Henry Adam Wagner Biography


	This biography appears on pages 25-26 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
	organizations for their private use. 

	Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval 
	system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other 
	means requires the written approval of the file's author.

	This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside
	a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at

	http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm



				HENRY ADAM WAGNER.  

	Henry Adam Wagner, the popular mayor of Watertown and proprietor 
of the Watertown Carbonating Company, was born in Luxembourg, Germany, 
on the 11th of June, 1871, his parents being John P. and Margaret 
(Suttor) Wagner. He spent the first thirteen years of his life in the 
land of his birth and then accompanied his parents on their emigration 
to the new world, the family taking up their abode near Watertown, 
Codington county, South Dakota. Here the father engaged in farming 
until four years prior to his death, when he removed to Watertown and 
lived retired. He became the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of 
very valuable and productive land. His death occurred in the fall of 
1912 and that of his wife: about a year and a half previously.  

	Henry A. Wagner began his education in the schools of his native 
land and later attended college at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, 
completing his education, however, at Conception, Missouri. After 
leaving school he engaged in the lumber and grain business in Goodwin, 
South Dakota, for two years and was subsequently interested in the 
grain and coal business at Palmer and Kranzburg. He also conducted a 
general store at the latter place until his removal to Watertown in 
1905. Forming a partnership with Sylvester Dory, he embarked in his 
present business as proprietor of the Watertown Carbonating Company. 
They began operations in a small frame building, but their trade 
steadily increased and today they have one of the most up-to-date 
establishments of the kind in the state, shipping their products all 
over South Dakota and into Minnesota. They employ on an average twelve 
men. Mr. Wagner is also a stockholder in several local concerns and is 
regarded as one of the leading and enterprising business men of the 
town.  

	On the 16th of June, 1896, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to 
Miss Anna M. Kranz, a daughter of John Kranz, of Kranzburg, who is 
still living at the age of eighty three years. Her mother, however, is 
deceased. Mr. Kranz came to this state in 1878 and as a farmer was 
prominently identified with its early development and prosperity Mr. 
and Mrs. Wagner have three children, Blanche, Roxanna  and Vernon. The 
family hold membership in the Catholic church and in politics Mr. 
Wagner is a democrat. He has taken quite an active and influential part 
in state affairs and has been called upon to fill several offices of 
honor and trust, being elected mayor of Watertown, first under the old 
form of government, but within a month was reelected when the 
commission form of government came  into existence. He has now filled 
that office for three years, with credit to himself and to the entire 
satisfaction of all concerned. During this time great municipal 
improvements have been started, including a great deal of paving work, 
the extension of sewers, etc. He is a member of Council No.  859, 
Knights of Columbus, is a life member of the Benevolent Protective 
Order of Elks and is also connected with the Eagles, the Owls, the 
Commercial Club, the United Travelers and the Fraternal Reserve 
Association. He finds recreation in outdoor sports, being especially 
interested in hunting and fishing as well as motoring. During his 
residence in Watertown his influence has been widely felt and he is 
justly regarded as one of the leading citizens.