Samuel G. Mortimer Biography


	This biography appears on pages 464, 467 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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				HON. SAMUEL G. MORTIMER. 

	Samuel G. Mortimer has had a share in shaping the laws that 
govern the commonwealth of South Dakota as he served acceptably as 
state senator from his district. He has also contributed largely to the 
development of the business interests of Belle Fourche and the 
surrounding country and is at present engaged in sheep raising on a 
large scale. He was born in Lead, this state, October 16, 1879, a son 
of George G. and Eliza (Murray) Mortimer, the former born in the 
vicinity of Glasgow, Scotland, September 29, 1832, and the latter born 
in London, England, March 12, 1842. In early life the father was a 
stonecutter and when nineteen years of age emigrated to the United 
States, locating first in New York. He next settled in St. Louis and 
later engaged in railroad contracting in Iowa and also worked on the 
state capitol building at Des Moines, Iowa. In 1876 or 1877 he made his 
way to the Black Hills and entered the employ of the Homestake Mining 
Company. He also worked in the mines for a number of years but about 
1885 removed to Denver, where he followed his trade. He resided in 
Denver until 1893 and then returned to a farm which he owned on the 
Belle Fourche river and on which he had lived for a year before going 
to Colorado. After spending another year upon his farm he moved to 
Crook county, Wyoming, where he engaged in raising stock until his 
death, which occurred March 4, 1899. His widow resides in Belle Fourche 
in summer but during the winter makes her home in California. She had 
been married previous to her union with Mr. Mortimer. 

	Samuel G. Mortimer was the only child born to his parents and 
passed his boyhood days at home. In the acquirement of an education he 
attended the schools of Denver' Colorado, and later the country schools 
of Butte county, this state He was fourteen years of age when he 
accompanied his parents to Wyoming and, his father being in ill health, 
the management of the ranch devolved upon his shoulders and although he 
was very young for such a responsibility he directed the work 
successfully. In the fall of 1901 he left Wyoming and removed to Belle 
Fourche and engaged in the hardware business, continuing in that line 
until 1904. He then disposed of his interests and devoted his attention 
to various other affairs. He is now raising sheep, which he finds a 
very profitable business, and also owns valuable farm lands five miles 
east of Belle Fourche. He was for a number of years president of the 
Bee Publishing Company and is now the executive head of the Belle 
Fourche Valley Creamery Company. 

	Mr. Mortimer was married on Christmas day of 1903, to Miss Mabel 
Wood, who was born in Yankton, a daughter of Alfred F. and Martha Wood, 
natives of Rhode Island and Connecticut respectively. The father was a 
native of Rhode Island or Connecticut and the mother was born in 
Norway. Mr. Wood engaged in various occupations in the early part of 
his life and removed to the Black Hills in the pioneer days of this 
state. He eventually engaged in the stock business near Belle Fourche 
and passed away there in November, 1903. His widow still resides upon 
the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer have three children, Ruth Helen, 
Dorothy Anges and Freeman George. 

	Mr. Mortimer is a republican and was the first mayor of Belle 
Fourche after the incorporation of the city. In the fall of 1904 he was 
elected state senator and served acceptably in that position of trust 
and honor. In 1906 he was chosen county treasurer and in 1908 was 
reelected. In June, 1909, he was appointed receiver of the government 
land office and held that position for four years and three months. It 
is worthy of note that at the time of his service as state senator he 
was the youngest man in the upper house of the legislature. He is now 
president of Belle Fourche school district No. 1 and is always seeking 
to further the interests of the public-school system. He has manifested 
a great deal of interest in the Masonic order and belongs to all of the 
bodies thereof from the blue lodge to the Shrine. He is high priest in 
the chapter and past master of the blue lodge, having served for two 
terms as master. He is also a loyal member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. His genial personality has won him many friends and his 
sterling worth of character has enabled him to retain the friendship 
thus gained.