William H. Frost Biography


	This biography appears on pages 521-522 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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				HON. WILLIAM H. FROST. 

	The name of William H. Frost is worthy to be enrolled upon the 
list of south Dakota's pioneers, for he has made his home in this state 
for nearly forty years, coming to the Black Hills in 1875. Since that 
year he has participated in various ways in the growth and development 
of the state and in a private way as well as in public positions has 
shown himself to be a valuable citizen. 
Mr. Frost was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, February 25, 1854. His 
father, Henry Frost, was born in Yexam, near Norwich, England, April 7, 
1826, and was married in Jersey City in 1846 to Miss Elenor Welsh, who 
passed away March 10, 1875. In 1880 he contracted a second union, being 
married to Miss Nancy Grisworld of Lamotte, Iowa. He died June 5, 1895. 
William H. Frost acquired his education in the public schools of 
Jackson county, Iowa. After terminating his lessons he turned his 
attention to farming and in 1875, when about twenty one years of age, 
made his way into the Black Hills of South Dakota. He prospected for 
gold for about one month, at the end of which time he was escorted out 
of the country by the military, but he returned in February, 1876, and 
located on White Wood creek, a mile and a half above Crook City. He 
afterward left the Black Hills and removed to Yankton, traveling by 
means of ox teams, but later again made his way into the Black Hills, 
where in 1877 he engaged in mining and lumbering until in the summer of 
that year, when he began driving oxen for a freighting outfit between 
Fort Pierre and the Black Hills. 

	Subsequently Mr. Frost was elected to the office of register of 
deeds for Stanley county, his term beginning in 1892, and he was 
reelected in 1894, having established himself in the confidence of the 
public who appreciated his faithful and conscientious service. In 1898 
he was elected county auditor and reelected in 1900. In later years he 
served as deputy county treasurer. At the general election of November, 
1914, Mr. Frost was elected state senator from Stanley county, from 
which has since been carved Haakon and Jackson counties, and he is now 
filling that responsible position in a most acceptable manner. Since 
1903, he has been a partner in the wholesale and retail hardware firm 
of E. S. Rowe & Company of Fort Pierre, one of the thriving, 
substantial concerns of western South Dakota. He has also been active 
in farming and stock-raising since locating in Fort Pierre, where he 
now resides-one of the city's respected citizens. 

	On May 6, 1883, William H. Frost was married at Lamotte, Iowa, to 
Miss Eliza Veach, a daughter of Elzaphen and Barbara Veach. He has 
given his support to the democratic party since attaining his majority 
and has ever staunchly supported its principles and its candidates. He 
has been for many years a resident of this state and his activities 
have contributed toward its growth and development. Mr. Frost is a 
charter member of Pierre lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen 
and also belongs to Hiram Lodge, No. 123, A. F. & A. M., serving for 
four years as master. He is as popular in these organizations as he is 
in private and public life, and such honor and esteem as has come to 
him are well merited by a long and active career, over which falls no 
shadow or taint.