Full Text of "75 Years of Sully County History, 1883 - 1958", pages 274- 298. This file contains the full text of a part of "75 Years of Sully County History", edited by Mrs. E. L. Thompson. Scanning and OCR by Joy Fisher, http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000031 This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm This book was produced by the Onida Watchman and is not copyrighted. Reproduction of all editorial and pictorial matter is explicitly permitted. Fairbank Family [photo - Charles and Orville Fairbank. Sons ol and Mrs. George Fairbank. Taken a 1900.] George Fairbank came to Sully County about 1900, and worked for his brother, Dave, and later homesteaded on a quarter section. George married Sarah Estu and they had three children - Charles, Orville and the third child died when a few weeks old. At one time, George was the largest stock buyer in South Dakota. He had many trainloads of cattle shipped into Agar from Texas and other southern states for feeding in his cornfields. During the twenties, he also made up a trainload of hogs every week that he purchased between Agar and Huron. At one time, he shipped 45 double-deck carloads of hogs to the Cudahy Packing-Plant. He operated his own stock sale in Zaneta, Iowa, from 1934 to 1939. Fairbank and John Blaine were partners in the elevator business in Agar for 20 years. The partners were also Farmall dealers. Fairbank used the first Farmall in his farming operations and it was not until then that people were convinced that the new invention really worked. The following year, Blaine and Fairbank had all the Farmall business they could take care of. George passed away March 20, 1940. Mrs. Fairbank continued to live on the farm with her son, Orville, and later moved to the Waverly Hotel in Pierre and then to a Good Samariton Home in Groton, South Dakota. Charles Fairbank married Doris Junkman on June 24, 1929. They have two daughters, Helen and Jean. The family lived on the home place for about two years and then moved to Agar, later moving to Huron, South Dakota, where they still reside. Orville married Emma Brasel, of Pierre, in May, 1948, and they are still living on the home place. [photo - Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fairbank and daughters. In 1940, before the house was remodeled.] * * * Michael Schlachter Homestead On April 22, 1901, Michael Schlachter took a patent on the Southwest of Five in Farmington Township. Since that time the land has changed ownership many times and at present is owned by Gus Fransen. Some of the families who lived on this place were Gus Fransen, William Anderson, Harve Neidert, Axel Mikkelsen and Ben Westphal. The William Anderson family lived there from 1920 to 1922. They had six daughters and one son. Their youngest daughter, Sister M. Evangeline, is the president of Mount Marty College at Yankton, South Dakota. Axel Mikkelsen lived there from 1922 to 1924, when the Harve Neiderts moved on it until 1927. The Neiderts had three daughters and four sons. Mr., Neidert passed away in 1925. Axel Mikkelsen then moved back and again lived there until 1930. The Ben Westphal family- moved to this place in 1930, and occupied it until 1941, when they moved to Garner Township. The Westphals have four daughters; Inez, Lois, Donna and Shirley, who are all married. The house was later sold and moved to Gettysburg and the land is now owned by Cal Brehe. * * * The Bouchie Family - [photo - Mr. and Mrs. Earl Bouchle. Newlyweds in 1902.] [photo - Karl Bouchie Homestead in Farmington Township, 1919. Left to right - Dick and Helen on the horse, Hazel, Mrs. Bouchie, Mr. Bouchie, and Tom, Marjorie and Cub on the other horse.] Mr. and Mrs. Earl Bouchie moved to Sully County, in the fall of 1902, immediately after their marriage at De Smet, South Dakota. They homesteaded in Section 19 of Farmington Township where they lived until September, 1935, when they moved to Oregon. Mrs. Bouchie passed away in April, 1953, and Mr. Bouchie, in October, 1955. Six children were born to the Bouchies; Forest, Hazel, Claude, Helen, Elliott and Marjorie. Their first son, Forest, was born in 1904. He married Bertha Osborne in 1927, and they lived in Sully County until 1933, when they moved to Oregon. They have three girls, all married, and three boys at home. Their second child, Hazel, married Howard Teets in 1926, and they lived in Sully County until 1935, when they also moved to Oregon. They have three boys and one girl, all married, except the youngest boy, who is serving in the Air Force in France. Claude married Pearl West in 1927, and they lived in Sully County until 1936, when they, too, moved to Oregon. They have two boys and one girl, all married. [photo - Earl Bouchle, at the steering wheel, and Buford Silbaugh. At the State Fair.] Helen married Orin Schollian in 1934 and they made their home in Torrington, Wyoming, until 1937, when they moved to Oregon. They have three boys and one girl all at home. In 1937, Marjorie married L. Ray Cass and they have lived in Farmington Township since that time, now residing on his father's homestead in Section 34. They have three boys and three girls all at home except the oldest boy who is in the Navy, stationed at San Diego. In the fall of 1937, Elliott married Eileen Rausch, and they have lived in Farmington Township since that time, building up a place on Section 32. They have three boys and two girls all at home except the oldest boy, who is working New Mexico. * * * Cavanaugh Family James Cavanaugh came to South Dakota in October of 1909, from Diresville Iowa, with a land agent. He stopped at Pierre, and the next day hired a livery team and drove about 20 miles northeast where he purchased a quarter of land for $800.00, which was about twice what was actually worth at the time. In 1908, he bought the West half of Section Three, and this has been the location of the home since that time. Mr. Cavanaugh still owns the homestead quarter in addition to other land in the vicinity. On August 4, 1904 he went to Gettysburg, South Dakota. There had been plenty of rain that year and the prospect for a wheat crop had been good, but about ten days previous to harvest, black rust appeared and the crops were practically ruined. Not many acres made more than two bushels of thirty pound wheat. Mr. Cavanaugh obtained a job transferring coal, making hay and delivering gas and kerosene, as his employer had the Standard Oil Agency. In the early years, he "batched" and taught school. Having attended Iowa Teacher's College at Cedar Falls, Iowa, he took a teacher's examination under County Superintendent Mary Savage at Gettysburg. In 1904-1905, he taught the Rausch School in Artichoke Township, Potter County. The school at the time stood a mile north of what is now the Arnold Schreiber home. He boarded at the John Todd home in Sully County. The north school in that district closed about six weeks before his, whereupon the pupils came to his school, giving him a total of 37 pupils. Among those pupils was a young girl, Nettie L. Barr, who became his bride ten years later, in 1914. The first four years after their marriage they lived in a one-room shack, but a new house was built in 1918. This house was not large, having a kitchen, dining room and two small bedrooms downstairs and the upstairs, having never been finished, was all one room. It may not have seemed adequate to house a man and his wife and 11 children, but it did. In 1948, a large house was built and the old house sold and moved to Pierre. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh but one child, Delores, died in infancy. [photo - Mr. and Mrs. James P. Cavanaugh and oldest son, Donald, in 1916.] Mrs. Cavanaugh had also been a teacher before her marriage and took great pleasure in reading to her children, teaching them nursery rhymes and helping them with their school work. There was always a supply of good books and magazines in the Cavanaugh home and the children used them eagerly. Entertainment was mostly homemade and a trip to town was a treat seldom enjoyed by the children. Frequent summertime trips to the Missouri River were enjoyed by the whole family. Jelly and jam-making material in the form of grapes, chokecherries, buffalo berries and plums were also garnered on these excursions. One summer the family picnicked at the river eleven consecutive Sundays. All the children graduated from the same school in Farmington Township and all graduated from Agar High School. Five boys served in the Army and one girl in the Waves. Three saw overseas duty; Donald in the South Pacific and Gerald and Eugene in Germany. Three children are four-year college graduates, Donald from University of Minnesota, with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering; Gerald, from Bucknell University at Lewistown, Pennsylvania, in Civil Engineering, and Gertrude from the University of South Dakota, an Economics Major. Two other girls, Anna and Alice, had some college training, Anna at Mitchell Business College and Alice at N.S.T.C. at Aberdeen. The other children are Genevieve, Elsie, John, George, Eugene and Keith. George and Gertrude are twins, born the first day of the New Year in 1927. All five girls and four of the boys are married. Donald married Margaret Svec, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is a plant engineer for Honeywell, of Minneapolis. Anna, now Mrs. Ralph Wetrich, lives in Aberdeen. Her first husband, Frank Reitz, died of cancer in 1950. Genevieve is Mrs. Ben Shoup and they farm in northeast Sully County. Elsie married Francis Shoup and they live a few miles northeast of Onida, also farming. Gerald is employed by a firm of consulting engineers in Cincinnati, Ohio. His wife was the former Doris Bauman, of Somerset, Pennsylvania. Alice married a Navy man, Mike Evanick, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and they are now living in St. Paul, Minnesota. Since their marriage they have lived in a number of places, including Guam and Trinidad. John is married to Eunice L. Gatons, of Onida, and is employed by the Onida Watchman as a linotype operator and printer. Gertrude is Mrs. Gordon Grieme and they are in Minnesota where he is doing road graveling. George, Eugene and Keith rent the home farm from their parents and supplement it with three or four rented quarters of land. They keep a herd of cattle and raise pigs. George has also been attending Brigham Young University at Provo, Utah, during the winter. Edna Bowman, of DeGrey, and Eugene were married in 1955. The hard times hit the Cavanaughs along with everyone else. No one in the family went hungry, but there wasn't much candy or fancy food. They ate lots of corn bread and eggs-sometimes cooked over a cow chip fire because coal and even wood cost money and money was scarce. In the winter of 1936, there weren't even many eggs because the only livestock on the place was a borrowed cow and 12 old hens and the hens refused to lay all winter. The hard years passed, however, and in the late thirties things improved. Crops began to grow again in 1938, and Mr. Cavanaugh took a herd of sheep on shares from Wm. Ruckle which supplemented the income for the next ten years. Another thing that helped considerably was Mr. Cavanaugh's being elected to the county auditor's office in 1946. He held this office for four years, driving the 20 miles to and from the farm daily. They went out of the sheep business in 1948, and each fall bought a bunch of spring calves which were held over a summer and fattened the following winter. At times this was very good business and that, along with some good wheat crops, settled up the debts and paid for a new house with running water, electricity and automatic heat. * * * The Currier Family Melvin T. Currier was born in Wisconsin, on February 18, 1856. He moved to Iowa with his parents later and lived there several years. Mary Rebecca Bouchie, who became his wife in 1878, was born May 13, 1861. In 1883, the family moved to Kingsbury County and in the spring of 1906, they located in Sully County. They homesteaded in Farmington Township where they lived until his death in 1922. Mrs. Currier some time in Agar, later moving to Onida, where she passed away in 1938. The Currier's had nine children, one son passed away in infancy. Two children, Ruth and Alfred, were married before 1906, and never lived in Sully County. The other six children, who were all married, were Willis, Clarence, Ernest, Gladys, Lester and Grace. Clarence married Minnie Weischedel on May 26, 1915, and they made their home in Troy Township. They had three sons, Arnold, Marvin and Leslie, and twin daughters, Myrtle and Minnie Marie. Minnie Marie passed away in infancy. Arnold married Laura Todd, of Potter County and they live in Oregon. Myrtle, Marvin and Leslie are also married and live in Oregon. The family left their Farm in Troy Township in 1936, and moved to Oregon, where Mrs. Currier passed in 1937. Mr. Currier has remarried, is living at Salem, Oregon. Ernest married Viola Rilling, and taught in the rural schools of Sully County for seven years, then after special training, he entered the ministry of the Methodist Church. He received his first license to preach in 1911, and retired in 1957, at Britton, South Dakota. They now live at Selby, South Dakota, where a daughter, Leora Mikkelsen, also lives. They have three other children, Wilbur, Virgil and Ursal. In 1936, Mrs. Currier's sister-in-law, Mrs. David D. Rilling passed away leaving a seven-day-old son, James. The Currier's took him into their home and raised him as their own. James is now an officer in the Air Force. Gladys married Arthur B. Todd, of Farmington Township where they lived until they retired and moved to Onida in 1946. Lester married Ferne Pierce, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Pierce of Hartford Township. They had two children, Melvin, who married Naomi Glee McGuire and lives in Hartford Township, and Neoma, who teaches school in Minnesota. Pat Cullinan, Lester's nephew, also made his home with them. Lester left the farm in January, 1947, and moved to Onida at which time Melvin and his wife took over the farm. Lester passed away in April, 1955. His wife still lives in Onida. Grace, now Mrs. Lot Cullinan, lives at Glendive, Montana. They have five children. Willis married Mable Montz in 1905, and came to Sully County in 1907. They lived in Farmington Township for a short time, then filed on a claim in Perkins County, where two of their five children, Harold and Dorothy, were born in a sod house. In October of 1911, they proved up their claim and came back to Sully County and remained there the rest of their lives. They moved to the Melvin T. Currier farm in Farmington Township in 1921, when the elder Mr. Currier's health forced him to retire. They lived there until the dry thirties, when they moved to Onida, after a wind storm blew all the buildings on the farm away except the house. In 1939, they moved to Agar into the house formerly occupied by Grandma Currier and lived their until their deaths. Mable passed away December 21, 1941, and Willis, in January, 1946. Their oldest daughter, Fay Hart, is married and living in Billings, Montana. They have six children. Harold, who married Minnie Ripley, now lives in Hartford Township. They have five children, Janice, Duane, Gary, Cecil and Sandra. Donald married Edna Westphal of Potter County. They live in Onida and own and operate the Onida Produce. They have four daughters, Donna Lee, now married and living in St. Louis, Missouri, Brenda, Carol and Susan, at home. Dorothy is married to Harold Martin, and living in Onida. She is serving her second term as Deputy County Treasurer. They have one son, Larry, who is married and is now an art student at the State University of South Dakota. Larry and his wife have one daughter, Pamela. Evelyn, the youngest daughter, married Clinton Moore, and now lives at Seattle, Washington. * * * The Silbaugh Family Isaac and Alice Silbaugh and two sons, Kenneth and Ross, came to Sully County about 1908, and bought part of the Dave Fairbank ranch where Art Wittler now lives. The Silbaughs moved to Onida and operated the hotel there for a short time, then moving east of Onida and ranched for several years, after which he moved west of the river to Camp Crook. Frank and Effie Silbaugh moved to Sully County about 1909, also buying a section of the Dave Fairbank ranch and building a set of farm buildings where Andrew Mikkelsen now lives. A year later Mrs. Silbaugh died and son Buford took over the farm. In 1914, he married Rosella Olson and they, with their six children, farmed here until 1936, when they moved to Pine River, Minnesota. A daughter, Belva, married John Bauman about 1912. They and their two children resided in Onida until around 1940, running a general store for many years. Mae, another daughter, married Frank Mitchell who ran the bank in Agar for several years, later moving to Iowa and Minnesota where she died in 1922. * * * Mikkelsens Mike Mikkelsen was born in Denmark, September 17, 1876. Annie Jensen, who later became his wife, was born June 21, 1877. This couple was married November 2, 1896, in Denmark. Mr. Mikklesen spent eight months in the Danish Army before coming to the United States in 1903. They settled at Winside, Nebraska, where Mr. Mikkelsen worked on a farm until 1917, when they moved to Agar, South Dakota, on a farm which is now occupied by the Art Wittler family in Farmington Township. They arrived just in time to see a terrible blizzard and were unable to get feed for their livestock. They lived on several farms in Sully County before purchasing the farm which was to be their future home, in 1940. It is just around the corner from the f arm they first lived on when coming to South Dakota. In 1946, they bought a home in Onida, but a few months later moved back to their farm, where their son, Andrew, was living. On November 2, 1956, they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary, and only three weeks after the celebration, Mr. Mikkelsen was taken to the hospital where he passed away two days later. Mrs. Mikkelsen still lives on the farm with her son, Andrew, and granddaughter, Rosalie. Their first son, Jens Christian, was born in Denmark, on May 29, 1897. He was united in marriage to Cora McMillan at Wayne, Nebraska, on March 12, 1918. They moved to South Dakota, where their three sons were born, Alvin, Cecil and Virgil. Cecil passed away in childhood. Alvin married Vivian Walsh, of Pierre, and they have two daughters and three sons. Virgil married Carol Murrey in 1954, and they have two daughters. Their first daughter, Dagmar, who was also born in Denmark, was married to Walter Anderson on September 14, 1919, at Gettysburg. One son, Arnold, was born to them. Dagmar passed away following the birth of a second son, who also died. Arnold married Florance Saunders at Blytheville, Arkansas, and a daughter, Carolyn Kay, was born to them in 1945. Axel married Katherine Fast in 1924, and two sons and two daughters were born to them. Robert Lloyd married Marian Rodman in 1945. They have three sons, Maurice, Lauren, and Robert Lee. Darrell married Phyllis Ludwig. They have two daughters, Cynthia and Mona Jean. Jeannine and Jake J. VanDenEykel eloped and were married February 9, 1950, at Las Vegas, Nevada. They have two children, James and Vana Kay. Lilian is employed at the Highway Department at Pierre. Betty and Eugene Bloodgood came to make their home with the Mikkelsen's following the death of their mother, Mrs. Cyril Bloodgood, of Huron, in 1935. Betty is married and lives at Dallas, Texas. Eugene is married and lives in Saco, Maine. They lived on a farm in Farmington until 1936, when they moved to Garner Township. Bob and his family have resided on the farm since 1956. A new modern ranch home was erected in 1957. Other improvements include a new granary, quonset, cattle feeding building, four dams and a tree windbreak. Marie Kristina married Fred Wilbur Weischedel at Gettysburg. Seven children were born to this couple. In 1922, twins were born, a boy and a girl. They were attended by Mattie Brehe and Doctor Hart. The twins were named Howard Raymond and Olive Marie. Howard married Helen Anderson, of Gettysburg, in 1953, and they have two sons and a daughter. Olive married John Silbaugh in 1943, at Omaha, Nebraska, while he was serving in the Army. They have three sons and one daughter. In 1924, their daughter Frances Elizabeth was born. She married Raymond Zebroski at Pierre in 1946, and they have two sons and three daughters. Jacob Fredrick was born to the Weischedels in 1931. He married Kay Johnson, of Pierre, and they have two daughters and one son. Dale Eugene married Lavonne Rilling in 1959. Daniel Earl is now employed on the James Young farm. Margaret Ramona graduated from Onida High School in 1958. The Mikkelsen's next son, Andrew, was born on September 12, 1905. He married Margaret E. Young, of Huron in 1927. They had one son, Michael Maynard, born in 1930. Margaret passed away in June, 1930. Michael served in the Marines from June 1951 to 1953. He married Margaret Rosalie McFarland in 1955 and they have three sons. Their sixth child, Elizabeth Joanna, was born September 19, 1906. She married William Wallace Weischedel, on January 26, 1924. Rev. J. W. A. Collins of Gettysburg tied the marital knot. In 1925, their first daughter, Delma, was born at the Aunt Til McGuire residence in Onida. In 1955 she was married to Kenneth Newling, of Harrold, South Dakota. They have one son and one daughter. The Weischedel's second son, Raymond LaVern, married Maxine Kitchen in 1949, and they had one daughter, Charlotte Ann. Maxine passed away in June, 1951, and Charlotte Ann made her home with her grandparents. Raymond married Ramona Darlene Johnson in 1952, and they have a daughter. The third child born to the Weischedels was Rosalie Ruth, on March 6, 1931. Since 1951, she has been living at the home of her grandparents and caring for them. Conrad William married Reta Darlene Sandal, of Pierre, and they have two sons. 60th Anniversary Is Big Affair For Mr. and Mrs. Mike Mikkelsen Mr. and Mrs. Mike Mikkelsen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on November 4, 1956, at the Farmington-Troy hall located one mile south of their home. [photo - Mr. and Mrs. Mike Mikkelsen, Sr. Celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary, 1956.] A noon dinner was served to over 100 people by the granddaughters of the honored couple. There were three long tables with color scheme of yellow and green carried out throughout the hall. Small book-like place cards, containing a photo of Grandpa and Grandma Mikkelsen, which was taken at the home of a granddaughter on Grandpa's 80th birthday, were made by Mrs. Kenneth Newling, their granddaughter. Those catering for the two-course dinner were Mrs. Charles McFarling, of Fort Pierre, Mrs. Lorene Buck and Mrs. Kenneth Newling, of Pierre and Rosalie Weischedel, of Agar. Mrs. Jesse Venner had charge of the guest book which was signed by over 300 friends and relatives. Mrs. Kenneth Newling acted as narrator of the Life Story of Grandpa and Grandma Mikkelsen which started in Denmark, in 1896, with grandchildren and great grandchildren dramatizing the most treasured events of their wedded life. Those present enjoyed a Danish hymn sung by Mrs. Mildred Sandberg, accompanied by her daughter, Kathleen. Mrs. Mikkelsen, nee Anna Jensen, was a typical dairy maiden in Denmark, milking 20 cows both night and morning, with Mr. Mikkelsen as a young foreman. It was at this particular place that the young couple's courtship began. Following the program, a reception was held, with Mrs. Coleman Smith cutting and serving the wedding cake baked and decorated by Mrs. Kenneth Newling. Mrs. Henry Sunne, of Gettysburg, was at the coffee service. Mrs. Donald Martin favored with piano selections during the reception. Three grandsons had charge of displaying the gifts. * * * The Wittlers [photo - The Art Wittler Home in Farmington Township.] Henry Wittler, of Hartington, Nebraska, father of the Wittler brothers, Ernest and Art, came to Sully County in the spring of 1927, intending to purchase land. He bought the David Fairbank ranch, located seven miles west and one north of Agar, from Fred Wieble of Winside, Nebraska. In the spring of 1928, Ernest and Art came up from Hartington, Nebraska, farming and batching until the spring of 1930, when Art returned to Nebraska. On February 18, he married Dortha Townsend, of Tecumsah, Nebraska. On their trip to South Dakota, they encountered one of South Dakota's typical blizzards, reaching the ranch by walking the last mile. The Wittlers have six children, Paul, Doris, Jo Ann, Shirley, Sylvia and Wayne. The Wittler Brothers continued their partnership until 1937, when Ernest began farming the place known as the old Charlie Beshears farm, later purchasing it from Ralph Wagner. GARNER TOWNSHIP One of the first group of pioneering individuals, with visions of better opportunity and cheaper land than was to be had in the East, arrived in Sully County in the early part of 1883, and settled in what is now Garner Township. Includeti in this group were the Garners, Gibson, Shepherd and Smithson. It didn't take these men long to build houses for their families and dig wells. As soon as living quarters were established, the men sent for their families. Mrs. J. N. Garner arrived on April 21, 1883, with their two children, Claude and Bertie, and her father, A. G. Biggs. A few hours later Mrs. W. E. Garner arrived with two children, Mellie and Newton. Others arriving about that time were the C. K. Mallock family, Tucker family, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Bigham, the Tagg family, the Moores, Smiths, Roman Spaid, the W. O. Brocks, Tisdale, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ruckle, as newlyweds, and others. The first school was called the Ruckle School and was first taught by J. N. Garner in 1888. After the Garners moved to Onida, he taught the Schreiber School and also in West Onida. [photo - Garner School, 1901. Back row, left to right -Jeff Sheapard, Frank Ruckle and John Persson, teacher. Front row - Harry Ruckle, Florence Ruckle Dodson, Minnie Wilken, Anna Wilken, Elva Ruckle McGuire, Clara Ruckle Seaman and Albert Sheapard.] [photo - Mr. and Mrs. Benton Doner and daughter, Ruth. Homesteaded in Garner Township in 1883.] One of the first families to settle in Garner Township were the Doners. They arrived in September, 1883, and took up three quarters of land in the township. Mr. Doner was a Sully County commissioner for four years. They moved to Potter County in the fall of 1895. * * * The Ruckle Homestead [photo - The Henry W. Ruckle family, about 1906. Back row, left to right-Harry and Frank. Front row-Clara, Elva, William, Mr. Ruckle and Florence.] The Southwest of 22 was homsteaded by Henry W. Ruckle in 1883. He was assisted in his farm work by his son, Harry, from 1918 to 1920. After Harry and his wife and two small sons moved to Flandreau, South Dakota, another son, William (Bill) joined his father, in 1922, and a year later brought his bride, Louella Lange, to this home. A daughter, Calista Beth, was born to them in 1924, and another daughter, Dorothy, who died infancy, in 1926. After the death of his father, Bill moved to the present Hoover place in 1936, and the farm was rented to Earl Cass and later to Elmer Schlenker. In 1942, Harry moved back with his wife and daughter, and lived there until 1951, when the farm was sold to Chester Taylor of Texas. The next year Mr. Taylor sold to Fred Eldridge of Fort Pierre, who leased the farm to Tiny Meyers. Marvin Schumacher lived there during that time. Then in 1955, Tony and Grace Todd purchased the farm from Eldridge and moved on in the spring of 1956. Grace is the granddaughter of Henry W. Ruckle. * * * Mallock Homestead Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Mallock, son of William, twin daughters Sophia and Sarah, and daughter Isabella (later became Mrs. Ed Pierce) came from Iowa in 1883, and homesteaded on Southwest of 25 in Garner Township. Mr. Mallock was a carpenter and constructed many buildings in that area, many of which are still in use, including the family home which until recently was occupied by the Ralph Shoup family. He constructed the West Garner schoolhouse, known as the Byrum School, for $200.00, furnishing all material and labor. He was a member of the first cemetery association and helped organize the first Methodist Church. At one time he was a justice of the peace. Mrs. Mallock was known for miles around because she went to many homes to help care for the sick, assist at births and also to help with the laying out of the dead. She also kept travelers, furnishing them with board and beds. It was necessary that someone do this as travel was slow and people had to go long distances for supplies and for many other reasons. Many times all available space was full of beds including the floors, as no one could be turned away at night. Sarah (Sadie) died in March 1884, of consumption. Sophia (Phi) married Chalmer Hill and moved away from Sully County several years later. She passed away in 1946. The funeral was held on May 3, the same day as that of Mrs. Bell Cole of Onida, an old family friend, at Wessington, South Dakota. Mrs. Pierce. (Isabella), who attended her sister's funeral, could not help but contrast it with that of the twin sister buried in 1884. At that time no undertaker was available, so friends laid out the body. A purchased coffin of wood covered with cloth was used. A spring wagon served as a hearse and friends gave geranium blos soms and waxed flowers. Mr. and Mrs. Mallock are both buried at Morning Sun, Iowa. She died in 1916, and he,in 1925. * * * The Cass Family [photo - Mrs. George W. Cass] George W. Cass brought his family, of wife and three children, Jeheil, Hilie, Orson and Vena, from Iowa, in 1883. The fourth child, Earl, was born at Blunt in 1885. Mr. Cass filed for his tree claim, homestead and another quarter in Garner Township and built a small wood house and shed. [photo - George W. Cass and Four Children. Back row, left to right - Vena (Mrs. Barber) and Earl. Front row - Jehiel (Hiley), Mr. Cass and Orson.] When Mrs. Cass passed away in 1899 the children came home, each driving a team of horses and wagon. Later Orson came to live with Hilie. They lived along the creek during the grazing season with their stock and returned to the home place during the winter months. In 1899, Earl came to live with his brothers and worked in the neighborhood. When Vena had finished her education she came to live with her brothers and taught school. Orson married Ida Flarrar in 1897, and they had one daughter, Myrtle. They moved to Portland, Oregon, where he passed away in 1939. Vena married Calvin Barber in 1904, and moved on a place near Okobojo. Earl and Martha Brandt were married in 1908, and lived on the home place where he and Hilie were in partnership. To this union six children were born: Emma married Boyd Chipman of St. Lawrence and they have two adopted children and live in Garner Township. Beulah married Raymond W. Sutton and they have three chilren, Alice, Beuna and Ray. They ranch in Potter County and maintain a home in Onida. Edith married Vernon Garrett and they have three children, Verneen, Cinda and James. Irene married Don Rilling, and lives in Los Angeles, California. They have five children, Norma, Norman, Donna, Dorene and Larry. George married Erma Hank and lives on the Cass home place. They have five children, DaWayne, Newell, Janis, Charlene and Martha Sue. Harry married Bonnie Edlandson, of Highmore, and lives at Winner. They have a family of five children, Onita, Earl, Ricky, Colleen and Monte. Mr. Cass passed away in 1945. Hilie homesteaded in Farmington Township about 1894, and on November 17, 1908, he was united in marriage to Effie Todd. They had seven children. The first two were twins.and died in infancy. The others are Gertrude White, Genevieve Brehe, L. Ray, Roy and James W. Gertrude was married to Clem White, April 24, 1929, and they live in Portland, Oregon, with their two children, Francis, and Tobey. Genevieve married Adolph Brehe, Oct. 11, 1933. They have three children, Gale, now married and farming with his father, Kent and Joy. They live in Harrison Township. L. Ray Cass married Marjorie Bouchie, May 26, 1937, and they have six children. Larry, in the Navy stationed at San Diego; Sharon, Timothy, Steven, Sheila and Marjean, all at home and living on the family homestead Northeast of 34 in Farmington Township. [photo - Mr. and Mrs. Hiley Cass and three of their children, Genevieve (Mrs. Adolf Brehe), Gertrude (Mrs. Clem White) and L. Ray, in 1916.] Mrs. Effie Cass has her own home on her son's farm, Hilie having passed away in 1939. Roy Cass married Nellie Du Bois, June 3, 1939, and they live in Gettysburg with ten of their children. The oldest daughter is married and lives in Tennessee. James W. married Veda Neyhart, June 27, 1954, and live in Milford Township. They have one son, Jehiel William. [photo - Aerial View of L. Ray Cass farm in 1958.] * * * Mathias Asmussen Homestead Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Asmussen emigrated from Denmark to Sully County, via Blunt, in 1885, with five of their children, Christian, Marie, Louise, Martin and Ingaborg (Bonnie). Mr. Asmussen filed on the Southwest of Six in Garner Township, a mile or so to the northeast of the Kenneth Marsh farm home. The father and sons built some buildings and farmed on this land for about 15 years. Farming for Mr. Asmussen was a new undertaking, as he was a sea-faring man, operating a freighter service and deep sea fishing boats while in Denmark. Four of their children had previously come to America, settling in Nebraska. They were Cecelia, Hans, Anna and Amy. Hans and Amy moving to other states at a later date. Of the 14 children, four died in infancy and Mary died at the age of 16. [photo - Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Asmussen Pioneer Settlers of Garner Township.] Christian Asmussen filed on a homestead in Richvalley Township. Louise married James C. Lomheim and lived on a homestead in Hartford Township, later moving to Onida. Marie and Bonnie went to visit their brother and sisters in Nebraska, and located there. Martin Asmussen, having lived in Garner Township for several years, spent some time at Northville, where he met his future wife. They were married in 1898, and later moved to North Dakota, and then to the Peace River country in northern Alberta, Canada, where they still reside. They raised ten children, most of them living in that area. Martin, who is 82 years of age, is the last one to represent that generation of the Asmussen family. Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Asmussen sold the farm and in 1898, moved to Fremont, Nebraska, where they joined the other children. Mrs. Asmussen died in 1905, and Mr. Asmussen, in 1912. Both are buried in the country cemetery near Leshara, Nebraska. * * * Frederick Brandt Homestead Frederick Brandt came to America from Germany when a young man during the early eighties. He worked as a carpenter in Chicago and later in Pierre, where he was employed in building the courthouse. He met Anna M. Sebreiner in Blunt and married her on December 7, 1886, in Onida with the Rev. Norton officiating. Four children were born to this union: Alma, Paul, William and Margaret. It was in the Brandt home where the Lutheran Church was first started before the church was built in 1909, and later moved to Agar. Fred Brandt farmed and raised stock with the help of his two sons until he was unable to work and then the boys took over. Fred passed away on December 26, 1928, and his wife, Anna, on September 25, 1950. [photo - Brandt School, 1906. Effie (Todd) Cass, Teacher. Left to right - Unknown, Alice Brandt, William Brandt, Elsie Brandt, Maggie Brandt and Francis Doerr.] [photo - Fred Brandt Family, 1900. Back row left to right - Alma and Paul. Front row - Mrs. Brandt holding Margaret, and Mr. Brandt with William.] Alma is now Mrs. Weidemann and lives in Sioux Falls; Paul's address is Agar; William F. was married to Jennie Orsborn on June 27, 1923, and they have three children. Donald, who married Irma Weischedel, lives in Rapid City with his wife and two children, Linda and Ricky; Doris, now Mrs. Joseph Smith living near Paris, France, with her husband, who is in the Air Force, and William H., who is married to Jackie Reed, of Pierre, and lives in Rapid City. They have two children, Debra and Mark. William F. has lived on the same place for 62 years. * * * Carl Brandt Family Mr. and Mrs. Carl Brandt and small daughter, Martha, came here from Germany about 1893. They worked for couple of years and then homesteaded in Garner Township. At first they built a sod shanty and small shed and in 1906, dug an artesian well. [photo - Fred Brandt Homestead, 1908] Two more girls were born to this, union, Elsie and Alice. Martha married Earl Cass; Elsie married Charles Simpson and moved to Shenandoah, Iowa, and Alice married Sig Severson and they lived in Onida. Mr. Brandt passed away in 1925, and Mrs. Brandt, in 1943. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Chipman moved on this place in March, 1933, and later bought it. * * * The Byrum Family Charles E. Byrum came to Sully County in 1896, and in 1899, he married Mable M. Brooking. For a time they lived in a sod house on Section 20 in Garner Township and later purchased the homestead rights to the Northwest of Section 18 from Dan McGuire for $20, where they established their home. Five children were born into this family, one of whom, Forence Gertrude, died in infancy. Oliver lives in Troy Township, Elsie Lien now lives in Clark, Elezer farms the original homestead and Stuart resides in Miller. [photo - Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Byrum. Pioneers of Garner Township.] [photo - Elsie Byrum Lien and Clara Ruekle Seaman] Mr. and Mrs. Charles Byrum moved to Onida in 1926. Mr. Byrum established the Central Mutual Insurance Company, served in the State Legislature and later as county commissioner. Mrs. Byrum passed away in 1940. Mr. Byrum lived in Onida for a time and then moved to Clark where he is making his home with his daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Elezer Byrum have three children, Phyllis, Elliott and Ardis. Phyllis attended Yankton College and worked as a stenographer in Seattle, Denver and Los Angeles. She later married Joe Kozmata and have two children, Joe and Susan. They are now living in Canoga Park, California. Elliott attended State College at Brookings for a short time before going into the Air Force for four years. He is married to Lois Sutton and they have three children, Kathy, Karla and Kurt. He is now affiliated with John Sutton, Sr. in the garage and implement business in Onida. Ardis attended Northern State Teachers College at Aberdeen. She has taught for three terms, two in Sully County and one in Harrold and will be teaching in Livingston, Montana, this fall. * * * Kiker Family The Kikers came to Onida in August, 1950, looking for wheat to combine. They were so impressed with the beauty of the wide expanse of grassland and farming land that they purchased the Charles Schultz farm, five miles north and two east of Onida from W. B. Spears. They moved on the farm March 6th, 1951, and were greeted by deep snow and blizzard conditions. The blizzard continued for six days before they could get to Onida. Fortunately they had stopped at Lamb's Store en route to the farm and laid in a week's supply of groceries. Their first caller was Lloyd Clark, their nearest neighbor, who came over on his tractor to see about them. The Kikers had previously farmed in Oklahoma and South Dakota, until they sold their farm home in Oklahoma, in 1956. They also purchased the Terbush farm three miles north of Onida where their son, Theo, and his family now reside. [photo - Weidemann School Picnic. 1939. Back row, left to right -Ardis Byrum, Avis Brandt, Betty Bloodgood, Mrs. Robert Pierce, Teacher, Bob Mikkelsen, Vernon Brandt, Donald Brandt, Eugene Bloodgood and Harry Cass. Front row -Doris Brandt, Erma Evans, Jeannine Mikkelsen, Darrel Mikkelsen, Betty Brandt, Ronald Evans and Elliott Byrum.] GOODWATER TOWNSHIP Goodwater Township was so named because of the many good wells which supplied sufficient water for the needs of the people settling in that area beginning in the spring of 1883. Among the first families to arrive in Goodwater Township were the Goddards, Metcalfes, Watsons, Langs, Littles, McGinnis' and others. One of the first groups to organize were those interested in church and Sunday School and as early as that first summer, in 1883, a Sunday School was organized and met in the T. M. Goddard home, and occasional sermons were preached by the Reverends Barden, Faus and Louden. The first marriage in Goodwater was that of George Everett and Mrs. Hunsley. The first child born in the township was Richard Goddard, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. M. Goddard, on December 3, 1883. The first death in the township was Joseph Hunsley. A postoffice was established on Section Nine, Goodwater Township, in October, 1884, with A. C. Goddard commissioned postmaster. A social and literary society known as the Farmer's Club, was organized in October, 1885, with W. H. Little, president, and A. E. Goffe, secretary. Meetings were held at the Goddard School. Those on the program for the first meeting were H. W. Pickard, A. E. Goffe and T. M. Goddard. A graveyard was established on the southeast corner of the T. M. Goddard homestead in April, 1886, with S. M. Keith, Elisha Pailen and Frank Goddard as its trustees. Miss Matie Lang was the first teacher at the Goodwater School during the summer terms of 1885-86. Many trees were planted in the township as soon as living quarters were established and the necessary wells and out-buildings were erected. H. W. Pickard was one of the first to plant 16,000 trees in the spring of 1887, with T. M. Goddard planting the same amount on his tree claim. * * * The Goddard Family [photo - Mr. and Mrs. Frank Goddard. Pioneers of Goodwater Township.] Frank Goddard came to Sully County in 1884, with his wife, Clara, and four small children. They lived in Iowa Township three years before moving to Goodwater. In 1886, Frank built a house on his homestead. During the following years, eight more children were born to make it "cheaper by the dozen," as the saying goes. Two other children were born, but died very early in life. Both Frank and Clara Goddard have passed on as have three daughters and a son; Mae Dorsey at Onida, Mary Calhoon at Sunland, California, Elsie Robinson at Priest River, Idaho, and John at Pierre. Of the eight children yet living, only Tom and Robert S. live in Sully County. Oss lives in California, Ben in Wyoming, Edith Moore in Illinois, Elta DeCamp in Iowa, Edna Kritzmire in Parker, South Dakota and Sarah Hoffstetter in Oregon. The remaining decendants of Frank Goddard now living in Goodwater are his grandson, R. Guy Goddard and his family. Guy is the son of Robert and Carrie Goddard. In 1940, Guy was married to Violet Rieger in Los Angeles, and in April, 1942, they returned to Sully County from Glendale, California, bringing with them their six-month-old daughter, Barbara. Guy went into partnership with his father and purchased the Louie Svrko place, Southeast of Five, making this the fourth generation of Goddards living on this section. Steven, Truman and Gloria, the other three Goddard children, were born in South Dakota. [photo - Four Generations of Goddards, 1946. Left to right-R. Guy and son Steven, Grandfather Robert Goddard and Great Grandfather Frank Goddard.] Guy also purchased the Tree Claim quarter from his grandfather which had been planted in 1898, and died out in the late thirties during the dust bowl days. A new 18 acre tree plot has been started as a game reserve a mile east of the old one. Guy is serving on the Central Electric board of directors and is treasurer of the school board. * * * The Warne Family Ed Yung came to Goodwater with his wife and young daughter, Lona, from Springfield, Illinois, and settled on the place now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ed Warne. In 1917, the Yung family purchased the old Hamlink place one mile west and moved there. In June of the same year Lona, an only child, was married to Ed Warne, son of the late O. D. Warne, of Iowa Township. They purchased the farm that had been Lona's first home in Goodwater. Two sons were born to this union, Maynard, of Rapid City, and Leland (Lee) living in Goodwater. [photo - Lee Warne and one of the Grand Champion Appaloosa colts, raised on the Warne ranch in Goodwater Township, 1958.] In 1946, Lee returned home as a 1st Lieutenant after serving five years with the U. S. Army. He brought with him his recent bride, Helen, a girl from Tennessee. Helen had been working as a nurse before their marriage in August, 1945, at Chicago, Illinois. They made their home on his Grandfather Yung's ranch until 1950, when they moved to the Ed Warne ranch. Mr. and Mrs. Ed Warne then moved to their new home in Pierre. Lee now manages his father's ranch along with his own (the former Ed Yung ranch). Their children, Randy and Nancy, are the fourth generation that have lived on the Warne ranch and the third generation attending the Goodwater School. Lee is clerk on the schoolboard. He has served two terms as S. D. State Senator in 1953 and 1955, and in 1957 as S. D. State Representative. As everyone knows, the hores is rarely seen on most ranches township, but not so on the Warne ranch. They began raising Appaloosa horses in 1957, along with a fine herd of Hereford cattle which they have raised for years. * * * Charles Luecke came to Sully County in 1926 and in 1942, purchased the Tom Hunsley farm in Goodwater and began improving, enlarging modernizing his ranch. In 1952, he was married to Mrs. Gladys Schmidt. Mr. and Mrs. John Hall and baby moved to the Luecke ranch after accepting employment there. * * * August Schieckoff came to Goodwater in 1944, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Schieckoff, now of Pierre, and his three sisters, Mary Woffenden, of Pierre, Erna Watson, of Naches, Washington, and Bertha Gibson, of Tacoma, Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Schieckoff and the two oldest daughters had previously lived on the Henry Heuer place in 1924. August was married to Lorraine Wagner, of Pierre, and after their marriage moved to the Walter Schieckoff farm after his parents moved east of Pierre. They have five small children, Fred and Robert in grade school, and Lilly Ann, Clifford and Margaret, the younger children. * * * Bernard (Bud) & Thelma Beastrom, formerly of Hughes and Hyde counties, accompanied by their young children, Sharon and James, moved here spring of 1950, to the Lon Daves place owned by W. T. McIlravy. A year later Betty joined the family group and in 1955, Terry was born. Bud is chairman of the local schoolboard. He was selected by the Pierre Jaycees in a local contest as the Outstanding Farmer for 1958. Mr. and Mrs. Beastrom both work with the young people of the community in 4-H work, Bud recently receiving his ten-year award in 4-H leadership. * * * Goodwater School Goodwater School opened in 1946, with four pupils, Erma and Stephen Spaid, Virgil Heuer and Deloris Watson, with Anna Dunkleburger as teacher. The school had been closed for ten years for lack of enough school age children in the township. By the year 1954, Goodwater was the largest school in Sully County with 17 pupils enrolled. Maxine McGruder, beginning her teaching career, instructed the classes. In 1948 and 1949, Tom and R. S. Goddard reconditioned the schoolhouse, enlarged the study hall and built on an entrance and small teacherage. In 1952, the year of the floods, the school was moved two miles north to where it stood in the beginning of the history of Goodwater Township. At that time the convenience of electricity and telephone were added. During the spring flood of 1952, at least three families had to take the pupils part way by boat as all roads leading from Carlsons, Heuers and Goddards were either washed out or under two to three feet of water. In the past 20 years the following teachers have taught at Goodwater: Wilbur Hofer, Mrs. Albert Walsh, Norma Jean Gould, Mrs. G. Grimes, Maxine McGruder, Mrs. Maynard Hofer, Claire Hoff and Eleanor Bever. [photo - Unique Way of Getting to School. The four Goddard children and Worth Carlson first rode one and a half miles, then boated across the lake bed and finally walked two miles in order to get to the Goodwater School during the flood in 1952. Guy Goddard at the oars.] The schoolboard members 20 years ago were Roy Everett, treasurer, replaced by R. Guy Goddard; Ed Warne, clerk, replaced by Paul Patzer, then by Lee Warne; Henry Heuer, chairman, replaced first by his son Raymond and then by Bernard Beastrom. Former schoolboard members were replaced when they moved from the township. * * * Ed and Iris Tobin moved to the George. Day farm and accepted management in March, 1954. Mr. Day and his wife, Susie, now live in Onida. The Tobins have four school children, Jeanette and Audrey attending Agar High School, and Bob and Sharon in the grades. The Tobins have been Sully County residents since their marriage in 1937. Their daughter, Jeanette, is now Mrs. Ray Wagner, of Sioux Falls, and has two small children, Marlene and Billy Ray. Audrey is finishing her second year at Grace Bible Institute at Omaha, Nebraska. * * * Kermith and Florence Edge moved here from Hyde County to the former Ed Yung place in August, 1954. They have five daughters, Sharon, Shirley and Carol, grade school age, and Connie and Kandy not yet old enough to attend school. Kermith was employed by Lee Warne to help on the ranch. A year later in 1955, another daughter, Faun, was born and joined the quintet of girls. Kermith is the son of Mrs. Claude Blaisdell of West Onida Township. * * * Goodwater Union Sunday School A group of Goodwater patrons met in April, 1955, at the Goodwater School, for the purpose of organizing a Goodwater Union Sunday School, and in this way bring Christian education to the many children who otherwise would not be able to regularly attend Sunday School. Mrs. Lee Warne was elected superintendent, Lee Warne, vice-superintendent and Mrs. Ed Tobin, secretary and treasurer. Dick Seaman was chosen as teacher for the adult class, Mrs. Guy Goddard for the junior class and Mrs. Bernard Beastrom for the primary class. Average attendance was about 40 members, with families coming from Clifton and Goodwater Townships. Daily Vacation Bible School has been held at Goodwater School one week every summer since the Sunday School was organized with about 20 pupils graduating each year. Audrey and Sharon Tobin, Barbara Goddard and Shirley Edge taught several years in other Bible schools, as well as assisting in their own. Audrey Tobin is now enrolled in her second year in missionary nurses training at Grace Bible Institute, Omaha, Nebraska. Don and Elsie Millard and small daughter, Pam, arrived in Goodwater Township in 1956, to work at the Warne ranch. They moved here from near Blunt after Don served in the Armed Forces. In 1958, a son, Sam, was born. * * * Goodwater Mission Circle In December, 1956, the ladies of Goodwater Sunday School met and with the help of Mrs. H. Storer of Harrold, the Goodwater Mission Circle was organized. Many bandages have been rolled, scrapbooks and flannelgraphs made, financial aid given and blessings asked for the many missionary speakers who visited Goodwater Circle and Sunday School. Some of the visiting missionaries were Hilda Swanson, Helen Vetter, Mr. and Mrs. Merle Bloom, Edith Taylor, Iuka Uchida, Theida Krieger, John Remple, Mr. and Mrs. Grant and others. Officers for 1958 are Mrs. Ed Tobin, superintendent; Mrs. Frank Goddard, secretary and treasurer, and Mrs. Lee Warne, vice superintendent. The Goodwater Mission Circle and Sunday School charter members are Mrs. Fern McKee and Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Currier and Roger, of Garner Township, the Frank Goddard, Dick Seaman, Lyle Hunsley and Lyle Ebert families from Clifton and the Lee Warne, R. Goddard, Ed Tobin, Bernard Beastrom and Kermith Edge families of Goodwater. * * * Al and Inez Genzler and children Martha, Jerry, Patricia, Daniel and Norma moved to Goodwater from Aberdeen in 1958. Al served in the Navy two years after World War II and is now employed by Frank Goddard of Clifton Township. * * * Some of the people who have moved away from time to time for various reasons in the past twenty years are Henry and Roxa Heuer and children, Paul and Henry Patzer and parents, George Day, Jean Hulls, Lon Daves, Loren Thomas, Roy and George Everetts, Tom Hunsley, Harlan Hansons, Marshall Farries, C. J. Carlsons, Floyd Bakers, Starkeys, Lester Spaids and the Masons. * * * GRANDVIEW TOWNSHIP Grandview Township was so named because of the magnificent expanse of rolling hills and smooth prairies that could be seen from the Sully Buttes, and also the abundance of water and range land along the Okobojo Creek. Some of the first settlers to arrive in Grandview Township in the spring of 1883, were Thomas Mitchell, James McGowan and sons, A. J. Ashcroft, Thomas Crawford, the Stull brothers, the Seelys, Thomas Lytle, the Andersons, Art Harlow and a number of others. Mr. Harlow had an experience probably never equaled elsewhere. In 1820, he voted for the Constitution under which the state of Maine went into the Union, and after a lapse of 69 years, he again voted for a Constitution under which South Dakota joined the sisterhood of states. * * * The Garrett Family [photo - Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Garrett. Pioneers of Grandview Township.] [photo - Aerial View of Bert and Vernon Garrett Ranch, 1959] Edward J. Garrett, born May 4, 1856, came to Dakota Territory in 1882, from London, England, where he was a bookkeeper. He married Suzana Gilson, also from London, on July 6, 1886. This was the first marriage in the township. They had four sons, Edward Albert (Bert), Ernest H., Thomas G. and Geoffrey R. Edward Albert was born April 8, 1887, and has lived all his life in Grandview Township near the place where he was born. He married Henrietta Bane, of Pontiac, Illinois, in 1913. They have two children, Vernon and Ruth. Vernon lives on the home ranch in partnership with his father. He married Edith Cass, of Agar, and they have three children, Verneen Kay, Cinda Mae and James Edward. Ruth married Raymond Heinold and they live in Pierre. Ernest was born November 21, 1889. He was killed in an accident March 2, 1935. He was married to Beth Knox, who is now living in California. Thomas was born January 2, 1891. He lived on and near the old homestead most of his life in partnership with his brother Geoff, but the partnership is now dissolved and he lives in Palo Alto, California. Thomas married Edna Odemark, of Pierre. [photo - The Four Garrett Brothers, 1925. Left to right - Geoff, Tom, Ernie and Bert.] Geoffrey was born in 1893, and served from 1917 to 1921 in the World War I. He married Edith Sutton, of Agar, in 1932. They have four children, Ina, Glen, Roger and Jean Marie. Ina is married to Kenneth Binkley and has three children, Lisa, Mark and Timmy, and they live in Brookings. Glen, who is now living on the ranch, married Betty Hinsey and has two children, Bradley and Jeffrey. Roger is a student at State College, Brookings, and Jean Marie attends Pierre High School. Mrs. Edward Garrett passed away on January 14, 1938, and her husband died a few months later near Okobojo on October 8, 1938. The Floyd Homestead William Floyd and his wife, Frances came to Dakota Territory in 1883. Floyd was a direct decendant of the William Floyd, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. William engaged in farming and stock raising and in 1918, was one of the wealthiest men in Sully County, subscribing liberally to both Liberty Loans. He purchased the Spring Creek Ranch from Chris Johnson and had the contract to furnish beef to the soldiers at Fort Sully until the fort was abandoned in 1894. It was known as the "Butcher Ranch" on Spring Creek. This ranch was taken over by the government in 19158, as part of the Oahe project. [photo - "Butcher Ranch" on Spring Creek. Owned by William Floyd, Sr., in the early days, and now owned by the Floyd Brothers.] The Floyds had five children, Frances, William, Jr., Benjamin, Sarah an Alden. William, Jr. and Benjamin live on the original Floyd homestead where they were born and raised and still engage in raising horses and cattle as their father before them. William, Jr. married Florence Stebbins and they have one child William VI. Benjamin has never married and lives with his brother. Frances Christensen is a widow and has one daughter, Orsa, who is married and lives in Sioux, Falls. Sarah (Sadie) Wagner lives in Long Beach, California, and has a married son. Alden, who married Eileen Arthur, has three daughters, Naomi, Gretha and Lois all married. Alden passed away August 5, 1955. William, Sr., passed away in Long Beach, California, in 1950, at the age of 91. [photo - West Grandview School, 1921. Last day of school. Homes Roach, teacher. Children from Grandview and Little Bend Townships.] * * * A schoolhouse was built on Section 20 during the summer of 1885, and the first teacher was Mrs. Annie Yates. [photo - Grandview School, 1900. Icaphine Bunch Millet, was the teacher.] The Bunch Family Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Bunch arrived in Dakota Territory in 1883, and homesteaded in Grandview Township and lived there until Mrs. Bunch passed away in 1935. Mr. Bunch died August 14, 1938. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bunch, George, Florence, Ivan and Earl. * * * The Begby Family Mr. and Mrs. James Bagby left their home in Kentucky in the early spring of 1883, and headed for Dakota Territory. They filed on a claim on the Southeast of 18 and made their home in a three-room dugout with wooden floors until they purchased the old Bunch Hotel ancl had it moved and made into a home. The Bagbys raised 13 children in Grandview Township. Ralph, who died during the flu epidemic in 1919; Robert, who was a mail carrier in Pierre for many years; Roy, of St. Paul, Minnesota; Roscoe, a railroad conductor in Huron for many years; Raymond, of Pierre; Rolland, who passed away of the flu in 1918; Randolph, postmaster in Pierre; Bessie, who married George W. Lumley, Jr., in September, 1902, and was a teacher in Sully County and a telephone operator in Onida for many years; Blanche Baker, also a teacher in Sully County; Bertha Bunch, teacher and telephone operator; Beulah Glessner; Bettina Carlson, of Pierre, and Bernice. * * * The Bush Family [photo - Mr. and Mrs. John P. Bush. Early settlers of Grandview Township.] [photo - The John W. Bush Family. Residents of Grandview Township.] Mr. and Mrs. William Bush homesteaded in Buffalo Township in 1883, where five children were born. The family moved to Blunt, South Dakota, where John P. grew to manhood. He was section foreman in Blunt for five years and in 1908, married Emma Pitlick. The young couple then moved to Grandview Township and in the spring of 1910, purchased the J. M. Pitlick, Jr., homestead. John and Emma had twin girls, Rose and Mary, and two weeks after their birth, Emma passed away. John P. then married Emma's sister Mary, and they had five children. John W., the oldest, married Luella Smith and they have three children and three grandchildren. John W. and his family live on the Pitlick place, the former William Johnston homestead. Charles died when a few months old. Hazel married Art Baumberger and they live on the old John N. McCray place. Alice is married to Gilbert Smith and they have four children and one grandchild. They live on the Elmer Figgne place. Rose married Lautrence Venner and they have three children and three grandchildren. Rose's twin sister Mary, is married to Albert Rilling and they live in Los Angeles. Emmett J. Bush met his wife at an airbase in Washington, while he was serving with the United States Air Corps. She was a city girl and had never lived on a farm or ranch. Upon his discharge in February, 1944, Mr. and Mrs. Bush came to Sully County and purchased a section of land known as the Speece place. Since that time, Emmett has farmed his land, together with a portion of crop land owned by his father. In 1952, Emmett and his wife built a new home, two new barns, a double garage, cattle shed and corrals. [photo - Emmett J. Bush Family, 1958. Left to right -Mrs. Bush's mother, Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Bush, and two children.] They have two children, a boy and a girl, who attend the West Fairbank School. Mrs. Bush's mother makes her home with her daughter and family. [photo - Four Generations of the Bush Family. Left to right-John W., Jeffrey, John LeRoy and John P. All born in Sully County.] * * * The Fred West Family Mr. and Mrs. Fred West, along with their son Harold and two daughters, Nora and Gladys, came to South Dakota in the year of 1917, from Dean, Iowa. They built a sod house and settled down on their homestead near Coal Springs, South Dakota. This was during World War I and times were very tough especially on the prairies of western South Dakota. Their fuel consisted of cow chips gathered from the prairies, and many a jack rabbit got in the stew pot for an evening meal. Most of their clothes were home spun and many times for shoes Dad's mittens were tried on for the cause. In the year 1917, a son was born and named Sterling, and as doctors were so many miles away, a neighbor lady came and helped with delivery. Mr. West got a job hauling mail and with his team and buggy made a 20-mile trip three times a week and many times a blizzard would hit him en route and his horses would have to guide him across the prairie home. Nora, Gladys and Harold were fortunate in having one horse between them to go to school and, as there was only room for two, they would take turns riding and walking. The Wests lived in their sod house until 1922, and then moved to Isabel, South Dakota, where Mr. West went in coal mining business. Another son, Wendell, was born that year. As the coal mining business wasn't quite to Fred and Mary's liking, they moved to the Little Bend, west of Onida, in 1926. The first year they lived on Mission Island and that year Melvin was born. After a few years on the Island, the Wests moved back to the Bend on the former Ergo Hull place. Fred continued his farming and ranching besides working for James Sutton, who at that time had a large ranch in the Bend. Mr. West also trapped furs which at that time were quite numerous. In 1929, a son was born named Lowell. Shortly after, the West family moved back on the Island and lived there until 1943, when their home was flooded and the Island was ruined for farming. It was then that they bought their present home on the flat, the old Avery Chapman farm. Nora married Merle Badger in 1922, and they have lived in this territory ever since. They have 11 children. Gladys was united in marriage to Jay Alexander in 1928, and they have two children. Harold was married to Alice Flood in 1946, and they helped the grandchildren list with two boys and a girl. Sterling was married to Marion Warner in 1937, and they have two boys and two girls. Wendell was married to Delores Rilling in 1946, and to them three boys were born. Melvin was married to Bonnie Boone of Olympia, Washington, in 1947. They have six children. Lowell married Catherine Serbousek and they have three children. Mr. and Mrs. Fred West have seven children, 31 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary at the Okobojo Hall in West Sully on October 12th, 1958. Along with their hardships, hard work and toils, the Wests have had many years of happiness and through these years have both retained good health. * * * There are second and third generation families still living in Grandview, such as Jay Alexander, son of Jay, Sr., who homesteaded in 1886; Gene Stampe lives on the old Lytle farm; Marvin Kennedy is a second generation farmer; Fred McQuistion is on the old Jenkins ranch; Ward Groseclose, whose grandfather was James Groseclose, is a third generation resident, William Galliger still lives on the homestead of his father, and numerous other families.