James K. Gorman Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1031-1032 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 K. GORMAN. 

	James K. Gorman is senior partner in the firm of J. R. Gorman & 
Sons, hardware and implement merchants, at Hayti, but he maintains his 
residence in Castlewood. He is numbered among the pioneer settlers of 
that section of the state, having witnessed practically its entire 
development, for at the time of his arrival there was not a house 
within thirty five miles of his location in Florence township, Hamlin 
county. His aid and influence have been a potent factor in the 
development and progress which have resulted in present day conditions. 

	Mr. Gorman is a native of Canada, his birth having occurred in 
the province of Ontario, June 4, 1850, his parents being John and Ann 
(McGinley) Gorman, both of whom are deceased. He pursued his education 
in the public schools and after his textbooks were put aside left home 
at the age of sixteen years and began work in the lumber woods of 
Wisconsin. For an extended period his activities were directed along 
that line and in 1878 he came to South Dakota, purchasing a quarter 
section and taking a tree claim in Deuel county, near Goodwin, and also 
a tree claim in Hamlin county. After securing title to his property he 
traded it. For twenty-six years he was foreman on the ranch of D. J. 
Spaulding, having supervision of about ten thousand acres of land, a 
fact which indicates his ability and efficiency. The interests 
entrusted to him were of a most important character and at all times he 
proved equal to the task. He had previously been employed in the lumber 
woods of Wisconsin by Mr. Spaulding, who, therefore, knew the quality 
and character of the man whom he made his foreman. In March, 1904, when 
the town of Hayti was founded, Mr. Gorman established his present place 
of business, with a full line of hardware and agricultural implements, 
and, admitting his sons to a partnership, the business is now carried 
on under the style of J. K. Gorman & Sons. Their trade has increased 
year by year as their part of the state has become more thickly 
settled. Their business methods commend them to the confidence and 
support of the public and their patronage has now reached proportions 
that make the business a gratifying and profitable one. In fact, they 
do the bulk of the business in their line in their section and in 
addition to his commercial interests Mr. Gorman owns a farm of six 
hundred and forty acres in Florence township. 

	On the 9th of October, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gorman 
and Miss Margaret Bennett, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bennett, 
both deceased. The children of this marriage are: Josie, the wife of 
William Michaels, of Willow Lake; May, the wife of M. J. Russell, of 
Hayti; Edward B. and James B., who are associated with their father in 
business; and Sadie and Grace, both at home. 

	The family residence is maintained at Castlewood and is a most 
hospitable one, its good cheer being greatly enjoyed by the many 
friends of Mr. and Mrs. Gorman. Their religious faith is that of the 
Catholic church and his political support is given the democratic 
party. That he ranks high in the regard of his fellow townsmen is 
indicated by the fact that he has been elected county commissioner for 
six different terms. He has also filled township offices and for a 
number of years has been officially connected with the schools. He 
certainly deserves mention among the pioneer residents of the section 
in which he located. He did not dread the loneliness nor shrink from 
the hardships and privations of pioneer life, but with resolute spirit 
met the conditions that existed at the time of his arrival, when his 
place of abode was thirty-five miles from another habitation. He has 
lived to see remarkable changes and there have been almost equally 
remarkable changes in his own fortunes, for he started out in life 
empty handed and through persistent purpose has steadily worked his way 
upward, his ability and capable management winning for him a creditable 
measure of success.