Harry Wentzy Biography


	This biography appears on pages 339-340 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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				HARRY WENTZY. 

	Harry Wentzy, a banker and capitalist, well known in Rapid City, 
where he makes his home, and throughout the western portion of the 
state, was born in Alsace-Lorraine, January 26, 1874, a son of Henri 
and Nannette Wentzy, who were of French birth and parentage. The family 
came to the United States in 1884, settling first at Kimball, Dakota 
territory. The father engaged in the hardware business in connection 
with the Ochsner Hardware Company continuously from his arrival until 
his death, which occurred in 1911. His widow survives and yet makes her 
home in Kimball. 

	Harry Wentzy was the second in order of birth in a family of four 
children, three of whom are yet living. He attended the public schools 
of Kimball until he had passed through consecutive grades and was 
graduated from the high school as a member of the class of 1893. His 
initial step along the line of his business career was made with the 
Kimball Graphic and for a considerable period he was identified with 
newspaper publications. In 1897 he purchased the Pukwana Press and 
later became proprietor of the Reporter, which papers he after 
consolidated under the name of the Press-Reporter. He conducted that 
journal until 1910, but in the meantime had come to Rapid City in 1907 
and had founded the Gate City Guide, which he sold after three years. 
He then turned his attention to financial interests and became 
associated with the Security Savings Bank, of which he was chosen 
president upon its reorganization. He is also the president of the 
State Bank of Scenic, South Dakota, is president of the First State 
Bank at Farmingdale, is president of the Ranchman's State Bank at 
Fairburn and thus is active in the management and control of various 
financial institutions He is likewise a stockholder in the Dakota 
Plaster Company and he has large holdings in ranch lands. He has done 
much toward promoting ranch development and in this way has contributed 
largely to the upbuilding of the state. 

	On the 14th of June, 1910, Mr. Wentzy was married to Mrs. 
Theodore Wuest, a daughter of Judge D. R. Bailey, of Sioux Falls, South 
Dakota, and they have one child. In politics Mr. Wentzy is a democrat 
and a recognized leader in party ranks, having served as state chairman 
of the democratic organization in South Dakota. He has done much toward 
shaping its policy in late years and in furthering its successes. He 
served as president of the State Press Association for one term during 
his residence at Pukwana. Fraternally he is connected with Elks Lodge, 
No 262, of Sioux Falls, with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, the 
Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America. He finds 
recreation in travel and has visited many points in America and abroad. 
He is a successful, self made man and his advancement is due largely to 
close application. He began with working his way through school and 
from the age of fourteen years has depended upon his own resources. 
Having confidence in the ultimate future of the state, he has taken 
advantage of his opportunities for judicious investment and has 
benefited thereby. He was one of the pioneers in the development of the 
creamery business and was one of the first to create an interest in 
farmers elevators and in the cooperative methods of marketing grain 
crops. He has studied the business situation from many possible 
standpoints and is one of the most prominent of the state's younger 
generation of men. With him opportunity spells success and his work has 
been a valuable asset in furthering the interests and welfare of South 
Dakota.