John Williard Tuthill Biography


	This biography appears on pages 274-277 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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				JOHN WILLARD TUTHILL.

	The rapid growth of Sioux Falls is attributable to the efforts, 
sound judgment and public spirit of such citizens and business men as 
John Willard Tuthihll, who is now conducting an extensive wholesale and 
retail business under the name of the John W. Tuthill Lumber Company. 
He was born in Chenango county, New York, July 6, 1846, a son of George 
and Hannah (Davis) Tuthill, both of whom were also natives of the 
Empire state. The paternal grandfather, Jeremiah Tuthill, was likewise 
born in that state, of English descent, the ancestral line being traced 
back to the decade of the '20s in the seventeenth century, when an 
immigrant ancestor located at Southhold, on Long Island, being one of 
the original settlers. 

	At Norwich, New York, John W. Tuthill acquired his early 
education. It was in 1856 that his father removed with his family to 
Clinton, Iowa, and there he resumed his studies, mastering such 
branches of learning as were taught in the public schools. In 1863 he 
went to Chicago to obtain business training there. He secured a 
position with Coolbaugh & Brooks, private bankers, and while thus 
engaged devoted himself to the task of thoroughly mastering business 
principles and methods and thus gaining an accurate business education. 
He would advise young men to early secure a place in a bank if they 
wish thorough training, as bank duties promote quick thinking, 
punctuality and other traits which are indispensable in the attainment 
of success. Mr. Tuthill remained in Chicago until 1866 and then 
returned to Clinton, Iowa, where he entered the employ of C. Lamb & 
Sons, with whom he remained until 1869, when at the age of twenty-three 
years he went to State Center, Iowa, where he purchased a lumberyard, 
conducting business at that point until March, 1882. He next removed to 
Sioux Falls with his family and throughout the intervening period of 
more than thirty-two years he has engaged in the lumber trade there. He 
purchased a lumberyard on East Eighth street from Edwin Sharp & Company 
and conducted it independently until August, 1884, when the business 
was incorporated, John W. Tuthill becoming president; S. G. Tuthill, a 
brother who is now engaged in the lumber business in Minneapolis, vice 
president; and George L. Irvine, secretary and treasurer. At that time 
the present name of the John W. Tuthill Lumber Company was assumed. In 
addition to the yard at Sioux Falls the company then owned and 
conducted yards at Valley Springs, Hartford, Montrose and Salem, the 
last named being at that time the terminus of the Northwestern 
Railroad. In 1904 a reorganization was effected with John W. Tuthill as 
president; Peter Mintenef, of Minneapolis, vice president; A. W. 
Tuthill, secretary and treasurer; George B. Tuthill, general manager; 
and C. L. Tuthill, assistant secretary and treasurer. The business is 
now largely conducted under the management of the sons. The first 
wholesale interests of the Tuthill Lumber Company covered a trade in 
sash and doors, there being a large demand for such an output. The 
excellence of their product has won for them an enviable reputation and 
they largely concentrate their energies on dealing in sash and doors as 
wholesalers and retailers. 

	The organization of the Tuthill Company served as the nucleus 
around which gathered other business enterprises, the Tuthill concern 
being directly responsible for bringing to Sioux Falls other important 
business interests which have contributed largely to the upbuilding of 
the city. Since his arrival in Sioux Falls, J. W. Tuthill has been a 
most important factor in advancing the growth and development of the 
business, which is now one of the most extensive of the kind in the 
state. Today the company owns and operates thirty-two lumber yards, 
twenty-five of which are in South Dakota, six in Minnesota and one in 
Iowa. In supplying the yards with material and through selling to other 
concerns a wholesale business was gradually developed and in 1896 a 
warehouse was built, since which time a wholesale business has been 
continuously conducted with growing success. While it is owned by the 
John W. Tuthill Lumber Company, it is operated as a distinct and 
separate concern and its trade covers three states, its patrons 
including many of the largest line yard concerns in the northwest. The 
retail yard takes care of the city business, selling all kinds of 
building materials, coal and coke. The transfer yard, likewise under 
separate management, purchases and distributes to the Tuthill yards all 
their material which come from the four corners of the earth. 
Promptness in filling orders, reliability in all transactions and 
progressive methods have been factors in the success of the enterprise 
throughout the period of its existence alla ifs moving spirit has been 
John W. Tuthill, today one of the most prominent, honored and 
prosperous business men of Sioux Falls. The Tuthill Lumber Company has 
a capital stock of four hundred and fifty thousand dollars and 
undivided profits of ninety thousand. The office and wholesale 
buildings include forty thousand feet of floor space.  

	On the 22d of September, 1868, at Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Tuthill was 
united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Buck, a daughter of Solomon and 
Sarah Buck, and they have three sons: Arthur W., who is secretary-
treasurer; George B., general manager; and Chauncey L., assistant 
secretary and treasurer of the company. All three are married. The last 
named wedded Miss Amelia Steenson and they have one son, John Steenson 
Tuthill.  

	The religious faith of the family is that of the Congregational 
church. Mr. Tuthill is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the 
Mystic Shrine, while his political allegiance is given to the 
republican party. Honored and respected by all, there is no man who 
occupies a more enviable position in trade circles of the city, not 
alone by reason of the success he has achieved, but also owing to the 
straightforward business policy which he has ever followed. His record, 
too, shows that success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, but 
is rather the outcome of clear judgment, experience and enterprise. 
Industry, persistent and unremitting, has characterized his business 
career. Unceasing energy and close application have constituted the 
keynote of his success.