Text of Ziebach Co., SD History (1982) - pages 620 - 639 This file is the text of the book, "South Dakota's Ziebach County, History of the Prairie", published in 1982 by the Ziebach County Historical Society, Dupree, SD Permission to publish this book in electronic form was given by Jackie Birkeland, member of the Historical Committee. This book is copyright, 1982 by the Ziebach County Historical Society, Dupree, SD. Scanning and OCR by Terri Tosh , final editing by Joy Fisher, . CLARA VAN BROCKLIN Clara Ann Van Brocklin was born September 21, 1848 in Illinois to Mr. and Mrs. Mack. She married James Van Brocklin in Iowa, and raised a family of five children before coming to South Dakota in 1910 to take a homestead on the southwest quarter of Section 33, Township 11, Range 24 in Ziebach County. Clara was a proud, self-reliant lady, undaunted by the adversities of living alone on the prairie. She lived on her 160 acres for the 14 months to prove up on the land, and then returned to Fontanelle, Iowa, to live with a daughter, Maude Murray, until her death in 1922. A son, Walter Van Brocklin, and family of four children lived northeast of Eagle Butte on a homestead. Later another son, Mack Van Brocklin, with a family of nine children lived at Parade before moving to California in 1931. Her other children were Frank Van Brocklin of Rock Island, Illinois, who had two sons. Maude Murray of Fontanelle, Iowa had five children. Mable Bailey of Blair, Nebraska, had five children. Two of her granddaughters still live in this area: Mrs. Anna Mader of Eagle Butte, and Mrs. Hazel Spiel of Pierre, both daughters of Walter Van Brocklin. [photo - Clara Mack Van Brocklin] CARL W. and LORNA VANCE by Shirley Menzel Carl W. Vance was born in Gentry County, Missouri and came to Ziebach County with his parents in 1911. They lived on a farm southwest of Dupree, and Carl attended the Robertson School and Dupree School. Lorna Robertson was born in Mitchell County, Iowa and came in 1910 with her parents, A. W. and Emma Robertson. They homesteaded on the south edge of the town of Dupree. She attended the Dupree School and was to be graduated from high school in 1919. Circumstances demanded that school be held until the end of June that year as it had to be closed during the flu epidemic. Lorna, intending to teach, did not attend the last few weeks of school. Summer school was starting and she was enrolled. The high school credits had been earned, almost, but no diploma was granted. She went to summer school at Northern in Aberdeen, taught school, and then in 1920 was married to Carl Vance. In 1970, Lorna was awarded a diploma by the president of the School Board. All eight children were present. Eight children were born to this couple. In 1934, Carl passed away at the Pierre Hospital, leaving a widow with 8 children ranging in age from six months to 13 years. Lorna worked at various jobs during the years to support her large family. She served as register of deeds for Ziebach County for a few years, was deputy county treasurer, and at the time of her death was cashier at the Farmers State Bank in Dupree. She was a devoted mother and worked hard so that all of her children could attend college. The children were: Dale, now deceased, who attended Northern State College, St. Cloud College, and received his Masters Degree in Education. He taught school and coached, and at the time of his death was teaching at Black Hills State College in Spearfish. He was married to Mildred Meyer and they had three daughters, Peggy, Joan and Barbara. Shirley, who attended Rapid City Business College. She worked at North American Aviation in California during the war, in Rapid City, South Dakota, at Dayton's in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and in the Ziebach County Welfare office and the Farmers Home Administration office in Dupree. In 1945 she was married to Frederick Menzel. They now reside in Dupree, on the place that Shirley's grandfather homesteaded in 1911. They have two children, Robert and Connie. Wayne, now deceased, who attended Northern State College and the University of Colorado at Boulder, receiving his Masters Degree in Education. He taught, coached, and worked in civil service in the Bureau of Indian Affairs as an administrator, where he was working at the time of his death in Billings, Montana. He was married to Stella Shannon and they have one daughter, Audra. Stella and Audra are now residing in Rapid City. Dean, who attended Northern State College, owned his own abstract business in Dupree, and is now a title officer in Boulder, Colorado. He had a son, Darrel Dean, who died in a drowning accident at the age of 13; a son, Donnie, who lives in Rapid City; and two daughters, Lorna and Jolene, both living in Boulder, Colorado. Wilma, who attended Northern State College, taught school, and married Rock Cowan and lived on a ranch north of Lantry, and later at Huron, after Rock had polio. They had two daughters, Jeanne and Cindy. Wilma now lives at Rapid City, where she works for the American Cancer Society. Wanda, who attended National College of Business in Rapid City, married Wallace Dexheimer of Lead, South Dakota. Wally is an architectural engineer in Spearfish, and they have two sons, Doug and Steve, and two daughters, Dawn and Nancy. Joyce, attended Northern State College, where she graduated with a degree in education. She is now teaching in the Fresno, California school system and lives in Fresno. She has never married. Marilyn also went to Northern State College and graduated from there. She went into teaching in Cokato, Minnesota where she met and married Russell Wenlund of Cokato. They now reside at Dassel, Minnesota. All of the Vance children attended all twelve years of school in Dupree, graduating from Dupree High School. Their parents also attended Dupree High School. All three of the Vance boys served in the armed forces during World War II. Dale and Dean served in the navy and Wayne in the army, and all served overseas. In 1945, Lorna married Joseph M. Heimer and they continued to make their home in Dupree until their deaths in 1971. [photo - Lorna Robertson Vance Heimer] [photo - Carl Vance] [photo - Dale Wayne. Marilyn, Wilma, Dean, Lorna, Shirley, Wanda and Joyce, 1970] EARL VANCE (taken from the Faith Country Book) I came from a farm near Albany, Missouri, where I had taught school. I came by train to Cresbard, South Dakota, where I got my supplies for my trip to my claim. I bought some horses, a wagon and machinery south of Aberdeen, South Dakota, and fitted out a covered wagon and drove from there to the location of my homestead south of Redelm. I crossed the Missouri River at LeBeau on a ferry and then drove across the reservation, reaching Eagle Butte just before the railroad had reached that far. There were only two stores in Dupree when I arrived there, and they were located about two miles east of the present site. I hauled the timber for my cabin from Isabel, for my homestead. Coming from an old settled state, the memory of this wide open country, with neighbors from so many different states, stands out among the old memories. VERNEL VANCE FAMILY Vernel Vance came to South Dakota, and Ziebach County, in 1911 with his parents, Wilbur and Elsie Vance, who came here from Missouri. They lived on a homestead southwest of Dupree and the children attended the Robertson School. They also attended Dupree High School. Beulah Denton came with her parents to Ziebach County from Herricks, South Dakota, in 1912. Her parents homesteaded north of Dupree and the children attended the Cloverleaf School and Dupree High School. Vernel Vance and Beulah Denton were married June 14, 1928 in Dupree. They lived in Dupree until 1943, where their three children were born. They are Vaughn, Dennis and JoAnn. Vaughn lives in Milwaukie, Oregon, and has been married for 24 years to Barbara Smith. Vaughn has a compression repair shop. Vaughn has two girls and one boy, and also has two stepchildren, a girl and a boy. Dennis lives in Eugene, Oregeon, married to Donna Harry for 25 years. They have four children, two girls and two boys. JoAnn lives in Bellflower, California. She was married in 1956 to Phillip Jones. They have four children, two girls and two boys. Beulah is living in Homeland, California with her husband, Boyd Page. They are both retired and enjoying life in a mobile home park. They were married in 1955. She moved to California in 1943 with their three children, and the family all lived there until Dennis and Vaughn moved to Oregon in the early 60's. Vernel was living in Portland, Oregon at the time of his death in 1962. His wife, Verna, still resides in Portland. WILBUR VANCE by Dortha Kaufman and Florence Grage Wilbur and Elsie Vance came to Ziebach County from Missouri in 1911. They homesteaded on a farm southwest of Dupree where the children attended the Robertson School. In 1921, Wilbur's mother became very ill and he went to Missouri for several months to help on his fathers' farm. His parents passed away in 1921 and Wilbur returned to South Dakota. He farmed in the area until he went to work for the State Highway Department about 1933. He later worked in Davis' Bar in Dupree. At one time he served as register of deeds in Ziebach County, but we have no dates on that. He was divorced in 1920 or 1921, and never remarried. There were seven children in the family. Carl (now deceased), who was married to Lorna Robertson. Vernel (now deceased), who was married to Beulah Denton. Zetah, who was married to George Davis, had two children. Clyde (who died at the age of 12), and Harold, married to Pauline Gray, and living on a ranch near Dupree. Zetah later married Leo Starr. She now resides in Rapid City. Lawrence (now deceased), who married Lorene Denton. Their children were Elsie (who died at age 18); Darlene, married and living in Cottage Grove, Minnesota; Gary and Nancy, who live in Faith and own the Faith Livestock Company; Cheryl, who is married to John Bieber, is a registered nurse, and they live in Brandon, South Dakota. Florence married Clyde Campbell, and they had 2 children. Cleo, who is married to Larry Martin, is working in a bank in Rapid City, and they reside in Rapid City. Jerry and Judine live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jerry works in real estate and is the owner of mobile home parks in Colorado Springs. Florence later married Clarence Grage of Timber Lake and they had 2 children. Fatsy married Kris Kringle and they live in Pierre. Janice married Dr. Douglas Beemer and they live in Pierre, where he is an optometrist. Florence now lives in Rapid City. Dortha married Edward Kaufman. They had three daughters. Sharon lives in La Crescenta, California and works in the post office in Los Angeles, California. Donna lives in La Crescenta, California and works at Disney Studios, as an artist, in Burbank, California. Jill, who lives in Reseda, California, is a dancer and has her own dance studio and is an instructor in Woodland Hills, California. Dortha is retired and now resides in Glendale, California. Cecil married Francis Nasvig of St. Paul, Minnesota. They reside in Federal Way, Washington. They have six children: Loren, Judy, Mary, Karen, Brian and Chris, but we do not know much about what they are doing. Wilbur lived in Dupree until his death in 1938. [photo - Wilbur Vance, 1931] ERVIN VAN SICKLE Ervin Van Sickle was born September 30, 1912 at Dupree. He lived with his family on a farm near Dupree. He married Dorothy Teller on December 23, 1936. They lived on a farm near Dupree until moving to Faith in 1962, where he worked part-time at Sonny's Westside Service Station and Fischer's Standard Station until his retirement. His wife, Dorothy, still resides in Faith. The Van Sickle children are Sharon, Florence and George (deceased). Ervin died in December, 1975. FRANK VEIT Frank Charles Veit was born January 19, 1888 at Wapakoneta, Ohio. His parents were killed when he was about 13 and so he was on his own. He came to Aberdeen, South Dakota from Cincinnati, Ohio around 1912. One story his children heard him tell was how happy he was to learn that Aberdeen had artesian water. All the way out, he was so thirsty for a drink of ice cold artesian water like they had at home. Instead he found that the Aberdeen artesian water was hot! He worked at a bakery in Aberdeen for three years and then moved to Lemmon in 1915. He got a job herding sheep for B. L. Penfield for a while, then homesteaded and bought a dairy. On July 23, 1917 he married 18 year old Nora May Jones, who was born at Vale, South Dakota. Treva, their oldest child, was born at Lemmon on August 28, 1918. She was actually born across the state line in North Dakota. When the dairy burned down, they moved to another homestead south of Glad Valley. They had four more children after they moved to Ziebach County. Alvin Franklin was born April 13, 1920, Harold Ralph was born December 13, 1921, and Roy Rollen was born May 21, 1923. They were all born at the ranch. David Charles was born September 15, 1931 at the Dupree Community Hospital. The drought in South Dakota prompted the family to move to Minnesota in 1935. After a year of drowning out in Minnesota, they decided "dry" was better and came back to the ranch in 1936. Frank was broke when he came back, so he herded sheep for Dutch Parrot until he saved enough money to buy some sheep of his own. He lived at the ranch until he passed away September 12, 1942. Mrs. Veit moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where she passed away in August, 1972. Treva (Braithwaite) lives in Rapid City; Alvin "Bud" died in 1973; Harold lives on the Dutch Parrot place south of Glad Valley. His son, Alvin, lives on the original Veit ranch. Roy lives on Scotty Milne's place on the Moreau River north of Dupree. David lives in Faith. ROY VEIT Roy Rollen Veit was born May 21, 1923, at his folks home on Pan Creek southwest of Glad Valley. He was the fourth child of Frank and Nora Veit. As a young boy, he worked for Dutch Parrot, Eddie Preslar and Alexander Milne. He worked for $20.00 a month, saved his money, and bought his own sheep. He then went into partnership with his dad. Roy made his spending money by breaking saddle and work horses. He broke some for Cad Holmes, Eddie Preslar, Scotty, Frank Brown and Tidball. When his dad died in 1942, he still stayed on with his mother and two brothers, Harold and Bud. In 1943 he married Irene Johnson. They lived 6 months in a sheepwagon and 6 months in a little trailer house, for five years. Their first baby girl was born in 1944. She also stayed at the sheepwagon 6 months out of every year for 4 years of her life. In 1947 he moved down to the Moreau River with Alexander Milne, or Scotty, as he was known. They were partners until Mr. Milne passed away. Roy and Irene had 9 more children. Ten children in all. Linda May, born May 8, 1944. Daniel Rollen, born January 28, 1948. Jerry Dean, born February 1, 1950. Lila Ray, born September 12, 1951. Roy Alan, born June 14, 1954. Frank Charles, born February 18, 1956. Mary Ann, born April 27, 1959. Jack Wade, born December 11, 1961. Dona Jo, born March 19, 1963. Jim Dene, born July 4, 1966. Roy and Irene still live on the Moreau River between Thunder Butte and Iron Lightning. [photo - Roy and Irene Veit, 31st anniversary] [photo - Roy and Irene Veit] [photo - Roy Veit family] VESPER FAMILY Two brothers and a sister, John, Frank and Amelia Vesper, homesteaded south of Rattlesnake Butte in about 1911. Frank and Amelia were both blind from birth, but could do just about anything a sighted person could -- and more. They were both gifted musicians. I think both played the piano or organ, Frank played the violin and Amelia played the banjo. Frank was also a piano tuner. Frank and Amelia never married, but in 1928 John married Mary Ehresmann from Belmont, South Dakota (Martha Diermier's sister), and Frank and Amelia played for the wedding. I believe John and Mary lived in Belmont for a while, then moved back here from about 1932 until 1936, at which time they went back to Belmont. Amelia was an immaculate housekeeper. She knitted, and when she met someone new, she would "look" at them by running her hands over their face and hands. Frank used to tune all the pianos in the country. One time he was tuning a piano and dropped a small part that rolled. The little girl at the place was looking for it, but before she could locate it, Frank pointed to the spot it had stopped rolling, and there it was! I can remember watching Frank dance, particularly at the barn dances Diermier's used to have. He was a smooth, effortless dancer and it always amazed me that he never bumped into any thing or anyone, even staying clear of the stairway. It is not known just when Frank and Amelia left Ziebach County, but they used to come back for visits. The house that was on Frank's claim was bought by Chris Williams and moved to Dupree on Lot 4, Block 3, where the Williams' lived for many years. (Recollections of Eva Miller) CHRIST VOLDEN Christ Volden was born in Norway on February 16, 1889. He came to the United States and settled in Yankton, South Dakota for a time. Eventually he came to this area and settled on a homestead in Ziebach County in June of 1916. In 1934, he was united in marriage to Agnes Drageset. To this union, five children were born. They are: Edwin, Hillsboro, Oregon; Gertrude (Mrs. Phillip Jung), Isabel; Helen (Mrs. Roy Anderson), Isabel; Carol (Mrs. Kenneth Carpenter), Rapid City; and Verna (Mrs. William Clark), Rapid City. In September of 1950, this family moved into Isabel, where the children attended school. Agnes worked as a cook at the school for many years. Christ was a carpenter and worked at that trade until shortly before his death on January 20, 1970. His wife, Agnes, still resides in Isabel. [photo - Christ and Agnes Volden] [photo - Christ Volden family] [photo - Christ Volden] CHARLES A. and MYRTLE L. VROOMAN My father, Charles Anson Vrooman, was born May 24, 1889 to Lorin S. and Lydia Pettet Vrooman, at the farm home near Venus, Nebraska. It was here that he grew to manhood. He was the youngest in his family. His brothers were: Herbert, Frank, Milo, Lorin and Roy. He had one sister, Cora, who married Will Clyde. My mother, Myrtle Lois Snyder, was born July 2, 1899 at Macomb, Illinois to George and Myrtle Sheesly Snyder. When my mother was two months old, her mother died of typhoid fever at the age of twenty years. Mother was taken by various relatives, and then her father took her to live with her grandmother Snyder at Keokuk, Iowa. Mother's father worked on the locks of the Mississippi River at Keokuk. By the age of twelve, mother was an orphan. She became a foster child of William and Mary Blaine Lord of Page, Nebraska. She attended the Page High School. On October 11, 1916 she was married to my father, Charles Anson Vrooman, at Page, Nebraska. They made their home on a farm near Venus, Nebraska. In 1909 and 1910 my uncle, Milo Vrooman, had come to Eagle Butte, South Dakota. The area had been opened up for homesteading. Milo G. Vrooman was a locater, a person who helped homesteaders locate their claims. He maintained an office in Eagle Butte. At first, he used a horse and buggy to take people to their claims. Later he had a Model T. Milo filed a claim on land located one mile east and one mile north of the present town of Eagle Butte. In November of 1917, he bought the NW 1/4 of 1-11-23 in Ziebach County from Oscar H. Murphy and Ruby M. Murphy. This land is located seven miles southwest of Eagle Butte. My husband, Gregory, and I purchased this land from Milo's wife, Elizabeth Lowe Vrooman, in 1940 and we still own it. My uncle Milo had died in 1936 and they had no living children. Our son, Dennis, is presently living on the farm and ranch with headquarters on the NW 1/4 Of 1-11-23 in Ziebach County. During the year of 1916, my father and his brothers, Roy and Frank, filed on homesteads. Charlie Vrooman, my father, filed on SW 1/4 of 10- 11-23 in Ziebach County. Roy's homestead was in Ziebach County and was the NW 1/4 Of 15-11-23. Frank's homestead was north of Eagle Butte in Dewey County on NW 1/4 of 33-13-23. Charlie and Roy's homesteads were southwest of Eagle Butte. Roy and Charlie had sales in Nebraska and moved to South Dakota in 1917. Their cattle and belongings were all brought to Eagle Butte by train. Roy and Charlie formed a partnership and ran a large herd of cattle which lasted several years. Fred and Ruth Bengston Hunter, another young married couple from Nebraska came at the same time and homesteaded 4 miles southwest of us. I am the oldest of ten children, namely: Bernice, Evelyn, Lorin, Ardeth, Frank, Gerald, Betty, Carol, Danny and Vernon. My youngest brother, Vernon, is eighteen years younger than I. He was born on May 24, 1936, which was also my father's birthday. I had graduated from the Eagle Butte High School on May 22, 1936, just two days before my brother's birth. Mrs. J. J. (Muzzie) Johnson kept an anxious eye on my mother during the graduation ceremony, and assisted at Vernon's birth two days later. Roy and Etta Vrooman were the parents of eleven children. Ruth and Fred Hunter had four children. With Dad and Mother's ten, this made a total of twenty-five. My brother, Lorin, strangled on a screw at the age of four. These twenty-four children attended the Johnson and the Busy Bee schools in Ziebach County, eastern District 15. This district is now annexed to the Eagle Butte Independent District 20-1. Nearly all of the twenty-four graduated from the Eagle Butte High School. We were not hauled to school in a car or a bus! We walked, rode horseback or went with a horse and buggy. The Hunter children had four miles to travel to get to the Johnson School. My father passed away suddenly from a heart attack on a Sunday evening, February 6, 1938, at our farm home. Our good friends and neighbors, Fred and Ruth Hunter, were there for a Sunday visit. Dr. Green was gotten from Eagle Butte, but my father had died instantly, leaving my mother with nine children. I was teaching school. My sister, Evelyn, was in college, and my youngest brother, Vernon, was twenty months old. My mother continued on with the farm and ranch, hiring help as was needed. My brother, Gerald, took over the farm in 1955 and still operates the farm and ranch. Mother moved to McLaughlin, South Dakota in 1956, where she worked as a nurses aide at the hospital there. When the Oahe Dam was being built at Pierre, mother moved to Pierre to keep house for my brothers, who were working on the dam. In 1958, she married Edward Schulz and moved to Bismarck, North Dakota. In 1972 they moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as mother's health was failing, and she needed to be near some of her children. Four of them were living in Sioux Falls. Mother passed away in her sleep from a heart attack September 7, 1974. My parents lived through grasshoppers; W.P.A. days; the "Dirty 30's"; good times, hard times and such. They left behind nine living children. At the time of her death, mother had 43 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 23 step-grandchildren. Only my brother, Gerald, and myself still have Eagle Butte as an address. Frank, Danny, Carol and Vernon live in Sioux Falls. Ardeth lives northeast of Pierre. Evelyn lives at Mt. Vernon, Washington. Betty lives at Shawnee Mission, Kansas. ROY and ETTA VROOMAN FAMILY by Margaret Filholm Roy Vrooman and his nineteen-year-old bride, Etta, came to South Dakota from Nebraska in 1917. Their first home was on a homestead located southwest of Eagle Butte on the edge of the breaks. The house was a tarpaper covered building. They started in the ranching business. In February 1918, their first son was born in this house out on the prairie, as were the next three children. When the third child was born, an addition was put on the house. We used this room for quite some time with a dirt floor. About the time the fourth baby was born, we got a wood floor in the extra room. At the same time, the carpenter built us two six-foot benches with backs on them. These benches stayed with the family, and some of the second generation sat on them when they came to Grandma's for dinner. While living there, we went through the ordeal of scarlet fever -- being quarantined. We spent the day in the barn while the magic of formaldahyde killed all remaining germs through fumigation of the house. In 1924, the family moved away from the breaks to what was called the Clark place. Until we got a house put together, the six of us lived in a one-room shack about 12' x 16'. We had one double bed and a bed on the floor for three of us children. When we got up in the morning, the table was brought in from outdoors. At night the process was reversed. Eventually, we had a house with classy celutex walls. You couldn't even see the two-by-fours or the nails. Five more children were born here. After we moved here, dad farmed and had dairy cattle. He had good milk cows and the cream checks were the big income. During these dry years the children spent many hot, tiresome hours herding the cattle where there was grass. Sometimes we had to drive our cattle to the neighbors for water. At other times the neighbors drove their cattle to our well. Whoever had water shared it. In 1936 we moved to the Weeks place. Two more boys were added to the family. The older children graduated from high school and went to college. In 1940, we moved to the Burnham place. Then came the war years. The oldest son, Milford, was killed in an Air Force plane crash. Gail served in Europe and received the Purple Heart and other commendations. Gordon served in Korea. The other boys serve later in various locations. Over the years, Roy and Etta reared eleven children. Etta taught Sunday School for many years and made a real effort to get us to church and Sunday School every Sunday. Etta could pound nails, pitch horseshoes, and put on her bib overalls to do any kind of farm work, or she could wash her hands and whip up a batch of bread (fourteen leaves and a hundred buns), or fix a meal for sixty hungry people. A very special person to her family and the community. The family social life centered around the country school and church activities -- especially the programs put on at Christmas time. Every little girl had a brand new hair ribbon for the occasion. When the older children were small, it was a custom to pile a little straw in the box of the lumber wagon, grab some quilts, and load up for a trip into town to see Santa Claus. This was usually the Saturday before Christmas. Christmas was probably our biggest event. Mom somehow always managed special treats and gifts for all of us. Fourth of July was a great time also -- all the uncles, aunts, and cousins usually got together for a big feed and we put the flag ornaments on all the radiator caps of our cars. In spite of hard times, grasshoppers, drought and endless hours of hard work, Mom and Dad saw to it that this big family always had the necessities, learned to work and appreciate what we had, and this great country. The children had the opportunity to go on to college, and over half of them took advantage of this. As the family grew, the eleven children and the twenty-eight grandchildren are located from western to eastern South Dakota, North Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Arkansas and Alaska. Etta passed away in 1957 and Roy in 1966. A couple that helped to promote life of this county and its progress. [photo - Roy and Etta Vrooman family, Christmas, 1937] WALKER by Amanda Walker Heck John and Pauline Walker moved six miles west and a little ways north of Redelm in either 1928 or 1929. There they farmed and built up their place. Disaster struck in August, 1931, when their home was destroyed by fire. They lived in Faith and Bison before returning to Isabel in 1933. Several years later, they moved to Mobridge where John passed away in June, 1970. Pauline passed away in September, 1977. They were the parents of seven children. HUGH and ALICE (HENDERSON) WALKUP Hugh Walkup came to Dupree by train in 1912. He was an electrician and homesteaded about 5 1/2 or 6 miles northwest of Dupree. He married Alice Henderson, daughter of Sam and Holly Henderson, who had moved to the area with the first group of settlers in 1910. She with her parents and sister Ruth crossed the prairie from LeBeau to Dupree in a covered wagon. Mr. Henderson built the first house in Dupree. School was held in the Walkup homestead shack later and it was called the Walkup School. Leo Echelbarger taught and also Mary Smith, wife of Russell Smith. Some of the pupils were children of the Lars Petersens, Cliftons, Louis Taylors, and Jim Thomas. The claim was just south of the Lars Petersen homestead. Before her marriage, Alice Henderson taught the first school in Dupree. Parents chipped in to pay her salary, as the school district was not then organized. The Walkups lived in Dupree and Hugh was Clerk of Courts from 1914 to 1922. He then worked for Harry Mosher Hardware. They left Dupree in 1923 and moved to Oregon. He died in October, 1957. WALL FAMILY by Jan Wall Joseph Bertie Wall, better known as Bert Wall, his wife, Ella, and 2 year old son, Virgil, settled 18 miles south of Dupree in the year of 1925. Coming from Potter County they trailed their milk cows on horseback, crossing the Missouri River on a ferry. Other children born to Bert and Ella were John, of Eagle Butte; Rose Ella Vrooman, of Eagle Butte; and Harold Wall of Dupree. Virgil married Carol Richey who was then teaching at Sunnybrook School. They have five children: Allan, Jane, Larina, Janice and Laurell. Allan is now married to Valarie Hunter, and they have a son, Matthew. Allan lives and works in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Jane is a teacher. Larina is a counselor. Janice is a registered nurse and Laurell will be starting her first year of college at Bartlesville Wesleyan College. Virgil and Carol live on the home place. John married Mildred Anderson. They have 3 children: Ann, Dan and Joe. Ann married Lyle Landgren and they live at Ruthton, Minnesota. She is a housewife and Lyle is a deputy sheriff. They have 2 children: Lezlie and Travis. Dan is married to Peggy Ells and is teaching school at Ethan. Joe is living at home with his folks. Mildred now owns the fabric store in Eagle Butte and John is working for the government. Rose Ella married Ralph Vrooman and they have 4 children: Robin, Richie, Linda and Ralph. Linda is married and lives in Watertown. Robin, Rich and Ralph live in Eagle Butte. Rose Ella teaches school and Ralph farms. Harold married Jan Ogilvie of Blue Earth, Minnesota. Jan had taught Bible School under the American Sunday School Union and then returned to teach school at Sunnybrook. They have 3 children: Mitzie, 18; Jody, 17; and Troy, 14. Mitzi will be starting her first year of college and is going to St. Paul Bible College in Minnesota. Jody and Troy attend Dupree High School. Harold and Virgil are both on the home place 18 miles south of Dupree, ranching. [photo - Harold, Rose Ella, John, Virgil. Seated: Ella and Bert Wall] [photo - Back row: Lyle Landgren, Joe Wall. Front: Ann Landgren holding Travis, Peggy Wall, Dan Wall, Lezlie Landgren, Mildred and John Wall] [photo - Laurell, Kent, Larina, Rod, Jane, Beverly, Janice and Dane. Seated: Allan, Valerie holding Matthew, Carol and Virgil Wall] [photo - The Harold Wall family. Jan, Jody, Mitzi, Troy and Harold] [photo - Jody Wall. Tri County Junior Miss. The event was held at Faith, South Dakota] NORBERT WANOUS Norbert Wanous was born June 6, 1880 at Silver Lake, Minnesota. His early years were spent in Minnesota, where at one time he taught school. In 1904, he graduated from the University Law School, and entered into practice in the west river area, where he practiced for sixty-two years. He married Zella Taylor on May 6, 1940 at Timber Lake. He served numerous terms as states attorney for Ziebach County and Dewey County. He was county judge at the time of his retirement in 1966. In 1954 he received a 50 year membership recognition of the State Bar Association in Aberdeen. Mr. Wanous died in June of 1974. CLARENCE and ESTELLA (DUPRIS) WARD In September of 1877, the annual meeting of the Dakota churches was held at Oahe Mission. At that meeting, Stephen Riggs (father of T. L. Riggs) performed a marriage service uniting Mate Hin Hota (Roan Bear) and Estella Dupris, the daughter of Fred and Mary Good Elk Woman Dupuis. Soon after that, Roan Bear took the name of Clarence Ward and joined the church. Clarence Ward was a Two Kettle Sioux, born in 1859. He was educated in Mission schools and served as a minister and teacher in Day School No. 4 at the Cherry Creek camps before 1886. He worked under the direction of T. L. Riggs. In 1880, Clarence Ward and the Dupris family invited Thomas Riggs to accompany them on what would be the last winter buffalo hunt of the Dakotas (1880-1881). They brought back 500 robes. (See "The Last Buffalo Hunt") One of 49 Sioux that worked with Riggs, Clarence Ward accompanied him on many trips to other reservations. In December of 1882, he, Estella and their young son accompanied Riggs up to Fort Yates. Sitting Bull's people had been brought to Standing Rock the previous year, when they returned from Canada. At the beginning of 1883, the Wards and Riggs camped with them below the Standing Rock Agency. Clarence and Estella Ward had five children: Alfred (1877-1933) married Nellie Hump; William (1880-1943) married Dora Hump (Nellie and Dora were daughters of Chief Hump); Martha (1833); and Rosa (1881-1965): Mrs. William Four/Circle Eagle). By a previous marriage to Crow Eagle, Estella had Louise (b. 1874: Mrs. Dougherty) of Crow Creek. (Pictured on page 9.) Estella died in 1927 at the age of 72 and Clarence died in 1933. [photo - Clarence Ward, 1910 (SDSHS)] THE WARTENWEILER FAMILY by Eva C. Miller In 1919 my grandparents, Emerson and Ada Henderson, their youngest daughter and her husband, Clarice and Bill Wartenweiler, moved from Brown County, South Dakota to Ziebach County. They built a house northeast of Dupree where the families lived. Grandmother Henderson died in 1920 of diabetes and Granddad lived on with Clarice and Bill until his death in 1941. Clarice was very active in community and church affairs. She served as church pianist and was the Royal Neighbor Insurance representative for a number of years. She and Bill had one son, Keith LeRoy, born March 1, 1930. Clarice was, also, to develop diabetes, and died in 1963. Keith attended school in Dupree and went to Huron College for one year following graduation from high school. He worked in the ASCS office until he entered the service. After his discharge from the army, he returned to his home and his duties in the ASCS office. After the death of his mother, Keith and his dad continued to live on the family farm. While Keith never married, he, too, was active in his church and community affairs. Among his many interests were those concerning the Dupree School and its athletic programs. In May of 1963, Keith had a heart attack while driving, and died before reaching the hospital. To recognize Keith's tireless efforts and enthusiasm in the area of sports, the recreation complex just east of the Dupree School is named the Keith Wartenweiler Athletic Field in his memory. Bill bought a mobile home, placed it in our yard and lived in Dupree. He had a sale in October, 1973, and died in November, 197~ at the Mobridge Hospital. [photo - Keith, Bill and Clarice Wartenweiler] [photo of plaque - Athletic Field named in honor of Keith Wartenweiler] [photo - Emerson Henderson, Clarice, Keith and Bill Wartenweiler] FRED WEBB (taken from the Faith Country Book) Fred always wanted to go west, and through some of his mother's friends, we heard of Faith. We contacted the Harry Judsons and in no time, Fred was out there. In 1915, we came to Faith and homesteaded eight miles southeast of town in Ziebach County. JAMES and IRENE WEBB by Irene Webb I am the youngest child of Robert (Bob) and Hattie Marple. I grew up on my parent's homestead six miles southeast of Dupree. I attended the Fairview School. I married Jim Webb, and we lived northeast of Eagle Butte for three and a half years. We then moved to my dad's homestead. We lived there for eight and a half years. Since then we have lived in Dupree. We have seven children. Janet, the oldest, lives at Milwaukie, Oregon. James (Dick) lives in Dupree. George lives in Vancouver, Washington. Mary Jane lives in Portland, Oregon. Thomas lives in Lead, South Dakota. Timothy lives in Vancouver, Washington. Lorraine lives in Deadwood, South Dakota. I am working in the Jack & Jill Store, and Jim works for Tibbs Gas. JOSEPH WEIS by Gerald Weis It all started back in Germany when Katherina Blas married Joseph Weis in October, 1897. Katherina and Joseph had two sons while in Germany: Fred, born October 29, 1898, and Louis, born September 8, 1900. Katherina's uncle and aunt, Carl and Mary Hermer, lived in the United States and agreed to sponsor them. Germany at the time was in a depression, and making a living was extremely hard. The family booked passage on the steamship line, North German Lloyd, in March of 1901. It took nine days to cross the ocean. They arrived in New York. It took them two weeks to travel from New York to St. Lucas, Iowa, where the Hermers lived. A daughter, Mary, was born April 25, 1902, who later married Henry Boeding and presently resides in Isabel, South Dakota. The family had additional increases: Conrad -- born May 18, 1904, who now lives in Keokuk, Iowa; Elizabeth -- born February 19, 1907, now Mrs. Al Schams; Barbara -- born May 27, 1909, and died in 1919. She is buried in Glad Valley Cemetery; Carl -- born December 16, 1911; Luke John -- born February 15, 1914, and died two days later. He is buried in St. Lucas, Iowa; Agnes -- born March 2, 1916, now Mrs. Ed Hamilton; Loretta -- born May 10, 1918, now Mrs. Al Muetze and resides in Salem, Oregon. Elizabeth, Carl and Agnes all reside in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Joseph Weis worked at the St. Luke's Catholic Church for the Reverend Father Boeding as a custodian. Some of Reverend Father Boeding's relatives lived in South Dakota, and later Mary married Henry Boeding and obtained a homestead in Ziebach County around 1916. Joseph Weis with his son, Conrad, went to visit Henry and Mary and liked the general area. Through a Land Act of February 19, 1909, a large area of the Cheyenne River Indian land was open to the public. On August 23, 1918, Joseph made an application to homestead approximately 318 acres of land in Ziebach County. The family sold their farm in St. Lucas and moved, along with their livestock, to Isabel in the spring of 1919. They purchased a Model T Ford car to make trips to Dupree, where they would pick up flour, dried milk and items available through relief programs sponsored by the government to homesteaders. On January 23, 1920, Louis was out rounding up the cows when a snowstorm suddenly came up. He froze to death on the prairie about two miles from the home. He was buried in the Glad Valley Cemetery next to his sister, Barbara. Some of the winter storms were so bad that a rope was strung from the house to various buildings to avoid getting lost. The children attended the Bloom School about four miles from the farm. Every Sunday the family would attend the Catholic Church at Glad Valley. The old Model T Ford was no longer running and a 1926 Oakland four- door automobile was purchased. This auto is still operating. Gas cost was thirteen cents per gallon. Clothing and shoes were purchased at the McKean and Rempfer store in Isabel. If the item could not be found there, the Sears Roebuck catalog was used to order from. In 1927, part of the family moved to La Crosse, leaving Conrad in South Dakota to run the farm. Fred was already in La Crosse, working for the Burlington Railroad. Katherina loved the openness of South Dakota and the farm in Ziebach County. She returned in 1930 with Carl, Agnes, Loretta and Conrad, leaving Joseph and Fred in La Crosse. Joseph was 67 years old and not feeling well. The thirties brought many hardships for the family, as crops would dry up in the field. The dust would blow hot and dry for days, leaving the land barren. In 1940, Katherina let the farm go back to Ziebach County and she returned to La Crosse. Joseph Weis passed away in July of 1940, and Katherina in October of 1945. [photo - Katherine, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Boeding with daughter, Josephine, Elizabeth Weis, Fred, Conrad and Carl Weis. Children: Agnes Weis, Coletta Boeding and Loretta Weis. In 1925] [photo - Joseph and Katherine Weis, 1923] WILLIAM WENZEL FAMILY Mr. and Mrs. William Wenzel arrived in 1920 from Huron, South Dakota and located 10 miles southwest of Isabel in Ziebach County. They had three children, Clara, Herbert and Edith, when they got here. Later Dorothy, Raymond and Betty were born on the farm with Dr. Sargent and Mrs. Hilma Boldt assisting in the births. In 1944, they sold their farm to Harold and Clara Hall (their daughter) and moved to Marion, Iowa. In 1947 William passed away. Mrs. Wenzel still lives in Marion, Iowa at the age of 96. She still does her own housekeeping, gardening and lives alone in her 6 room house. Her six children are all living. They are: Clara Hall, Herbert and Betty Bosch, all of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Raymond of Durango, Colorado; and Dorothy Baker of Carrollton, Kentucky. IDA KANE WHITE FEATHER I was born at Cherry Creek. My parents were Henry Kane and my mother's maiden name was Drags Rope. My brother, Ziebach Kane, was the first boy born in Ziebach County after it was named Ziebach. In 1917 I went to Carson Day School, which was about 7 miles northwest of Cherry Creek Station. My teacher was Phillip Carson. He had two sons named Eddie and Frank. Mrs. Carson was cook at the school. The next two years Mrs. Derby was my teacher and her sister, Miss Cooper, was the cook. Some families moved close to the school during the school year and back home again when school was out. They had houses both places. This was before there was a school at Cherry Creek. I also went to school at the Old Agency for six years and to the Rapid City Indian School for 3 years. I still have my diploma from the Rapid City school. I was married to Sylvan White Feather and we lived about 2 miles west of Cherry Creek for about 20 years. Sylvan died in 1942. Our children are Syrine, Delores, Audrey and Cornelius, all deceased, and LaMont. I married Jim White Feather, and we have one son, Evan. LaMont and Evan both live in Dupree. JIM STIFF TAIL (WHITE FEATHER) Jim Stiff Tail (White Feather) was born in 1900 at Pine Ridge, South Dakota. His father was a Cheyenne Sioux and his mother an Oglala Sioux. When his parents died, he lived with foster parents by the name of White Feather, and grew up between Bridger and Cherry Creek on the Cheyenne River. His foster parents adopted him, so he took the name of White Feather. (Sylvan White Feather's parents). His family would take him by team and wagon to Rapid City where he attended the Indian School for several years. When he was 17, he joined the army and served his country in World War I. He married Louise Fisherman. Their children include three daughters: Flora Little Wounded, Emestine Fraizer, and Maida LeBeau; four sons, Burleigh, Jerry, Duane and Melvin all preceded him in death. He married Ida Kane White Feather and they have one son, Evan, who lives in Dupree. From 1940 to 1965, he worked for Voyle Samuelson on the Samuelson ranch on Cherry Creek. The family moved to Dupree around 1958. Jim passed away November 22, 1977. He served as Junior and Superior Judge at Eagle Butte for 10 years. He was also a lay reader in the Episcopal Church for 25 years. OSCAR WHITE WEASEL told by Oscar White Weasel White Weasel had two places, one above the Cherry Creek and one down here (Red Scaffold). Move the cattle down here in the summer - summer camp, and in the winter take them back to Cherry Creek. He was a policeman around 1891, during the smallpox epidemic of 1898 and during the Ute encampment of 1906-7. His son, Oscar White Weasel, went to Carson Day School, starting in about 1907. Fifth graders were sent to Pierre in 1912. In 1914, he went to Rapid City to school until he enlisted in the National Guard. "I ride eight miles to school on horseback every day. I know I was little. My dad put me on the horse and told me to don't get off. He says let the man take you off. When I got to the other side, the old man, take them off the saddle and put my horse away and when the school is out he had already put a saddle on and a bridle. It was waiting for me. I come back, why he put me on the saddle and told me the same way - he said don't get off on your way. And after coming back why Dad took me off the saddle. And kept on doing that for one year I guess." " At this school they mostly talk Indian, because the teachers all talk good Indian and I don't think nobody ever talked English on that except in the school when they read and then things like that. We speak all our own language." "My dad, I know he's talking English because he talks to this Narcelle once in a while." "I had a cousin, Narcisse Narcelle's nephew, his sister's boy, Narcisse Rich. He and I and that Narcelle boy, Joe, them guys talk English and I stay with them for a long time and that's where I must start learn English." In his will, White Weasel left his cattle and horses to his wife, daughter and sons, and indicated that Narcisse Narcelle was supposed to take care of Oscar until he was 21 years old. "I had a hard time there when he gets drunk and shoots and all his hired men hided out someplace. One year after my dad was made will, he died then himself and it kind of saved me on that. I went back to my mother." In 1916, Oscar enlisted in the army, in the National Guard in Rapid City. He went to the Mexican border when Pancho Villa was at war, for nine months. Oscar came back in 1917. After the United States declared war, he served in Germany until 1919. As his mother had died the pre vious year, during the flu epidemic, Oscar White Weasel re-enlisted and went back to Germany. He was later sent to the Panama Canal on coastal artillery and was discharged in 1924 in Washington, D.C. In 1925, he married Esther Ward, a daughter of Nellie and Alfred Ward. Nellie/Pretty Voice (born 1882) was a daughter of Hump and Bessie White Calf. Alfred was a son of Clarence (Roan Bear) Ward and Estella Dupris Ward. Their children are: Louis White Weasel; Tim White Weasel; Margie (Mrs. Wilson Iron Hawk); Corrine (Jeffries); and Bea (Janis). During the 1930's, he and his wife had hogs and chickens for which they had been putting up hay and corn. In 1934, Oscar went to work on the hospital in Springfield, Missouri. Later he worked at Fort Meade Hospital. In 1963 he retired and returned to Red Scaffold. His wife died in 1966, and Oscar White Weasel died in 1979. He was living at the Dupree Manor at the time of his death. (Portions from the Oral History Center, Vermlllion; S.D.A.I.R.P., 1971) WIDOW Winazica or Jacob Widow (1862-1924) was a son of Brown Thunder and Old Red Woman (see Builds Fire). Winazica had a place on Ash Creek, near his brothers, Brown Thunder, Little Dog, and Inamongst. He also lived in the Cherry Creek community. Jacob Widow was married three times. His first wife was from Pine Ridge, In the Light or Alice Breast. Jacob and Alice were the parents of Helen Widow (b. 1888), who was married to Young Bear and then married to Charles Hollow Horn. Jacob's second wife, Gum or Thigh, was from Rosebud. She was the mother of Come at the Camp/Paul Widow (1890-1978). Paul's second wife was Agnes Talks. Paul and Agnes were the parents of Narcisse Widow, deceased; Ed Widow of Ash Creek; and Mary (Mrs. Dennis) Buffalo. Jacob Widow married his third wife in 1894/5. Alice Her Shawl was the widow of Ghost Horse, who had been killed with their son at the Wounded Knee massacre. She was the mother of Alice Ghost Horse (War Bonnet; Charging Cloud) Dog Arm. Jacob and Alice Her Shawl had Charles Widow (1898-1904); Hannah (died at age 2); and Joseph Widow (1900-1933). Joseph married Susie Hollow Horn and had Betty (Mrs. Alphonsine) Garreau; Gilbert Widow; and Reverend Douglas Widow. CHARLES L. WILLIAMS FAMILY The Charles L. Williams family moved onto the A. F. Higgins homestead in the summer of 1934. Prior to that, they had lived on the original homestead of Mr. Williams, south of Plainview, South Dakota. Charles L. Williams was employed as a mechanic in the Chevrolet Garage in Faith for about 25 years. Mr. Williams passed away on February 12, 1971 at the age of 73. Mrs. Ethel (Higgins) Williams passed away on June 1, 1980 at the age of 85. The Williams children are located as follows: Donald C. Williams, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the present owner of the A. F. Higgins homestead. Franklin H. Williams lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Aletha M. Williams (Mrs. Einar Olsen) lives at Faith, South Dakota. She has two children: Ralph A. Olsen, who lives at Wright, Wyoming, and is married; Joan (Mrs. Steve Kost), who lives at Pierre, South Dakota and has one daughter, Jessica. Cloyd V. Williams lives at Newhall, California. Ruth Ann Williams (Mrs. LeRoy Titus) lives at Rapid City, South Dakota. CHRIS and KATE ASPDIN WILLIAMS The battle of the Little Bighorn River took place in southern Montana in 1876. Angered Indians, led by Sitting Bull, gathered a force of as many as one thousand, perhaps four thousand, and annihilated General Custer and his entire command, some two hundred sixty-five men. Their fury was caused by an unwillingness to remain on designated reservations. The conflict so stirred the nation that the campaign against the Indians was stepped up and this was to be their last victory. Imagine, if you can, their fury at being confined to a reservation, then the terror they felt after the battle as to the reprisals which might he taken. They feared extradition to another and far removed section of the country. The Black Moon family from Bridger country fled to the area of Moose Jaw in the North West Territories of Canada shortly afterward, arriving in 1877. Mary Black Moon, a girl of sixteen at the time of the Custer Massacre, was in the group. There was also a sister, Two Spotted Horses and her brother, Phillip Black Moon. A result of their sojourn in Canada was the marriage of Mary to Tom Aspdin, a North West Mounted Policeman in the Territory of Canada. To them were born four children, one did not survive. There were three little girls, Alice, Annie and then Kate. Shortly thereafter Tom Aspdin passed away and since fighting and terror had subsided, the family returned to the Bridger and Cherry Creek area by team and wagon, Rate just a babe in arms having been born August 14, 1893. They carried a letter from the office of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs granted them safe passage and a welcome from the Indian Agent at Ft. Peck and other officials of the U.S. Indian or Military Services. It is dated May 7, 1894. In the party was "Mama, widow of Black Moon": two daughters and a son, Phillip Black Moon; a grandson, Peter Black Moon who passed away in the Bridger country before 1920; and three little daughters of Mary Black Moon Aspdin, Alice (Lafferty), Annie and Kate (Williams). It should be noted that the year of Kate's birth could not be ascertained. She had always known August 14 as her birthday, but the year was elusive. The date finally decided upon was 1893. Her Indian name was Blue Eyes. Alice married Walter Lafferty. They had one daughter, Eleanor Thompson, Fort Pierre. Annie Aspdin had been engaged to marry Moses Clown, who was a soldier in France in World War I. He did not recover from wounds received and Annie remained single until her death. The early nomadic nature of the tribe seems to be apparent in this story. There was more than one trip made back and forth from the region of Moose Jaw to the Bridger-Cherry Creek area. At any rate, in 1914 Rate graduated from the National School of Business in the North West Territory and worked as a secretary in Regina and Weyburn. Then she was sent by a ministry to Vancouver Island where she worked as a teacher. The climate affected her health and upon returning to the prairie country of Canada she felt better. She again went to Vancouver Island but poor health forced her to go back to the prairies of Regina where the climate was drier. Kate met the young Chris Williams probably about 1912. They were acquainted before he went into the army of World War I in 1914. Upon his return in 1919 he courted Rate and while in uniform, attended a dance at the Wally Knight residence south of Dupree in honor of the safe return of Paul Widow from the war. Kate and Chris were married December 4, 1920 in the Presbyterian Church at Regina. He then worked in an elevator at Estlin, south of Regina. During this time their two sons, Ramon and Maurice, were born at the General Hospital in Regina. In 1926 the family came to Lantry, South Dakota where Chris managed the Bagley Elevator. They later ranched northwest of Dupree, and upon retirement lived in Eagle Butte. Rate passed away in 1971. Chris resides in the Dupree Manor. [photo - Four generations: Vicki Birkeland, Ramon Williams, Chris Williams, Jacki, Kari, Kelli and Darci Birkeland] [text of letter of safe passage - Regina, May 7th, 1894 The bearers of the present communication are some of the United States Indian Sioux refugees who have lived in the neighborhood of the town of Moose Jaw in the North West Territories of Canada since the year 1877 and who are now returning to their country. From correspondence with the Indian Commissioner at Washington, it is assumed that you will have been notified to be on the look out for them, and have instructions to direct them to their respective reservations, where they will receive the rations and clothing to which they are entitled along with the other members of their respective bands. On the authority of your Government they have been assured that they would be welcomed back and kindly treated by its officials. I have the honour to be The Indian Agent Sir Your obedient Servant Fort Peck Asst Commissioner U. S. end of text] WILSON-DOMINA John Wilson came to the Glad Valley community in northwestern Ziebach County with his folks from Winner, South Dakota in 1933. Fred and Mary Wilson had adopted John when he was two years old from an orphanage in Sioux Falls. John married Lela Domina at Glad Valley in 1937. Lela worked for the Schellinger's at the Glad Valley Store as a clerk and cream tester for several years before their marriage. Right after their wedding, they moved to Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, where they lived for about a year. They returned to South Dakota and bought what was then known as the Charley Hall farm, six miles west of Glad Valley where they farmed and ranched for eighteen years. Due to John's health, they left the farm and moved to Rapid City where John worked for the J. D. Evans Equipment Company as parts manager for six years. He worked for the State Highway Department as a mechanic for seventeen years. The Wilson's sold their ranch to Herman Rosenau in 1958. They are now retired and live in Rapid City. Their only child, Darla, who married Ralph Hilton, and two sons live in Gillette, Wyoming where Darla and Ralph are in the transportation business. GORDON WINCE by Gordon Wince On April 25, 1932, 7 miles south of Redelm, South Dakota on what was called the Barney Lannen place, I was born to Ross and Esther Wince. I already had a brother, Sherman, who was three years old at that time. Joining our family later was a sister, Nyla, born July 28, 1934. Living about three miles north of us were my aunt and uncle, Jennie and E. H. Lovelady, who in 1935 had decided to go to California and to sell their farm to my parents. In 1939, on March 14, my brother, Donald, was born. About three miles southeast of our place was the Whittler School, where I attended all my grades. Our means of travel were feet, horseback, horse and buggy, and in later years, a 1928 Chevrolet. We used kerosene in place of antifreeze, and, because of tire rationing, we stuffed the tires with oats and soaked them in water overnight. By morning, the tires were ready to put on the car and roll. My high school education was in Dupree. Nyla, Donald and I lived in our parent's house in Dupree while attending school. The house was bought for school reasons, and through those school years, many children from other families also lived in the house while going to school. I graduated in 1952 and served in the army from October 1952 to October 1954. After the service I farmed and ranched with my parents on the home place about 6 1/2 miles southeast of Redelm, and bought three quarters of the J. L. Swanson place. Then in August, 1965, 1 bought the home place from my parents and married Carole Bartelt. Carole was born on April 22, 1942, in Elkton, South Dakota. There she was raised by her parents, Orville William Bartelt and Marvel Mary Munsch Bartelt. Other menlbers in her family are an older brother, Donald, an older sister, JoAnn, and a younger brother, Gene. In August of 1964, Carole came to Dupree as a teacher and taught the 1964 and 1965 school terms. A man by the name of E. E. Armentrout lived south of us, and in the fall of 1966, decided to sell his land to the neighbors. We bought three quarters that joined our land to the southeast. Our oldest son, Scott, was born in Potter County at Gettysburg on September 17, 1968; Kent was born in Potter County at Gettysburg on April 8, 1970; Ann was born in Hughes County at Pierre on September 9, 1972; Lisa was born in Lawrence County at Spearfish on January 16, 1980. We attend the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dupree, and the children attend Dupree School. V. S. WINCE by Ross Wince I came to Ziebach County with my folks in the spring of 1911. My father, Valentine Sherman Wince, while in Iowa, drew an allotment number for a claim in the fall of 1910, and came by train to Isabel where he bought a pony and rode to look for a claim. He found one twelve miles southwest of Dupree. It was just a mile away from where the Fuller family was already living, but it was over the hill, so he did not see them. In January, 1911, the Wince family loaded a boxcar at Pisgah, Iowa. They arrived in Redelm, probably the second homesteader to unload there. Earl Moore was the first, and unloaded in the first few days of 1911. Mother and the children soon followed by train. There was Ross, Frances (Mrs. M. Macy), Vera (Mrs. Chas. Fuller) and Paul (now deceased). Our home was a 12x16 claim shack with a large tent against the rear. In the early spring of 1911, the Robertson schoolhouse was built. The men of the community each contributed as they were able. Some of them were: Frank Fuller, Karl Hegre, Wilbur Vance, V. S. Wince and Christianson. There may have been others. Six weeks of school was held that spring. In the summer, a short session of Sunday School was held. Many church services and Sunday School sessions took place there through the years. Madeline Wallen taught in the spring of 1911, also the 1911- 12 year. Some of the pupils were Hilda, Lena, Nora and Irvin Schuchhardt; Chas., Art, Bob and Irene Fuller; Ross and Frances Wince. Carl had gone in the spring session. Others were Oscar, Alfred and Ida Hegre; Russell and Hazel Walling; Russell Wallen; Marion Christianson; Carl and Vernel Vance; Carrie and Mary Bridwell; Hilda and Johanna Sundsrud; and Charles Russell. I'm sorry if I've missed anyone who should have been included here. Peter Knott taught 1912-13 and 13-14. The drought was disastrous in 1913, so we moved to Vermillion. My sister, Jennie, had married E. H. Lovelady in 1911, so I was still in touch with events in Ziebach County. While I was working in the harvest fields in northern South Dakota in 1925, Elmer Lovelady sent me a contract to teach the Star Prairie School. The wage was $60 per month in warrants. I cashed them at 10% discount. Esther Fuller and I were married in 1927. A teacher at the Campbell School resigned in the spring of 1929, and I finished the term there. I had a contract to teach the Robertson School, but after a month, traded with my sister, Vera, and taught at Star Prairie School for three more years. In 1935 we bought the Lovelady farm, lived there for thirty years and raised our four children, Gordon, Sherman, Nyla and Donald. Gordon took over the ranch in 1965, and after nine years, we moved to Spearfish. We spend the winter months in Arizona. Ross passed away in 1980. HENRY WINKLEMAN by Leora Burgee Henry Winkleman was born in Westphalia, Germany in 1876. As a lad, he came to the United States and lived in St. Louis, Missouri until coming to Chelsea, South Dakota in 1909. In 1910 when the west river was opened for settlement, he came to Ziebach County and homesteaded on the NE1/4 of 13-16-19, which was near the present locality of Glad Valley. Henry went to North Dakota to find work and worked in a grocery store and as a harvester for several summers, always returning to the homestead. Anna Schnittger was born March 11, 1889 at Mansfield, South Dakota. Anna and Henry were married at Mansfield, South Dakota in March of 1919, and moved to Henry's homestead. Their only child, Albert, was born November 12, 1921. They lived on the homestead until 1936 at which time they moved to Chelsea, South Dakota to winter their cattle -- hay being scarce in Ziebach County. While they planned to come back to Ziebach County the following summer, their plans did not materialize. Henry died in 1948. Anna and Albert Winkleman still live in Chelsea, South Dakota on the farm. The Winkleman place was purchased by the Great Plains Association and later sold to Bob Meyer. Only a portion of the beautiful buildings remain. CHARLES and ALMA WITTE FAMILY Charles Herman Witte was born June 20, 1883 in Iowa, the son of Friedrick and Friederika (Casten) Witte. Brothers and sisters were William, Frieda, Theodore, Otto and Erna. Charles Witte came to Isabel in 1910 and homesteaded on the NW 1/4 of section 12-17-17. He returned to Iowa and married Alma Beckwenn in February 1911. They returned to Isabel by train, then by team and wagon to the homestead. Alma Beckwenn's parents were Charles Herman Beckwenn and Wilhelmina Sundermeyer. Alma Beckwenn Witte had three brothers, Rudolph Daniel, Robert Wilhelm and Arthur Theodore. Charles and Alma lived on the farm and raised a family of thirteen children. All of the children attended the rural Tip Top School. Some of the teacher's names were: Martin Funk, Genevieve Hanrahan, Mrs. Young, Cummingford, Marie Ellis, Esther Ellis, Elmer Nichols, Minnie Silk, Lydia Elfrink, Mrs. John Hagen, Mrs. Henrickson, Eva Main and Irene Alderson. Alma Witte served on the school board for 30 years. Some of the Witte neighbors were Ivar and Severt Hatlested, Earl Woodcock, Grover and Claude Simpson, Joe Gebhart, Haakon Olsen and sons, Henry and Helmer, Tom Rowns, Pete Frederickson, Joe Melichor and Fred Brinkman. Charles Witte had a Red River Special threshing machine in the early 1920's and threshed for the neighbors. In 1946 he bought a new International thresher from Sam and Jim Tidball in Isabel. A few years later, combines came on the scene. In 1924, a cyclone came through the Glad Valley area and demolished all the buildings on the Witte farm except the house. The Witte children are: Fredrick Carl Witte, Princeton, Minnesota; Esther Minnie Witte Kummerfeldt, Ruthven, Iowa; Violet Selma Witte Zimmerman, Heber Springs, Arkansas; Frank Arthur Witte, Meadow, South Dakota; Freda Catherine Witte Starkey, Lemmon, South Dakota; Charles Rudolph Witte, Meadow, South Dakota; Edward Emil Witte, died March 24, 1978; Arlene May Witte Bell; Robert William Witte, Meadow, South Dakota; Grace Marion Witte Munyon, Isabel, South Dakota; Rex Alien Witte, Glad Valley, South Dakota; Joyce Alma Witte Hill, Omaha, Nebraska; Willard Theodore Witte, Knoxville, Tennessee. Charles Witte died July 8, 1958 and Alma Witte died February 18, 1979. They are both buried at the Meadow Cemetery.