J. T. Whitmore Biography


	This biography appears on pages 607-608 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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				J. T. WHITMORE. 

	J. T. Whitmore, living on section 30, Farmington township, was 
born in the state of New York on the 16th of February, 1857, his 
parents being William and Mary Whitmore. The father devoted his life to 
farming, which occupation he followed in the Empire state and in 
Indiana until he came to South Dakota in 1884 with Madison as his 
destination. Soon afterward he purchased a quarter section of land 
within the corporation limits of Madison and for twenty years he 
engaged continuously in farming, thus providing a good living for his 
family and laying up a competence for old age. He then retired, 
spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. His 
death occurred in 1909, while his wife passed away in 1915. He was a 
soldier in the Union army, participating for two years in the struggle 
that upheld the supremacy of the Federal government. 

	Following the removal of his parents to Indiana during his early 
boyhood J. T. Whitmore pursued his education in the public schools of 
South Bend, where the family home was established. He assisted his 
father through the periods of vacation and after leaving school and 
later engaged in farming in connection with his father for six years in 
Madison. He next started out independently, locating on a tree claim in 
Herman township, to which he afterward added by purchase a tract of 
eighty acres, so that his farm comprised two hundred and forty acres. 
Later he sold that property and came to his present place, which is 
situated on section 30, Farmington township. He now owns eight hundred 
acres of rich and valuable land and cultivates three hundred and twenty 
acres, utilizing the latest improved farm machinery to carry on the 
work of the fields. Upon his place he keeps fifty head of cattle, 
seventy-five head of hogs and twenty-four head of horses. He is also 
president of the Farmers Elevator of Junius and he is known as one of 
the representative agriculturists of his part of the state. He is ever 
ready to take a forward step when the way opens and he quickly and 
wisely utilizes the opportunities that are presented. 

	On the 1st of October, 1890, Mr. Whitmore was married to Miss 
Bertha Nunnemaker, a daughter of William Nunnemaker, and to them have 
been born seven children: Clarence, who died at the age of twenty-four 
years; Frank; Mabel, the wife of George Stanford; and Ada, Louisa, 
Lloyd and Florence, all yet at home. 

	Mr. Whitmore and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church 
and guide their lives by its teachings. He is a republican in politics 
and for sixteen years has served on the town board, his various 
reelections indicating the confidence reposed in him as well as the 
ability which he displays in the discharge of his official duties. For 
three years he has served on the school board and the cause of 
education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and one whose 
efforts in behalf of the schools are far-reaching and effective.