Josiah F. Wagner Biography


	This biography appears on pages 130-133 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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				JOSIAH F. WAGNER. 

	Among the commercial enterprises of Garden City which contribute 
to the upbuilding of the town is the drug store of which Josiah F. 
Wagner is the proprietor. He settled here when Garden City contained a 
population of less than one hundred inhabitants and has since been an 
interested witness of the changes which time and man have wrought. 

	He was born in Hancock county, Ohio, on the 25th of February, 
1879, and two years later the family home was established in South 
Dakota. His father, John D. Wagner, homesteaded in Spink county and at 
once began to develop and improve his tract of land, which up to that 
time was uncultivated prairie. He became an extensive stock-raiser, 
making a specialty of sheep and shorthorn cattle, and as time passed on 
the importance and extent of his business interests placed him in the 
front rank among the stock-raisers of his section of the state. He 
owned six hundred and forty acres of land, which gave him excellent 
grazing ground for his stock. In 1891, on account of ill health, he 
disposed of his interests in Spink county and removed to Minneapolis, 
where he could have hospital treatment. Later he embarked in the cigar 
and tobacco business at that place but after a few years sold out and 
is now practically living retired. His wife, who bore the maiden name 
of Elizabeth Feller, passed away November 3, 1890, at the age of forty-
five years. 

	After the death of the mother, and on account of the illness of 
the father, the home was broken up and Josiah F. Wagner lived with 
relatives and others until about fourteen years of age. At that time he 
went to live with W. J. Jones, a druggist, of Frankfort, Spink county, 
South Dakota, and remained with him until he had attained his majority. 
It was there that the word "home" came to have a real meaning, for his 
advantages and training were all that could be desired. He attended the 
public schools and was graduated from the high school of Frankfort with 
the class of 1902. While pursuing his studies he took the druggist's 
examination and won his certificate on the 20th of July, 1898. After 
completing his school work he continued with Mr. Jones in the conduct 
of his drug store and when the latter sold out to Noah Edwards, Mr. 
Wagner became the manager for the new proprietor, remaining in charge 
of the business for two years. In 1903 he came to Garden City, where he 
embarked in the drug business on his own account, erecting first a 
little frame building in which to place his stock. At that time there 
was a population of only about one hundred here, and there were many 
who believed that such a venture as Mr. Wagner was making would not 
prove successful, but he saw the possibilities for the future growth 
and development of the town and felt that existing conditions in South 
Dakota would speedily bring about a change. He now has a large and well 
appointed drug store and from time to time has increased his stock in 
order to meet growing demands of the trade. He has erected a fine 
business block and occupies his old building with an up-to-date 
furniture store, carrying a large line, and he also conducts an 
undertaking business. He owns other property in Garden City and at the 
present writing is erecting an attractive modern residence—a bungalow 
containing seven rooms. 

	On the 19th of June, 1912, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to 
Miss Grace B. Keyes, a daughter of Eugene R. Keyes, formerly of 
Minnesota but now residing in Henry, Codington county, South Dakota, 
and they have one child, Grace E., born November 10. 1913. 

	The parents are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Wagner is 
also well known as a prominent Mason, belonging to the lodge, chapter 
and the Eastern Star. He is also connected with the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a republican and at one 
time was a candidate for state senator. He is a stockholder in the 
Farmers Elevator and Hall Association and in 1911 he was made president 
of the South Dakota Druggists Association, a fact which indicates his 
high standing in the regard of those who are engaged in a similar line 
of business. He believes ill advancement, and each step in his career 
has been a forward one, bringing him a broader outlook and wider 
opportunities. When he arrived here he had but limited capital but has 
steadily worked his way upward, improving his opportunities, and today 
he is at the head of an extensive, growing and prosperous business and 
is acknowledged one of the foremost factors in the material growth and 
development of his city.