William T. Haessig Biography


	This biography appears on pages 500-503 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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				WILLIAM T. HAESSIG. 

	It is little more than a quarter of a century since the entire 
district comprised within the borders of Spink county was wild, 
uncultivated prairie, covered with the native grasses. Today the place 
is dotted with many farms and a large part of the acreage is under 
cultivation. One of the good properties in Mellette township is that 
owned by William T. Haessig, whose land lies partly on section 27 and 
part]y on section 34, but he is now practically hiving retired in 
Redfield. Twenty-eight years have come and gone since he arrived in 
South Dakota, making his way direct from Germany, his native land. He 
was born in Isenhausen, Alsace-Lorraine, July 5, 1867, and is a son of 
John and Anna (Burger) Haessig. The father died in the year 1912 and 
was buried in Isenhausen, where his entire life had been passed. His 
wife still survives and yet resides in her native country. 

	In the land of his birth William T. Haessig spent the days of his 
boyhood and youth and in accordance with the laws of that land attended 
school until he reached the age of fourteen years. He was a youth of 
fifteen years when he severed the ties that bound him to the old world 
and sought the opportunities of the new, of which he had heard 
favorable reports. He was empty-handed, but, while he did not possess 
capital, he had in substantial measure the desirable qualities of 
energy and determination. He immediately sought employment and worked 
for others until he felt that he was justified in renting land and 
engaging in farming on his own account. On his arrival in this country 
he went to Leighton, Iowa, where he remained for about a year and a 
half and then proceeded to Wyoming, where he rode on the range for 
three years. Returning east, he located in Minnesota, where he worked 
for two years before removing to South Dakota. He came direct to 
Mellette and was here employed for one year, after which he rented land 
for three years, and was then once more employed at farm labor until he 
purchased a threshing outfit, which he operated until 1897. He then 
filed upon the northwest quarter of section 34, Mellette township, and 
the same year purchased an adjoining one hundred and sixty acres—the 
southwest quarter of section 27—so that he is now the owner of an 
excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which he has brought 
to a high state of cultivation, his labors having been productive of 
excellent results. He pursued general farming and the concentration of 
his efforts upon his individual business affairs, combined with 
indefatigable energy, brought to him well merited success. He won for 
himself a creditable position among the active and representative 
farmers of his part of the state. That his labors were intelligently 
directed is indicated in the fact that he was able in 1912 to purchase 
an attractive property adjoining Redfield to which he has since removed 
and is now practically living retired, enjoying the competence he has 
earned. He is also the owner of land in Florida. 

	On the 13th of October, 1898, in Freeman, South Dakota, Mr. 
Haessig was united in marriage to Miss Edith M. Dubois, a daughter of 
John and Juliette (Lane) Dubois. Her father was a farmer and now 
resides in Watertown, South Dakota. The family is of French origin and 
three brothers of the name went from France to Holland, where they 
married and then came to America long prior to the Revolutionary war, 
since which time representative's of the family have here resided. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Haessig have been born eight children: Anna, John, Arthur 
and Florence, who are attending school at Redfield; and Hattie, Jessie, 
Edith and Hazel, who complete the family. 

	Mr. Haessig belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He 
has never become a stanch advocate of any political party but votes 
independently, regarding the capability of the candidate for the office 
which he seeks. He has never had occasion to regret his determination 
to come to the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he 
sought. He realized the fact that industry is the basis of success and 
by persistent, earnest work he has reached his present position as a 
well-to-do citizen of Spink county. He broke every foot of ground on 
his farm that is today under cultivation. It was covered with willow 
trees, which he grubbed out, reclaiming the land and transforming it 
into its present cultivable condition. He has erected all of the 
buildings upon the place and these are an evidence of his progressive 
spirit. His wife has been to him an able assistant and has shared with 
him in the good management of their place.