George Atwood Pettigrew, M. D.


	This biography appears on pages 106-109 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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			GEORGE ATWOOD PETTIGREW, M. D.  

	Among the residents of Sioux Falls to whom the state pays a 
merited tribute of respect and honor is Dr. George Atwood Pettigrew, 
who for a long period was a successful physician and surgeon and 
attained high rank in that field of labor. Later he became a prominent 
figure in banking circles of the state. It is not alone his 
professional and business career, however, that entitle him to mention 
in this volume, for he is one of the leading Masons of South Dakota, 
upon whom the craft has bestowed high honors. He has held some of the 
most important offices within the gift of the fraternity and is now 
most worthy grand patron of the Eastern Star, thus filling the position 
of highest distinction in that branch of Masonry in the world.  

	Dr. Pettigrew is one of New England's native sons, his birth 
having occurred in Ludlow, Vermont, April 6, 1858, his parents being 
Josiah Walker and Susan Ann (Atwood) Pettigrew, the former a native of 
Ludlow and the latter of Londonderry, Vermont. He spent his youthful 
days under the parental roof and supplemented his early public-school 
education by a course of study in the Black River Academy of Ludlow and 
in the Colby Academy of New London, New Hampshire. Upon the foundation 
of a broad classical course he built the superstructure of his 
professional knowledge. Entering Dartmouth College at Hanover, New 
Hampshire, he was graduated from the medical department with the class 
of 1882 and then sought the opportunities for professional advancement 
offered by the west, making his way to South Dakota, then a part of the 
territory of Dakota. He entered upon active practice at Flandreau on 
the 2d of February, 1883, and in June, 1884, formed a partnership with 
Dr. I. A. Spafford, which continued until February, 1891. He then 
retired from active practice and turned his attention to the real-
estate, loan and banking business. He was surgeon of the Chicago, 
Milwaukee &; St. Paul Railroad Company for eight years, was government 
physician to the Indians for a similar period and was surgeon of the 
Second Regiment of Territorial Guards and their successors from 1885 
until 1898. He also acted as surgeon general of South Dakota for four 
years under Governor Sheldon and in 1884 was made a member of the 
United States pension examining board, in which position he continued 
until 1901 with the exception of one year. He also acted as surgeon of 
the First and Second Regiments of the South Dakota National Guard from 
their organization until their departure for the Philippines. He won 
professional prominence and honor and had the high regard and esteem of 
his fellow members of the medical fraternity.  

	At length, however, Dr. Pettigrew determined to retire from the 
practice of medicine and in May, 1891, became one of the organizers of 
the Flandreau State Bank, of which he was chosen president, and so 
continued for twelve years, or until July, 1903. At that date he 
resigned and on the 3d of September following removed to Sioux Falls He 
has since been prominently identified with financial interests of this 
city. In 1896 he became an officer of the Union Savings Association of 
Sioux Falls and so continued until 1913. His opinions have carried 
weight in financial as well as professional circles, and his 
enterprise, sound judgment and determination have been important 
factors in the successful conduct of two of South Dakota's strong 
banking institutions.  

	On the 19th of October, 1887, Dr. Pettigrew was married, in Troy, 
New York, to Miss Eudora Zulette Stearns, who was born at Felchville, 
Vermont, July 28, 1858. To them was born a daughter, Addie Stearns, 
whose birth occurred September 7, 1890. In July, 1912, they adopted a 
two and a half year old girl, Madeleine. The family are prominent 
socially and have an extensive circle of warm friends, not only in 
Sioux Falls, but also in other sections of the state.  

	As previously stated, Dr. Pettigrew is one of the prominent 
Masons of South Dakota, having attained the thirty-third degree of the 
Scottish Rite and the Royal Order of Scotland. Many Masonic honors have 
been conferred upon him. He was called to the office of grand secretary 
of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of South Dakota in 1889 and 
still continues in that position, covering a period of a quarter of a 
century. In 1895 he was elected grand secretary of the Grand Lodge of 
Masons and in 1894 was chosen grand recorder of the Grand Commandery of 
Knights Templar, while in 1896 he was made grand recorder of the Grand 
High Priesthood. He was also grand commander of the Knights Templar in 
1907. He became a member of the Eastern Star, was grand patron in the 
local chapter in 1891, 1892 and 1893, and on the 30th of September, 
1913, at the fourteenth triennial meeting of the General Grand Chapter 
of the World at Chicago, he was elected most worthy grand patron over a 
constituency of over seven hundred thousand members, thus receiving the 
highest once within the gift of that organization in the entire world. 
He is a member of the Order of Red Cross of Constantine, to which none 
but thirty-third degree Masons can belong, and he is a past potentate 
of El Riad Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise holds membership 
with the Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of 
Pythias, and while in active practice was a member of the Association 
of Military Surgeons of America, but is not now connected with that 
organization. His entire life has been an exemplification of the basic 
principles of brotherhood and mutual helpfulness upon which Masonry is 
founded, and thus he has reached out along constantly broadening lines 
of usefulness. He possesses the executive ability necessary for 
leadership, the social qualities which are equally essential and the 
high moral purpose without which honors and admiration are never won. 
He was a member and president of the school board of Sioux Falls for 
three years and in April, 1913, was reelected for a term of five years.