Samuel Jacobson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 112-115 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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				SAMUEL JACOBSON. 

	Samuel Jacobson, a well known banker and business man of Wakonda, 
was born in Racine, Wisconsin, February 16, 1878, a son of Chris and 
Annie L. Jacobson, natives of Denmark and Texas respectively. The 
father emigrated to the United States in early manhood and made his way 
to Racine, Wisconsin, where he was married in 1877. Two years later he 
removed to Nebraska, whence in 1888 he came to South Dakota, settling 
in Clay county. He established a mercantile business in Wakonda and 
conducted the same until his retirement in 1910. He also dealt in real 
estate and was the owner of a large amount of land but is now living 
retired at Wakonda. His wife also survives. His political allegiance is 
given the republican party and fraternally he is connected with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern 
Woodmen of America. To him and his wife have been born four sons: 
Samuel, of this review; Lauris, of Racine, Wisconsin, who is a 
bookkeeper in the employ of J. I Case; Albert, who is in business at 
Sand Point, Idaho; and Clarence, a merchant of Dover, Idaho. 

	Samuel Jacobson attended the public schools of Clay county and 
after completing the course there entered the State University of South 
Dakota at Vermillion, where he prepared for a business career by taking 
a commercial course, from which he was graduated in 1895. In August of 
that year he became bookkeeper for the Bank of Wakonda and held that 
position until he won promotion to assistant cashier. In 1904 he was 
made cashier and is still serving in that capacity. The institution is 
conducted on a conservative basis, insuring its depositors of ample 
security, but it is also up-to-date and progressive, serving the 
community in the many ways possible to a modern bank. Much of the 
prosperity of the institution is due to the business acumen and 
personal care of Mr. Jacobson, who is one of the leaders in the 
financial circles of Clay county. He is also one of the main 
stockholders of the bank, which was organized in 1893 as the Bank of 
Wakonda. Its capital stock is twenty-four thousand dollars, its surplus 
six thousand dollars, its undivided profits over four thousand dollars 
and its deposits more than four hundred thousand dollars. The present 
officers are: M. J. Chaney, president; F. A. Swezey, vice president; 
Samuel Jacobson, cashier; and Charles Londahl, assistant cashier. 

	Mr. Jacobson is secretary of and a stockholder in the Wakonda 
Telephone Company, which was organized in 1903 and with which he has 
since been identified. He is a stockholder of the Wakonda Electric 
Light Plant and is secretary of the company, and is also interested in 
farming and stock raising. He deals in land to some extent and finds 
that business a profitable one. He owns a fine residence in Wakonda and 
is one of the well-to-do citizens of that town. 

	Mr. Jacobson was married in 1896 to Miss Mary J. McIlvena, who 
was born in Clay county, of the marriage of Joseph and Catherine 
McIlvena. Her parents came to this state at an early day and the father 
took up a homestead in Clay county, near Wakonda, which he operated 
until his death. To him and his wife were born four daughters: Agnes, 
who died in 1908; Lucy, the wife of Samuel Artz, who is residing upon 
the old homestead; Margaret, the wife of A. H. Hohf, of Worthing, South 
Dakota; and Mrs. Jacobson. 

	Mr. Jacobson is a republican but is liberal in his views, voting 
independently when he deems that such a course would best further the 
public welfare. He has served as chairman of the county central 
committee, but has had no ambition for office himself. He and his wife 
are members of the Congregational church and contribute to its support. 
Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, being a 
member of El Riad Temple of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is also a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen 
of America.