Theodore H. Radcliff Biography


	This biography appears on pages 509-510 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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				THEODORE H. RADCLIFF. 

	Theodore H. Radcliff was prominently identified with many phases 
of the commercial life of Howard and for a number of years before his 
death was president of the Peoples State Bank, one of the reliable 
financial institutions of Miner county. He was born October 20, 1859, 
in North Amherst, Ohio, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Gawn) Radcliff, 
natives of the Isle of Man. In 1867 they removed to New Milford, 
Illinois, where the father carried on blacksmithing, 

	Theodore H. Radcliff attended a private school of Rockford, 
Illinois, and a business college and applied himself assiduously to the 
acquirement of an education, His mother promised him that if he would 
work diligently she would see that he received liberal school 
advantages, and he proved the genuineness of his desire by milking 
fourteen cows night and morning and driving several miles to school at 
Rockford. Afterward he worked for W. A. Knowlton at the water power 
plant for some time, and then he came to Miner county and homesteaded 
land. He subsequently returned to Rockford, but in 1882 came again to 
Howard, where he settled permanently. He entered the machine business 
in connection with W. A. Knowlton, Jr., son of his former employer. In 
1885 he formed another partnership, George Blackman becoming associated 
with him in the conduct of a real-estate and loan business. The firm 
also handled machines and the partnership was continued to the profit 
of both parties until 1896, when it was dissolved. Mr. Radcliff then 
carried on the business alone. At one time in his life he was 
associated with Charley Farmer in the conduct of an abstract, real-
estate and loan business for several years, the venture proving 
remunerative. In 1900 the Peoples State Bank was organized with T. H. 
Radcliff as president, Charley Farmer, vice president, and H. M. 
Hanson, cashier. Mr. Radcliff retained that important position until 
his death, which occurred January 1, 1909. His intimate knowledge of 
business conditions in Howard, his systematic habits and his 
familiarity with the trend of modern banking all proved valuable 
factors in the successful management of the institution. His demise was 
much regretted by all who had come in contact with him, either in a 
business relation or socially. 

	Mr. Radcliff was united in marriage, September 10, 1884, to Miss 
Lizzie Barker, a daughter of John and Margaret (Holly) Barker, of 
Rockford, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Radcliff came to Dakota, September 28, 
1884. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children as 
follows: J. Howard, who was born June 25, 1885, and is engaged in the 
insurance business in Mitchell, South Dakota; Stewart I., whose natal 
day was June 27, 1889, and who is living in Howard; Charles N., who was 
born August 30, 1891, and is in the life insurance business with 
headquarters at Watertown, South Dakota; Helen M., who was born 
November 18, 1893, and died February 14, 1899; Bryan R., bow May 4, 
1896, who graduated June, 1914 from St. Johns Military Academy at 
Delafield, Wisconsin, alla is now attending the University of Chicago; 
Margaret E., born September 17, 1898; Theodore H., born December 10, 
1903; and James, born April 4, 1905. Mr. Radcliff was a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, belonging to a number of its branches, including 
the Mystic Shrine, and he held membership also with the Odd Fellows and 
the Woodmen. His sons, Stewart and Howard, are both thirty second 
degree Masons and belong to the Elks and Woodmen. Mrs. Radcliff belongs 
to Howard Chapter, No. 79, O. E. S. His political belief was that of 
the democratic party. Mr. Radcliff was a member of the school board for 
many years. He was one of the representative men of Miner county and 
was successful in everything that he undertook, doing much in many 
lines to further the progress of his county and city.