Fred Leman Paddock Biography This biography appears on pages 306-307 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 FRED LEMAN PADDOCK. F. L. Paddock, familiarly known as "Tom," has passed the greater part of his life in Bon Homme county, where he is now farming in Cleveland precinct. He was born at Lime Springs, Howard county, Iowa, March 15, 1868, a son of Charles A. and Sarah (Barnes) Paddock. The father, a native of Cook county, Illinois, was born January 9, 1837, and was a scion of old New England stock. His parents, Richard and Nancy (Betts) Paddock, were born in Oneida county, New York. Mrs. Sarah (Barnes) Paddock was a daughter of Elisha and Sally (Palmer) Barnes. Richard Paddock came west in the early '30s and settled in Cook county, Illinois, when Chicago was a mere village and about 1841 removed there. Five years later he emigrated to McHenry county and in 1887 went to Minneapolis, where he passed away in 1894, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His wife died in McHenry county in 1882. In 1862 Charles Paddock removed still farther west and settled in Howard county, Iowa, finding employment at his trade as a mason around Lime Springs until he came to South Dakota in 1873. Loading his worldly possessions into a prairie schooner drawn by oxen, he started in September on a journey of three hundred miles to his destination in Bon Homme county, arriving October 10, 1873, having previously inspected the country and decided upon his location. The journey took twenty-four days and was not without its hardships. He first filed on a preemption claim, but later changed to a homestead claim, his farm comprising the northwest quarter of section 20, township 94, range 59. As the family arrived too late in the fall to build a house Mr. Paddock rented for the winter, but in the spring built a small log house, to which he added another room in 1876. Three years later he added a half story and replaced the straw and clay roof with shingles, making his residence a very comfortable pioneer dwelling. In the early days before his land was producing to its fullest extent and when the prices for produce were very low he followed the trades of mason and plasterer throughout the winter and thus kept his family supplied with the necessities of life. Later he concentrated his attention upon his farming interests, from which he derived a gratifying income. He had but fifty cents when he reached Yankton and the comfortable competence which he accumulated was the reward of much toil and self-denial and the use of good judgment. In 1880 he and his wife united with the Congregational church and his political allegiance was given to the republican party. From 1885 until 1892 he served on the state board of agriculture and in that capacity did much to further the development of scientific farming in the state. He retired and removed to Oregon in 1899 where he passed away November 26, 1902, and his wife died in that state March 16, 1900. To Mr. and Mrs. Paddock were born ten children, eight of whom survive: Elliott, who is engaged in the real-estate business at Pierson, Iowa; James and Willis, who are living in Oregon; F. L., of this review; Nellie, living in Oregon; Nena, the wife of Milton Turnbull, of Oregon; Anna, who married William P. Eymer, of Tyndall, South Dakota; and Albert, a veterinary surgeon living in Oregon. Emma, who died in 1897, was the wife of I. W. Seman, formerly a stockman of Mitchell, South Dakota. Frank A. died in Union Oregon, in 1906. F. L. Paddock was a child of five years when he accompanied his parents on their overland journey from Iowa to Bon Homme county, and well remembers the long trip made in covered wagons. He vividly recalls passing through Sioux Falls, which at that time consisted of but a few log houses on the banks of the Sioux river. He remained upon the homestead until he was twenty-two years of age and acquired his education in the public schools. Upon leaving home he went to Iowa and engaged in draying there for three years. At Estherville, that state, in connection with a partner, he built a feed shed which they operated for a year and then sold at a good profit. Mr. Paddock then turned his attention to the lumber business, being engaged therein in Story county, Iowa, for two years, at the end of which time he was compelled to quit because of illness. He went to Oregon to recuperate and remained upon the coast for a year, returning, in March, 1903, to the old homestead in Bon Homme county. The last eleven years have been passed thereon and he has not only prospered financially but has enjoyed good health in the bracing climate of South Dakota. His farm is well improved and in a high state of cultivation, producing excellent crops annually, from the sale of which Mr. Paddock derives a good income. He was married in Story county, Iowa, February 9, 1898, to Miss May Eatherton, a daughter of Caleb and Margaret (Burroughs) Eatherton, both natives of Ohio. Mrs. Paddock was born in Jones county, Iowa, and has passed her entire life in the west. By her marriage she has become the mother of seven children, namely: Freda, who died in infancy; Ruth and Nina, twins; Marie and Mary, twins; and Frederick and Charles. The parents belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and take a helpful interest in its activities. Mr. Paddock gives his political allegiance to the progressive party, and while living in Iowa was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the winter of 1880 and 1881, the winter of the deep snow, as it is known, a drift over fifteen feet deep formed in the young trees surrounding the garden of Mr. Paddock and did not disappear until June, the continued seepage keeping the garden so wet that it was necessary to make the garden for that season elsewhere. Although the big game had been driven from the country before the '70s Mr. Paddock occasionally saw & few antelope, but did not have an opportunity to hunt them. His life is typical of the men who have done the greater part in developing the state of South Dakota and his salient characteristics have been energy, sound, practical judgment, determination and integrity, traits which are universally honored.