Moses Huyck 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 867-868

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

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MOSES HUYCK, a leading citizen and successful agriculturist of Potter 
county, is the owner of a valuable estate situated in Lucas township, 
and deserves mention as one of the pioneers who have done so much in 
the development of central South Dakota. 

Moses Huyck was born in Kankakee county, Illinois, in 1854. His 
grandfather, a native of the state of New York, removed to Illinois, in 
the early days of that state, about 1830 or 1835, and became one of its 
sturdy pioneer farmers. Of a family of three children who grew to 
maturity, our subject is the eldest, and was reared on a farm in 
Kankakee county. He attended the country schools, and finished his 
education in the high school at Kankakee. At the age of fourteen years 
we find our subject working for farmers during the busy season of the 
year and attending school during the winter months. In 1877 he rented 
land of his mother, and farmed there two years. He then farmed land for 
one year owned by his wife's grandmother. He then went to Will county, 
Illinois, where he farmed one year. 

In 1880 Mr. Huyck was married to Miss Ellen Goyette, daughter of 
Solomon Goyette, and a native of Kankakee county. Her father was a 
native of Canada, and of French parentage. He died when Mrs. Huyck was 
but three years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Huyck six children have been 
born, named in the order of their birth as follows: Ralph, born January 
20, 1881; Walter, born October 30, 1882; Harry, born December 10, 1885; 
Ida, born October 5, 1887; Nina, born April 5, 1889; Esther, born 
October 31, 1891. 

In 1883 Mr. Huyck decided that the West had more in store for him than 
Illinois, and in company with an uncle and brother-in-law he reached 
Spink county in the spring of that year. There he failed to find land 
suitable for his purpose, and so in June of the same year came to 
Potter county, making the trip in wagons, and bringing lumber along 
with which to build. He located on section 35, Lucas township, and put 
up a board shanty and sodded it outside. It was but 12 x 12 feet, but 
he moved his family into it and they spent the winter there. All lumber 
and supplies had to be hauled from Athol, sixty miles distant, and 
requiring four days to make the trip. He added to his shanty from time 
to time, until he had a house in four parts, twenty four feet square. 
The winter of 1886-7 was the most severe ever experienced by the white 
settlers in Potter county, and our subject was forced to use straw and 
hay for fuel. The snow piled up to the eaves of the house. Mr. Huyck 
also provided adequate shelter for his stock. He added to his barn from 
time to time, and in 1898 erected a new barn, 36 x 62 feet, the largest 
in the neighborhood, and a granary 30 x 32 feet. His residence is built 
in two parts, each 16x 24 feet, with fourteen-foot posts. His land 
holdings consist of four hundred and eighty acres, two hundred and ten 
of which are under cultivation, and the remainder devoted to pasture. 
He devotes his attention to grain and cattle raising, and also grows 
considerable small fruits. He began farming with three horses, a wagon, 
two cows, two pigs and a dozen chickens, and but very little farm 
machinery. He now owns one of the finest farms in South Dakota, and its 
value is enhanced by the addition of modern improvements and 
conveniences, and his home is one of the most pleasant that greets the 
eye of the stranger in many a day's travel. 

Mr. Huyck was elected first treasurer of Lucas township, serving two 
terms. He has been a member of the township board, township clerk, and 
almost continuously a school officer since the organization of schools 
in the township. He takes an active interest in public affairs, has 
been a delegate to the county conventions, and is now a member of the 
township central committee of Populist party. He is a member of the A. 
O. U. W., having entered that fraternity in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Huyck 
paid a visit of one month to the old home in Kankakee county, Illinois, 
in 1893, and also visited the World's Fair at Chicago.