John Max Biography


	This biography appears on pages 805-806 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 MAX.  

	John Max is the well known and popular proprietor of the Max 
double store at Nos. 325 and 327 Broadway in Yankton. Diligence and 
determination are among his salient characteristics and he loses sight 
of no detail in business affairs pointing to success. He was born in 
Odessa, in southern Russia, September 1, 1860, and is a son of Jacob 
and Barbara (Schweier) Max, who were also natives of that section. They 
were of German descent, however, being among the colonists from Germany 
who went to the country of the czar at the invitation of the Russian 
government, which exempted them from army duties and made various other 
concessions to those thrifty settlers to induce them to migrate to 
Russia. Jacob Max became a prominent and substantial citizen of his 
section of that country, conducting business as a furniture 
manufacturer and as a dealer in general merchandise. In 1873 the 
Russian government rescinded its offers and broke its pledge to the 
German settlers and their descendants. This condition of things 
resulted in the movement to America and finally, after a careful study 
of the sections open to emigrants and settlers, the party decided to 
make Dakota territory their destination. The Max family arrived in 
Yankton in that year and here in the land of opportunity Jacob Max once 
more embarked in business, establishing a general mercantile store in 
Yankton in March, 1874, this being the forerunner of the present Max 
establishment. It was not long before the father had built up a large 
and growing trade and had become a prominent factor in mercantile 
circles, a position which he occupied during his active connection with 
the trade in the city. He retired from business in 1892 and after a 
well earned rest, covering seventeen years, passed away in 1909. His 
wife died in 1910. In their family were seven children: Martin, a 
resident of Denver, Colorado; John, of this review; Emanuel and Emil, 
both deceased; Paulina, the wife of Rev. John Sattler, of Tyndall, 
South Dakota; Emilie, the wife of the Rev. Charles Devitz, of 
Cleveland, Ohio; and William, who is living in Los Angeles, California. 
The father was widely known as a merchant and a highly respected 
citizen and his activity constituted a valuable contribution to the 
upbuilding and commercial development of his section of the state.  

	John Max was reared in Russia to the age of thirteen years and 
was educated in private schools of that country and also continued his 
studies under the direction of an English governess, so that he had a 
good knowledge of the English language when he made the voyage across 
the Atlantic. He was brought by his parents to Yankton as a youth of 
thirteen years and his knowledge of languages and particularly of 
English enabled him to secure a good position at an early age. He 
became clerk in the store of L. D. Palmer, where he was employed for 
one year. He then entered his father's store, in which he remained as a 
clerk until his father's retirement in 1892, when he took over the 
establishment and has since conducted it as its proprietor. He carries 
a complete line of dry goods, groceries and shoes, together with 
ladies' wearing apparel, and he has a very large city and country 
trade. The business has shown a gratifying yearly increase and no 
merchant in his section of the state is as well known as John Max. 
Honest goods, reliable methods and fair dealing constitute the motto 
which he follows in his business affairs. He devotes his entire time 
and attention to the trade and his progressive plans, keeping him in 
touch with modern business ideas, have brought to him a volume of 
business of which he has every reason to be proud.  

	In 1884 Mr. Max was united in marriage to Miss Lena Wenzlaff, 
also a native of South Russia, and a daughter of J. C. Wenzlaff, a 
pioneer now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Max are the parents of five 
children, two of whom passed away in infancy, the others being: 
Clarissa, the wife of Connor McMahon, of Chicago; Irma; and Josephine.  

	The parents are members of the Congregational church and stand 
for all that is best in the life of the individual and of the 
community. For five years Mr. Max was a member of the board of trustees 
of the Spearfish Normal School and he is ever active and helpful in the 
cause of education. He votes with the republican party where national 
issues arc involved but frequently casts an independent local ballot. 
For two years he served as alderman of Yankton, and he has been 
treasurer of Yankton county for two terms. He belongs to the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen camp, the Brotherhood of 
America and the Commercial Association of Yankton, of which he is now 
the president. In the last named organization his well defined efforts 
have been of direct benefit in the upbuilding of the city, and, while 
he is a successful business man, working earnestly to gain the 
prosperity which he deserves, he at the same time never neglects his 
public duties and puts forth as earnest and effective effort for the 
general welfare as he does in the management of his private business 
affairs.