John L. Minder Biography This biography appears on pages 677-678 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 JOHN L. MINDER. On the roster of county officials in Roberts county appears the name of John L. Minder, who is filling the position of sheriff and accordingly makes his home in Sisseton. He was born in Carver county, Minnesota, on the 27th of November, 1869, his parents being John and Sophia (Stolle) Minder. The father, who was born in Switzerland in 1847, survives, but the mother, who was born in Germany in 1850, passed away in May, 1913. They were married in Carver county, Minnesota, where Mr. Minder was one of the earliest settlers. He took up his abode there when almost the entire country was a broad, unbroken stretch of prairie land, awaiting the awakening touch of the farmer to yield fruitfully of the cereals best adapted to climatic conditions. He owned a farm twenty miles from Chaska and walked to the town for his groceries. In 1879 he removed to Big Stone City and in 1881 to Wilmot, South Dakota, where he homesteaded and, proving up on his place, secured the title to his claim. He afterward went to the state of Washington, but returned to South Dakota and is now living with a sister in Carver county, Minnesota. In his business affairs he displayed discriminating judgment and unfaltering energy and won a fair measure of success. He holds membership in the German Lutheran church and is somewhat independent in politics, although inclined to support democratic principles. John L. Minder is the eldest in a family of ten children, eight of whom are yet living. He was educated in the common schools of Wilmot and afterward engaged in farming for a number of years, following agricultural pursuits until 1905, when he was elected to the office of sheriff of Roberts county for a term of four years. He proved a capable official and at the end of his term retired from that position. Four years later, however, he was once more elected sheriff and is now serving for the second term, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity and without fear or favor. He owns real estate both in Wilmot and in Sisseton and his investments in property have been judiciously made. In 1891 Mr. Minder was united in marriage to Miss Ida E. Raymond, who was born in Waseca, Minnesota, and died in 1893, leaving a son, George J., who is now proprietor of a lumberyard in Wilmot, South Dakota. In 1906 Mr. Minder was again married, his second union being with Stella Lavachek, who was born in Iowa. They have the following children: Ruth, who was graduated from the high school of Sisseton in the spring of 1915; Violet, at home; and John W. and Delores, both attending school. Mr. Minder is a member of the Lutheran church, while his wife holds membership in the Catholic church. Fraternally he is well known as a member of the Masonic order and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he has been an active worker in its local ranks. He served as township clerk of Lake township and in the office of sheriff he has made a most commendable record, as is indicated in the fact of his reelection. In all matters of citizenship he stands for progress, reform and improvement and his cooperation can be counted upon to aid any measure for the public good.