Merle A. D'A. McCain Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1193-1194 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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				MERLE A. D'A. McCAIN. 

	Merle A. D'A. McCain is a member of the McCain & Joyce Mercantile 
Company. They conduct a general store, including dry goods, hardware, 
farm implements, boots and shoes and general supplies. In addition Mr. 
McCain owns land and is engaged in the cattle business. His home is at 
New Underwood, Pennington county. He was born in Clarion county, 
Pennsylvania, August 23, 1873, his parents being Adam B. and Lucinda M. 
(Thompson) McCain, who were also natives of Clarion county, the former 
born April 22, 1822, and the latter on the 22d of February, 1828. The 
father always followed the occupation of farming although he taught 
school for a number of terms in early life. In the spring of 1882 they 
left Pennsylvania and made their way to Adams county, Iowa, where they 
lived for one year. They removed to Pennington county, South Dakota, 
August 6, 1883, and established their home near the present site of the 
city of Underwood, although the town had not yet been established at 
that time. Upon a place seven miles west of the town site they spent 
their remaining days and the father engaged in ranching and in the 
live-stock business until death terminated his labors on the 11th of 
February, 1901. His widow survived and passed away in April, 1903. 

	Mr. McCain was the youngest of eleven children. He attended 
school near his home, coming in his boyhood days to South Dakota and 
was graduated with the class of 1895 from the Spearfish Normal School. 
Liberal educational training qualified him for life's practical and 
responsible duties and since starting out on his own account he has 
made wise use of his time, talents and opportunities. He remained with 
his parents until he attained his majority and then took charge of the 
home ranch, on which he continued until the spring of 1902. At that 
date he began clerking for I. H. Chase in a dry-goods store at Rapid 
City and worked his way upward in that connection, proving his 
capability and demonstrating his faithfulness. Eventually he was made 
manager of the store and continued there until February 1, 1910, when 
he removed to New Underwood and engaged in general merchandising on his 
own account, associated with his nephews. At length he and Mr. Joyce 
consolidated their interests and the business has since been conducted 
under the name of the McCain & Joyce Mercantile Company. They have a 
large general store, carrying an attractive line of goods that finds a 
ready sale upon the market. Their stock includes dry goods, hardware, 
farm implements, boots and shoes and general supplies. A liberal 
patronage is accorded them and their trade is growing along substantial 
lines. They have ever realized that satisfied patrons are the best 
advertisement and their customers are ever ready to speak a good word 
for them. Aside from his mercantile interests Mr. McCain is engaged in 
the cattle business and is the owner of a good tract of land. His 
interests are well managed, his enterprise is unfaltering and 
difficulties and obstacles in his path seem to call forth more earnest 
effort in the attainment of the goal for which he is striving. 

	On the 21st of June, 1899, Mr. McCain was married to Miss Mary E. 
Reynolds, who was born near Albia, in Appanoose county, Iowa, a 
daughter of Joseph and Susan (Gladfelder) Reynolds, both of whom were 
natives of Iowa. In 1884 they became residents of Bon Homme county, 
South Dakota and in 1889 went to Pennington county, settling about 
eighteen miles northeast of New Underwood, where the father engaged in 
ranching and in the raising of live stock. For a considerable period he 
was actively identified with business there but is now living 
practically retired, he and his wife making their home at Forest Grove, 
Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. McCain have become parents of three children, 
Lucile, Kenneth B. and Winfield R., all at home. 

	The parents are members of the Congregational church and Mr. 
McCain votes with the prohibition party. These two associations 
indicate the high principles which govern him in his conduct and he is 
at present serving as a member of the town board and does all in his 
power to further the legitimate interests of the community. His life 
commends him to the goodwill and confidence of those with whom he has 
been brought in contact, as his entire record measures up to high 
standards. In business affairs he is thoroughly reliable and 
straightforward and as he values character building more than the 
attainment of success be will not deviate from a course which he 
regards as right between himself and his fellow men.