John Pusey 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 244

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

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HON. JOHN PUSEY, senior member of the well-known law firm of Pusey & 
Baldwin, of Miller, South Dakota, is one of the ablest representatives 
of the legal profession practicing at the Hand county bar. A man of 
sound judgment, he manages his cases with masterly skill and tact, and 
is regarded as one of the best jury advocates in the city. He is a 
logical reasoner and has a ready command of English. 

Mr. Pusey was born in Champaign county, Illinois, May 5, 1861, a son of 
William R. and Margaret (White) Pusey, natives of Ohio and Indiana, 
respectively. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, was one of 
the earliest settlers of Champaign county, Illinois, having located 
there in 1837, and entered a tract of government land. There his death 
occurred in 1876. In his family were three sons and four daughters, but 
our subject is the only one living in South Dakota. One son, Virgil A., 
who died in 1897, was state senator in Washington, and also filled the 
position of county superintendent of schools in King county, that 
state. The other son is a resident of Nebraska, in which state the 
mother also resides. The family is of English and Irish descent. 

In the county of his nativity John Pusey grew to manhood, and his early 
education, acquired in its public schools, was supplemented by a course 
in the college at Westfield, Clark county, Illinois. While attending 
that institution he began the study of law, and after leaving school 
engaged in teaching in Champaign county, Illinois, and Newton county, 
Missouri. Coming to Miller, Hand county, South Dakota, he took up a 
claim and for a time gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. On 
the 3d of September, 1884, he founded the "Miller Gazette," the first 
Democratic newspaper started east of Pierre on the Chicago and 
Northwestern Railroad, but after editing the same for a year, he 
disposed of it. He was admitted to the bar in 1884, and at once 
commenced the practice of his chosen profession in company with J. A. 
Moon, a partnership which existed nearly two years. He was then alone 
in business until January, 1898, when he became associated with J. H. 
Baldwin, and they are now successfully engaged in practice under the 
firm style of Pusey & Baldwin. Our subject also gives some attention to 
the real-estate business. 

On the 26th of November, 1886, Mr. Pusey was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary A. Adderley, a native of Detroit, Mich., and they now have a 
family of six children: Edwin A., William J., Anna M., Bertha J., 
Ursula M. and Paul R. Socially Mr. Pusey is identified with the Masonic 
fraternity, the independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of 
Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America, and in the latter order has 
served as a delegate to the national conventions and as head counsel in 
this state. 

In his political views Mr. Pusey is an ardent Democrat, and was one of 
the organizers of the party in Hand county. He acted as county chairman 
for ten years, is now serving as a member of the state central 
committee, and takes an active part in political campaigns, stumping 
the county and state in the interests of his party. At one time he 
served as president of the town council of Miller, and in 1892 was 
elected county judge, which office he most creditably and acceptably 
filled until 1895, when he was appointed postmaster of Miller. He held 
that position until December 30, 1898, and in the fall of that year was 
elected to the lower house of the state legislature to represent Hand 
county. During the winter session of 1898-99 he was one of the leaders 
of his party in the house and was also one of its most popular and 
influential members. He is widely known throughout the state as an able 
lawyer and profound statesman. As an advocate he is earnest, forcible, 
logical and eloquent, and as a citizen is every ready to discharge 
every duty that devolves upon him.