Edward Freehoff 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 648-649

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

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EDWARD FREEHOFF. Perhaps no more striking example of prosperity as a 
result of persistent effort and prudent habits can be found than that 
afforded by the life of the gentleman whose name heads this article. 
Locating on the wild lands of South Dakota, with but little to aid in 
furthering his purpose he never wavered until his present substantial 
footing was reached, and he is now enjoying the fruits of well spent 
labor. He is a man whose praiseworthy habits and unassuming manner 
command the esteem of all, and he has many close friends, among whom he 
is the recognized leader. He is one of the foremost men of Spink 
county, where his home is located in Mellette township. 

Mr. Freehoff was born in LaCrosse county, Wisconsin, March 11, 1859, 
and was the second child born to William and Annie (Weiker) Freehoff, 
both of German birth. The father died in 1899, and the mother is now a 
resident of Wisconsin. 

Our subject went to Dakota in August, 1887, with a few hundred dollars, 
the savings of his labors as a young man, and for one year after 
reaching Dakota he worked for a neighbor. He secured a team and a few 
implements, and in 1888 began farming for himself, putting in one 
hundred acres of wheat and forty acres of sod flax. The crop was 
excellent, yielding fourteen bushels of wheat per acre, which sold for 
one dollar and ten cents per bushel, and the flax yielding ten bushels 
per acre brought one dollar and twenty-two cents per bushel. The first 
crop started our subject toward prosperity, and he was soon able to 
purchase additional land. He is now the possessor of eight hundred 
acres in a body, and is contemplating additional purchases. In carrying 
on the work he requires the help of one man the year around, and two 
men during the summer and fall months, although attending the 
management of the work himself. His farm is well kept and has the air 
of a home of great comfort, in striking contrast to the first home on 
the prairie. 

Our subject was married in 1888 to Miss Matilda Schaper, a native of 
Wisconsin. Mr. Freehoff is a member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. He has been called upon to serve in various offices of trust 
and has discharged his duties with rare fidelity and increasing 
popularity. He has been, chairman of the township board for three 
years, and is interested in educational matters to a great extent, 
serving since 1892 as chairman of the school board. In political 
sentiment he is a Populist and an ardent worker for reform. He 
advocates high license, and opposes equal suffrage. As a man who keeps 
well posted in matters under daily discussion he is a leader in his 
community, and his judgment is of the best and is heeded by his 
fellows.