Freeman R. Meadows Biography


	This biography appears on pages 791-792 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


				FREEMAN R. MEADOWS.  

	Freeman R. Meadows, one of the successful real-estate and 
insurance men of Watertown and a director in the Citizens National 
Bank, was born in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, on the 9th of January, 
1875, a son of Francis and Isabelle (Martin) Meadows. The father was 
also born in Woodstock, of English parentage, but the mother's birth 
occurred in England. She came to Ontario with her parents when a child 
of six years and her marriage occurred in that province. The father 
engaged in farming and fruit growing and also operated a cheese factory 
in Canada. In 1879 he came to South Dakota and located in Watertown. He 
subsequently homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, preempted 
another quarter section and took up a tree claim in Hamlin county five 
miles east of Hazel, where he> lived until his death, which occurred in 
1884. He was known especially for the interest which he took in the 
planting of trees in Hamlin county. His widow survives at the age of 
eighty years and is a remarkably well preserved woman. She makes her 
home in Watertown.  

	Freeman R. Meadows was reared at home and acquired his education 
in the common schools and at the Watertown Business College. His father 
died when he was but nine years of age and he then became the mainstay 
of the family. He had an older brother, but, as he was practically an 
invalid, the care of the farm devolved largely upon Mr. Meadows of this 
review, although he was then but a child. He bravely shouldered the 
burdens thus placed upon him and managed the farm successfully until 
1900. In the meantime he was married, Miss Alma J. Cunningham, of 
Hamlin county, becoming his wife on the 17th of December, 1895. After 
leaving home he removed to Watertown and established himself in the 
real estate and insurance business, in which he has since continued. He 
possesses unusual self reliance and initiative and, as he is also 
thoroughly familiar with realty values in this section of the state, he 
has met with success. He represents a number of the better insurance 
companies and in his capacity as agent has written a great many 
policies. He owns the business block at No. 105 North Oak street and is 
a director in the Citizens National Bank. He is one of the substantial 
men of Watertown and is a force in the business life of the city.  

	Mr. and Mrs. Meadows have two children, a daughter and son, 
Clella V. and Robert Clinton. The family belong to the Methodist 
Episcopal church and Mr. Meadows is a member of the official board. His 
political adherence is given to the republican party, but he has not 
cared for public office. Fraternally he is a member of Kampeska Lodge, 
No. 13, A. F. & A. M.; Watertown Lodge, No. 17, K. P.; Watertown Lodge, 
No. 838, B. P. O. E.; Order of Eastern Star; and the Modern Woodmen of 
America. He also belongs to the Watertown Country Club and the 
Watertown Commercial Club. His life has been one of constant activity 
and strict adherence to principles of honor, and his reward is the high 
esteem in which he is held.