Robert J. Truax Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1023-1024 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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				ROBERT J. TRUAX.  

	Robert J. Truax, a pioneer of Hill City, is one of the leading 
residents of that place and is connected with many lines of activity. 
He owns considerable real estate, is heavily interested in mining, owns 
a factory for the manufacture of brick and is engaged in the automobile 
business. Born in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 26th of August, 
1838, he is a son of Daniel V. and Sarah (Wright) Truax, the former 
born in Holland and the latter in Canada. In early manhood the father 
was a steamboat captain on the St. Lawrence river but in 1852 removed 
with his family to Hastings, Minnesota, where he resided for the 
remainder of his days. After removing to that state he confined his 
attention largely to farming.  

	Robert J. Truax received a somewhat limited education and when 
twelve years of age began working in the lath mills and machine shops. 
He was employed in various capacities until 1861, but in April of that 
year joined Company F, First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and when the 
ninety days for which he had enlisted were up reenlisted in the Third 
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and after three years again reenlisted, 
remaining with that command until September, 1865. For four and a half 
years he was at the front and during all that time was never wounded. 
He enlisted as a private, but was promoted successively to corporal and 
sergeant. He fought in the battle of Stone River, Little Rock and 
Sabine River, in the siege of Vicksburg, and in many other engagements 
of lesser importance. Upon returning to civil life he found employment 
on the Mississippi river, running a boat for a large company He 
operated freight boats, etc., until about 1875, when he went to 
Minneapolis, where he was in business for two or three years. His next 
removal was to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and for about three years he 
conducted a hotel there. He then went to Minnesota, as he had a 
contract on railroad work. After about two years he went to Mandan, 
North Dakota, on railroad construction work and was engaged in railroad 
contracting for about four years. He then mined in Coeur d'Alene, 
Idaho, for about two years and thence went to Butte, Montana.  

	In the fall of 1885 Mr. Truax located in the Black Hills, South 
Dakota, settling first at Buffalo Gap. After spending the winter there 
he went to Spring Creek and there engaged in mining. About 1890, 
realizing the need of building brick, he opened a brick yard at Hill 
City and is still engaged in the manufacture of brick. He has retained 
his mining interests, however, and operates three or four mines, 
including the Mercedes gold mines at Rockford, from which he derives a 
considerable profit. He also promoted the two Tungsten mills at Hill 
City and for many years has been actively connected with the 
development of his locality. Besides his mining properties in this 
state he owns farm lands in Minnesota, a tobacco and fruit plantation 
in Cuba and also business and residence properties in Hill City. His 
energies are seemingly exhaustless and in addition to his other 
activities he operates a garage which is fully prepared to meet the 
demands of the automobile owning public. He was the founder of Mandan, 
North Dakota, and of Moorhead, Minnesota, and was one of the first to 
strike a tent in Fargo, North Dakota. When he settled in Hill City 
there was but one small log store there and many times other residents 
of the place had to go to him to secure supplies, which he always gave 
them freely. He has always manifested that hospitality and 
greatheartedness which is characteristic of the west and has been a 
true pioneer, finding much satisfaction in helping to open up new 
districts to civilization. In so doing he has also found opportunity 
for many good business investments and is now a man of independent 
means. He frequently spends his winters in Cuba, but a number of times 
his mining interests have compelled him to remain in South Dakota.  

	Mr. Truax has been twice married, his first union being with Miss 
Mary Elnora Berry, of Hastings, Minnesota, who became his wife in 1863. 
She passed away in September, 1909, and her demise was sincerely 
mourned by all who knew her. To that union were born the following 
children: Robert A., deceased; George A., who is mining property 
belonging to his father in Rockford, this state; and John E., a 
resident of Nemo, South Dakota, who is in the employ of the Homestake 
Mining Company and who married Miss Josephine Hebart and has three 
children living, while three died in childhood. On the 4th of March, 
1913, Mr. Truax wedded Miss Josephine Aaron, of Cleveland, Ohio.  

	Mr. Truax is a republican but has never sought to figure 
prominently in public affairs, as his extensive business activities 
have demanded his entire time. He belongs to Phil Sheridan Post, G. A. 
R., and also holds membership in the Owls. During the many years that 
he has resided in Hill City he has always assisted in enterprises which 
he believed to be calculated to benefit his community and state and as 
be is energetic and is also sound in judgment his cooperation has been 
a factor of no little importance in the development of his locality.