Robert Cutts Biography


	This biography appears on pages 401 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				ROBERT CUTTS. 

	Robert Cutts, who has the distinction of owning the finest farm 
and buildings in the state, is one of the honored pioneers of South 
Dakota, now living retired at Emery. He was one of the first settlers 
of Hanson county and turned the first sod in that locality. His birth 
occurred in Maine on the 6th of September, 1853, his parents being 
Samuel and Lydia Cutts, who came to this state in 1878 and here spent 
the remainder of their lives. 

	Robert Cutts acquired his education in the district schools and 
after putting aside his textbooks turned his attention to agricultural 
pursuits. On leaving his native state in 1867 he removed with his 
parents to Wisconsin, where he spent seven years and in the meantime 
was married. At the end of that period he removed to Minnesota, where 
he spent about two years and then came to Dakota, being at that time a 
young man of twenty-five years. He took up a homestead claim in Hanson 
county and while his father was here on a visit the latter also took up 
a claim on section 11, township 101, range 57. All was virgin prairie 
when Robert Cutts began the development of his farm and he was obliged 
to haul his lumber, feed and groceries from Sioux Falls and Yankton. He 
used oxen almost exclusively in his farm work. By dint of arduous labor 
and steady application, however, he eventually developed an excellent 
farm and as prosperity attended his efforts he augmented his landed 
holdings by additional purchase. When he had acquired a comfortable 
competence that obviated the necessity of further toil, he turned the 
active work of the fields over to his sons and has since lived in 
honorable retirement at Emery. 

	On the 21st of July, 1872, Mr. Cutts was united in marriage to 
Miss Flora Ramesbatham, a daughter of Thomas and Ann (Eccles) 
Ramesbatham, who were natives of England but came to the United States 
soon after their marriage and settled in Fall River, Massachusetts. 
Later, however, they removed to Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Cutts were 
born three children, Alton I., Edith H. and Roy R., and they now have 
nine grandchildren. 

	In politics Mr. Cutts is a stanch republican and has ably served 
in township offices, while at the present time he is a member of the 
Emery town board. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian 
church, the teachings of which he exemplifies in his daily life. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He 
has resided in this state for the past thirty-seven years, or from the 
period of its early settlement, and has ever been an active worker for 
its advancement. progress and upbuilding.