Henry Allen Pike Biography


	This biography appears on pages 139-140 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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				HENRY ALLEN PIKE. 

	The demise of Henry Allen Pike, of Tyndall, was not only an 
occasion of much sorrow to his family and personal friends, but was 
also a matter of deep regret in the journalistic circles of the state, 
as he had been for years one of the prominent editors of South Dakota. 
He was a descendant of an old and well known New England family, his 
grandmother being a cousin of Ethan Allen of Ticonderoga fame. The 
subject of this review was born in the state of New York, but when he 
was but a lad his parents moved to Iowa and he early learned the 
printer's trade in that state. At the age of seventeen he became an 
editor, and from that time until his death, which occurred in 1912, he 
never vacated the editorial chair. In 1888 he came to Tyndall, Bon 
Homme county, Dakota territory, and purchased the Register, from 
Bradford & Richmond. He made this paper an organ of the democratic 
party and it became one of the influential journals of this section of 
the state. His editorials were not only potent forces in advancing the 
cause of the democratic party, but they were also important factors in 
the promotion of many movements for the community welfare of Tyndall. 
The news columns gave to subscribers of the paper reliable accounts of 
current happenings in the locality and also in the world at large, 
while the wide circulation of the Register made it an excellent 
advertising medium. In Cleveland's second term Mr. Pike was appointed 
postmaster of Tyndall and held the office for four years. While still a 
resident of Iowa, in connection with his journalistic work he served as 
superintendent of schools for Palo Alto county and throughout his life 
manifested a deep interest in everything pertaining to educational 
advancement. He was also prominent in Iowa in the councils of the 
democratic party, and was for several terms chairman of the state 
central committee, in addition to serving as delegate to many county 
and state conventions. His fraternal allegiance was given to the 
Masonic order, his membership being in the lodge at Tyndall. 

	Mr. Pike was married June 4, 1895, to Miss Mary Cullen, a native 
of Cedar county, Nebraska, and a daughter of Martin and Catherine 
(Sullivan) Cullen, natives of County Wexford and County Waterford, 
Ireland, respectively. They were among the early settlers of Cedar 
county, but since the death of his wife Mr. Cullen has made his home 
with a son, W. V. Cullen, who resides in Lyman county, South Dakota. A 
son, Stillman, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Pike November 26, 1896. From 
the time of her marriage the latter has taken a lively interest in 
journalism and, as she learned all the details of the printer's art 
thoroughly, she is well qualified to publish the Register. She has 
continued its publication since the demise of her husband in 1912 and 
edits the paper as well as oversees its printing. She has maintained 
the high standard set by Mr. Pike, and not only is the paper an 
excellent purveyor of news, but it is also a stanch and effective 
advocate of democratic principles. She is a Presbyterian in her 
religious belief and takes an active interest in the work of that 
church. After the blizzard of January 12, 1888, which left so much 
death and destruction in its wake, the remains of nineteen who had 
perished in the storm were laid out in the office of Mr. Pike. Over on 
the south side of the river Mr. Cullen, father of Mrs. Pike, made his 
way to the schoolhouse through the blinding and suffocating storm and 
took the teacher and four children home with him and kept them 
throughout the night. Mr. Pike did a great deal to advance the material 
and moral welfare of his county, and the results of his well spent life 
are increasingly apparent, even though he himself has passed to his 
reward. His memory is held in high honor by all who were privileged to 
call him friend.