John D. Stemler 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 658-659

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

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JOHN D. STEMLER, clerk of the court of Aurora county, South Dakota, is 
one of the most prominent young men in Plankinton, a leader in 
political and social circles. The agricultural interests of the county 
are also well represented in him, and whether in public or private 
life, he is always a courteous, genial gentleman, well deserving the 
high regard in which he is held. 

Mr. Stemler was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1870, a son of Jacob and 
Philippine (Ruble) Stemler, natives of Germany, who emigrated to 
America, in 1866. After living for a time in Ohio, they removed to 
Illinois, and in March, 1882, came to Aurora county, South Dakota, 
where the father took up a homestead consisting of the north half of 
the south half of section 11, 104-63, Palatine township. At the same 
time he filed a tree claim on the south half of the south half of the 
same section. Here he engaged in agricultural pursuits but previous to 
this time he had always followed the barber's trade. He did not long 
enjoy his new home, however, as he died of consumption in 1884. The 
wife and mother is still living and now makes her home with our subject 
in Plankinton. In their family were seven children, of whom John D. is 
the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follows: Jacob, who 
is engaged in the meat business in Armour, South Dakota; Mrs. Anna 
Streeck, who lives on a farm in Palatine township, Aurora county; 
Charles, a barber of Plankinton; Mrs. Elizabeth or hen, of Krebs, 
Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory; Molly, who died in 1890; and William 
H., who is engaged in the livery business in Armour, South Dakota. 

John D. Stemler was reared in Nokomis, Illinois, until eleven years of 
age; then accompanied his parents on their removal to Aurora county, 
this state. He attended the graded schools of Nokomis for one year, 
later pursued his studies in the country schools of South Dakota until 
nineteen years of age, and in 1889 entered the State Normal, at 
Madison, South Dakota, where he was a student for six months. In the 
fall of 1 890 he entered Elliott's Business College, Burlington, Iowa, 
and after pursuing a six months commercial course was granted a diploma 
and returned home. He is now the owner of the tree claim which his 
father entered, consisting of eighty acres, all fenced and well 
improved, and upon this place he formerly raised millet and flax quite 
extensively, but at present his principal crops are wheat, oats, barley 
and corn. The homestead which his father owned has been sold. 

Politically, Mr. Stemler is an ardent supporter of the Democratic 
party, with which his father also affiliated. Since attaining his 
majority he has taken an active and prominent part in public affairs, 
and in 1891 was elected assessor of his township. In the fall of 1892 
he was elected clerk of the courts of the county, and so acceptably has 
he filled the office that he has been continuously reelected. The first 
election was hotly contested and he received only a majority of twenty-
six, but the second time he received a majority of four hundred, and in 
1896 and 1898 was elected without opposition, which fact plainly 
indicates his popurarity and the confidence and trust reposed in him by 
his fellow citizens. His official duties have always been most promptly 
and faithfully performed, and he has won the confidence and respect of 
all with whom he has come in contact.