True W. Child 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. Pages 611-612 Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm TRUE W. CHILD. To build a town from the humble station of a hamlet to that of a thriving business centre requires leaders of enterprise and men of keen business instincts. Among those who have taken an advanced position in the work of developing the village of Mellette to its present distinction as the best business point along the line of the Milwaukee railroad in this section, is the man whose name heads this article. He has extended the lines of his business into all surrounding territory, and has one of the most profitable and rapidly growing enterprises in the county. He is engaged in the farm implement business, and is known throughout Spink county as a man of honesty and progressive methods. Mr. Child was born in Paris, Oxford county, Maine, October 22; 1858. He was the sixth in order of birth of a family of nine children born to Lewis W. and Emily (Reed) Child. The father died in 1897, and the mother is still living, and makes her home in Minnesota. The early career of our subject seems to have been largely directed by force of circumstances; At the age of sixteen he engaged as seaman on a coasting vessel for one year. Becoming fond of a seafaring life, he enlisted as mate for a five-years cruise. Before entering upon his services in this capacity he paid a visit home, and in returning was delayed, and missed his ship, which sailed without him. This was a fortunate occurrence for him, because upon that cruise the crew mutinied, killed most of its officers, and were all imprisoned. Finding he had missed his berth, he went to Boston and there engaged in teaming for awhile, and then returned to Maine and took up the trade of stone-cutter. He also engaged in buying stock for a stock shipper. On coming of age he took a trip to the Pacific coast, passing through Idaho and to California. Returning eastward in 1883, he took up land in Dakota, and engaged extensively in horse dealing, and in 1896 his present business was established. Here he has prospered, and owns a fine property adjoining Mellette, and his residence is situated but a few blocks from the business center of the town. He has a cosy, comfortable home, with all conveniences of modern life, and his property is handsomely improved and kept in order. Mr. Child was married in 1883 to Miss Julia Stevens, a native of Maine. The family circle is completed by one daughter, Blanche. In political views Mr. Child is a Democrat. He served as postmaster of Mellette during Cleveland's administration, and has been a member of the state central committee since 1888. He is opposed to the equal suffrage movement. In the fraternal world Mr. Child has attained considerable prominence. He is a member in good standing of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of the I. O. O. F., being a charter member of the Mellette lodge, which was organized in 1886. This lodge is now in a flourishing condition; it has a large membership, owns the cemetery, has a new lodge room, and entirely out of debt.