George Schlosser Biography


	This biography appears on pages 876-877 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 SCHLOSSER. 

	In newspaper circles the name of George Schlosser is widely 
known, for through an extended period he was connected with newspaper 
publication and news service. At the present time, however, he has 
retired from that field and is concentrating his efforts upon the 
management of his private business affairs and upon the furtherance of 
public activities and benevolent work, which make a strong appeal to 
him. He was born in Lodi, Wisconsin, September 3, 1857. His father, 
Henry Schlosser, a native of Germany, came to the United States in the 
early '50s. He was by trade a wagon maker and blacksmith and became 
identified with industrial interests at-Loci, where he conducted 
business until after the outbreak of the Civil war. He enlisted in the 
United States army during the latter part of that struggle and came to 
Dakota territory with General Sully, serving with the frontier forces 
for about fifteen months. He spent the later years of his life in Sioux 
Falls, passing away at the home of his son George in 1907, when he had 
reached the ripe old age of seventy-six years. His wife, who was Mrs. 
Frederica Schlosser, died during the early boyhood of their son George, 
who was the eldest of a family of six children. 

	In the public schools of Lodi, Wisconsin, George Schlosser was 
educated and later began learning the printer's trade in his home city. 
He was eager to master the business and continued in the house where he 
was originally employed, winning promotion from one position to another 
until 1883, when he came to Dakota territory. He settled first at 
Blunt, where he remained for five years, there establishing and 
conducting the Blunt Advocate. He afterward became a resident of 
Aberdeen, where he owned and published the Aberdeen Daily News. In 1896 
he removed to Sioux Falls, where he established the ready print serve 
ice, conducting business under the name of the South Dakota Newspaper 
Union. This undertaking, carefully managed by Mr. Schlosser, became a 
distinct success and advanced him far on the high road to fortune. In 
1911 he disposed of the business and since that time has devoted his 
energies to his private business affairs and investments and to the 
many public undertakings in which he is deeply interested and which 
have constituted a vital force in pushing forward the wheels of 
progress in this section of the state. He served for some time as the 
efficient and popular secretary of the Commercial Club, his efforts in 
that direction being highly resultant and beneficial. He resigned in 
July, 1914, to take up the promotion of the Sioux Falls & Western 
Railway, which project is destined to make tributary to Sioux Falls an 
important section of the state with large natural resources needing a 
market outlet. He was the promoter of the Carpenter Hotel and has been 
largely instrumental in bringing various business enterprises and 
valuable commercial projects to the city. He is one of the directors 
and stockholders of the Queen City Fire Insurance Company and his 
private investments have been of an important and gratifying character. 

	Mr. Schlosser is free from partisan bias in his efforts for the 
public good and thus casts an independent local ballot, but where 
national issues are involved votes with the republican party. He was 
postmaster of the city and is president of the Sioux Falls public 
library and along lines which tend to ameliorate the hard conditions of 
life for the unfortunate he has done important and helpful work. He is 
president of the South Dakota Children's Home Society and has been 
deeply interested in this most worthy charity since its foundation. His 
religious faith is that of the Congregational church, which finds in 
him a worthy, loyal and helpful member and one of its generous 
supporters. He is now serving on its board of trustees. In Masonry he 
has reached the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and his own 
life shows his appreciation of the teachings of the craft, which 
recognizes the brotherhood of mankind. He also belongs to the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of 
Elks. 

	On the 3d of March, 1877, Mr. Schlosser was married to Miss Ellen 
Louise Chandler, a daughter of Norman V. and Matilda Jane (Fox) 
Chandler, of Reedsburg, Wisconsin. They are the parents of seven 
children: Harry C., now living in Los Angeles, California; Arthur R., 
who is superintendent of the state training school at Plankinton, South 
Dakota; Nellie, a member of the faculty of the State Normal School at 
River Falls, Wisconsin; Hazel, assistant librarian of the Sioux Falls 
public library; Bertine, at home; and Ralph and Phillip, who are 
conducting their father's ranch in Montana. 

	Mr. Schlosser is a splendid type of a useful citizen Some one has 
said he might be described as a general utility man because of the 
extent, importance and value of his public work. Few projects looking 
to the city's advancement have failed to elicit and receive his hearty 
cooperation and in many instances such a movement has been instituted 
by him and personally supervised to a successful completion. He is 
indeed one of the most worthy residents of Sioux Falls and he enjoys in 
unqualified measure the confidence, goodwill and honor of his fellow 
men.