Full Text of "75 Years of Sully County History, 1883 - 1958", pages 298- 318. 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. * * * HARRISON TOWNSHIP Some of the first settlers to homestead in Harrison Township in the spring of 1884, were Carl Falkenhagen, John Falkenhagen, Hugh McKay, John Pflugmacker, Chris Lielke and possibly others. That fall John Falkenhagen built a stone basement on his father's land and it was there that church services and School were held. Others to settle in the township during the eighties were Patrick Kane, Chris Holmes, Hugh McKay, Perry and Scott Raukin, Chris Hartman, Douglas Archer and Dr. Laughlin, who had a shack on the Southwest of Seven, but lived in Onida. William J. Merrill came in 1900. The horse barn, belonging to Patrick Kane on the Northwest of 27, together with three work horses, five or six sheep, 30 tons of hay, wagon hay rack, harrow and harnesses, were destroyed by fire on October 2, 1897. Another disaster was that which happened to Hugh McKay, when his new barn on his ranch completed in 1902, was blown over and completely wrecked in the windstorm on August 1, of that same year. It was a 40x80 foot building, costing $1,000.00. Two of his calves were also killed during that storm. [photo - Pupils at Grandview School, 1957. Back row, left to right - Emmett Truman, Fern Barber, teacher, Jacky Alexander and Spike Jones. Front row - Verneen Garrett, Wayne Kelly, Cinda Garrett, Sandra Kelly and Billy Floyd. Little one -Donna Kelly.] [photo - Camp Merit, California, during June and July, 1899. First South Dakota Regiment, shown at center background where William J. Merrill was stationed during the Spanish-American War.] * * * The Doerr Family Mr. and Mrs. Chris Doerr and their two children, Erhart and Caroline, and Mr. Doerr's mother, Kathryn Doerr, arrived in Sully County in 1884, from the state of Illinois. Both Mr. Doerr and his mother took out a homestead and tree claim southeast of Okobojo Creek. They built a sod barn and a small sod house where they lived about 10 years. Erhart went to school at Waterford in Garner Township. C. R. Garner was his teacher. Then they moved a three room house on the place and lived in it until 1907. In 1904, Chris removed the sod barn and in its place built a large frame barn. He also moved the sod house off the place. In 1906, he dug an artesian well which supplied the family with an abundance of good water. He built a two-story brick house in 1907, the first of its kind in that area. Two more children were born during this time, Chris, Jr., and Francis. Erhart was married to Mary Salvatori, of Farmer, South Dakota, in 1916. They bought the old Kuhl place, next to his father's homestead. Erhart and Mary had four children. Caroline, who had married William Mundt, passed away in 1915. Chris, Jr., is married and has six children. They live in Shakapee, Minnesota, where he owns a store. Francis passed away, leaving his wife, Louise, and eight children, who live in the brick house. Grandmother Doerr died in 1905. * * * The first schoolhouse in the township was located on the Southeast of 19 with Jessie Farnsworth as the first teacher. Then in 1901, East Harrison School was built and later in 1915, the West Harrison School was built, with Alfred Christopher as the teacher. Miss Lauretta Mundt, Gertrude Yoachim and Miss DuBois also taught at West Harrison. Mrs. Helen Archer was the teacher in 1958. [photo - West Harrison School, 1937. Miss Lauretta Mundt teacher. Back row, left to right - Gerald Doerr, Kathleen Kane and Charles Wagner. Middle row - Pat Kane and Clarence Wagner. Front row - Dorothy Wagner and Francis Kane.] * * * Henry Olson Family In the fall of 1907, Henry Olson homesteaded in Stanley County and at the same time worked in the Livery Stable at Onida. Then in 1914, he sold horses in Canada for Ed Sutton and the following year, started farming for himself at the Laurel Corner and moved to the old Ripley place which he farmed in 1917-18. He was married to Anna C. Fransen in 1918, and at that time purchased a farm in Harrison Township and moved there in the! spring of 1919. The Olsons lived there for 20 years where their family was born and raised. Then in 1939, they moved to the old Price farm south of Agar and after the house burned, the family moved to the Peterson farm. A house was purchased and moved to the Price farm and in 1945, the Olsons moved back. They own and operate the farm, but Mr. Olson retired from active work in 1957. Their four children graduated from Agar High School. Albin lives on a farm west of Onida; Ella, now Mrs. Albert Brehe, lives west of Agar; Royal is with his father on the farm, and Anna Mae, Mrs. Leo Weischedel, lives in Agar. * * * HARTFORD TOWNSHIP Frank Collins and James Porter were possibly the first settlers to file claims in Hartford Township. The first lumber brought into the township was on April 27, 1883, to build Porter's shack. Nathan and Robert Porter filed claims the same day. During the following months many more claims were filed by those seeking cheap land. Included in the wave of settlers were T. G. Phillips, Mrs. Stockton, who was the first woman to file, Harry E. Stockton, N. O. Herried, Edwin E. Brooking, Eric Spitz, the Thram brothers, Coe Byrum, John Gerlach, George Gasperich, John F. Cole, and many others. The first election was held at the home of Mrs. Stockton in September, 1883, at which time the name "Harrison" was chosen for the township. John W. Carpenter secured the contract to erect two schoolhouses, 18x20 feet, in Hartford Township in August, 1884, at a total cost of $930.00. Miss Frankie Winters of Clifton taught the Hartford School in 1884. Other early day teachers were Mrs. J. F. Cole, who taught the spring term in District One, commencing - May 3, 1886, and Mrs. E. E. Brooking, who taught the school in the Brooking District in the spring of 1886. * * * Patrick J. Walsh Family The Patrick J. Walsh family was one of the earliest settlers in Hartford Township, having filed on land in Section 34 in 1883. There were six children, William P., Frank, Walter, Albert, Margaret and Leonard. They received their education in the Walsh School, located on the Northeast of 27, and later moved to the Northeast of 29, when it was combined with the Porter School, thus making one school in the township. John Walsh, who who was the blind brother of Mrs. Walsh, made his home with them until his death. The Walsh family acquired considerable land which was used for making hay and grazing livestock. They also raised many horses. After the parents passed away in the thirties, William P., Frank and Margaret operated the ranch. Albert married and raised a family of seven children. Albert passed away about 1956. His wife is a school teacher of many years standing. After William P. passed away in 1958, Leonard joined Frank and Margaret in operating the ranches. As far as is known, Walter and his family reside in Nebraska. The Walshes have the distinction of being one of few who have lived continuously on the land which they homesteaded in 1883. William P. and Frank never left the farm home, until William P. died. * * * George Gasperich Homestead Mr. and Mrs. George Gasperich came to Sully County in 1885, and filed on the Northeast of 13 in Hartford Township. They acquired land in Section 14 and moved to the Southeast of this section, building a set of farm buildings where they could get water for livestock by building a dam, and later a shallow well at this dam, pumped by a windmill. Mr. and Mrs. Gasperich had four children, Frank, Lawrence, Margaret and Helen. Frank and family reside in the state of Maryland. Margaret was a school- teacher before her marriage to Vincent Malleszewski. Margaret has passed away and Vincent still owns land in Sully County which he looks after from time to time. Helen died while quite young. Mr. and Mrs. Gasperich passed away in the thirties after long spells of illness. Lawrence still owns the original homestead of his father. He lives in Onida and rents the homestead and part of the land to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Weischedel, and some farm land to Jake Weischedel. Both Jake and Gerald are grandsons of J. G. Weischedel, an early pioneer of Pearl Township. * * * The Brooking Family [Photo - Mr. and Mrs. Edwin E. Brooking. Pioneers of Hartford Township.] Edwin E. Brooking filed on a homestead on the Northwest of 23 and moved his family there in April, 1884. Edith Brooking married Robert N. Porter, one of the youngest of the early homesteaders, and Grace married A. C. Byrum. H. A. Brooking and his family lived on the land homesteaded by his father, and his daughter, Mrs. Ardis Gatons, and her family resided there for some time. James Brooking, his wife Ruby, and four children, Janice, James, Jr., Herbert Royal and Robyn, now live on land which includes the original homestead. It is interesting to note that Janice, now attending South Dakota State College, and James, Jr., have attended and Herbert Royal is now attending the same school once taught by their great grandmother, Mrs. E. E. Brooking. [photo - Mr. and Mrs. Ernest E. Brooking. Son of Edwin E. Brooking.] * * * The Ripley Family [ photo - Ripley Homestead in Hartford Township, 1890. Left to right -George Ripley, Mrs. Ripley (Christena), Manley, Emma, Albert, Addie, Milton and Mrs. J. A. Buck.] George and Christena Ripley and their nine children same to Sully County from Austin, Minnesota, in the spring of 1884, and homesteaded in what is now Hartford Township, on the Northwest of Section Eight. This pioneer family experienced all the trials and tribulations of early pioneer life and the raising of a large family. For a time they hauled water from Okobojo Creek, with a team of white oxen, a distance of eight miles. Their oldest daughter, Lucy, married William Gerlack in February, 1882. William married Mary Napier and to this union were born two daughters, Maud (Mrs. O'Brien) and Marguerite (Mrs. Richard Randolph), both of whom have passed away. Richard Randolph taught school in Little Bend Township during the thirties. William passed away in 1949, at the age of 80. Frank married Josephine Groseclose and to this union three children were born; Walter, who is at present a resident of Onida, having spent his entire life in Sully County with the exception of the time he served with the Armed Forces in World War I; Hildred (Mrs. Theodore Warne) who received her education in Sully and Hughes counties and made her home in Sully County until 1941, when she and her family moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they lived for a short time, later moving to Denver, Colorado, where they now reside. Irene (Mrs. Everett Chenoweth), who has spent her entire life, with the exception of four years spent in Hughes County attending high school, and at present resides in Onida. Milton married Hattie Dorrel and to this union ten children were born; Glen, who resides in Duluth, Minnesota, Ralph, Francis, George, Elmer, Marie, Gladys (Mrs. Clayton Wilcox) and Iffinnie (Mrs. Harold Currier) have spent their entire lives in Sully County. Hazel (Mrs. Wm. Pendergast) now resides in Pinehurst, Idaho, Alberta (Mrs. Clinton Spicer) makes her home in Pierre. Emma married J. A. Buck and to this union six children were born; Gertrude (Mrs. Frank Weischedel) now deceased; Bessie (Mrs. Walter Pease) of Quinter, Kansas; Elmer, Clifford, and John, (deteased, and Christena (Mrs. Harry Rupkalvis) of Vallejo, California. Albert married Anna Briscoe and they have one son, Lloyd, who taught school in Alaska for several years until his accidental death in a plane crash while hunting. Emmanuel married Lauretta Johnson and to this union one daughter, Myrtle, was born, now of San Francisco, California. Susan Faye, passed away in infancy. [photo - The J. A. Buck Family. Hartford Township.] [photo - Four Generations of Ripley. Front row, left to right - Mrs. Milton Ripley (Hattie), her great grandson Mickey, and her son, Ralph, Sr. Back row - grandsons Ralph, Jr., Delbert and Lawrence, and great grandsons, Jimmy and Larry.] Addie married William Wilcox and to this union five children were born; Mary (Mrs. Wm. Wagner), Esther, now deceased, Hugh in Montana, Robert in California, and James in Nevada. The following ten grandchildren of George and Christena Ripley are still residents of Sully County: George Gerlack and Gladys Wilcox of Agar, South Dakota; Irene Chenoweth, Walter, Ralph, Francis, George, Elmer, Marie Ripley, and Minnie Currier, all of Onida. [photo - Golden Wadding Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. George Ripley, their children and famines, about 1904.] * * * The Gerlach Family [photo - Four Generation Family. Front row -Mr. and Mrs. George Ripley. Back row, left to right, - Mr. and Mrs. John Gerlach (Lucy Ripley), and their son, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Gerlach and daughter Helen.] John Gerlach and his father-in-law, George Ripley, came to South Dakota in the fall of 1882, from the state of Minnesota. They traveled as far as Highmore by train, walked from there to the town-site of Onida and then walked another 17 miles northwest where they filed preemptions in what is now Hartford Township. The two men returned to Minnesota that same year and the following spring, Mr. Ripley and two of his sons, William and Milton, returned. They built claim shacks on the Northwest of 14 and the Northwest of eight and a 11 story house. After finishing their building, they drove back to their homes in a wagon and the following April the Ripley family and Mr. and Mrs. Gerlach and two sons, Will and Joe, and all their belongings, came by train as far as Blunt. Then traveled by horse and wagon to their homes in Hartford Township. In the fall of 1889, the Gerlach family moved to Troy Township and filed on a pre-emption and tree claim on the Southwest of 22. All the buildings from their homestead in Hartford were moved into Troy. The 16x24 foot house and all its contents were loaded on four wagons, chained together and pulled by 16 horses and moved about six miles without any trouble. In the process of moving, Mrs. Gerlach and the children remained in the house and enjoyed their six-mile journey. Dan Adams, a house mover in the early days, performed this miraculous operation. The Gerlach homestead in Hartford Township was sold to Ed Dexheimer about two years later. Mr. Gerlach accumulated cattle and horses and built several new buildings on his homestead in Troy besides a large barn that held 30 head of work horses and staunches for 24 milk cows. Will Gerlach first attended the North Hartford School in 1887. His first teacher was Mrs. J. F. Cole. Then when the family moved into Troy, he went to tne Troy School with Miss Adele Nelson as his teacher. This schoolhouse was moved so many times that it was known as the "schoolhouse on wheels." The other eight little Gerlachs also received their education in this school, having numerous teachers through the years. * * * The Lomheim Family James C. Lomheim and his brother, Knute, came to Sully County in an emigrant car in 1885. They left Norway in 1883 for America, stopping at an uncle's in Lodi, Wisconsin, and working for him raising blooded horses for two years in order to get $50.00 to make the trip on to Dakota Territory. They brought one horse and an ox with them which was all the power they had to pull the plow. Knute filed on the Southwest of 12 in Hartford Township, now farmed by Kenneth Marsh, proved up on his land and after three years moved to Minot, North Dakota. He married and later moved to Alberta, Canada, where they raised a- familv of 12 children. Knute died in 1932. James C. Lomheim filed on the Northwest of 22 in Hartford Township as a homestead, and on the Southwest of 16, as a tree claim. He built a sod shanty and some other buildings. He and Knute worked together at their small farming operations, buying more oxen and later on more horses. Christopher Olsen Lomheim, father of James and Knute, arrived from Norway in 1886, a year after his sons came to sully County, bringing four of his younger children, Louis, Gertrude, Anna and Kristena. The family had lived on a farm named "Lomheim" in Norway and all relatives coming to America kept that name. Two sons of Christopher O. remained in Norway. Christopher Lomheim lived on the home farm of "Lomheim" and Ole Alme, who moved to the farm "Alme", hence took that name. [photo - Christopher Olsen Lomhelm. First Generation of Lomheirns to settle in Hartford Township.] Christopher O. Lomheim filed on the Southwest of 21 in Hartford Township, one-half mile from his son James. He lived alone here, the four children having settled in Pierre, where Louis was a barber for a number of years. The sisters married and later moved to the state of Washington, as did Louis and family. Mr. Lomheim went to live for a time with his daughter, Anna Smith, in Lead, South Dakota, and returned to Norway in 1906, where he died in 1908, at the age of 78. [photo - Mr. and Mrs. James C. Lomheim, 1932. Pioneers of Hartford Township.] James C. Lomheim and Louise Asmussen were married on Thanksgiving Day in 1891. There were 12 children born to them. Chas. Manford was born in the sod shanty. The next year a wood shack was bought and moved to the home site. Gertrude and Albert were born in this shack. At this time, the Brooking Schoolhouse was moved from the Northeast of 23 to the Northeast of 27. Later it was called the Walsh School. The following year, James moved his family and buildings to the Northeast of 26, where they now stand. Several additions were added as the family became larger, and he did most of the carpenter work himself. Anna, Margaret, Mary, Clarence, Alice (died at age three years), Marvin (died at three months), the twins (born prematurely) and Henry Christopher were all born on this place. All of the children in the Lomheim family attended the same school that their mother attended when she was a young girl. Her parents, the Mathias Asmussens, lived in Garner Township on Section Six at that time. There were six Lomheim children attending the Walsh School at a time for several years. Gertrude Lomheim taught her first term of school in the Walsh School in 1912-13. There were six pupils, all Lomheims, but one, who was Leonard Walsh. James became the largest land owner in Hartford Township and with the help of his children farmed a lot of this land, also raising many cattle, horses and hogs. Mrs. Lomheim was an excellent cook and buttermaker, shipping 60 pound tubs every week to Wayne & Low at Chicago, besides delivering butter and eggs to her regular customers and the stores in Onida for many years. The henhouse was a sod house and her hens laid eggs the year round. She was selling eggs when her neighbors were buying them. Many cows were milked by hand and there were no facilities for cooling the milk, cream and butter in those days. An outside cave and shallow well way down in the ravine served the purpose, entailing a lot of hard and tedious work. Water for household use was carried up this long hill, and soft water was hauled on a stoneboat with a barrel from the pond for washing and hogs. With all her sewing, cleaning, baking and caring for her large family, Mrs. Lomheim found time to bake for the bachelors in the neighborhood. Cow chips were gathered by Louise and the children to use as firewood, sometimes there were corncobs, and James, with the help of his sons, would make a trip now and then to the Missouri River to bring back logs that were made into stove wood, sawing them in the right lengths for the kitchen range, which was the only means of heating the house, until the later years. Somehow the family never froze, although the walls in the bedrooms sparkled with diamonds during the winter months. They had a straw burner that fit over the two front lids on the range, and even coarse hay was used in it for heating purposes. Having no church in the community, Union Sunday School was held in the schoolhouse, and at times traveling ministers would hold services there. Farm families seemed to appreciate and enjoy the benefits of regular attendance at Sunday School in those days. Each small community furnished its own entertainment, have a Literary Society, home talent plays, programs, music and singing. For the most part the pioneers were a contented and happy people with visions for the future and ambitions to carry them through, often beyond their fondest hopes and expectations. The Lomheim Children Chas. M. Lomheim and Sopha M. Schreiber were married in September, 1921 They lived on a farm three miles north of Agar for a number of years where their four children were born; Carol Louise, who married David Zilverberg. They live on their ranch in Hyde County and have four children, Lynn, Timothy David, Lucinda Louise and Julia Faye. Kathleen Marie married Ward Doren and live near Madison, South Dakota. Manford Edwin and Sylvia Wittler were married and have a daughter, Monica Marie, living on the Albert O. Lomheim farm. Marcel Chas. married Mary Jean Thompson. They have a son, Garry Dean, and two daughters, Debra Marie and Kathy Marlene. They live on the old home place of J. C. Lomheim, now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. M. Lomheim. Marcel operates the ranch, raising cattle and farming the land. Chas. M. remained at his parental home the longest of the children. During a severe winter with deep snow on the prairie and feed scarce, Chas. would set out on his skiis and travel miles in order to locate the horses which were turned loose to shift for themselves. He and Gertrude graduated from the eighth grade together the year that Jesse T. Hayes taught the Walsh School, and T. L. Mitchell was county superintendent. Sopha taught in the Sully County schools a number of years before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Lomheim are remodeling their house in Onida preparing to move into it this fall. Gertrude married Wilber Snell, in July, 1914, and Hved at Wolsey South Dakota, where he was assistant cashier of the Bank of Wolsey. They had a son, Kenneth Wesley, who died in infancy. They moved to Tulare in 1918, to accept positions in the Citizens State Bank, Wilber as cashier and Gertrude as assistant cashier. After two years Wilber became ill and resigned. Gertrude was appointed postmaster of Tulare, a position she held for over 13 years. Wilber was an invalid for over nine years, passing away in January, 1929. She came to live in Onida in 1944, where she farmed her land in Hartford and Garner townships. She owns the home she built in 1946, spending her time at many hobbies. She is serving her sixth year as City Councilman, having had the honor of being the only woman councilman in the state. Albert O. Lomheim and his wife, Hazel, own the land which includes the original homestead of his father, J. C. Lomheim. Albert and Hazel now live in Onida but still farm a good share of the land. They have five children. Their oldest daughter, Doris Clark and her husband Jack and family live in Hughes county. James, the oldest son, and his wife Darleen are doing missionary work in South America. Albert, Jr. and his wife Shirley and family own and operate a farm in Richvalley Township. Lewis and his wife Ardis and children live in Rhode Island where Lewis is in the Navy Air Corp. Joan, the youngest daughter, is a high school student at the Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Canada. Anna married Melvin J. Todd in 1916, and now live in McMinnville, Oregon. Margaret married George R. Harvey, and they have two sons, Kenneth and Walter. The Harveys live in San Diego, California. Mary married John W. Harvey in 1927. They have two sons and two daughters, Richard, Robert, Mary Ellen and Sara Jane. The Harveys own and operate an orchard at Selah, Washington, in the Yakima Valley apple country. Clarence took up the carpenter trade at an early age and did some farming in the thirties. On January 18, 1951, he married Texas Rucker-Lambert of Sweetwater, Texas. They own the home they built in Onida. [photo - Daughters of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Lomheim. Back row, left to right - Mary (Mrs. John W. Harvey) and Gertrude (Mrs. Wilber Snell). Front row - Margaret (Mrs. George R. Harvey) and Anna (Mrs. M. J. Todd). Reunion in 1945.] [photo - Sons of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Lomheim. Left to right-Henry, Clarence, Charles and Albert. Reunion in 1946.] The Henry C. Lomheim family live in the home formerly owned by Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Lomheim. Hank has remodeled the house and built on several rooms. There are seven children; Marcella, Alice (Mrs. Robert Porter), Charlotte (Mrs. Buell Buol), Roger, Lenn, Nadine and Harlow. Hank was a trucker for many years, also custom farmed, which he still does. He sold the trucking business a few years ago. Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Lomheim moved from the farm to Onida in 1927. There are 27 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren in the family. Mrs. Lomheim passed away in May, 1936, and Mr. Lomheim, in November, 1941. Both are buried in the Onida cemetery. Kristene Lomheim-Roddle of Portland, Oregon, is the only one left to represent this generation of the Lomheim family. She is a sister of J. C. Lomheim and is 81. * * * The Spitz Homestead The Eric Spitz family, who originally came from Sweden, arrived in Sully County in 1885. He filed on a homestead on the Northwest of 28 in Hartford Township. Later he moved the family to the Southwest of 26, where he built a dam and a well for water supply. Here Mr. Spitz built a large sod house and most of the six children were born in this sod house. There were Noah, David, Lily (Mrs. Roman J. Spaid), Harvey, Tollie (Mrs. Knute Lage) and Ernest. The mother died while the children were quite young and Mr. Spitz raised the family and gave them a common school education. David died while he was serving in the Spanish- American War, and Mrs. Spaid passed away a number of years later. Mrs. Spaid was the mother of five sons, Ralph, Louis, Lester, Arthur and Barney, and a daughter, Pearl. About 1900, Mr. Spitz bought a Fort Sully building, dismantled it and hauled the lumber by team and wagon to the home site, where he built a new home with his own hands. Besides being a good carpenter, he was also a stone-mason, doing very good work at laying foundations. Harvey Spitz went across the river to file on land near the Creighton postoffice where he lived until his death several years ago. Tollie was a school teacher in Sully County for many years and later married Knute Lage. They moved to San Pedro, California. Knute passed away some years ago and Tollie has maintained the home there. Their daughter, Frances, is married. Noah Spitz who spent many years in Saskatchewan, Canada, now makes his home with his sister, Tollie Lage. Ernest has a family of seven children and lives at Kooskia, Idaho. [photo - Noah Spitz, 1951. Son of Eric Spitz, Pioneer of Hartford Township.] [photo - Tollie Spitz Lage. School Teacher in Sully County for many years.] William and Fritz Wallmo, nephews of Eric Spitz, came from Sweden for a visit and liked the prairie well enough to settle in Hartford Township and build a home on Section 10, with the help of Mr. Spitz. The brothers farmed this land for several years, then sold it to Chas. E. Byrum of Garner Township, and then moved to Saskatchewan, Canada. Chas. E. Byrum sold this land to Dan Weischedel after World War I, and some time later sold it to James C. Lomheim and it is now owned by Albert O. Lomheim. William Wallmo has since passed away and Fritz still lives on their place in Canada. Eric Spitz passed away in 1917. The house he built still stands, although it is near ruin, having been empty for many years. The rest of the buildings have fallen down, one at a time. Louis Spaid, grandson of Eric Spitz, looks after the renting of the land. Mr. Spitz was a kind and generous man, who was always ready to help a neighbor in time of need. One could expect to see him come walking with his cane, storm or not, when he knew he could be of help. At one time he knew that Jim Lomheim was going to Gettysburg by team and bob sled to market wheat, making it necessary that he main overnight, due to the distance. During the night a heavy snow fell, and wind whipped it into big drifts, and the storm lasted about three days. On the second day, Mr. Spitz walked through the storm taking several hours to reach the farm, to see how Mrs. Lomheim was getting along with the small children, and the livestock chores. He did what he could and gave her strict orders to stay within the house, regardless of what happened to the stock. He milked the cows and fed them a generous amount of hay, then walked back home. * * * The seven remaining families include the Theron McKenney family, who own and live on the Robert Porter homestead. Theron is the son of Ira McKenney, early settler of Blaine Township. His wife, Edith, is the daughter of Alex Brehe, early settler in Farmington Township. Edith and Theron have three children Marlin and his wife Nancy, and two children are living in Onida; Marlin is farming with his father; Maxine, Mrs Roger Rose, and daughter are presently at home. Roger is in the army at Camp Hood, Texas. Maxine had the misfortune of being badly burned a few months prior to this writing and is now convalescing at home. Monita is attending college at Huron, South Dakota. Theron and Edith have recently built a new farm home. Kenneth Marsh, his wife Eileen, daughter Carol, and son Douglas own and live on the McFarland homestead. Kenneth is the grandson of Dan McGuire, early settler in Pearl Township. Gerald Weischedel, his wife Doris, and children Linda, Terry and Julie live on the Lawrence Gasperich farm. Manford Lomheim, wife Sylvia and daughter Monica live on the Albert O. Lomheim farm. Manford is a nephew of Albert and a grandson of J. C. Lomheim. Donald Martin and his wife, Fern, have built up a farm on the Northeast of 30. They have two grown sons, who are married. D. J. lives in Pierre, and Richard lives in Agar. Fern is the daughter of Cy Lyons, early settler in Milford Township. Albin Olson, his wife, Irene and daughter Patty, own and live on the Frank Collins homestead. Harold Currier, his wife Minnie, and four of their five children, Duane, Gary, Cecil and Sandra own and live on the Nathan Porter homestead. The Currier's oldest daughter, Janice, is now Mrs. Floyd Towns and resides with her husband on a ranch west of the river in Haakon Countv. Minnie is the granddaughter of George Ripley, an early homesteader in Hartford Township. Harold's parents homesteaded in Perkins County where Harold was born in a sod house. His parents later moved to Farmington Township. Elmer LaFave, his wife Louise, their daughter LaVon, and their son Veryl and his wife Peggy and small son live on the old Dexheimer homestead now owned by Richard Bramblette. LaVon is attending Huron College. Marcel Lomheim, wife Mary Jean, and three children, Gary, Debra and Kathy live on the farm of his father, Chas. Lomheim. Marcel is a grandson of J. C. Lomheim. The farm site was built up and the home for many years of J. C. Lomheim. * * * IOWA TOWNSHIP The first sod house built in Iowa Township was in the fall of 1882, by a Mr. Strand, who returned to his home state after filing a claim and finishing his house and barn. In the early spring of the following year, he again traversed the open Prairie to his sod shanty where he began a new and different life in Dakota. Another pioneer to settle in what is now Iowa Township in 1883, was A. C. Goddard and his family, who homesteaded and lived there until 1902, when they disposed of their interests in Sully County and moved to Eugene, Oregon, and after three years, returned to Pierre and built a home. They lived there until Mr. Goddard's death in 1921. [photo - Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Trumble. Pioneers of Iowa Township.] Others to file on homesteads in 1883, were Frank Goddard, L. W. Trumble, Dr. J. M. Hackett, G. L. McGinnis, Robert Clark, J. T. Nelson, Philip Murphy, Charles Ziegler and many more. O. D. Warne arrived in January of 1884, and M. K. Trumble came in the spring of the following year. The first birth in Iowa Township was that of Mary Goddard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Goddard, on June 2, 1883. Possibly she was the first white child born in Sully County. She became the wife of W. E. Calhoun, of Pierre. The first marriage in the township was that of L. W. Trumble and Elizabeth Jones in June, 1884. The first schoolhouse was built in the spring of 1884, and was taught by Miss Staples, daughter of the first county superintendent of schools. C. S. Mateer was the first man teacher. Iowa Township was granted a Civil organization in April, 1886, by the County Board. [photo - Pictured, left to right - Delta Trumble Fielder, of Pierre; Marion Trumble (Mrs. George), Nora Trumble Pritchard, of Selah, Washington, and Earl Hardwick, standing on the tractor. Taken in 1919, at the M. E. Trumble ranch where Albert Trumble now lives.] The first artesian well was drilled on the Wadleigh ranch in 1900, and was the first well of its kind in Sully County from which natural gas was used for heating and lighting purposes. Iowa Township experienced two violent windstorms; one in June, 1924, and the other in June, 1935, which completely wrecked the S. C. Warne farm home and the barn and other buildings on the O. D. Warhe farm. [photo - Mary Goddard. First Child Born in Iowa Township] LAKE TOWNSHIP Lake Township has always been a stockman's paradise. The valley of Medicine Creek which meanders diagonally across the township from northeast to southwest, abounds in springs and shallow wells providing plenty of water. The rolling hills are not suitable for farming, but they are ideal for pasture. Of late years a few deer have often been seen browsing in a deep ravine or skimming over the prairie like low flying birds. Wells on the level land above the valley are from 80 to 125 feet in depth and artesian wells flow about 50 gallons per minute and are long lasting. The name of the township is derived from a small lake known as Farmers Lake because it was a part of the George Farmer homestead. In early years it was a favorite watering place for stock when windmills and pumps failed. For many years it supplied the ice which kept ice boxes performing. The ice harvest was a community affair accomplished with horse drawn bobsleds, hand sawed ice and general discomforts due to cold weather and hard work. Occasionally someone accidently fell into the open water and came out "frozen stiff," but good fellowship prevailed and all was forgotten when the crew gathered around the dinner table. Sometimes the women gathered too and exchanged patterns, recipes and gossip. The improvement of roads has been one of the major projects during the past 20 years. The county program called for a graded and graveled road to every farm house in the county and in most cases the dreams have become a reality. Much of the gravel has been procurred from the old pit which was opened up by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company in 1907. For several years when the railroad operated the pit, it was a site of teeming activity with often times 200 men employed. Many were immigrants from southern Europe and spoke no English. After the railroad abandoned the pit, tree seeds drifting in found lodging in the damp sand and a natural woods developed. Many of the residents of Lake Township are of German extraction. Some are second and third generation descendants of the early pioneers, and most own their own farms, so the population is fairly stable. Over a period of years, several places have been abandoned. In some cases the buildings have been moved away and in others the houses are vacant. One such is the C. J. Brown farm. The death of Mr. Brown in 1929 made it necessary for Mrs. Brown to leave the farm, and after renting for several years, she sold the land and building to Roy Beckett. Mrs. Brown lived in Pierre near her son until her death in 1957. William Leesman bought the house and moved it to his farm a few years after he returned from his services in the Army. Williams' wife is the former Lorraine Knodel of Hyde County. The Klingbeil boys, Emil and Edgar, reside on the family homestead of their father, Julius Klingbeil. Neither are married. Emil served almost four years in the Armed Forces in World War II. Their father died in 1925, and their mother in 1932. Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Hall, the former Wanda Mauree Day, live on the D. J. Post place which was originally the Klatt homestead. Mr. Post retired in 1946, and after living in Blunt a few years located on a farm near Huron. Both Mr. and Mrs. Post are deceased. Arnold Asmussen and Eddie Hofer lived there from 1947 to December, 1951, when Arnold was killed in a plane accident near Waterville, Washington. He was survived by his widow, the former Pearl Hofer, and two small sons. The Halls have enlarged the house and added other buildings. "Pike" as he is known to his friends, specializes in purebred Hampshire hogs. [photo - Mr. and Mrs. O. E. McArthur and daughter Adeline. In front of their home in Lake Township, 1910.] [photo - C. M. Leesman Family, Lake Township, 1918. Standing, left to right - Lenora (Mrs. Pete Griffin), Clarence, Herb and Mabel. Seated - Mr. Leesman, daughter Dena and Mrs. Leesman.] Garrett and Adeline Reynolds live on the home place built by her father, Oscar E. McArthur, when he moved into the township in 1909. He was a pioneer in Buffalo Township of the '83 vintage and saw many changes in the development of the county. Mr. McArthur died in 1945, and his wife in 1936. Arthur Reynolds and his wife, the former Beona Hohrman, of Hayes, live on the farm and share in its management. [photo - Ira L. Wells Family, Lake Township, 1908. Left to right - Son Lawrence, Ira L., daughter Bernice, Mrs. Wells holding Lloyd on her lap, and Lewis.] [photo - Social Gathering at the Leesman Home, 1916. Left to right -Mr. Leesman, Lenora Leesman, Mrs. Huffman, Mrs. Leesman, Pat Griffin, Herb Leesman, Dena Leesman, Mrs. J. I. Rein and Mr. Rein.] Harold and Margaret Pope occupy the farmstead formerly owned by her uncle, Felix Schmitgen, who died in 1954. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Schmitgen live on the old O'Donnell place. The Schmitgens were immigrants from Luxembourg. To the really oldtimers, the farm occupied by Nick Meyer is the old Charles Hess place. Here Phillip Hess of the Watchman force, was born and spent his early boyhood. His father, Charles Hess, was one of the first to file on land in Lake Township in 1883. Until very recently, Charles, Jr. and Phillip retained ownership of their father's homestead which was located in another part of the township. To get back to the Meyer story, Nick's grandfather, John Schmitgen, acquired the land about 1909 or 1910. In time it passed into the hands of Mrs. Henry Meyer, Nick's mother, and the Meyer family lived there for many years. Nick served in the Armed Forces during World War II and when he returned, married Charlotte Beckett. His parents moved to Harrold where they now reside. Roy Beckett is a grandson of B. B. Wells and a son of Mr. and Mrs. George Beckett, who together with Mr. and Mrs. Ira Wells came to Sully County in 1902, settling on the Tom Garrett place. Roy has been active in many community affairs, and is at present, County Commissioner from this district. Mrs. Beckett is the former Ann Salathe. One son, Delmar, is currently serving in the Army and is stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The Ira Wells family lived in Lake Township for many years before moving to California in the early thirties. Their son, Lewis, remained on the farm for several years and some reading this may recall the dances held in the hay mow of their barn. In 1947, they too moved to California. Mrs. Ira Wells passed away in 1958. The old Roy Latta place has been occupied by many families down through the years, but is now owned by a Mr. Terrell from Texas, who commutes back and forth to farm the land and also the land once owned by Carl Knutson. The buildings on the latter place have been moved away. Mr. and Mrs. August Lappe and their son, Ambrose, live on the Thoman place, and another son, Bertie, lives on the place originally built by a Mr. Wiebelhaus who left here during the thirties. Bertie is a flying farmer who has logged many hours in the air, and is known as a competent and careful pilot. His brother, Alvin, lives on the place built up by their father when he moved into the township from Hughes County many years ago. George Salathe, whose wife is a daughter of George Beckett, has improved a place of his own, starting from scratch so to speak. George is a veteran of World War I. Son Gerald lives on the farm also and helps his father. C. M. Leesman and his family moved here from Illinois in 1906. His wife was the former Carrie Eckert, daughter of Charles Eckert, pioneer of Fairview Township. The Leesmans were renowned for their hospitality and their home was the scene of many happy social occasions. A daughter, Mabel, died in 1925, and Mrs. Leesman passed away in 1947. Sons, Clarence and Herb and grandson Willie all have modern homes in the same community. Mrs. Herb Leesman died in 1947. C. M. lives in a trailer near his son Clarence and the old home is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Ted Schmitgen. Mrs. Schmitgen is the former Marie Leesman. Ted is a veteran of World War II and a son of the late Henry Schmitgen of Buffalo Township. Wallace Allen lives on the Herb Eckert place. He came from Athens, Texas, in the late 40's, is a bachelor and farms in Lincoln Township where he owns land. He also flies a light plane. Herb Eckert, brother of Gus and Will Eckert, was found dead alone in his house in 1939. The Eckerts were known for their fine cattle for many years. Gus moved to Michigan many years ago. Edward Roche moved to the J. I. Rein place in 1946. Mr. and Mrs. Roche have had an interesting career collecting wild animals and training them for exhibition purposes before locating here and disposing of all the animals. Their winter quarters were in Texas. Mr. Roche is a nephew of John and Ed Roche who lived here and in Blunt long ago. Mr. and Mrs. J. I. Rein, the former Emma Eckert, were true pioneers, developing their ranch from a homestead to a well improved ranch. After disposing of his farm, Mr. Rein went to New York to be with his nephews. He died shortly after he arrived October of 1946. Mrs. Rein died in 1925. Fred Mueller and his wife, the former Pauline Klingbeil, live on the place vacated by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gotthold Mueller, when they sold out and moved to Kansas in 1937. Both of the latter have since passed on. This is the home built by Tom Mercer before the turn of the century. Mrs. Mercer will be remembered as a pioneer teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Luke Bond and his mother, Mrs. Dos Bond, are another Texan family who moved here in December of 1950. They live on the Casper Geraths place and farm extensively. The Geraths moved to California in the "dirty thirties." Mrs. Geraths is dead, but Mr. Geraths is quite well and lives in Oregon near his sons, Paul and Raymond. Many of the young people who spent their youth here have gone out into the world to make careers and honor for themselves. [photo - J. I. Rein Homestead, Lake Township, 1900.] * * * LEWELLYN PARK TOWNSHIP Some of the early pioneers homesteading in Lewellyn Park Township were George Millett, Robert Snyder, David Staples, S. D. Blair, Chris Johnson, Charles Sommers, Alfred Benton, Charles Hurlburt and George Mosely. Dr. O. H. Mann, also an early settler, had the large hospital building at Fort Sully moved to his ranch in February, 1898, which was remodeled and made into a home and sanitorium. [photo - Lewellyn Park School, 1912. Mrs. McMacken, teacher.] Two of the early teachers in the township were John McCray and Mrs. Yates. Mrs. McMacken was the teacher in Lewellyn Park School in 1912. * * * The Mateer Family Walter H. Mateer was born on December 16, 1861, at Reed's Landing, Minnesota, and in 1883, with his father, Thomas, and two brothers, Charles and Stewart, moved to Lewellyn Park Township where they homesteaded. The farm was known as the Lewellyn Park Farm and was managed as a joint venture. On April 12, 1891, Walter Mateer was united in marriage to Clare V. Brownlee, whose father for some time had and operated a flour mill at Okobojo. The Brownlee family originally came to Sully County from Centralia, Illinois. It is interesting to note that the flour produced by this mill was called "Brownlee's Peacemaker." Several years later, Thomas Mateer, the father of the three boys, passed away, and soon thereafter, Charles Mateer moved to Huron, South Dakota, and Stewart Mateer went to Meridan, Idaho, at which time Walter took over the entire operation of the farm where he and his bride had made their home since their marriage. To Walter and Clare Mateer, ten children were born, nine of whom grew up to manhood and womanhood: Hazel (Deceased), Edwina, Henrietta, Grace, Kenneth (Deceased), Mildred (Deceased), Lesbia, Albert, Curtis, and Donald. Walter Mateer was mainly a livestock producer, raising cattle, hogs and sheep, but devoting most of his time to the raising of sheep; his farming activities being mostly for feed crops. Like all homesteaders in those days, they had their "ups and downs." In some years, feed crops grew abundantly, prices for livestock were high and life was made considerably easier and more comfortable. In other years, hail and drouth struck the growing feed crops and pastures were poor, or the price of livestock dropped severely. They did not have the opportunity to obtain financial assistance from the various sources as do the farmers and livestock producers of today, and times were very hard for them. Walter took a very active part in the building of his community, acting as a member on both the School Board and the Township Board. In the fall of 1918, he moved his family to Pierre so the younger children could obtain a high school education. Until he died on November 23, 1921, he managed the farm from his home in Pierre. After his death, and until 1925, when she leased the farm, his widow, Clare, operated it with the help of her three sons who were then attending high school. In 1925, Clare married William Floyd, a Sully County pioneer, and they moved to Long Beach, California, to make their home. Mr. Floyd passed away in May, 1956, and in June, 1958, Clare Mateer Floyd passed away at the age of 90. The Groseclose Family [photo - Mr. and Mrs. James R. Groseclose. Pioneers of Lewellyn Park Township.] Among the early settlers of Sully County was the James R. Groseclose family who homesteaded in Lewellyn Park Township. James R. Groseclose and Mary Victoria Cummings were married at Winterset, Iowa, January 24, 1867. Four children, William, Clermont and twin daughters, Irene and Josephine, were born before the family moved to Dakota Territory. On March 1, 1884, they arrived in Pierre, Dakota Territory. James R. filed on a claim in Lewellyn Park Township on the Okobojo Creek below where the town of Okobojo grew and has since almost vanished. At that time the creek was a beautiful stream wooded with box elders, elm and wild fruit trees. There was always an abundance of water, which oftentimes was a scarcity on the prairie homesteads. The Groseclose house was a story and half frame structure and their first chicken house and barn were of sod. The purchase of adjacent land made the homestead 400 acres of range and farm land. James served on the schoolboard many years and served several terms as County Assessor and County Commissioner. [photo - Mrs. James R. Groseclose and three daughters. Standing, left to right - Josephine and Irene (twins). Seated - Mrs. Groseclose and Mae.] On November 22, 1884, another son, Henry, was born and on April 4, 1892, a daughter, Mae, completed the family of six, three boys and three girls. They all grew up on the old homestead, married local young people of early pioneers and settled in various parts of the county and now have all have passed on except Mae (Mrs. Bob Harry), of Roundup, Montana, and Henry, who chose to remain in Lewellyn Park Township and make his home. William Groseclose married Annie Snyder on March 11, 1894, and to this union two sons were born, Edward and Bryan. In 1902, they left Sully County to make their home in Helena Montana, where he spent most of the remainder of his life until his death in 1945. Irene Groseclose was married to, Lilburn Crumbaker, December 9, 1894, living in and around Okobojo where two of their four children were born. Alice (Mrs. Ward Green) now of Pierre and Esther, (Mrs. Gerald Sullivan) deceased. In 1902, they moved to Colee City, Washington, and while living in that state two sons, Howard, now of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Everill, of Billings, Montana, were born. They later moved to Helena, Montana, where they lived until their children were grown. Mr. and Mrs. Crumbaker moved back to Pierre in the thirties to make their home with their daughter, Mrs. Ward Green, where they lived until their passing. Irene in 1955, and Lilburn in 1938. [photo - Irene (Groseclose) Crumbaker, left, and Kathryn (Glessner) Eakin. Celebrating the birthday anniversary of Mrs. Eakin, 80 years old, December 22, 1953.] Josephine Groseclose was married to Frank Ripley, January 20, 1895, making their home continuously in Okobojo and Lewellyn Park Township, where their three children were born. Walter, now of onida, Hildred (Mrs. Ted Warne), Englewood, Colorado, and Irene (Mrs. Everett Chenowth), Onida. Josephine passed away May 11, 1908, and Grandma Groseclose (Mrs. J. R.) came to make her home with the family and raised the three children until they were grown and through school. Frank freighted for the okobojo Store and community and carried mail from Pierre to Laurel for many years besides operating his farm. He was also county road maintainer for several years. [photo - Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ripley (Josephine Groseclose) and son Walter.] In 1908, Henry filed on the Southwest of 8-113-80, which is still the family home. On June 19, 1910, he was married to Florence Acheson, who came here in 1903, from Iowa, to visit her sister, Mrs. H. P. Knox in Little Bend, but stayed on to teach in the little log schoolhouse in Little Bend and later in other schools of Sully County. Five sons and one daughter grew up on this homestead, rode four miles horse back to school and eventually settled in various places. During World War II, four of the boys were in service; Chester in the Navy in the Pacific, Roger (Jack) also in the Pacific as a bomber pilot, William, flying a Mustang Fighter plane in Europe, and Ward driving a tank, also in Europe. All returned safely, except Bill, who was shot down over Germany. He had spent eight months in a German Prison Camp during the last year of the War. Clermont (Monte) Groseclose was married to Mary Harry, August 14, 1910, and to this union seven children were born. They made their home continuously in and around Okobojo, until 1945, when they moved to Bakersfield, California, then to Hayward, California, where Monte passed away in April, 1957. All of the children live in California, except Richard and Clifford who still reside in Onida. On April 28, 1915, Mae Groseclose was married to Stephen (Bob) Harry. For many years Mae was a Sully and Hughes County school teacher. They had three daughters; Janis (Mrs. Milton Jepson), now of San Jose, California; Lovena, (Mrs. Arnold Tholkes), Belgrade, Montana, and Cleo, (Mrs. Lawrence Tholkes), Williston, North Dakota. The Harry family lost their home and all their personal belongings in a fire, but later built a new home in Okobojo Township where they made their home for many years. They now reside at Roundup, Montana. James has chosen to stay on the home place with his parents. Ward has a place of his own in Grandview Township where he and his wife (the former Mary LaPlant) (Sid) have been working hard building up a comfortable ranch home. The one daughter, Edythe Overholt, lives in Pierre, and four of the ten grandchildren are hers. They are Tom, Patty, Pan and Donna. Chester lives in Ipswich, South Dakota. His wife is the former Elva Everett of Pierre. Their children are Chester, Jr. and Faye, who is married to Jack Beringer. Their little daughter, Jackie, is the first great grandchild. William is an engineer presently employed on the Flaming Gorge Dam in Utah. His wife was Dorothy Tyson, of Brookings, and their children are Sheryl, Terry and Sandra. Roger (better known as Jack) is Major R. J. Groseclose, presently stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force base at Dayton, Ohio. His wife was Ruth Rucker of North Hollywood, California. They have one son, Geoffrey. In 1943, a cyclone visited Lewellyn Park and the Groseclose ranch was directly in its path. All the buildings except the house were wrecked, but no one was hurt. This necessitated much rebuilding. Blizzards, grasshoppers, drouth and Indian trouble, too close for comfort, interspersed with good years all proved the true pioneer spirit to endure. The ranch remained in the family until 1938. Many decedants still reside in Sully County and many of the family that have passed on are laid to rest in the Okobojo Cemetery.