Wallace J. Loucks Biography


	This biography appears on pages 253-254 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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				WALLACE J. LOUCKS. 

	Wallace J. Loucks is a representative business man of McCook 
county engaged in the jewelry business at Spencer. He was born at 
Rockford, Iowa, on the 9th of September, 1872, and is a son of George 
and Harriett (Wiley) Loucks. The family came to South Dakota in 1877, 
settling at Trent, Moody county, where the father entered land from the 
government, securing both a tree claim and a preemption. There was not 
an improvement upon his place, the land being just as it came from the 
hand of nature. It was a difficult task to break the sod and prepare 
the fields for cultivation, but he resolutely set to work to accomplish 
this and in due time the wild prairie was transformed into a productive 
farm, upon which he resided until 1910, in the meantime harvesting good 
crops year after year so that his financial resources annually 
increased. At length, when he had acquired a handsome competence, he 
retired from active business life and took up his abode in Trent. While 
living there he served as postmaster for a few years. He is now living 
retired in Colorado, but his wife has passed away. 

	Wallace J. Loucks pursued a public school education and added to 
that training a commercial course in the Sioux Falls Business College. 
After leaving school he engaged in teaching for a few years and then 
entered upon commercial life as an employee in the store of S. V. 
Mallory, with whom he learned the jewelry business. In 1910 he removed 
to Spencer, where he opened his present store. He carries a large and 
well selected line of jewelry and has done well, his trade constantly 
increasing. It is known that his business methods are thoroughly 
reliable and that he puts forth every possible effort to please his 
patrons. He is likewise financially interested in the Spencer Light & 
Power Plant. 

	On the 1st of January, 1902, Mr. Loucks was joined in wedlock to 
Miss Lillie Jones, a daughter of Stephen and Mary A. (Gott) Jones, of 
Linn county, Iowa, who came to South Dakota fourteen years ago. Mrs. 
Jones has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Loucks have one child, Arland W. 
The parents occupy an enviable social position and their home is the 
abode of warm-hearted hospitality. 

	Mr. Loucks is deeply interested in South Dakota, rejoices in its 
advancement and does all in his power to further its progress. He is 
recognized in his community as a public spirited citizen, has served as 
treasurer of independent school district, No. 20, for the last three 
years, and has been reelected for another term of three years. He holds 
membership with the Masonic lodge at Spencer and with the Modern 
Woodmen and in the camp of the latter has been clerk for fifteen years. 
His position on the temperance question is indicated in the stalwart 
support which he gives to the prohibition party. His religious faith is 
that of the Baptist church, which he liberally supports, doing all he 
can to further its work. For many years he has held the office of 
deacon, for fifteen years has served as clerk of the church and for 
several years was superintendent of the Sunday school. His life record 
measures up to high standards of manhood and he enjoys the respect and 
esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact.