William Van Eps Biography


	This biography appears on pages 472-474 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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				WILLIAM VAN EPS. 

	There never was a movement for the betterment of civic or 
government conditions in Sioux Falls with which William Van Eps was not 
identified throughout the entire period of his residence there. 
Becoming one of the early citizens, he was actively associated with the 
commercial development of his part of the state and in feet ranked with 
the most valued residents of South Dakota. His well spent life, his 
integrity and his reliability won him the respect and honor of all with 
whom he came in contact. 

	Mr. Van Eps was born at Fox Lake, Dodge county, Wisconsin, July 
20, 1842 and the district schools of that locality afforded him his 
educational opportunities. All through life he learned valuable lessons 
in the school of experience, lessons that proved of worth to him in the 
course of a career that was characterized by broadening opportunities 
and heavy responsibilities. In 1858, when a youth of sixteen years, he 
left his native state and went to Minnesota, where he secured 
employment at farm labor. He worked in that way through the summer of 
1859 for twelve dollars per month. He afterward walked three hundred 
and fifty miles to Brighton, Iowa, carrying all his earthly possessions 
with him. There he engaged in the grocery business, having a small 
stock of goods. He remained at Brighton through the winter and then 
went to Richland, Iowa, where he formed the acquaintance of W. A. 
Jordan, who proved a valuable friend. He gave Mr. Van Eps such 
endorsement as enabled him to buy goods in larger quantities and thus 
embark in general merchandising. He conducted his store for three 
years, after which he disposed of his stock and in the spring of 1863 
went to Denver, Colorado, where he engaged in various enterprises and 
speculations. From there he went to Mexico and afterward returned to 
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where his parents were living. He spent a few 
weeks in visiting them, after which he made his way to Milwaukee, where 
he pursued a course of study in Bryant & Stratton Commercial College, 
for be had come to a realization of the feet that special training 
along business lines is a valuable asset. 

	Mr. Van Eps next went to Minnesota in search of a location and 
finally settled at Mantorville, Dodge county, where he continued for 
three years. On the expiration of that time he received a letter from 
his old friend, W. A. Jordan, asking him to sell out in Dodge county 
and join him (Jordan) in business at some point that they might decide 
upon. After investigation they located at Eddyville, in southern Iowa, 
where they conducted business under the firm name of Jordan & Van Eps. 
They carried on the store there for a year, at the end of which time 
they concluded to seek a location where they could occupy their time 
and capital to better advantage. Mr. Van Eps started out in search of a 
location in Nebraska, northern Iowa or Dakota but finally decided on 
Cherokee, Iowa, which place had a name if not population, there being 
only two or three houses upon the site of the city at the time. They 
ascertained, however, that the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, now the 
Illinois Central, was about to be extended westward to Sioux City and 
they decided to locate in the little hamlet and engage in 
merchandising. Two years later Mr. Van Eps learned that the military 
reservation at Sioux Falls was about to be abandoned so he began to 
consider removing to the city in which he made his home to the time of 
his death. He arrived there on the 14th of August, 1870, to look over 
the ground and, becoming infatuated with the country and realizing that 
a city of considerable importance could be built upon the plains of 
Dakota, he returned to Cherokee and completed arrangements for removing 
to Sioux Falls in the spring of 1871. At that time there was 
practically nothing there but Fort Dakota and the military reservation 
which included the quarters which had been occupied by officers and 
men. The nearest railroad point was at Le Mars, Iowa, seventy-five 
miles distant. Mr. Van Eps set out to purchase lumber to erect his 
buildings and his residence. He made his way to Minneapolis, where he 
purchased lumber of W. D. Washburn, afterward United States senator 
from that district. After ascertaining where Mr. Van Eps intended to 
take the lumber, Mr. Washburn seemed much interested, questioned him 
concerning conditions and somewhat as to Mr. Van Eps personally. About 
ten days later the latter received a package containing several copies 
of the Pioneer Press, published in St. Paul, the paper setting forth 
the feet that a certain young man named William Van Eps, seeing the 
importance of an early location in what was then called the wilds of 
the Great West, had established a mercantile business in Sioux Falls 
and that in his (Mr. Washburn's) judgment he had selected a location 
which, within a few years, would be the site of a prosperous frontier 
city and would be paying tribute to both the wholesale and 
manufacturing interests of St. Paul and Minneapolis--all of which 
proved true, indicating that the prophetic judgment of both Mr. Van Eps 
and Mr. Washburn was correct. 

	Mr. Van Eps was one of the most active and energetic business men 
that ever resided in South Dakota, as well as one of the most 
successful. He figured extensively in real estate transactions, 
erecting a large number of business houses and other structures of the 
city. His first building was erected for business purposes, his store 
occupying the first floor while the second floor was used as his 
residence. In 1899 he was proprietor of one of a very extensive and 
attractive line of goods, that brought him a liberal patronage. He knew 
that satisfied customers were the best advertisement and moreover, the 
honor and integrity of his business methods brought to him gratifying 
results. Not only was he enjoying a large trade, but the building which 
he occupied was also erected by him and remains one of the large and 
handsome business structures of the state. He never faltered in 
anything that he undertook and obstacles and difficulties in his path 
seemed to serve as but an impetus for renewed effort on his part. 

	While busily and actively engaged in trade, he found time to 
cooperate in many movements for the general good. In polities he was a 
democrat, but in local affairs his activity and interest transcended 
all partisanship. He was elected one of the trustees of the village of 
Sioux Falls upon its incorporation and from that time until his death 
was an active factor in every movement tending to promote the progress 
and welfare of city, state and nation. He was a member of the school 
board of Sioux Falls from 1889 until 1893 and he was an influential 
member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1889, aiding largely 
in framing the organic law of the commonwealth. He was a delegate to 
various democratic national conventions and was always a leader among 
the delegates of the northwest. His opinions carried weight in the 
councils of his party and he was recognized as one of the democratic 
leaders of South Dakota. He studied closely questions of governmental 
policy and the issues of the day and his support of any measure was an 
indication of his firm belief in its efficacy and value. 

	On the 14th of October, 1867, at Mantorville, Minnesota, Mr. Van 
Eps was married to Miss Inez C. Herrick, who eame with her husband to 
Sioux Falls in 1871 and has here since resided. She has figured 
prominently in social circles and is equally well known and popular in 
musical circles. She possesses a fine voice and her vocal selections 
have been one of the attractions on many a public occasion and added 
much to the joy of her own home. However, she has been best known among 
the poor and needy, where she has done splendid work to relieve sorrow, 
suffering and distress. Mr. and Mrs. Van Eps were separated by death, 
when on the 12th of July, 1906, he was called from this life 

	He modestly disclaimed any important part in public affairs, yet 
it was well known that no movement for the benefit of the city sought 
his cooperation in vain. His judgment was sound, his opinions practical 
and his efforts effective. His labors were indeed a source of advancing 
growth, development and prosperity in Sioux Falls and his name is 
inscribed high among those who have done most for the city.