Hyde County, SD History - Books .....Chapter 14 Highmore 1908 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 14, 2010, 1:13 am Book Title: History Of Hyde County CHAPTER XIV HIGHMORE In the summer of 1882 all there was of Hyde county was the town of Highmore. When the Northwestern road crossed the county building- west, they erected a section house, that is, a building where the section men could live, and this was the only building here when the real thing started in 1882. Along the first of May, 1882, a party by the name of Wheeler and another by the name of Pomeroy, both from Huron, had sort of a shack where the postoffice building now stands, and had a few drugs and some other kind of merchandise in it. They evidently were waiting there to see what would turn up, intending to get in on the ground floor. There was also about a carload of lumber in charge of one Well-man, from Brookings, who seemed to have the same idea as the other parties named. The section house was occupied by Samuel Major and his family, and that was the only stopping place here. James H. Lynch, afterwards County Sheriff, was the section boss and he had a few men with him. C. P. Swanson now of the First National Bank was connected with the railroad bridge gang and made his headquarters at the section house. Matthias Shoup, who still lives here, came the fore part of May, waiting for the government to complete its survey of the land in this county. This was about the condition of things when A. E. Van Camp and A. N. Van Camp arrived on the last day of May, 1882, except we might add that E. O. Parker secured a settler's right on the southeast quarter of section 11 in Highmore Township, upon forty acres of which he laid scrip and afterwards made final proof upon the rest of the quarter, intending to start a town on the forty. When A. E. Van Camp arrived he laid Valentine Scrip upon forty acres of the southwest quarter of 12 Highmore Township and made final proof on the rest of the quarter, intending to start a town on his forty acres. Mr. Parker was somewhat hampered by a conflicting claimant. Mrs. Lucinda Kobinson had a building on Mr. Parker's forty and afterwards secured it by a decision of the United States Land Office, and filed on it, but Mr. Parker soon after bought her re-Hnquishment so that later on in 1882 the two townsites were fully launched, the street between them being the section line. The real Van Camp main street was the street where now the court house is, and the Parker street the one west of that. There was rivalry between the two streets, but each seemed to keep abreast. of the other in the line of building, and in time all rivalry ceased so that at this date nothing of it remains. The controversy, however, hung on a few years. The Bulletin of January 2, 1886, contained the following editorial: "The two street contest at Highmore is an unnecessary conflict, and though at present it may bear the shades of antagonism, yet time will cause all feeling to subside and the natural future location of business will bind together what now seems to be a division and a difference. If the streets were far apart, then there might be cause for anxiety and fear that the well-being and prosperity of the town would be wrecked by this unpleasant controversy. But their nearness and the prospect of their being bound together by a business settlement of Second Street dispels the illusion for such it is of distracted differences. Highmore has a promising future, and even now at midwinter is rapidly building in all parts of the town. It is the county seat of a county rich and fertile in agricultural land and tributary to it is a large scope of country, which centers here for its trade and traffic. All we need is a public spirit and united action, and the support that would naturally come to us will take care of itself. Both of the streets form the business part of the town, they are adjacent and adjoining and neither can be the rival of the other, their interests are identical and no farmer will patronize „ a merchant because he is on the one street, or refuse to patronize him because he is on the other. Away then with the remark that Highmore has two business streets in conflict, and let us settle down to the true situation, that all traffic is equally distant from the center of the circle of business, and above all things 'Let us have peace.' " Of the first buildings in town was the lumber office of Newton & Gerhart, which was built in July, 1882. This building was owned and occupied by Nels Swanson, for a residence and stands north of the court house. They established the first lumber yard, which was conducted under the firm name for a few years, when Mr. Gerhart bought the interest of his partner Newton, and Mr. Gerhart is still here doing business at the old stand. About that same time in July, 1882, James Ingram built a barn and opened a livery stable. There were not many buildings erected in Highmore in the summer and fall of 1882. The county had but few settlers, so there was not custom enough to demand really more than one store building. Don Gurnea in August built a two story building the lower part of which he occupied with a stock of merchandise. This building stood between the Doctor Burn-side office and the McDowell building, and not long after its erection there was added to it a similar two story building, making it practically one building, though double in its character. This latter was erected by Cole and Lathe, who occupied it for a hardware store; afterwards D. L. Cadwallader was associated with them. This building stood on Commercial Avenue south a few lots from the McDowell building now owned by A. E. Van Camp, a few years ago was taken apart and sold to different parties. In 1882 a small building was placed on a lot just south of the Herald office, erected by John P. Organ and John P. Kelley, but they did not long remain as the legal field here at that time was not inviting. Mr. Kelley died several years ago. Mr. Kelley is a prominent lawyer at Council Bluffs, Ia. While times were hard in Highmore during the early days, still the people enjoyed themselves generally and on all holidays particularly. At Christmas time in 1885 there was a large gathering at the school house, they had a good display of presents hanging on a tree of elaborate proportions. The Hyde County Bulletin was started, by its first issue Dec. 26, 1885. In that first issue it is recorded that T. W. Howey's drugstore had just arrived from Holabird on wheels, and a good welcome was given to Bro. Howey, whom all considered a prince of good fellows. It was also stated that Dr. H. H. Stoner had settled here during that week; that John H. McCord flew high the Sunday before with one of Brayton's best rigs, accompanied by his best girl from the north. During that year, 1885, a band was organized with the following named persons as its members: John H. McCord, solo B-flat cornet; Fred W. Goudy, 1st B-flat cornet; George Wareham, piccolo; John L. Greer, B-flat baritone; David Staup, E-flat bass; Geo. C. Stoner, B-flat tenor; Elsie Smith, E-flat alto; J. K. Van Camp, bass drum; Porter Barnes, snare drum. At that time there was organized a board of trade having a constitution and by-laws and whose officers consisted of President, Frank Drew; Vice President, E. O. Parker; Treasurer, W. W. Kingsbury; and Secretary, John H. McCord. At a meeting of the board held December 13, 1885, a petition was presented asking them to make a move for the incorporation of the town as a municipal body. The territory asked for which was to be included within its boundaries was as follows: Commencing on the SE corner of the NE quarter of section 13, running thence north two miles to the NE corner of the SE quarter of section I, thence west two miles to NW corner of SW quarter of section 2, thence south two miles to SW corner of NW quarter of section 14, thence east two miles to place of beginning, all in township 112, range 72. The board fixed the 30th day of December, 1885, as the time for an election, which was duly held, at which election forty votes were cast, all in favor of the incorporation. Peter Swalm was the first postmaster in Highmore, who was succeeded by T. H. Field, he by E. O. Parker. Mr. Parker was succeeded by David Moore, he by A. E. Van Camp, then T. W. Howey followed Mr. Van Camp, then S. C. Traver, who was succeeded by Mr. Van Camp, who is still postmaster. Mr. Field left us in January, 1886, for Chicago. He was a man much respected by the early settlers. A new post office building was put up in the spring of 1886, and we think the same building is still used for that purpose. The first operator at the depot was Peter O. Swalm. He laid out an edition to the town on the east side. The Weaver building, three story, on the corner of Second Street and Iowa Avenue, was erected in 1885, and is now owned by Fred Greene, of Miller. In 1886 also, Del Cadwalader, surveyor, laid out a trotting course north of town, in which there was some interest, but which sort of died out, but revived again in later years. C. W. Grassmuck, who recently died in Minneapolis, moved his grocery store from Holabird to Highmore in 1886, bought the old post office building and placed it near the McDowell building on Commercial Avenue. Mr. Grassmuck left here some years ago. He was a man for whom all had the highest respect, and was of such kind heart and sympathetic feeling, he crippled his business by extending credit where he should have withheld it. Ed. Hollander, who is still with us and one of the best fellows in the world, was seriously injured in February, 1886, by being thrown against a wire fence while catching cattle for a corral. He was then running a mail route. The pioneer drayman in town was Wm. Little, whom everybody liked. He died in 1904; his daughter married Geo. Traver. The first tailor was Geo. Wareham, first doctor, H. H. Stoner; first wagon shop, Gil. Barkhuff and W. B. Howell. Mr. Barkhuff died several years ago west of Pierre. First Jewelry Store, B., F. Tallman, first saloon and billiard room, John Zwight. Julius Pahl had a livery stable in 1885, sold out to W. N. Brayton in January, 1886. The grocery store now run by James Volek was started by Behymer, Brace & Sparks, who made an assignment, then followed Whitcher & Brace, and after the retirement of Mr. Brace, Mr. Whitcher run it until he sold to Mr. Volek in 1905. This was O.L. Whitcher, whose portrait appears on page 33. He came here from New Hampshire in 1884, married Miss Nettie Giddings, and resided here until his death in 1907. Mr. Whitcher was known and respected as a man of unquestioned honesty and of excellent judgment in matters pertaining to business. Even when, he knew he was making a mistake in giving credit, he could not refuse it for his heart was full of a fellow feeling for others, and it was simply impossible for him to let any needy applicant for his goods go away empty handed. At the same time he was successful and left considerable of an estate. His widow still resides here with her two boys, Walter and Judson, all in good circumstances. Mrs. Whitcher was formerly a school teacher, and has been prominent in some of our social organizations, her portrait will be seen on page 65. In 1885 a local poet gave out an enigma in the following: My first in lofty air is found, And never in the depths below. Above, where planets circle round, In sunlight's never ceasing glow. My second is the miser's creed, The life thoughts of a grasping man, The getting it, will always lead To get it always when you can. My whole a town of thrift and trade, A county seat of promise fair, Will sometime find the years have made A city of its thousands there. The first hotel building in town was placed on the Parker tract of forty acres before mentioned. The town was not laid out then and its location as to street was a matter of conjecture, but they guessed about right. The original building is a part of what is now known as the McGlinchy house, and was opened by Lucinda Robinson and was a well kept hostelry. The rush of land seekers was so great in 1883 that Mrs. Robinson had to exercise considerable tact and ingenuity in caring for them and giving them all a sleeping place when night came. She proved herself quite a business woman and a good housekeeper, has been away from Highmore for quite a number of years, but is now at this writing stopping in Highmore at the home of her daughter, Mrs. S. C. Traver. By continued additions, the original has grown into a very spacious hotel building with forty rooms, has steam heat, gas lighting and is convenient and quite modern in its present condition. Several years ago Mr. McGlinchy added a very spacious opera house, the only house of that kind now in the city, and as Highmore has the reputation of being a good "show" town, the building is in frequent use. Hugh McGlinchy and his wife have put in considerable work and shown good taste in making the hotel what it is, and have given the town what it needed. They are both old settlers here and it is pleasing to the writer to know that they have emerged from our former days of adversity with an accumulation of considerable wealth. The house recently has been leased to John Van Abel, whose family now have entire charge and are keeping up its former reputation. Old settlers will remember Ben Peck and his lady like sister, Hope, who came here at an early day. Hope married John F. O'Donnell in November, 1885. Ben is located now in Iowa, and recently visited Highmore. P. F. Crow was an early Highmore settler. He had a hotel building, an opera house so called, and a store in a part of the lower story. He never grew rich in his investments here, left us in the latter eighties and of his present whereabouts we know nothing. The firm of Haight, Sinon & Greer flourished here in an early day. Mr. Sinon was register of deeds for a number of years. He had many friends, was afterwards located at Fort Pierre, where he was county attorney of Stanley county. Mr. Greer left us several years ago and is now located in California. J. T. Haight is at Hydro, Oklahoma, in the land and law business. The boys,Thomas and Frank Hungate, are at Hydro, Oklahoma. Frank is postmaster and Tom is a prosperous farmer. Lee Haight is traveling for a wholesale house. Mr. Haight was an old soldier and active in the interests of the John A. Dix Post at all times and was County Judge. He was a man all liked and many an old soldier will now tell, when he was hard up and unable to get an accommodadition anywhere else he could always rely on J. T.Haight. Mr. Haight had many friends here when he left us. H. C. Coombs had a store here at an early day. In 1886 a building, two story, was placed at the corner of Commercial Avenue and Second street, which was occupied by Coombs and Harry Van Camp, under the firm name of Coombs & Van Camp, which did not continue long. Harry Van Camp came here with his brothers, A. E. and A. N., in the summer of 1882, and remained here several years when he returned to Muscatine county, Iowa, his boyhood home, and now lives on the old home place. He married Miss Mesick. Harry is remembered by the old settlers as a fellow to be relied upon, you always knew where to find him and he was lively as a cricket and made everything pleasant around him. Michael Connor came to Highmore in 1886, was a member of the John A. Dix Post and died here some years ago. James McDowell erected the building on the northeast corner of Commercial Avenue and Second street in 1886 and put in a stock of hardware. He was most of the time in the employ of the U. S. Government, was quite a politician and an all around good fellow. Sylvester Bates, father of Mrs. Sylvanus Meigs and of Norman Bates, started the first agricultural house here in 1883. Mr. Bates was. a gentlemanly fellow and a good citizen. He died here in 1889. His wife who was Eliza A. Morrison, was born in Newburyport, Mass., and they were married in 1847. She was a lady of marked intellectual endowment and in her younger years was contributor to many leading periodicals. She was a loving wife and a noble matronly mother. The portrait of Mr. Bates will be seen on another page. Norman F. Bates, her son, was an early settler, a prominent citizen, master of the Masonic lodge, and active in all public enterprises. He and his wife now reside in California. Church Meigs, brother of Sylvanus Meigs, was an early settler, a man prominent among his fellows and had the respect of everybody. He was thoroughly honest in all his dealings and went away from here leaving a host of friends. He has lived since in Vermont, but returned to Iowa recently where he now resides. His portrait will be seen on another page. Thomas Clifford, his wife, Ellen, and son, Charley, were early residents here. Thomas was depot agent for quite awhile along in 1886, was a quiet, good man. He died several years ago. His wife and son live on some land west of Pierre, and have been here often recently attending to some of their land interests in court. G. L. F. Robinson was an early settler here, first taking a government claim in Highmore township which he named the Valley Farm. He was a lawyer in active practice; was Justice of the Peace for many years and was County Judge at the time of his death. He was a very fine musician, considerable of a scholar, and prominent in all public enterprises. He died in July, 1905, at his residence in Highmore. His daughter, Mary E. L., married Samuel C. Traver. She is a woman commanding everybody's respect and still resides here. Mr. Traver died in 1907. He was a prominent man, was postmaster, and County Auditor, was very sympathetic in his nature and very competent as a bookkeeper. His death was very much regretted by a large circle of friends. He was an old soldier and a member of our Post. He left quite a family of children all of whom are very worthy offspring of their good parents. George F. Traver, a son, married Mattie Little, a daughter of William Little, who still reside here. Eugene Clifton, who is now with H. C. Harris in his drug store, a young man who would not know how to be dishonest, married Mabel Vivian Miller November 18, 1908; Alice M., who married Wm. Thompson; Norma A., who is in the Herald office; Edna M., who married H. R. Erskine; Bertha B.; who married J. M. Reeves; and Mabel Grace, who is a very efficient stenographer and typewriter, formerly in the L. E. Whitcher office, is now at Caldwell, Idaho. The other children are not yet in active business life. The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Traver will be seen on pages 18 and 19. John Mayer was an early Highmore settler, was a skillful mechanic and a good landlord. He built the National House on the site where the court house now stands, which was destroyed by fire. He left Highmore several years ago and now resides in Chicago, where he is prominent in some leading insurance company. The Kingsbury boys, who formerly lived here, moved to Hartford, S. D., where Ira has a bank. They were Ira C., W. W. and Lloyd engaged in the hardware business. They were all good, strong business fellows, of good credit, unquestioned honesty and were prominent in all public affairs. THE ARTESIAN WELL On the 27th day of July, 1886, the Town Trustees made a contract with Gray Bros., of Milwaukee, to put down an artesian well. Soon after work was commenced and continued until February 20, 1887, when a good flow of water poured out of the pipe. Only a resident of Highmore at that time knows, nor could any other fully understand, the strain of anxiety that held the people in almost breathless suspense for several months. The hot winds prevailed then, water was scarce, was only to be had by hauling from the spring south of town, which was a very unsatisfactory condition of things to a people living in a county seat with a future promise of something of a metropolis. Doubt, serious doubt, reaching almost a feeling of alarm hung over the city like the pall of night from July, 1886, until February 20, 1987. Several days before the 20th they reached a depth of 1540 feet and no water, not enough to justify further work, and indeed the boring apparatus had about reached its limit. Gray Bros., the contractors, were about to give it up, to abandon the work and move the rig away, but the town trustees would not have it that way. On the 19th day of February not only doubt and alarm prevailed, but there was a feeling of disgust, a feeling akin to that of a remorseful man on the verge of suicide, and this lasted until the morning of the twentieth, and then all that feeling turned into indescribable joy. During the night of the 19th the water broke forth from its confines and poured out, rising in the air like a sweet effervescence making the faces of all radiant with smiles. The town had a jubilee; it went fairly wild; shooting irons were brought out; anvils and every other kind of a thing that would make a noise. Shouting, public speaking and every kind of of a conceivable demonstration went on that 20th day of February, and the local papers in good sized letters had it, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." Highmore had a well at last. Everybody and every "critter" was happy. A large watering trough was placed there and cattle, horses, dogs and anything else could go there and drink at their will, and this continued for several years until the well was abandoned. In 1886 on Christmas James McDowell and Geo. Crose furnished a Christmas tree for all children in the county. They distributed 320 pounds of candy, 380 pounds of nuts, 95 pounds of dates, 30 of figs, and-oranges to the number of 460. The first of January following, the Social Hour Dramatic Club gave an entertainment in which Gertie Bates played the role of a deserted wife in the drama "Turn of the Tide." John Lawson the part of Jonas Aldrich with Clara Lesh as Aunt Rebecca; Jermy Learn as Hugh St. Morris, Lane Calkins as Col. Ellsworth; Elgy Smith as Pepper; Nettie Hatch as Frisky, and Geo. Stoner and Eugene Bates as Henchmen to the Chief, with other performers, James H. Lynch before mentioned was an early resident of the county, was the first elected sheriff, held the office in 1885 and 6, and was a good officer. He left here quite a number of years ago and is now in business in Seattle, Washington. His brother, Charles E. Lynch, was also an early settler, was deputy sheriff for awhile and in 1886 started a store in the room now occupied by James Volek, in the Weaver block. He was quite young upon his first appearance here, but Charley Lynch was well and favorably known. In August, 1890, Highmore had a serious fire. It burned the Crow building, with store and contents, also two cows and some pigs belonging to Mr. Crow; John Zwight's building, the T. W. Howey building, also that of Mr. Playtor, Kleeman and Staup. Mr. Crow was arrested for setting fire to get insurance money, had a hearing but was acquitted. The law office of J. T. Haight was burned in the same fire. In 1892 and 3 there were several fires in Highmore, which evidently were the work of an incendiary. The McLaughlin store building was burned, also the First National Bank building was set, but extinguished after some damage, the court house also was burned. Parties living in town received threatening letters and for awhile it was a mystery who the guilty party was, but at last a watch was placed on the postoffice and when the suspected party dropped in a letter she was followed and confronted by Jake Myers and afterwards confessed, She was not tried for arson, but taken to Sioux Falls and in the Federal Court was charged with sending obscene letters through the mail and convicted. She was sentenced to ninety days in jail and served out her time, and for all her misdeeds was inadequately punished. She was a Mrs. Thompson and it is only charitable to her weak nature to say that her mind must have been unbalanced. In 1884 the electors of Hyde county were called upon to decide the county seat question. Highmore had it, but Holabird, then just growing into prominence and backed by the land department of the Northwestern Railway Co., felt that it was entitled to be the capital of the county, and the people there were quite strenuous and energetic in their efforts to secure it. The land department of the company sent out a man by the name of Cleveland to manage the Holabird campaign, but he was a poor manager. It was suggested to him that about a $1,000, or its equivolent in Holabird town lots would secure the county seat, but that proposition he did not approve of. He organized the forces in sort of a military way with captains and lieutenants and so on, laid out the work for each to do, and sent them forth out on the broad prairie to capture the votes of the people and charged them to be sure and win out over the enemy whom we all knew was alert, and full of strategy and vim. The Holabird boys were anxious, but knew they were at a disadvantage. They were aware that Highmore was loaded to the guards with the necessary weapons and ammunition, while they were not yet out of the stigma of the "Gumbo Holler" appellation, had naught else to fight with but their jaws which were a species of warfare not calculated to conquer on a field like that. The campaign once started went forward and on the 4th day of November, 1884, the people cast their votes, resulting in a majority for Highmore of 159. The Holabird county seat officers and the rank and file went back to private life and to their former avocations, while the general from Chicago returned to his land department office from whence he came. Highmore celebrated the event, and had the audacity to invite their former enemy to celebrate with them, even before the gloom of their grief had left them, or the tears had dried upon their faces. Of course the contest was strewed with some humorous incidents which were told afterwards, and in such a contest there is an exhibition of the many phases of human nature. A Mr. Gallagher, who lived in the north part of the county met the writer after election and said, "Mr. Perkins, this is a funny world, isn't it? Before election when I came to Highmore it would be, Mr. Gallagher, I am glad to see you. You are one of the best citizens in Hyde County. Come have a drink, Mr. Gallagher, have a smoke, have any thing you want and we will pay for it. After election it was, Well, Old Gallagher, what's the news up to the bald mountains?" F. E. Root and wife, who recently resided at Highmore were early settlers in the county and are among the very few still here who settled in 1882. H. C. Shober also is an 1882 settler and first settled on a claim about five miles west of town near the railroad track. He and a young man named McLain, both from Cedar County, Iowa, took claims adjoining. They first built a sod shack and built under difficulties, for they lacked experience. Several times the structure was up near to completion and then as many times it fell. Indignant and disgusted at their repeated failure, only themselves know the force of their lauguage or the nature of their adjectives, but their troubles finally ended for their habitation was at last complete and as young homesteaders they gazed upon it with feelings of the highest satisfaction. Mr. McLain did not long remain here, but Mr. Shober became a permanent resident and is still here editor and proprietor of the Hyde County Bulletin. He has other financial interests outside the county, and at the election in November, 1906, was elected Lieutenant Governor of the state, and was nominated at the primary election of this year and re-elected on November 3, 1908. He has an excellent wife and two promising children. Abram E. Van Camp, the original townsite proprietor, was born in Muscatine County, Iowa, on a farm. In addition to his farming days as a boy, he attended an academy at Wilton and completed his education there. He has always taken an interest in county and town affairs, has been for several years on the county board, and is now postmaster at Highmore with a previous term. He was married at his home county to Miss Lou C. Sherfey, who died Oct. 19, 1899, in Muscatine, Iowa. She was a congenial companion, a lady of much intelligence and had the respect of all who knew her. Their only child is Shreve, who is now deputy postmaster at Highmore. A. E. Van Camp was also Master of the Ree Valley Masonic lodge for six years. THE NEWSPAPERS The first newspaper established in Hyde County was at Highmore was in 1882 by William H. Geary and was named The Highmore Mirror. Mr. Geary sold the paper to Eli Johnson in 1883, and the name was then changed to "The Highmore Herald." It afterwards became the property of John C. Stoner, who in 1908 sold the plant to John B. Perkins, the present owner and proprietor. The Holabird Advocate was started by A. B. Vines at Holabird in 1886. It eked out an unsatisfactory existance with few subscribers and limited advertising patronage until 1891 when it quit the field, in fact there was no town left and the paper was forced to surrender. It was afterwards revived for a short time by George I White Perkins a boy of fifteen. The Vox Populi was started at Highmore in 1883. It came into existance more particularly to fight the Ordway party in politics, and when its object was accomplished, its original proprietor: disposed of the paper, and after passing through the control of several publishers quit business in March, 1886. The Hyde County Bulletin was started by H. C. Shober in Dec, 1885, and is still on deck in the control of Mr. Shober, with Guy Stout and Clyde Byerly as local editors; two young men of excellent character, industrious and capable and efficient craftsmen. We remember that in a Jan., 1886, number of the Bulletin Mr. Shober had the editorial nerve to say that of the six newspapers in Hyde County the Bulletin had more home news in it than the other five combined, which statement, of course, the other five vigorously denied. The Bramhall Blade was started by its first number August 16, 1884. H. C. Shober was proprietor with Harry Elder associate editor. Mr. Shober remained with the paper about a year and sold to Wm. Fanckboner. From him it passed into other hands and quit when the town went out of existence. The Republican, a democratic paper, was started in Highmore by L. E. Whitcher, run about a year and quit in 1893. Mr. Whitcher then run the Highmore Herald for awhile. Highmore is now well represented as a business city. Its stores, in their keeping, are up-to-date. It has three physicians: Dr. H. H. Stoner, who has been here many years and the oldest in point of residence; Dr. I. M. Burnside, who has been here about ten years and Dr. M. C. Sorenson, who has recently become a resident. We have two lumber yards; one kept by A. N. Gerhart, the other the Atlas Lumber Co. in charge of G. D. Mann. This company also has an elevator and handles grain. There are three hotels: the McGlinchy House kept by John Van Abel, The Farmers' Friend kept by H. E. Tagg, and the Elliott House kept by Williard Elliott. M. E. Miller has a feed store and he also deals in coal and buys grain. W. L. Thompson runs the elevator, buys grain and sells coal for the Van Dusen Co. We have one photograph gallery run by Herman Syverud. There are two restaurants one kept by Clara Murray the other by Everts & Leviness. Two drug stores, both of them as establishments are old timers, one of them kept by H. C. Harris, who has been in charge since 1886, the other now run by Wooley & Hemmingson, has had changes in proprietors, but was started in the eighties by T. W. Howey. The real estate agents are numerous. Cummings & Wooley have an office in the Fred Greene block. The Reiser Land Co. in the First National Bank building, The Home Land Co., The Quirk Land Co. and P. E. Gilligan are in the same building. D. T. Jekyll has an office on Iowa Avenue, The C. L. Ford Land Co. in the McDonald-Harris building, C. E. Noel at his law office, Drake & Ballard, represented by J. W. Reiser have an office in the McGlinchy Hotel building, Wenholm & Wright in the Harris building. Other real estate dealers are C. W. Trent, C. A. Gray, J. E. Van Camp, F. H. France, F. M. Barnes, Walter Elliott and O. C. Rippenbrock. While there seems to be quite a number here engaged in this business, we believe that with any of them a land seeker will get a square deal. In the jewelry business are the stores of John E. Campbell and L. B. Huston. Two barber shops cater to the people in a tonsorial way; one kept by Henry Lawrence on Second Street, the other by Williams & Carlson on Iowa Avenue. Three livery stables, one by A. D. Winans on Second Street, Reuben Clark on First Street and N. H. Wilder on Iowa Avenue. A. Derek has a harness shop on Iowa Avenue, who also attends to the foot gear in the way of cobbling. There is a pool room kept by Walter Airhart and a bowling alley run by Friendie and Seth Patterson. Two saloons furnish the required beverage to their patrons, one by M. C. Burke, the other by Bob Yokum. We have a cigar manufactory kept by F. W. Myers. The McLaughlin Company have a department store and keep an extensive stock of the various kinds of merchandise usually kept in a store of that kind. R. W. Perry has a general store whose shelves are filled with dry goods and groceries, also boots and shoes. James Volek & Co. have a general store in the Greene block with the usual variety of merchandise. Also in the same block is a hardware, recently established, kept by Battey & Winfrey. The Highmore Clothing Co. have a stock of clothing which will be placed in the former National Bank building, but is now temporarily in the basement of the brick. The store is kept by J. L. Magneson and M. A. Rosten. There are two meat markets, one by C. R. Schneider on Iowa Avenue, the other at this writing kept by John McDonald, but will be transferred to A. G. Button, who has purchased the same. The veterinaries are Hugh Ohl and Wilbur Quirk. John Rice is the gardner who furnishes fresh vegetables in their season. There are three banks, one the Bank of Highmore kept by Drew' Bros., of which S. Drew is President; Frank Drew, Vice President; and C. H. Drew, Cashier. The First National Bank, formerly First State Bank, whose officers are F. D. Greene, President; W. D. McDonald Vice President; and C. P. Swanson, Cashier. These two banks were established here at an early day. The third bank is the Hyde County State Bank, established at a later day, of which A. J. Cole is President, L. M. Hanson, Vice President; and L. A. Hendricks, Cashier. These banks are all safe and on the best of financial basis. The city is divided into three wards. The Mayor is L. M. Hanson. The Aldermen of Ward One are Reuben Clark and C. H. Fields; Ward Two, E. J. Quirk and John McLaughlin; Ward Three, C. P. Swanson and J. S. Keiser; Treasurer, M. E. Miller; Auditor, J. H. Pilkington; Chief of Police, W. B. Hamlin; City Attorney, L. E. Whitcher; Police Justice, O. C. Kippenbrock; Street Commissioner, John Cunningham; Fire Chief, J. H. Pilkington. Highmore was Incorporated as a town in December, 1885, by election, and was afterwards in 1903 changed in its form of government from a town to a city. Edward Ryder and wife, Caroline, whose portrait is seen on page 122, came to Highmore in 1883. They are among the very few in Highmore who came at that early day and they have the highest of respect of all who know them. They have three children, Lucy M., who married Ed. Musser; Emily, now Emily Lester, married and lives in Pennsylvania; and William Henry, who lived with his parents here in Highmore is now married and resides in Onawa County, Michigan. Mrs. Friend Patterson has an up-to-date millinery store. The Hyde County Telephone Co. is installed in the Van Camp white brick building and is under the management of A. N. Van Camp. Two blacksmith shops, one by Wm. Kral, the other by W. W. Yeandle. Both of these parties are early settlers of Highmore. A bakery kept by H. M. Knowlton. The draymen are Wakey Bros. and B. M. Mitchell. Contractors and builders are Gary C. Neff, Thomas O'Brien, Frank Zemlicka, Wm. Inman, Clyde France. G. W. Walker & Sons have a tin shop and make a specialty of plumbing and of furnaces. Hugh McGlinchy keeps a barn of Percheron horses and Thomas Tibbs deals in horses and other stock and is owner of the famous Mark Hanna. Harry Garrabrant is station agent, Max Winegar is florist and Bert Reddick and Ben Barber manage the railroad sections. The abstracters are F. M. Barnes, with C. H. Gray in active charge of the office, also C. E. Noel, both bonded abstractors. Arthur Graham, whose portrait is on page 227, was an early settler in the county at Holabird. He married a daughter of J. R. Smith and her portrait will be seen on page 229. They now reside in Michigan. George Graham, a brother of Arthur, was also an early settler in the county at Holabird and had a lumber yard there. He left us some years ago. One of the early settlers of the county at Highmore was J. A. Patterson, whom we familiarly called Joe. He was a royal good fellow and everybody was his friend. He moved along with the rest of the early settlers making a living, but at last by his shrewdness accumulated much property. He died June 14, 1903. His wife, Mary A., still resides in Highmore in a beautiful home. Their children are Friend, who married Theresa Bindel. They reside here. Emily, who married Ellsworth France, resides in the state of Washington. Anna married R. E. Sanders; they reside at Pierre. The other children, Julia, Seth, Hattie, Gertrude, Joseph, and George still live at the Highmore home with their mother. Julia is an efficient deputy to the County Auditor. Simon Fritzson and his brother, Matthias, were early settlers in Spring Lake township, Jived in Highmore a few years, and were engaged in the grain and fuel business. They are well remembered by the early settlers as shrewd business men and companionable fellows. Simon, whose portrait is on page 245, was a member of of the Board of Commissioners several years and understood the business very well, in fact he had suspicion that something was wrong in the treasurer's office before the defalcation of Homer James had become known. He is now in business at Sioux City, Matthias is in the grain business at some point in Nebraska. W. W. Yeandle, an early settler, is still here with his blacksmith shop now a fine cement block building shown on page 46. Mr. Yeandle has accumulated considerable property, but seems to work as hard as ever. His wife is a most excellent and ladylike woman, and they, with the two boys, Arthur and Pierre, constitute the family. The portrait of Arthur is seen on page 109 and that of Pierre seated in the center of the group on page 112. Joe Artz, whose portrait is on page 89, settled on a claim here at an early day. He has for quite a number of years been mail carrier and is prompt and efficient and is an upright honest man. On page 136 will be seen the portrait of Charles Sheen, who at an early day settled here on a claim. He was also a local clergyman of the Anti-Polygamist Mormon faith, who preached to us often, and in different parts of the county. He was an exemplary, conscientious christian man and a good citizen. H. C. Harris and family, whose portrait appears on page 114, are early residents of Highmore. Mr. Harris established his drug store at an early date and has prospered in business. He married Miss Ella McDonald. They have two children, Donald and Sumner. Mr. Harris is a member of the Board of County Commissioners. On page 116 will be noticed the group, S. R. Meigs and family. Mr. Meigs with his wife and children settled in Highmore township in 1882. He was a soldier in the civil war and a member of our local post. He endured the adversities of the early days in Hyde County, but later on accumulated considerable property. He held the office of sheriff two terms in the eighties, was elected again in 1906 and held that office at the time of his death. He died February 11, 1908, after a brief illness. His death caused a feeling of profound sadness in the county for Mr. Meigs was well and favorably known. His wife, a most excellent woman, resides in Highmore in their elegant residence, accompanied by her daughter, Bessie, who is prominent in social circles. The children were raised in Hyde County and consist of Sylvester, a commercial traveler residing at Sioux City, Iowa; S. S., who represents Warfield, Pratt, Howell & Co., of Sioux City, and Austin, who resides in Highmore. On page 188 will be seen the portrait of Duncan McDonald and family. Mr. McDonald and his wife, who are in the center of the lower group, settled with their children at an early day in Holabird Township. They are both of Scotch descent and to the manor born. They were reasonably well fixed when they came here and by industry and economy in after years became well to do. Mr. McDonald died May 23, 1903. His wife now resides in Highmore, a woman who commands the respect of all. She has an elegant home; her daughter, Jessie, who married Doctor I. M. Burnside, with herself constitute the home family. Of the other children grown to manhood and womanhood in Hyde County are W. D., who has a large farm a short distance north of Highmore; John E., who resides in Highmore, is County Treasurer; Harvey A., who also resides in Highmore; James A., who also resides in Highmore; Ella, who married H. C. Harris; and Eliza, who married Jasper Gadd. Henry is in business in Chicago, and Gordon lives on his farm in Green County, Iowa. They have lost three children by death; Hannah and Winifred died at about the same time at an early day here and Maggie, who married John Figley, died several years ago. The McDonald family are all thrifty and progressive and are money makers. Solomon J. Lighty is an early settler in Highmore, coming here with his family in the early eighties. He has been in the employment of the government as mail carrier on a route north from Highmore for eighteen years, contending with the summer's heat and winter's cold and not any time has his service invoked complaint or even criticism. One daughter, Stella L. G. Fuller, resides in Washington, D. C, another daughter, now Louise Flemming, resides in Iowa and Jennie, who married J. M. Prostrollo, resides on their farm near here. A daughter, Nellie, and son, Earl, reside at the family home. Mr. Lighty's portrait will be seen on page 261 and that of his wife, a matronly woman, will be seen on page 259 and a family picture on page 248. They now occupy a very elegant residence in Highmore, recently constructed. George Hirsch is a Hyde County settler of 1882. He first settled in Holabird and worked on the section and at one time there cobbled shoes. He and his family reside in Highmore most of the time, though they have a farm residence on their land in Valley Township. Mr. Hirsch kept on the section, afterwards section boss at Highmore until about a year ago, being there for nearly twenty-five years. During this time he made investments in land and started in stock raising, so that at this time his accumulations would amount to seventy-five thousand dollars, a very significant showing how a man can prosper here working on a railroad section, if he only knows how. His wife has worked hard during this time rearing her family of children, and in time of sickness among her neighbors and friends she is always wanted. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Hirsch and of some of the children will be seen on pages elsewhere in this book. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF HYDE COUNTY SOUTH DAKOTA FROM ITS ORGANIZATION TO THE PRESENT TIME BY JOHN B. PERKINS 1908 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/sd/hyde/history/1908/historyo/chapter128nms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/sdfiles/ File size: 44.4 Kb