David Albert Schoeneman Biography


	This biography appears on pages 834-835 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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				DAVID ALBERT SCHOENEMAN. 

	The name of David Albert Schoeneman was long connected with the 
lumber industry in South Dakota and the northwest and was a synonym for 
intense activity and large dealings in that field. He became recognized 
as one of the foremost business men of the northwest and his worth 
endeared him to many with whom he came in contact. Like many of the 
valued residents of Sioux Falls, he was a native of Wisconsin, his 
birth having occurred at Dodgeville, on the 28th of December, 1871. His 
life span was of comparatively short duration, for he passed away on 
the 14th of June, 1910, when in the thirty-ninth year of his age. 

	His father, David W. Schoeneman, was born in Germany and in early 
life crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Wisconsin, 
where he engaged in farming for a time. He afterward established and 
conducted a lumber business and met with success in that undertaking. 
In his family were nine children, six sons and three daughters, and 
David Albert Schoeneman was the first to pass away. 

	David Albert Schoeneman was but two years of age when his parents 
left Wisconsin and with their family went to Walnut, Iowa, where he was 
reared. In 1891 he removed to Hull, where he engaged in the lumber 
business as a member of the firm of Schoeneman Brothers & Company. In 
1893 he became manager of the company's yards at George, where he 
remained until November, 1906. That year witnessed his arrival in Sioux 
Falls as representative of the same company. He was elected to the 
position of vice president of the company and so continued until his 
death. The five brothers forming the company have seen their business 
interests develop and their holdings increase until their business has 
assumed mammoth proportions. David Albert Schoeneman was an important 
factor in bringing about this result. He seemed to readily recognize 
the possibilities of any business situation and he was rarely, if ever, 
at fault in matters of business judgment. His plans were carefully 
formed and then promptly executed, and he allowed no obstacles or 
difficulties to bar his path if they could be overcome by persistent, 
earnest effort and unfaltering energy. 

	While living in George, Iowa, Mr. Schoeneman was married to Miss 
Lillian Scott, of Sheldon, Iowa, and to them were born two children, 
one of whom died in infancy, while the other, Inez Marcella, is now ten 
years of age. 

	During his residence in George, Mr. Schoeneman served as mayor of 
the city for one term and his administration was characterized by 
businesslike principles, by promptness and fidelity. He always voted 
the republican ticket, feeling that the principles of the party 
contained the best elements of good government. He was public-spirited 
in an unusual degree and his cooperation and support could always be 
counted upon to further measures for the general good. He held 
membership with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mutual Benefit 
Association. He was a member of the Congregational church, in the work 
of which he took an active part, and at all times he lived the life of 
an earnest sincere Christian, so that his memory remains as an 
inspiration and a blessed benediction to all who knew him