Socrates Drew 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 545

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

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SOCRATES DREW. Honored and respected by all, there is no man in 
Highmore, South Dakota, who occupies a more enviable position in 
business and financial circles than Mr. Drew, president of the Bank of 
Highmore, not alone on account of the brilliant success he has 
achieved, but also on account of the honorable, straightforward 
business policy he has ever followed. He possesses untiring energy, is 
quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their 
execution; and his close application to business and his excellent 
management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is 
to-day his. 

Mr. Drew was born in Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, July 3, 1852, and is 
a son of Thomas and Anna (Rugee) Drew, the former a native of 
Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, the latter of Leubec, Germany. The 
mother came to the new world in 1834, the father four years later, and 
they were united in marriage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He now makes his 
home in Tomah, Wisconsin, but the mother has been called to her final 
rest, dying in 1898. 

Our subject was reared and educated in Wisconsin, and began his 
business career by clerking, in which occupation he was engaged until 
coming to Dakota in 1871. He then located in Yankton, where he remained 
until 1879, and was cashier of the Mark M. Parmer Bank, being now the 
oldest banker in the state. On leaving Yankton, he removed to Eagan, 
South Dakota, where he was engaged in the lumber business until coming 
to Highmore in 1884. The following year established a private bank here 
to which he gave the name of the Bank of Highmore, and of which he has 
since been president, while Frank Drew has served as cashier. They do a 
large general banking business here and also conduct a bank at Tomah, 
Wisconsin, which started in 1893. In connection with his financial 
operations, Mr. Drew is also interested in stock, but gives the greater 
part of his time and attention to his banking business. 

In 1877, Mr. Drew was united in marriage with Miss Martha Higbee, a 
daughter of Col. I. N. Higbee, for many years chief clerk in the land 
office at Yankton, and of this union four children have been born, 
namely: Christopher, Abby, Joseph and John. 

Mr. Drew is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and assisted 
in organizing the Grand Lodge of the state, in 1874. He also belongs to 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is identified with the 
Republican party. He has served as chairman of the Republican central 
committee for years but has never sought or desired official honors, 
preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests.