Maj. William H. Stanley Biography This biography appears on pages 320, 323 in "History of Dakota Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm MAJOR WILLIAM H. STANLEY. Major William H. Stanley, who is treasurer and also quartermaster of the Battle Mountain Sanitarium, was born in West Salem, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, September 27, 1866. Data concerning his parents will be found in the sketch of John Stanley, which appears elsewhere in this work. He obtained his education in the common schools of Wisconsin and South Dakota and when about seventeen years of age entered the office of the Dakota News, a paper published at Watertown by Mr. Mellette, who subsequently became governor of the state. Mr. Stanley remained with that paper until its consolidation with the Courier and worked upon the Courier-News, as the paper was then known, for five or six months. At the end of that time he returned to Deuel county in the spring of 1886 and spent the following summer with his brother John at Hermosa, Custer county, this state. In the spring of 1887 Mr. Stanley returned home and not long afterward accompanied his parents to Hot Springs. in the summer of that year he purchased the interests of Dr. Stewart in the Star and a few months later became sole owner of that paper, which he conducted for three years, after which he sold it to N. C. Nash, of Canton, and entered the Minnekahta Bank. He was with that institution for only a short time, however, as upon the organization of the First National Bank of Hot Springs he became its assistant cashier, which position he held until 1893. After severing his connection with the First National Bank he served for two terms as county auditor and then became connected with his brother in the conduct of the Hot Springs Star, so continuing until he was appointed secretary of the state railroad commission in 1901, with offices at Sioux Falls. He served in that connection until he was appointed treasurer of the Battle Mountain Sanitarium, a national home for disabled volunteer soldiers, beginning his duties in that capacity August 16, 1909. Since December, 1911, he has also been quartermaster, which is rather unusual, the Battle Mountain Sanitarium being the only branch of the national home in which the two offices are combined. Major Stanley is also associated with his brother in various irrigation projects and together with C. A. Stewart owns a large irrigated fruit farm on Fall river. He also owns land on Cheyenne river which is devoted to farming and grazing. Major Stanley was married on the 18th of December, 1889, his bride being Miss Blanche Stewart, data concerning whose parents is found in the sketch of Charles A. Stewart. To Mr. and Mrs. Stanley has been born a son, Stewart W., whose birth occurred December 29, 1890. He was given excellent educational advantages and graduated from the engineering school of the University of Wisconsin with the class of 1911. He possesses not only a well trained mind but also a splendid physique and he is now a lieutenant in the Coast Artillery service, stationed at present at Corregidor Island, near Manilla, Philippine Islands. Major Stanley is a member of the Baptist church and can always be counted upon to aid in securing the moral advancement of his community. He is a stanch republican and is affiliated with the organization known as the Stalwarts. He served by appointment of District Judge Thomas as clerk of the courts of Fall River county and, as previously stated, held the position of county auditor, being the incumbent of that office for four years. He is affiliated with a number of fraternal orders, belonging to the Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmcn and the Knights of Pythias, and is popular in those organizations. He is quite widely known throughout the state, and all those who have been brought in contact with him hold him in high respect and esteem, as he possesses those qualities of genuine manhood that universally command honor.