Otto A. Rudolph Biography


	This biography appears on pages 842-843 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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				OTTO A. RUDOLPH. 

	Otto A. Rudolph is one of the prominent and well known citizens 
of Canton, South Dakota. He was born in Saxony, Germany, August 3, 
1850, a son of Otto B. and Henrietta (Schroeder) Rudolph. The family 
came to the United States in 1853, stopping for a short time in 
Chicago. After leaving Chicago they settled on a farm in northeastern 
Iowa. Both parents are now deceased. 

	Otto A. Rudolph, one of a family of six children, was educated in 
the public schools and in Bailey's Business College at Dubuque, Iowa, 
where he pursued a commercial course. Subsequently he became connected 
with the hardware trade and in 1868 he removed to Sioux City, Iowa. He 
also conducted a hardware business in Cherokee, Iowa. At length he 
disposed of his interests in that state and made his way northward to 
Canton, South Dakota, where he owned some land. He arrived in Lincoln 
county in the fall of 1875. In Canton he purchased a hardware store and 
conducted the business with growing success for a quarter of a century. 
This and his land investments constituted the foundation of his wealth. 
He carried a large and well selected line of hardware, met the demands 
of the public and was accorded a liberal patronage up to the time when 
he sold out in 1900. Extending the scope of his activities, he also 
organized the State Mutual Insurance Association and for twelve years 
remained as its manager. In 1912 he disposed of his interest in the 
insurance business and is' now living retired. However, he has large 
investments in this county and throughout the state and from his 
property holdings derives a most substantial annual income. He built 
the beautiful hostelry at Canton known as the Rudolph Hotel in 1902 and 
this is but one of his various property holdings. 

	In 1879 Mr. Rudolph was united in marriage to Miss Anna Miller, a 
daughter of William Miller, and to them have been born three daughters: 
Lucretia, a graduate of Wellesley and now the wife of C. F. Whitmore; 
Florence, who was graduated from the Wisconsin University and became 
the wife of Will Barrett but is now deceased; and Alice, at home. 

	The religious faith of Mr. Rudolph and his family is that of the 
Episcopal church and his political allegiance is given to the 
republican party. His Masonic connections center in Silver Star Lodge, 
No. 4, F. & A. M.; Siroc Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M.; and the consistory 
at Yankton. He is a very active Mason and the handsome new Masonic 
Temple at Canton is largely the result of his continued efforts. He 
began interesting his fellow Masons in the project ten years ago and 
the completed building stands as a monument to his integrity, energy 
and public spirit. It was erected at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars 
and was dedicated on the 8th of April, 1914. Mr. Rudolph has been a 
member of the school board and is greatly interested in public 
progress, his cooperation being an effective force in advancing many 
plans and projects for the general good. Now that he has retired from 
active business he devotes considerable time to gardening, a pursuit of 
which he is very fond. His life record should well serve as a source of 
inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be 
accomplished when determination and energy lead the way. He has 
constantly been on the alert for opportunities, which he has splendidly 
improved, and as the architect of his own fortunes he has builded 
wisely and well.