John Gange Biography


	This biography appears on pages 258-259 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
	organizations for their private use. 

	Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval 
	system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other 
	means requires the written approval of the file's author.

	This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside
	a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at

	http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm


				JOHN GANGE. 

	John Gange was an active business man in the enterprising little 
town of Mellette, where he conducted a grocery store and was also 
proprietor of a livery barn until his death, which occurred April 19, 
1915. In addition he was one of the extensive landowners of this part 
of the state, his holdings comprising about two thousand six hundred 
acres in Spink, Edmunds and Sparta counties. At the time of his demise 
more than a third of a century had come and gone since he arrived in 
South Dakota and he had been throughout the entire period an interested 
witness of the changes wrought by time and man bringing about the 
development and prosperity of the state. He was only about a year and a 
half old at the time of his arrival in the United States, his birth 
having occurred in Prince Edward Island, Canada, March 11, 1835, his 
parents being James and Mary J. (Hacker) Gange. The family is of 
English descent and was founded on American soil in 1814, by the 
grandfather of our subject. Subsequently he settled in Prince Edward 
Island. The father was a sailor and laborer and at the time of the 
Mexican war he espoused the cause of this country and did active duty 
in defense of its interests in 1846. Later he located in Wisconsin, 
where he lived for many years but in 1880 he came to South Dakota, 
where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1883, his 
grave being made in Northville, this state. His wife died in 1885 and 
was laid to rest in Carroll county, Illinois. 

	John Gange largely acquired his education in the schools of New 
York and in Mount Carroll and Freeport, Illinois, completing his course 
in Green county, Wisconsin. He worked his way through school and his 
desire and determination to secure an education indicated the strength 
of his character. He afterward purchased a farm in Wisconsin and about 
1876 went to Nebraska where he remained until the fall of 1880, when he 
came to South Dakota. He then filed upon a homestead three miles north 
of Mellette and met the necessary conditions that brought to him a 
clear title to the property. At length, in connection with a partner, 
he opened the Bank of Mellette and after a time purchased his partner's 
interest, remaining as sole proprietor for a period. At length he 
closed out the bank, however, but paid dollar for dollar on deposits. 
In order to do so he had to mortgage his land and then he set himself 
to the task of clearing the property. His farm work was conducted in 
such a practical and progressive manner that success attended his 
efforts and at his death he was one of the extensive landowners of 
South Dakota, his holdings embracing about two thousand six hundred 
acres lying in three different counties. He carried on general 
agricultural pursuits, cultivating various crops and also raising 
cattle and hogs. He continued in that business up to the end of his 
life and the wisdom of his judgment in business affairs was recognized 
by all who knew aught of his career. He was likewise a stockholder in 
the Duxbury Elevator Company and in the Farmers Elevator of Mellette. 

	On the 15th of May, 1861, in Green county, Wisconsin, Mr. Gange 
was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Crouch, a daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. James Crouch, who were pioneer farming people of Wisconsin. They 
have both passed away and their remains were interred in the cemetery 
near Monroe, Green county. Mr. and Mrs. Gange became parents of seven 
children: George W. a wheat buyer and farmer living in Mellette; Albert 
J., who follows farming in Mellette township; Elizabeth, the wife of J. 
Cullings, now proprietor of his father-in-law's store; Nancy J., the 
wife of Fred Potter, a landowner of Faulk county, residing at Cresbard; 
John T., who follows farming in Faulk county; William E., who died in 
1911 and was buried in the Mellette cemetery; and Charles, who died in 
infancy, his grave being made near York, Nebraska. The wife and mother 
passed away in 1905 at the age of sixty eight years. She was a devoted 
companion and helpmate, sharing with her husband in all of the 
privations and hardships in the early days arid always encouraging him 
by her loyal support. She possessed, too, other traits of character 
which won for her the friendship of all with whom she came in contact 
and her death was therefore deeply regretted. 

	Mr. Gange voted with the democratic party and he was a Mason of 
high rank in the Scottish Rite and was also a member of the Mystic 
Shrine. He owned and occupied an attractive home in Mellette and had 
erected several other residences and other buildings, his real estate 
investments proving the wisdom of his business judgment. He never 
feared to venture where favoring opportunity pointed out the way and 
yet he was actuated by no spirit of vaulting ambition. He was content 
to do the duty that each day brought' end in the faithful performance 
thereof found strength and encouragement for the labors of the 
succeeding day. Advancing step by step, his outlook had continuously 
broadened and he was regarded as one of the forceful and resourceful 
citizens of Spink county whose ability and enterprise had proven 
factors in the substantial development of his part of the state. He 
passed away April 19, 1915, and was buried at Mellette.