John Wolzmuth Biography


	This biography appears on pages 394-397 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 WOLZMUTH.  

	On the list of the enterprising merchants of Spearfish appears 
the name of John Wolzmuth, who is engaged in the sale of a general line 
of light and heavy hardware, implements, etc. He is a self-made man and 
has worked his way steadily upward to his present position of 
affluence. He started out in life empty-handed when but twelve years of 
age and has since depended entirely upon his own resources. Not only is 
he a successful merchant but he is also widely known throughout the 
state as one of its law makers, being now a representative to the 
general assembly, in which he has served for eight or nine terms. He 
was born in Oneida county, New York, December 27, 1850, a son of David 
and Katherine (Klugensmith) Wolzmuth, both of whom were born in Alsace-
Lorraine, Germany, the former in 1801 and the latter in 1808. They were 
reared and married in that country and in 1847 bade adieu to friends 
and native land, sailing for America. They settled in Oneida county, 
New York, where the father engaged in farming, and there they spent 
their remaining days, Mr. Wolzmuth passing away in 1899, while his wife 
survived until 1904. Ere leaving Europe he served as a soldier in the 
French army.

	The family of David and Katherine Wolzmuth numbered eight 
children, of whom John Wolzmuth, of this review, was the sixth in order 
of birth. He began his education as a public-school pupil and afterward 
attended a seminary at Whitesboro, New York, and when twelve years of 
age began providing for his own support, working for others in the 
Empire state. He was thus employed for about four years and then made 
his way westward to Iowa, settling in Cedar Falls, where he worked in a 
hardware store for about six years. He next went to Sioux City, Iowa, 
where he engaged in the hardware business on his own account for a 
number of years. On the expiration of that period he made his way to 
the Black Hills in July, 1876, and was engaged in the freighting 
business as a member of the firm of Evans, Wolzmuth & Hornick, 
continuing therein for two years. He next engaged in mining until 1880, 
in which year he removed to Spearfish and purchased a flouring mill 
which he operated for twenty-four years, being thus actively and 
prominently identified with the manufacturing enterprises of the city. 
In 1890 he also engaged in the hardware business with a Mr. Valentine 
as a partner. That association was continued until 1892, since which 
time Mr. Wolzmuth has been alone as proprietor and promoter of the 
business, carrying a general line of light and heavy hardware, farm 
implements and other goods of that character. He also has mining 
interests and is the owner of farm lands in South Dakota, but 
concentrates his attention chiefly upon his mercantile affairs. His 
business methods are thoroughly reliable and the industry and 
enterprise which he displays have been the foundation upon which he has 
builded his prosperity.  

	On the 5th of June, 1881, Mr. Wolzmuth was united in marriage to 
Miss Margaret E. Goughonour, who was born in Adel, Iowa, a daughter of 
Emanuel and Jennie (Sense) Goughonour. The father was born of German 
parentage and the mother of English. He was a lumberman and in 1879 
left Iowa, removing with his family to Deadwood, where he engaged in 
the lumber business. He afterward established his home in Livingston, 
Montana, where he is now living retired. Mr. and Mrs. Wolzmuth have 
become the parents of three children: Elmore J., who married Miss Mable 
Allen and resides in Spearfish with his father, whom he assists in 
business; Roscoe V., who married Miss Nina Miller and is conducting an 
automobile and garage business in Spearfish; and Zella, at home.  

	Mr. Wolzmuth holds membership in the Masonic fraternity and has 
passed from the blue lodge through all of the degrees of the Scottish 
Rite to the Mystic Shrine. He also holds membership with the Modern 
Woodmen of America and attends the Congregational church. His political 
endorsement is given the republican party and he is one of its active 
workers in Lawrence county. In 1886 his fellow townsmen elected him to 
represent the county in the lower house of the territorial legislature 
and he was a member of that body when South Dakota became a state. He 
has served altogether for eight or nine terms and is the present 
incumbent in that office. He has done much to shape legislation and his 
reelections indicate the confidence and trust reposed in him by his 
fellow townsmen, who recognize that in him loyalty is combined with 
ability and public spirit. He also served as mayor of Spearfish for a 
number of terms, has been a member of the city council and was one of 
the first county commissioners. He served on the board of education, 
having in charge the public and normal schools of Spearfish until the 
law was changed. He is interested in everything that pertains to the 
public welfare, studies the questions and issues of the day and is 
conversant with the various phases of life in South Dakota. His work 
has indeed been of direct value to his community and to the 
commonwealth and in all of his public service he has placed the general 
good before personal aggrandizement.