John H. Gaskin 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 1047-1048

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

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JOHN H. GASKIN, one of the leading business men of Columbia, is a 
pioneer settler of Brown county. He located in Columbia when it was but 
a mere village and was not firmly established in business rules and 
methods, and has survived the years of business decline which has fell 
to the lot of that city in later years. He carries one of the most 
extensive stocks of general merchandise in the locality, and is well 
known as a man of strong character and integrity. 

Our subject was born in Rochester, New York, January 24, 1855, and was 
the eldest son and second child born to George K. and Hannah (Spooner) 
Gaskin. His mother is still living. When Mr. Gaskin was but a child his 
parents settled in Dane county, Wisconsin. The father enlisted for the 
Civil war and died during the service. After his enlistment the mother 
moved with the family to Marshall, Wisconsin, and there at the age of 
thirteen years our subject began clerking in a general store. his 
studies being completed by an academic course. Upon attaining his 
majority he became junior partner in the merchandise business and 
continued thus for four years. He went to Columbia, South Dakota, in 
July, 1882. The town was then without a railroad and consisted of but 
three stores, a bank, hotel, and a few residences, most of which were 
on the shanty plan of architecture. Our subject erected a building and 
stocked it with general merchandise, hauling the goods from Bath. In 
September, 1882, he formally opened for business and is now enjoying 
his full share of the patronage of that locality. The growth of 
Columbia was wonderful, and as it was a typical boom town and its 
location entitled it to the county seat, it rapidly took on city 
proportions, and in 1884 and T885 numbered from twelve to fifteen 
hundred inhabitants. Soon afterward Aberdeen became a railroad center, 
and towns sprang up in various directions as new railroads were built, 
and the county seat war ended in Aberdeen securing the honor, and the 
town of Columbia was for a time under business depression. Our subject 
was the only merchant who tided the hard times, and he now has a most 
prosperous business and carries a stock representing about fourteen 
thousand dollars. He has given careful attention to the various details 
of his work and is a man of good business qualifications. 

Mr. Gaskin was married, in 1877, to Miss Louise Martin. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gaskin are the parents of two children, named as follows: Effie J., and 
Frank J. Mr. Gaskin is a very prominent member of various secret 
societies, including the Masonic fraternity, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, Rebekah, Modern Woodmen of America, and Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. Politically he is a Democrat. In reviewing the life of 
this gentleman it will be readily seen that he is possessed of those 
traits of character which bring success in a financial as well as 
social sense. He surmounted the difficulties which beset him on every 
hand in a new country, and many others less favored by nature or less 
active in mind would have failed. He is entitled to much credit for his 
steadfastness of purpose, and consequent success.