James De Laney Biography


	This biography appears on page 987 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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				JAMES DE LANEY. 

	James De Laney, an enterprising and representative agriculturist 
of Minnehaha county, owns and operates a well improved farm of one 
hundred and sixty acres on section 34, Mapleton township. His birth 
occurred in Minnesota on the 12th of September, 1861, his parents being 
Sylvester and Margaret De Laney. The father came to South Dakota in 
1866 as one of the early pioneers of this section, homesteading and 
preempting land. He was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits 
throughout his active business career and passed . away in 1894, the 
community thus losing one of its honored early settlers and respected 
citizens. His wife is also deceased. 

	James De Laney, who was a little lad of five years when he came 
to this state with his parents, attended the public schools in the 
acquirement of an education and subsequently assisted his father in the 
operation of the home place. When the latter disposed of his property, 
our subject began the cultivation of rented land. In 1906 he purchased 
a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, Mapleton 
township, and has devoted his time and energies to its operation 
continuously since. He owns thirty-six head of cattle and has a well 
improved and productive property which brings him a gratifying annual 
income. 

	On the 13th of June, 1894, Mr. De Laney was united in marriage to 
Miss Carrie Ellen Myrick, a daughter of Lucius Myrick. He is a 
republican in politics and has held a number of township offices, ever 
discharging his duties in a prompt and capable manner. His religious 
faith is that of the Christian church, and fraternally he is identified 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The period of his residence 
in South Dakota covers nearly a half century, and he has not only 
witnessed its growth but has been a participant in its development 
along agricultural lines. He is widely known in his community, and his 
substantial qualities of manhood and of character have gained for him 
an enviable position in the regard of those with whom he has come in 
contact.