William H. Finch Biography This biography appears on pages 333-334 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 WILLIAM H. FINCH. William H. Finch, who for a number of years was the popular and efficient steward of the Commercial Club at Aberdeen, was born at Windham, Greene county, New York, in 1839, a son of Rubel and Catherine (Bliss) Finch, the former a stock-dealer in the state of New York. The son spent his youthful days in the Empire state, acquiring a public- school education, and following the outbreak of the Civil war he joined the army, enlisting as a member of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Regiment, of which he became quartermaster sergeant. He served throughout the period of hostilities, participating in a number of hotly contested engagements and on every battlefield proving his loyalty to the old flag and the cause which it represented. At the close of the war Mr. Finch returned to New York, but in early manhood removed to Wisconsin, where he resided for a considerable period. In March, 1886, he arrived in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and for a year was proprietor of the Artesian Hotel. On the expiration of that period he purchased a harness store, which he conducted for several years. When the Commercial Club started he was chosen its steward and continued in that position for seven years, or until he was obliged to retire on account of ill health. He was a most popular steward, giving to the club splendid service in every particular and winning many friends among its membership. In 1868 Mr. Finch was united in marriage, at Reedsburg, Wisconsin, to Miss Mary Dwinnell, and they became the parents of five children, of whom four are living: Eva, now the wife of G. B. Kimberly, of Beresford, South Dakota; Essie, the wife of W. S. Gilmor, of Aberdeen; Marion, who is a teacher in a deaf-mute school at Salem, Oregon; and Lela H., who is a teacher of voice in the Normal School at Aberdeen. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 24th of October, 1912, the husband and father was called from this life. He had ever been a public-spirited citizen and one whose value and worth were greatly appreciated by all who knew him in Aberdeen. He served as justice of the peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and his fraternal relations were with the Masons. In that order he attained high rank, becoming a member of the Mystic Shrine. He exemplified in his life its beneficent spirit and his entire career was characterized by fidelity to duty whether upon the battlefield, in public office or in connection with the duties that came to him in a business way. He left behind him many friends, who sincerely mourn his loss.