H. H. Guernsey Biography


	This biography appears on pages 853-854 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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				H. H. GUERNSEY. 

	For over a third of a century H. H. Guernsey has been postmaster 
of Altamont and has a record that is probably not equaled in the state 
for length of service. For about the same length of time he has held a 
license as notary public and in both capacities has proved able, 
accurate and efficient. He was born in Lisbon, New Hampshire, on the 
5th of July, 1842, a son of Orin and Sarah (Cooley) Guernsey, both 
natives of New Hampshire and descended from old New England stock. The 
father was a man of more than local prominence both ill New Hampshire 
and Wisconsin, to which state he removed in 1843. He served in both 
state legislatures and was also a member of the National Peace 
Commission, which negotiated a treaty with the Indians in 1866 or 1867. 
He was appointed to that position by Hon. D. M. Cooley, then 
commissioner of Indian affairs, and he located at Dubuque, Iowa, in 
order to facilitate the transaction of his official duties. For the 
last twenty years of his life he was engaged in the insurance business 
in Janesville, Wisconsin, and both he and his wife passed away in that 
city. He was a man of large mental caliber and a conspicuous figure in 
the public affairs of the early days of Wisconsin. Besides taking part 
in the affairs of civil government in New Hampshire, he was colonel of 
the state militia for several years. 

	H. H. Guernsey was reared under the parental roof and acquired 
his education in the public schools. After completing the elementary 
course he entered Janesville high school, but in his senior year 
enlisted in the northern army for service in the defense of the Union. 
On the 15th of August, 1861, he became a member of Company E, Twenty-
second Wisconsin Volunteers, and after serving for two years with this 
command he passed an examination before the government board of 
examiners at Nashville and was commissioned first lieutenant of Company 
D, Fourteenth United States Colored Infantry, Colonel Thomas J. Morgan 
come mending. Colonel Morgan was later commissioner of Indian affairs 
under Governor Hayes. On the 29th of March, 1866, Mr. Guernsey was 
mustered out of the Federal military service, having been reserved for 
garrison duty for some time following the close of the war between the 
north and south. He returned to Janesville and there engaged in the 
insurance business until 1879, in which year he came to South Dakota, 
locating in Deuel county. He entered a homestead and tree claim two 
miles southwest of the present town of Altamont. In August, 1880, just 
after the town site had been surveyed and platted Mr. Guernsey 
purchased the first town lot sold and built the first residence and 
store in Altamont, where he engaged in general merchandising for 
twenty-one years, being the pioneer trader in that part of the county. 
In December, 1880, he was appointed postmaster and has served 
continuously in that capacity since, excepting three years under a 
democratic administration when he served as deputy postmaster. He is 
one of the oldest postmasters in the state and his record is one of 
conscientious and capable performance of the work devolving upon him 
and reflects great credit upon him. For a quarter of a century he has 
also been notary public; served as county judge in the '80s and was a 
member of the board of county commissioners from 1903 to 1907. 

	In 1866 Mr. Guernsey was married to Miss Sophia Naomi Hoisington, 
of Jefferson, Wisconsin, and of the five children born to them four 
survive, namely: Clarence C., who is agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & 
St. Paul Railroad Company at Shakopee, Minnesota; Ardelle, now the wife 
of John Knuckey, postmaster of Clear Lake, this state; Harry Summer, 
agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company at Edgeley, 
North Dakota; and Laura May, now Mrs. Chester E. Courtney, of Pomeroy, 
Washington. 

	Mr. Guernsey is a republican in politics and is much interested 
in everything pertaining to the public welfare. Fraternally he belongs 
to Phoenix Lodge, No. 129, A. F. & A. M., at Clear Lake, and to Freeman 
Thayer Post, G. A. R., of Watertown. He is entitled to honor as one of 
that fast diminishing band who are the survivors of the brave men to 
whom we owe the unity and greatness of our country today. He has always 
borne in mind the fact that the pursuits of peace also offer 
opportunities for the exercise of patriotism and in placing the public 
good above individual interests he has throughout his life served well 
his country.