Joseph Hebal Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1035-1036 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. JOSEPH HEBAL.  

	Hon. Joseph Hebal has a highly creditable record as a member of 
the general assembly, in both the house and the senate, and has 
performed much notable public service. He was also for many years a 
leading merchant of Goodwln and is at present director of the local 
bank and secretary of the local elevator company. He was born in 
Austria on the 8th of December, 1849, a son of Wenzl and Teresa Hebal, 
who in 1864 brought their family to the United States and located in 
Portage county, Wisconsin. The father there engaged in farming to a 
large extent, although he also followed his trade, which was that of a 
brick and stone mason. He eventually sold his farm and moved into 
Wausau, Wisconsin, where he lived retired until] his death, which 
occurred about 1904.  

	Hon. Joseph Hebal had passed his fourteenth birthday when he 
accompanied his parents to this country and his early education was 
acquired in the government schools of Austria After coming to the 
United States he attended the public schools of Wisconsin and the high 
school at Waupaca. In early manhood he took up the profession of 
teaching and for five years was identified with educational work. In 
September, 1879, he came to South Dakota and located at Goodwin, where 
he formed a copartnership with George F. Nelson and established a 
general store conducted under the firm style of Nelson & Hebal. For 
eight years this was one of the leading mercantile enterprises of 
Goodwin but in 1887 Mr. Hebal sold his interest to his partner, Mr. 
Nelson. He then associated himself with a brother, Peregrine Hebal, and 
founded the firm of Hebal Brothers, with which he was actively 
connected for twenty-five years. In 1913 he retired from active 
business life. His administrative ability, his knowledge of the details 
of merchandising and his sound judgment all combined to make him one of 
the most successful business men in Goodwin. He has been equally 
prominent in political affairs, both in local and state circles. A 
republican, his opinions have long carried weight in political circles. 
He was elected treasurer of Deuel county in 1884, serving in that 
office for six years, in 1893 was still more highly honored by election 
to the state senate, and was reelected in 1895. In 1905, 1907 and 1909 
he was chosen state representative from his district, his reelection 
proving the acceptability of his work in the state legislative body. He 
has the mental power of seeing things in large and of deciding 
questions with reference to their influence upon the state as a whole 
without allowing any petty personal or local interest to bias his mind. 
His former connection with the business development of Goodwin as a 
merchant has been already mentioned and he is still a force in the 
financial circles of the town as a stockholder and director of the 
State Bank of Goodwin and as a director and secretary of the Farmers 
Elevator Company of that place.  

	Mr. Hebal was married in 1885 to Miss Abigail A. Van Buskirk, a 
native of New York state and daughter of Garret and Dorcas (Palmer) Van 
Buskirk who settled in Wisconsin in early days. Mr. Hebal is widely 
known in South Dakota and his name is always spoken of with respect and 
honor and his life in private and in public alike has been one of 
strict adherence to high ethical standards.