John Wesley Platt Biography


	This biography appears on page 44 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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				JOHN WESLEY PLATT. 

	John Wesley Platt, of Montrose, is engaged in the harness and 
shoe business and has a gratifying and profitable patronage. He was 
born in Ithaca, New York, August 24, 1857, a son of William S. and 
Catherine (Gibbs) Platt. The father, who was a farmer, went to 
California in 1859 and started on the return trip home by vessel, but 
was never heard from afterward. The mother is still living. 

	J. W. Platt was not able to continue his education very far as he 
was compelled to go to work to assist in the support of the family when 
but a boy. He was apprenticed for seven years to the harness trade and 
in 1878, having completed his term of service, he went to Flandreau, 
South Dakota, and there followed his trade. After leaving that place he 
went to Dell Rapids and thence removed to Montrose in 1881. On the 1st 
of October, 1884, he went into business for himself and established the 
first harness store in his locality has been in business longer than 
any other merchant in Montrose, and the success that has steadily 
attended his efforts during three decades is proof of the integrity of 
his dealings with his customers. He carries a fine line of harness and 
shoes, and is content with a reasonable profit, thus being able to sell 
his goods at a moderate price. His store has grown with the growth of 
the community and is a credit to its owner. He has preempted land in 
Moody county. 

	Mr. Platt was united in marriage to Miss Marcia L. Sexton on the 
28th of June, 1882. She is a daughter of A. L. and Jennie Louise 
(Scellinger) Sexton, of Iowa, and by her marriage has become the mother 
of the following children: Louis W., Kenneth E., Catherine and Aaron. 
Ml. Platt is a democrat, supporting the candidates and measures of that 
party at the polls, and for a number of years served as chairman of the 
town board. He was also on the school board for some time and as a 
director did much to further the progress of the public-school system. 
Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order and the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. He finds much pleasure in fishing and is a 
lover of outdoor life. He is in sympathy with all movements that have 
as their object the development of South Dakota, has found here 
splendid opportunities and has so utilized them that he has won 
material prosperity, although when he came he possessed very little 
capital.