated with the class of 1885. 

	He then went to Brooklyn, Wisconsin, where he secured a clerkship 
in a general store, thus receiving his initial business training, and 
in 1888, when twenty-three years of age, he came to South Dakota, 
settling at Bridgewater, McCook county; where he opened a general 
store. He was not long in building up a good trade and there he 
continued ill active business until 1901, when he removed to Sioux 
Falls. His stock of goods, however, was removed to Emery, South Dakota, 
and Mr. Dwight took in a partner, who has charge of the business there. 
On moving to Sioux Falls Mr. Dwight embarked in the wholesale 
confectionery business, in which he continued for three years as 
secretary and treasurer of the Anthony-Dwight Company, which was 
incorporated under the laws of the state. This business also grew and 
developed along substantial lines, becoming one of the important 
commercial enterprises of the city. After three years Mr. Dwight sold 
out and turned his attention to the insurance, real-estate and loan 
business, forming a partnership with E. F. Knowles, while later C. T. 
Toohey was admitted under the present firm style of Knowles, Dwight & 
Toohey. Mr. Dwight is a man of determined spirit, carrying forward to 
successful completion whatever he undertakes and his well formulated 
plans have brought him a substantial measure of prosperity.  

	On the 20th of August, 1889, at Red Wing, Minnesota, Mr. Dwight 
was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Brink, a daughter of Charles 
R. Brink, who was a soldier of the Civil war. They have two children: 
Helen, born February 6, 1895; and Edward Brink, born November 24, 1899.  

	The parents hold membership in the Presbyterian church  and Mr. 
Dwight is connected with several fraternal and social organizations. He 
is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen 
and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is secretary of the 
Sons of the American Revolution of South Dakota and he belongs to the 
Country Club. His political allegiance has always been given the 
republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise 
and he is an active worker in party ranks. Appreciation of his service 
and capability came to him in 1899 in his election to the state 
legislature and he is now a member and vice president of the state 
board of regents, his term to continue to 1915. He was treasurer of the 
republican state central committee during the campaigns of 1908 and 
1910 and his powers of organization came into good play in this 
connection. In 1913 he was president of the Commercial Club and he has 
been an interested and helpful factor in all that pertains to municipal 
welfare as well as general progress. He looks at life from the 
standpoint of an enterprising, progressive man who recognizes the 
duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship.