Edward C. Issenhuth 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 225 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 EDWARD C. ISSENHUTH, Banker, Redfield, South Dakota. In the development of a new country, with its manifold path to fortune and to social, political and commercial prominence, a wide field is offered for the display of the natural powers of ingenuity, original strength of character, moral worth and mental superiority, such as would in a more conservative community be forced to pass unrecognized, or at best, would find itself trammeled by the unmeaning ceremonials, empty titles, and the unendurable restraints of caste and social distinctions. In the young and vigorous west, where enterprise stands ready in every walk of life, to follow with fortune, wealth and power, at the beck of genius, the man of strength grows stronger,and his struggles only serve to kindle his courage and to train his hand and brain to the difficulties of his task. In politics, in commerce, in education, in finance, natural leaders step to the front and guide the community through perils to the broad and open fields of prosperity and wealth and social and intellectual supremacy. As one of those whose leadership, whose greatness of character, lofty ambitions, peerless ability, both natural and acquired, and whose tireless energy for the good of his community, entitle him to prominent mention in the annals of Spink county, the gentleman whose name introduces this article is accorded in this work, and it is believed when the future historian of South Dakota gives to coming generations the product of his research and labor, that no brighter page will enrich that volume than that adorned by the name of our present subject. Edward C. Issenhuth was born in Millersburg, Iowa county, Iowa, on the 2nd day of May, 1858 He was the eldest of nine children born to Martin and Margaret (Eckrich) Issenhuth, and the family being under the ban of honest poverty, our subject in his youth was necessarily looked to as one of the main arms of support for his brothers and sisters and parents. Yet, while following the plow, he early began to realize that education lies at the foundation of success in life. He applied himself with great diligence during his spare moments, and although permitted to attend the common schools only during the winter months, he mastered the rudiments there taught, and then began to consider the possibilities of a college course. The difficulties did not hinder him from his purpose, and he entered the Tilford Academy at Vinton, Iowa, and while devoting all his mind to his studies, he earned his way by attending horses, doing `' chores " and working at odd jobs. He also taught school during vacation time, and by steady application to his studies made rapid progress. This continued about three years, and then being seized with a desire to try his fortunes in the west, he went to Huron, South Dakota, arriving there in July, 1880, in debt $70.00 for borrowed money. He sought work at once, and found employment doing rough carpentering, and also taught school in the winter. He conducted the first school taught in Cavour, Beadle county, and soon came to be recognized as a young man of sterling worth. He obtained a state certificate, and became prominent in educational circles. He was tendered positions of trust, and finally accepted the office of assessor of his county. He was employed in various official duties at the county seat, and served from 1881 to 1886 as chairman of the Republican central committee. During this time he had also farmed his land, upon which he had filed a claim soon after his arrival in the county. His business instincts began to assert themselves, however, and in 1887 he opened a real estate and insurance office at Huron. He then went to Watertown as manager of the Northwestern Mortgage and Trust Company, and in 1890 became chief clerk in the land office at Watertown. He next secured a position as assistant cashier in the Huron National Bank, and there his quick insight soon gave him the details of the banking business, and in 1893, upon the establishment of the State Bank of Mellette, he became its cashier, with an interest in the institution, which interest he yet retains. He thus became established as a business man and in 1895 he organized and opened the Bank of Redfield, of which he became cashier. Its small investments and quick returns, together with a reputation for honesty and integrity on the part of its cashier, have brought the bank solidity, and a business standing rarely equaled by western banks. Its business is in a flourishing condition, and its interests. are being gradually extended along safe and conservative lines. Mr. Issenhuth was married June 18, 1896, to Miss Emma Kronchnabel, a native of the state of Minnesota. To Mr. and Mrs. Issenhuth one child has been born, Edward Romaine, an infant. Mr. Issenhuth is president and treasurer of the Syndicate Stock Company, and of the Redfield Power Company. He was born and raised a Catholic, and as a business man who believes in supporting every worthy institution, he gives generously of his means to the support of the church. In political sentiment and ideas he holds to the character of a man of business and a student of social and economic conditions, giving his support to the "grand old party. " He is an advocate of the principle of high license for the control of the liquor traffic, and does not favor the movement for equal suffrage. He is well known throughout the section of the state in which he had had business dealings, and no man is more deserving of the high esteem and confidence which he enjoys.