August J. Riske Biography


	This biography appears on pages 255-256 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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				AUGUST J. RISKE.  

	August J. Riske is proprietor of a hardware and furniture store 
at Doland and although he entered upon this connection only in January, 
1915, he has already built up a business of large and gratifying 
proportions which indicates his enterprising spirit and progressive 
methods. The year 1881 witnessed his arrival in South Dakota, for in 
the spring of that year he removed from Dodge county, Wisconsin, to 
this state, which was then under territorial rule. He was born at 
Duberphal, Prussia, on the 8th of June, 1860, his parents being 
Frederick and Wilhelmina (Siedschlag) Riske. The father became a 
pioneer farmer of Wisconsin, in which state both he and his wife passed 
away, and their remains were interred at Beaver Dam, that state.  

	At the usual age August J. Riske became a pupil in the public 
schools of Wisconsin, pursuing his studies through the winter months, 
while the summer seasons were devoted to work upon the home farm. About 
the time he attained his majority he left home and came to South 
Dakota, settling at Arlington, where he embarked in the lumber 
business. In 1885 he removed to Doland, where he continued in that 
business for twenty years. Eventually he turned his attention to real-
estate dealing, in which he won success. In October, 1913, he went into 
the general merchandising business but in January, 1915, he made a 
change to his present lines, hardware and furniture. He also maintains 
undertaking parlors in connection with his store. He has erected a very 
fine business block containing store rooms and offices, the building 
being fifty by eighty feet. He has otherwise contributed to the 
material development and progress of Spink county, where he now owns 
about two thousand acres of land, and he has improved fifteen different 
farms with suitable buildings. The spirit of enterprise and progress 
has actuated him throughout his entire life and his energy has enabled 
him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles that seemed to bar 
his path to success.  

	On the 6th of February, 1889, at Doland, South Dakota, Mr. Riske 
was united in marriage to Miss Lela Warner, a daughter of Benjamin and 
Orisa Warner. The father, a pioneer agriculturist of South Dakota, died 
in April, 1915, and the mother passed away in 1912, their remains being 
interred in the Doland cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Riske have three 
children, namely: Bernice, who gave her hand in marriage to H. G. 
Skogmo, formerly a grocer of Minneapolis, Minnesota, but now with Mr. 
Riske at Doland; Orisa, who is a graduate of the Northwestern 
Conservatory of Music, and is now teaching music at Doland; and Berwyn, 
who is eight years of age.  

	Mr. Riske is a blue lodge Mason and also holds membership with 
the Modern Woodmen of America In politics he is a stalwart republican 
and his fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth and ability, have 
frequently called him to office. He has served as town clerk for 
fifteen years and has been mayor of the city, to which he gave a 
businesslike administration. His methods, whether in connection with 
public or private affairs, have at all times been practical, his 
enterprise unfaltering and his honor unfailing. To indefatigable 
industry and close application may be attributed the success which 
today places him among the men of affluence in Spink county.