John W. Lang 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 687-688

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

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JOHN W. LANG. Among the early settlers of Dakota, who through their 
personal experiences during their life on the frontier can hold the 
attention of their listeners by their reminiscences, this gentle-man is 
entitled to more than passing mention. He located in Spink county when 
his nearest neighbor was fifteen miles distant and there was but one 
shanty between Watertown and Timber Creek, and all supplies had to be 
hauled from Watertown. 

Prairie fires were frequent, and he run his horse five miles on one 
occasion to save his buildings. Elk, deer, buffalo and antelope were 
plenty, and when fresh meat was wanted our subject would kill antelope, 
luring them within reach by a red handkerchief tied on a stick. 
Curiosity would keep them intent on the handkerchief and unmindful of 
their danger. He was one of the survivors of the great blizzard. After 
four or five hours' exposure to the storm he found shelter at a house 
seventeen miles from Watertown. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres 
of land in Prairie Center township, but leaves the management of his 
farm to his son and resides in Doland, where he is engaged in the 
blacksmith and wagon maker's business, and is one of the best workmen 
in the town and enjoys his full share of the patronage. 

Mr. Lang was born in Steuben county, New York, in 1853, the son of a 
farmer. His parents were natives of the same state, and his father died 
when our subject was but ten years of age. The following year the 
family moved to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and the older sons engaged in 
farming. Our subject assisted in the farm work and also learned the 
trade of blacksmith and wagonmaker. When about twenty-two years of age 
he rented land and began farming for himself. He went to Dakota in 
1879, and located in Prairie Center township in Spink county, and put 
up a sod shanty, 12 x 16, and a sod barn the same size. In the fall he 
was joined by his family, and he then erected a frame dwelling, 12 x 
16. He began farming with one team, a wagon and a plow, and afterward 
owned five hundred acres, but has disposed of some of the land and now 
has one hundred and sixty acres. The farm is well improved, has good 
buildings, two wells, a small grove of trees, and plenty of pasture, 
and his son now has the management of the farm and resides there where 
he engages in mixed farming. The family was the first to settle in 
Prairie Centre township, and were among the first settlers of Spink 
county. Our subject moved to Doland in the fall of 1898, on account of 
the ill health of Mrs. Lang, and established a shop and works at his 
trade. 

Our subject was married at the age of twenty-two years to Miss Ora 
Aldrich, a native of Dodge county, Wisconsin, and a daughter of a 
farmer. Mrs. Lang was well educated and taught school previous to her 
marriage. She departed this life in January, 1899. Mr. Lang has held 
various local offices, and is well known throughout that portion of the 
state. He was chairman of the board of supervisors for seven years in 
Prairie Center township, and was the first constable in Spink county. 
In 1899 he was elected as town trustee in Doland, and is one of the 
influential citizens. He is a prominent member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, having united with that society nearly ten years since. 
Politically he is a Democrat.