John F. Travers 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 783-784

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

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JOHN F. TRAVERS, superintendent of the Clark county poor farm, is a 
native of Ontario, Canada, and was born January 15, 1835. He was the 
second child and oldest son born to Hugh and Abagil (Flynn) Travers, 
both of whom are deceased. His parents were natives of Ireland and were 
married in their native land. 

Our subject worked with his father until he reached his majority, and 
then engaged in farming for himself. He also operated flour and saw 
mills in the town of Traverston, and was a pioneer of that region, and 
Mrs. Travers was the first white woman to live in the town. No railroad 
passed through the town, and in 1881 our subject was compelled to 
dispose of his interests there and he went to Dakota, after working a 
short time in Michigan. He located in Clark county, August 12, 1882, 
and filed on a homestead and tree claim, and the following year went to 
his farm alone and erected a dwelling. After successfully fighting a 
contestant's claim to the property, the family joined him in 1884. He 
is now the possessor of a half-section of land, thirteen head of 
horses, about fifty head of cattle, and has a well improved farm. In 
1895 he accepted the position of superintendent of the county poor 
farm. This farm was established in 1893, and comprises three hundred 
and twenty acres. It is well improved, and is located about three miles 
north of Clark, South Dakota. There have been but few inmates to the 
institution, and at present there are none who ask the assistance of 
the county in this form. Mr. Travers has entered into the duties of his 
position there with a practical knowledge of agriculture, and his 
judgment on matters pertaining to an institution of that nature is 
without fault. His heart and mind are given entirely to the management 
of the farm, and he commands a high place in the estimation of the 
public for his labors in connection with the institution. 

Our subject was married in 1856 to Miss Margaret M. Cronan, a native of 
Canada. Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Travers, ten of 
whom are living. Their names in order of birth are as follows: 
Elizabeth A., now Mrs. J. B. Martin, residing in Kansas; Hugh, 
agriculturist of Clark county; Thomas, married and residing in Canada; 
Ellen A., now Mrs. H. W. Gary, residing in Clark county; John, 
deceased; Margaret, now Mrs. J. Leslie, of Clark City; Richard, 
farming; Henry, a resident of Minnesota; Michael; Mary A., now Mrs. J. 
Hession, residing in Kansas; and Frank, farming. An adopted daughter,, 
Clara M. Carrier, resides with Mr. and Mrs. Travers at present. 

Our subject is a gentleman of wide experience, and is careful and 
systematic in details, and in all matters the general outcome is 
desirable and profitable. He has wielded an influence for the good of 
Clark county, and as a public-spirited citizen commands the respect of 
a large acquaintance. In political faith he is a Populist, favors high 
license and equal suffrage. He keeps abreast of the times and is strong 
in his convictions. He is a communicant of the Catholic church, and has 
labored for the advancement of his state in the moral as well as 
financial interests. Prosperity has attended him, and he has just cause 
to feel proud of his labors.