Henry F. Livingston, M. D. Biography This biography appears on pages 1011-1013 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 HENRY F. LIVINGSTON, M. D. The late Dr. Henry F. Livingston of Yankton devoted his entire life to the practice of medicine and during much of the period his experiences were those of the pioneer physician who adds to the strenuous labors of the profession the difficulties incident to practice upon the frontier. His ability was pronounced and at all times he kept in touch with the onward march of the profession in its scientific investigations through his wide reading and research. He was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, on the 18th of April, 1843, and was a representative of one of the old colonial families of Connecticut. His parents were Farrand and Judith Livingston and he was their third son. At the age of fourteen he crossed the border into the United States and not long afterward became a resident of Iowa, settling at Davenport, where he remained until 1865. In the meantime he had determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work and to that end entered the Keokuk Medical College, from which he was in due time graduated. He also attended Rush Medical College of Chicago and the Griswold College of Davenport, Iowa. The thoroughness with which he prepared for his profession was characteristic of his manner of practice in later life. Immediately following his graduation Dr. Livingston removed to Yankton, where he practiced for two years. He then received government appointment to the position of physician to the Sioux Indians, with headquarters at the upper Missouri Sioux Agency, known as Crow Creek. There he remained for twelve years, filling the position of government physician for four years and that of United States agent for eight years. His fair treatment and his consideration of the red men won their high regard and he had notable influence over them. A contemporary biographer said: "He gained the respect of the turbulent Indians under his control in a remarkable manner and was regarded as one of the most efficient government employee who ever undertook the serious problem of the management of an Indian agency in the pioneer days." On the conclusion of his term of office Dr. Livingston returned to Yankton, where he had always maintained a home, and there he continued to reside until his life's labors were ended. Soon after taking up his abode in Yankton for the second time he was appointed assistant superintendent of the state hospital for the insane, remaining in that connection for two years and then after an interval of a year returning to the same institution as the medical superintendent, in which capacity he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he resumed the private practice of medicine, in which he continued almost to the last, and during much of that period he also held the office of coroner of Yankton county. He was interested in his profession from both the scientific and the humanitarian standpoints and his sympathy, resulting in almost intuitive understanding of his patients, was one of the strong factors in his success. In April, 1871, Dr. Livingston was united in marriage to Miss Ann E. Hoyt, the second daughter of the Rev. Melancthon and Ann E. Y. Hoyt, who were among the pioneer residents of Yankton. Dr. and Mrs. Livingston became the parents of three sons who, with the mother, survive. Guy Farrand, the eldest, was born at Fort Thompson, South Dakota, June 16, 1873, and completed his public-school education by graduation from the high school with the class of 1890. He then engaged in the stationery business in connection with Franklin Wells and in 1900 formed a partnership with his brother under the firm style of Livingston Brothers and has since continued as one of the leading merchants of the city. He took a course in optometry m 1903 and has specialized in his profession along with the jewelry business since then. He is both a forceful and resourceful business man and his industry and sagacity are features in his growing success. He was married October 5, 1904, to Miss Grace E. Summers, her parents being John W. and Julia E. Summers, natives of England, who came to South Dakota in 1886. By this union there is one child, Henry Farrand. Guy F. Livingston and his wife hold membership in the Episcopal church, in which he has served as a vestryman for twelve years. He is a member of St. Johns Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., and in politics casts his vote for the republican party where national issues are involved but votes independently at local elections. The only public office that he has ever filled is that of member of the state board of examiners of optometry, of which board he is now secretary. He also belongs to the Commercial Club. Harry Leavenworth, the second son, born in the Crow Creek Agency, July 26, 1876, supplemented his grammar-school education by three years' study in the high school and received his initial business training in the jewelry store of L. A. Cobb. He spent one year in a similar line in Rochester, Minnesota, and in 1900 joined his brother Guy in organizing the present firm of Livingston Brothers. On the 29th of November, 1904, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Matthews English, a daughter of John C. English, of Yankton. Harry L. Livingston is also a member of the Episcopal church and a republican in politics, while in Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. The third son, Everett Yarrington, was born in Yankton, July 2, 1886, and supplemented his public school course by study in the Yankton Academy and by a business course in Oakland California. After attending the academy he went to the western coast in 1906. He made his home in Berkeley, California, and was in the employ of the Southern Pacific and afterward in newspaper work. Later he was at Bay Point, California, where he engaged in the lumber business. In 1910 he returned to Yankton to become a member of the well known firm of Livingston Brothers. His fraternal relations are with the Elks and the Odd Fellows and, like his brothers, he is a stanch advocate of the republican party. The sons are indeed a credit to their parents, following a course of life which had its example in the splendid record of their father. The career of Dr. Livingston was ever actuated by high and honorable principles. He was an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained high rank, holding membership in De Molay Commandery, No. 3, K. T., and in Oriental Consistory, No. 1, A. A. S. R. He was also a charter member of the Modern Woodmen camp at Yankton. He was a member of Christ Episcopal church and for many years served on its vestry and for years served as junior then as senior warden of the church. The history of South Dakota from an early period in its development was familiar to him and, possessing an observing eye and retentive memory, his mind was stored with many interesting incidents of the early days. In fact his opinions were accepted as authority concerning points of history. In disposition he was genial, was at all times generous and kindly and was popular wherever he was known. He was at home with the Indians and with the most cultured. In a word, he had that adaptability and tact which enabled him to put everyone at ease in his presence. Of him it might well be said: "His life was noble, and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world: This was a man."