Willis S. Chase Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Page 449

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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WILLIS S. CHASE, ex-soldier, and general farmer of Spink county, is one 
of the extensive land owners of that portion of the state. He, with his 
children, who live at home, owns eleven hundred acres of land, and the 
comfortable home is located on the northwest quarter of section 5 in 
Jefferson township. Here our subject is passing the declining years of 
his life surrounded by all that goes to make farm life pleasant. 

Our subject was born in Orleans county, Vermont, June 13, 1837. He was 
next to the youngest in a family of ten children born to John and Sarah 
(Hoyt) Chase. He left his native state in 1856, and became one of the 
early settlers of Dane county, Wisconsin. He enlisted for the cause of 
his country November 9, 1861, in Company G, First Wisconsin Cavalry, 
and was sent first to Benton Barracks, Missouri, and for one year did 
service in that state. He then joined the Army of the Cumberland, was 
in the battle of Chattanooga, and before Atlanta taking part in 
Stoneman Cook's raid. After three years service he was mustered out and 
returned to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farm work and 
work on the river. He drove to Dakota in September, 1879, and filed a 
soldier's declaratory claim on his land. He settled on the farm in 
April, 1880, worked for a few years at carpenter work to make a 
livelihood for his family, and began farming his land. He invested some 
in cattle and raised wheat, building up a property that is a credit to 
the country. He has a weld improved farm, good buildings, and does not 
owe a dollar. His barn is forty-four by fifty-four feet in measurement, 
and the other buildings are proportionately large, affording shelter 
for stock and grain. 

Our subject was married in 1865 to Miss Mary J. Weed, a native of New 
York. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chase, all of whom 
reside at home. Mary E. is the housekeeper and is a lady of rare 
domestic ability. John E., interested with his father, and Willis W., 
also a land owner. He was married to Miss Salisbury in 1898. 

Our subject is a Republican, and stands firmly for the principles of 
right. He is a prominent citizen of Jefferson township, and as a 
delegate attends county and state conventions of his party. He takes an 
active interest in matters of local import and advances the public 
enterprises which better the conditions of the citizens of his 
locality.