W. R. Veitch Biography


	This biography appears on page 623 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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				W. R. VEITCH. 

	W. R. Veitch is the postmaster of Groton and also owner of the 
Herald, one of the well known newspapers of Brown county. He was born 
in the state of New York, April 28, 1875, a son of William and Mary 
(Holmes) Veitch, who were also natives of the Empire state and were 
descended from old families represented in the Revolutionary war The 
ancestry in the paternal line was from Scotland, while the mother's 
ancestors were from England, the line being traced back as far as 1594, 
and the family being established in America in 1630. The Holmes family 
figured very prominently in the war for independence. William Veitch 
served in the Civil war and was for many years engaged in merchandising 
in New York but about 1881 removed westward to Dakota territory, 
settling in Spink county, whence he afterward went to Groton, Brown 
county, where his death occurred in 1913. 

	W. R. Veitch was educated in the Harriman University at Harriman, 
Tennessee, and subsequently attended Valparaiso University at 
Valparaiso, Indiana. He next entered the newspaper field and after 
serving an apprenticeship of several years on various papers and in 
various states went to Groton in 1900 and established the Groton 
Herald, which he has developed from a small country paper to one having 
a large circulation and more than local influence. The paper is 
democratic and is aggressive in the statement of its political 
opinions. In September, 1913, Mr. Veitch was appointed postmaster of 
Groton, being one of the first five postmasters appointed in the state 
by President Wilson. He is a prominent figure in political circles and 
was secretary of the state central democratic committee in 1912. 

	In 1901 Mr. Veitch was united in marriage to Miss Matie Wismer, 
of Groton. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective 
Order of Elks, belonging to Aberdeen Lodge, No. 1046, and he is a 
member of the executive committee of the Groton Country Club. His 
religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church, 
with which his wife is also affiliated. During the* residence in Groton 
Mr. and Mrs. Veitch have gained a wide and favorable acquaintance and 
the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.