John P. Everett Biography


	This biography appears on pages 290-291 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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				JOHN P. EVERETT.  

	John P. Everett, of Sturgis, member of the bar and county judge 
of Meade county, was born at Lyons, Nebraska, February 18, 1879, a son 
of Ben W. and Elise (Graut) Everett. The father, who was born in Maine 
in September, 1838, devoted his entire life to farming. His wife was 
born in New York in August, 1838, and in 1861 they removed westward to 
Iowa, while in 1866 they became residents of Nebraska, securing a 
homestead claim at Lyons. Mr. Everett still resides upon part of that 
claim, but turned his attention from agricultural pursuits to banking, 
in which he was engaged, for many years. He is now practically living 
retired, although he is still a landowner in that state, his previous 
success being sufficient to enable him to rest from further business 
labors. He has become recognized as a man of prominence and influence 
in his community, has held various local and county offices, and in 
1886 served in the Nebraska legislature.  

	In a family of six children Judge Everett was the fifth in order 
of birth, and his home training developed in him traits of character 
which throughout his later years have awakened high regard and respect. 
He attended the high school of Lyons, Nebraska, and prepared for a 
professional career as a student in the law department of the State 
University, from which he was graduated in 1903. In the meantime, 
however, other business interests bad claimed his attention. At the age 
of twenty-three he engaged in railroad contracting in southern Mexico 
and spent some time in Guatemala, devoting his time to railroad 
contracting for four years. After removing to Sturgis he took up the 
business of ranching. He still owns six hundred and forty acres of 
land, conducting a general ranching business and also dealing largely 
in live stock. His place is sixty miles northeast of Sturgis, at 
Chalkbutte. He had engaged in law practice for two or three years 
before going to the south and he was admitted to practice in South 
Dakota in 1914. He was then elected county judge on the democratic 
ticket and is now filling that position in an acceptable and creditable 
manner. He had previously served for six years as county commissioner 
of Meade county, and his fellow townsmen recognized in him one who is 
always loyal and faithful.  

	In August, 1910, Judge Everett was married to Miss Leila M. 
Barber, who was born m Juneau. Wisconsin, a daughter of David and 
Lugene (Arnold) Barber, natives of New York and Wisconsin respectively. 
The father was born in 1820, while the mother was some years his 
junior. She now makes her home with Judge and Mrs. Everett at the age 
of seventy seven years.  

	Judge Everett is a member of Phi Delta Phi and also of the 
Masonic fraternity, and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit 
of the craft, at all times recognizing the brotherhood of mankind and 
the obligations of every individual toward his fellows. His business 
experiences have been varied and the wide range of his travels and 
residence has brought to him broad knowledge, enabling him to place a 
correct valuation upon life, its opportunities and its advantages.