James E. Platt Biography


	This biography appears on pages 230-233 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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				JAMES E. PLATT. 

	James E. Platt is a man of prominence not only in the city of 
Clark and the county of that name but also in banking circles of South 
Dakota and the nation, as he is secretary of the State Bankers 
Association and is a member of the executive council of the American 
Bankers Association. He is mayor of his city, secretary of the 
Commercial Club and president of the Security Bank. His influence is 
felt in almost all aspects of public and civic life, and his energy and 
clearness of vision enable him to accomplish much for the general good. 

	Mr. Platt was born in New York state on the 11th of March, 1866, 
a son of James N. and Laura (Sibley) Platt, both likewise natives of 
the Empire state, their births occurring in Otsego county. They were 
there reared and married. The father, who was a Methodist minister, 
went west to Iowa about 1870 and subsequently filled pulpits at 
Eddyville, Parkersburg, Earlville, Epworth, Manchester, Marion, Fayette 
and Nashua. In 1884 he brought his family to this state and settled in 
Clark. He later became one of the organizers of the Security Bank and 
was subsequently made president of the institution, in which capacity 
he served until his death, in April, 1906, when he was sixty-eight 
years of age. His widow survives and makes her home in Clark. 

	James E. Platt was reared at home and acquired his education in 
the common schools and at the Manchester (Ia.) high school, graduating 
from the latter institution with the class of 1881, being its youngest 
member as he was only fifteen years of age. Subsequently he attended 
Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, the Upper Iowa University at 
Fayette and Epworth Seminary at Epworth. He completed a classical 
course in the last mentioned school in 1884 and immediately afterward 
came to Clark, South Dakota, where he found employment in the D. Wayne 
& Sons Banking House for four years. In 1888 he assisted in organizing 
the Security Bank of Clark and on September 1st of that year the 
institution opened its doors for business with Mr. Platt as its first 
cashier. In 1890 his father was made president of the bank and served 
in that capacity until his death, which occurred in 1906. James E. 
Platt held the position of cashier until 1913, when he was elected 
president of the institution, in which capacity he is now serving. His 
long banking experience has made him thoroughly familiar with the daily 
routine and his years of service in an administrative position have 
developed his natural executive ability, while his constant study of 
the monetary and commercial problems that affect banking has made him 
unusually competent to erect larger policies of the bank with which he 
is connected. The same qualities have gained him a position of 
leadership in the State Bankers Association, in which he holds the 
office of secretary. 

	On June 19, 1900, Mr. Platt was united in marriage with Miss 
Katherine A. Boyle, who for a number of years taught in the Clark city 
schools. Two children have been born to this marriage, Lois and Robert. 
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Platt 
has sung in the choir for some twenty-five years. 

	Mr. Platt gives his political allegiance to the republican party 
and is the present mayor of the city. Fraternally he is very prominent 
in Masonry, being a member of Clark Lodge, No. 42, A. F. & A. M.; 
Olivet Chapter, No. 14, R. A. M.; Watertown Commandery, K. T.; South 
Dakota Consistory, No. 4, A. & A. S. R., of Aberdeen; El Riad Temple of 
the Mystic Shrine of Sioux Falls; and the Masonic Veterans Association. 
He also belongs to Watertown Lodge, No. 838, B. P. O. E.; Myrtle Lodge, 
No. 43, K. P.; Clark Lodge, No. 60, I. O. O. F., and the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen. He has served as state grand chancellor and supreme 
representative ill the Knights of Pythias and for the past eight years 
has been grand receiver of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He 
likewise holds membership in the Watertown Country Club and the 
Minneapolis Athletic Club. For twenty years he has been treasurer of 
the State Fair Association and is major paymaster of the South Dakota 
State Militia. He is secretary of the Commercial Club of Clark and much 
of the achievement of that organization is due to his fidelity and 
initiative. He is connected in important capacities with many and 
varied associations and movements and it is only his great energy, 
power of quick decision and efficiency that enable him to successfully 
discharge all of the duties devolving upon him. There is no man in 
Clark county who has done more notable public service, and his 
integrity is as generally conceded as his ability.