Levi McGee Biography This biography appears on pages 480-481 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 JUDGE LEVI McGEE. For seventeen years Judge Levi McGee of Rapid City has occupied the bench of the circuit comprising Fall River, Pennington and Custer counties and his fairness and ability are generally conceded. He is also connected with the industrial development of the state, being the moving factor in establishing the Dakota Power Company, which supplies light to a number of the Black Hills cities. Judge McGee was born in Davis county, Iowa, a son of William and Rebecca (Dunlavey) McGee. The father, who was born in Indiana, followed agricultural pursuits in Iowa for a number of years but at length removed to Rapid City, South Dakota, where he passed away in 1910. The mother survived him for one year. To their union were born fifteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity and eight of whom are still living. Judge McGee received his early education in the public schools and also had the advantage of studying in the Southern Iowa Normal School at Bloomfiehd for a time. For about four years he engaged in teaching and later followed mercantile pursuits in Bedford, Iowa. He had determined on the practice of law as a life work and during his spare time pursued his legal studies. After removing to Rapid City, South Dakota, in 1884 he continued his preparation for the bar in the office of Nowlin & Wood, attorneys, and in 1887 was admitted to practice. He at once opened an office and until 1897 largely concentrated his energies upon his work as a lawyer. During that time he also served as county judge and made an excellent record in that capacity. In 1897 he was elected judge of the seventh circuit comprising Fall River, Pennington and Custer counties, and he has since held that office continuously. He possesses the impartiality and power of considering all sides of a question which are so essential in the execution of justice and holds the confidence and respect of both the bar and the general public. Judge McGee also possesses business ability and foresight of a high order and to him the founding of the Dakota Power Company is largely due. This concern now supplies light to Rapid City and surrounding territory and all of its surplus current is used by Deadwood and Lead. It is expected that eventually the company will furnish light to all of the Black Hills cities. The Judge is also a stockholder and director in the packing house at Rapid City. In December, 1887, occurred the marriage of Judge McGee and Miss Gertrude Richards, of Dover, Delaware, a daughter of Charles M. and Emily (Cooper) Richards, the former a well known lumberman. To Judge and Mrs. McGee has been born a daughter, Gertrude, who is now eighteen years of age. Mrs. McGee is a member of the Christian Science church and the Judge also attends that church. Fraternally he belongs to the Elks and the Masonic blue lodge. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he is, moreover, a firm believer in the single tax as advocated by Henry George, as he is convinced that its adoption would solve many of the vexing economic problems that confront the country. In 1894 he was elected state senator and proved an able and working member of the upper house of the general assembly. He not only has an enviable reputation as a jurist throughout his section of the state, but as a man he is also highly esteemed, and he has made many warm friends. He is recognized as one of the leading citizens of Rapid City.