Emmett Larrison 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 285-286

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

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THE LARRISON RANCH.- EMMETT LARRISON. The Larrison ranch, comprising 
two thousand acres in Clark and Day counties, is the most extensive 
estate within the borders of the Dakotas. Stock raising, including 
sheep, horses and cattle, is carried on extensively and grain is 
cultivated to some extent. The place is conceded to be the best 
improved of any in the two counties and doubtless nature and wealth 
have not combined to produce in Dakota such an estate, such a property 
as the nobility of foreign countries might well be proud to own. The 
ranch was first located by Emmett Larrison, the only son of Joseph H. 
and Emily M. (Everts) Larrison. The mother later married Mr. Bergen, 
and is now a widow having in charge the entire ranch. 

Emmett Larrison was born in New York, July 6, 1850. He was but seven 
years of age when his father died and his mother afterward remarried, 
becoming the wife of Beldens Bergen, of the well known New York family 
of that name. He lived but four years after their marriage and upon the 
mother devolved the care of her son, Emmett. His education was 
carefully planned, but the young man did not take kindly to books, 
inclining rather to business pursuits and at an early age assumed the 
management of extensive farming interests in New York. He became 
devoted to farm work and along that line displayed much ability, 
gaining a reputation for shrewd business management and untiring 
energy. His first venture in Dakota was in 1882, when he filed on land 
in Spink county, and soon secured about one thousand acres which he 
devoted to wheat raising. He then conceived the idea of a stock ranch 
and chose as a location Oak Gulch, at the foot of which his buildings 
were erected. Oak Gulch is a charming spot and as connected with the 
annals of pioneering is of much importance. Close by the Gulch the old 
Watertown-Aberdeen stage route passed, and was often traveled by this 
young ranchman. During the hard winter months of the early times fuel 
was obtained from the gulch, and much of the heavy timber thus 
disappeared, but enough of the luxuriant growth of oak, ash and elm 
remains to line the narrow passage, and make it a most charming spot. 

Flowing springs and standing pools moisten the earth and Oak Gulch is 
the picnic grounds for miles around. Beloved by those who associated 
with him, respected by those whom he met, Emmett Larrison built for 
himself a true home. No expense was spared in the erection of his 
dwelling and its furnishings and he was often heard to remark, when 
returning from a business trip, "This is home." He was married in 1895 
to Miss Ida Fiffany, of Ohio; one daughter, Emily M., was born to them. 
But a few months ago, March 30, 1899, death called from the happy home 
the master of Larrison's ranch, and his wife and mother were left to 
mourn for him. 

In the passing away of Emmett Larrison, Clark county lost one of her 
most progressive citizens. He had served as county treasurer from 1890 
to 1892, and in many instances had come before the people in a 
representative manner. He was an advocate of Republican principles, 
equal suffrage and high license, and was strong in his convictions and 
outspoken in his belief. In the fraternal world he was a prominent 
member of the Masonic and the Knights of Pythias lodges. 

The ranch, now controlled by the mother, Mrs. Emily Bergen, is being 
conducted in much the same manner as when her son was living, and fifty 
horses, two hundred and fifty cattle, and eight hundred sheep range the 
hills of Larrison's ranch.