Source: Report and Historical Collections, Compiled by State Department Of History Volume IX, Dakota Cavalry, 1918 (A)

The Company Descriptive Book of Company A, Dakota Cavalry, 1862-1865 is not in the War Department and has probably been lost. The following roster was made from memory by Sergeant A. M. English, Second Lieutenant David Benjamin and Thomas Tate in 1899 and is believed to include all men who served in this company

Captain Nelson Miner, of Vermillion

Captain Nelson Miner, of A Company, came to Dakota from Adel, Iowa, in 1860 and settled at Vermillion where he engaged in the hotel business. He returned to Vermillion at the close of the war and continued to reside there until his death October 24, 1879. His sons William and Charles are still honored citizens of Beadle County.

First Lieutenant J. K. Fowler, resigned

John Kendrick Fowler was the first lieutenant of Company A. He was not a military man, but was the brother-in-law of the Secretary of the Territory (John Hutchinson.) Mr. Fowler was single man, about twenty-three years old, of excellent habits, but had no employment while in Dakota except his lieutenancy. He remained with the company about one year, and then re-signed and left for California where he secured a position which may have been either with a mining or a railroad company. He was occasionally heard from during the 20 years following, and appeared to be prosperous and contented. It was reported that he removed to Utah or Idaho later. (Geo. W. Kingsbury.)

First Lieutenant Frederick Plughoff, resigned

Frederick Plughoff was the first Second Lieutenant of Company A, an ex-soldier and well instructed in the military art. He was about 30 years old and we do not learn that he had a local residence in Dakota. He gave' the members of the Company their preliminary instruction during the winter of 1861-2, and was regarded as nearer proficient than the other officers. He was promoted to First Lieutenant when Mr. Fowler resigned, but did not continue long in that capacity. He resigned and was succeeded by 2nd Lieut. James M. Bacon. He did not remain in the territory after his resignation. (G. W. K.)

First Lieutenant James M. Bacon

Lieut. James M. Bacon was 1st Lieutenant of Co. A, appointed in 1862, and served with credit to the close of the Civil and Indian War in 1865. His family resided in Sioux City. He was a popular officer with the company and held in high esteem generally. He was in command of a detachment of the Company when the Governor ordered the evacuation of Sioux Falls in August, 1862, having no adequate force to protect the settlers from Indian raids. After the close of the war he engaged in the hardware business in Sioux City, and continued in that business for a number of years, and until his death. (G. W. K.)

Second Lieutenant Dewitt C. Smith, of Wisconsin

Dewitt C. Smith, who succeeded Lt. Bacon as 2nd Lieutenant of Co. A., was not a Dakotan and for that reason his appointment gave rise to more or less criticism among the members of the company who felt that the place should have been filled by promotion from the boys in the ranks, and this feeling was shared by friends outside the company. Mr. Smith was an agreeable gentleman, but had no special aptitude for the profession of arms, and as Company A was constantly employed in active duty, generally in separate detachments during the first two years or more, it was felt that the commands should be entrusted to soldiers of experience. 'Hence D. C. Smith felt it incumbent to resign after a few months, and David Benjamin was appointed from a corporalship to the vacancy.

Second Lieutenant David Benjamin, later of Beresford

David Benjamin, died at Hot Springs Soldier's Home, March 18, 1914, aged 82 years. He lived for many years near Beresford, Union County. He was made 2nd lieutenant of Company A while at Fort Rice in July, 1864.

Top Sergeant A. M. English, of Yankton

A. M. English was born at Middlesbury, Vermont, December 22, 1836. Settled in Yankton 1860. Served as first sergeant in Dakota cavalry in war of outbreak. Served in legislature of 1865 and as mayor of Yankton three terms. Contractor and builder. Died at Yankton February 9, 1909.

Second Sergeant Patrick Conway

Patrick Conway was second sergeant of Company A. He was a citizen of Cedar County, Nebraska, when he enlisted. He had been in the regular army, had been honorably discharged, and had taken up land in Cedar County and begun farming. He was a single man, on the shady side of 30; a genial, whole-souled gentleman, born in Ireland and spoke the language with a broad accent. He was an excellent soldier and served with credit. He was not aware that his residence and voting privilege remained in Nebraska when he enlisted in Dakota, and was somewhat chagrined when his vote was thrown out, as illegal, in the Todd and Jayne congressional contest of 1862. Congress threw it out on the ground of non-residence in the Territory when he enlisted. He settled in Yankton after his discharge from the army, became a citizen, and was employed for a number of years as the Chief of City Policemen. It was said that he perfected his title to his Nebraska pre-emption, but became a citizen of Dakota. He died a number of years ago. "He lived respected and died regretted." (G. W. K.)

Commissary Sergeant Kerwin Wilson

Kerwin Wilson was commissary sergeant of Company A. He was a single man, and came into the Dakotas with the Hanson party in 1859 and probably settled in Charles Mix County as he is found there immediately after his discharge, on a claim. He was a young man of intelligence and energy. He took an interest in the political affairs of Charles Mix; held important county offices, and represented the county in the early legislature. (G. W. K.)

Sergeant Peter F. Holden

Sergeant William Neuman

William Neuman enlisted in Company A and was made a sergeant. He was a German emigrant, a single man, and was one of the colony of that nationality that took the first claim near James River on the west side and within a few miles of Yankton during 1859, 1860 and 1861. He was a tall muscular young man and had no dread of the Indians. He was among the best of the soldiers, and quite popular in the company. After the war he returned to his claim, married and became the father of one daughter, called Nettie or Nellie. Mr. Neuman removed from Dakota later, and selected an abiding place in Missouri. (G. W. K.)

Sergeant Benjamin F. Estis

Benjamin F. Estes was a sergeant in Company A, and served with credit during the war. He enlisted in 1861 from

Union County, or what subsequently became Union county. Was about 25 years of age and a farmer. He was a man of excellent character. He settled either in Union or Charles Mix after the war, and accumulated a competency by his 'industry. (G. W. K.)

Sergeant Jesse B. Watson, of Sioux Falls

Jesse B. Watson, still (1917) resides at Sioux Falls.

Sergeant Horace J. Austin, of Vermillion

Horace J. Austin, born in Washington County, N. Y., July 11, 1837. A land surveyor by profession, he settled in Yankton in 1859. Served in Dakota cavalry throughout the war and at the close settled at Vermillion. He was several times a member of the legislature, and while serving in the House of Representatives at Pierre, died on February 27, 1891.

Sergeant Charles B. Stager

Charles B. Stager enlisted in Company A from Bon Homme County under recruiting officer Jas. M. Allen. He was one of the Minnesota colony that settled in that county during 1859, 1860 and 1861. He came from Mantorville. He was one of the sergeants of the company and every inch a soldier. His age cannot be accurately stated, but he was nearing 25 judging from his appearance and conversation. He was a farmer and a single man. He may have settled in Bon Homme County after his discharge from the army in 1865, but we find no record of his residence. (G. W. K.)

Corporal Joseph Ellis

Sergeant Joseph Ellis was a popular and trusted member of Company A, and resided, after the war, in Charles Mix County, and we have an impression that his residence was in Charles Mix or Bon Homme County before enlisting. He was one of the settlers and soldiers who are termed by neighbors and comrades as "a square man" fearless as a soldier and a citizen of exemplary and enterprising character. He pursued the honorable occupation of farmer after retiring from the service and remained a citizen of Charles Mix. If living, he is yet a citizen of that county. (G. W. K.)

Corporal William Young

William Young enlisted from Bon Homme under officer Allen. He was one of the pioneers who removed from Mantorville, Minn., in 1858 with the Shober colony which formed the nucleus of the first settlement of Bon Homme. Mr. Young was a single man, and about twenty-five years old, and one of the finest vocalists in Company A. His ancestry was Scotch. He was endowed with more than ordinary intellect, and was an exemplary soldier. Sometime after his discharge he took up the clerical work in a companionable way with Merril Lathrop, and also sought a field for practical work in New England. (G. W. K.)

Corporal George Falkingburg

George Falkingburg was a resident of Bon Homme County and one of the Shober pioneer party who came from Minnesota in 1858 and located at the old town of Bon Homme. He was a young man about the age of 22, and enlisted in Company A in 1861 from Bon Homme county. At the close of the war he settled in Yankton County, and took unto himself a wife. Miss Olive Stone, daughter of the pioneer, James M. Stone. His wife died a few years after her marriage. One son was born to them, who is now engaged in the publication of a newspaper at Scotland. Mr. Falkingburg served for a number of years as deputy U. S. Marshal under L. H. Litchfield, in which employment he won renown because of his success in finding his man who in a number of instances had sought an asylum with some of the Indian tribes. Leaving employment as marshal he engaged in the livestock business near the Black Hills, and quitting that entered the South Dakota Soldier's Home where he died several years ago. (G. W. K.)

Corporal Christian C. Brured

Chris C. Brured, Scandinavian nationality, had lived for a brief time on a claim west of Vermillion. He was highly respected and enlisted in Company A, induced by a belief that it was his duty at the time. He served with much credit to the end of the war, then returned to his farm, and after a brief time was married to a Yankton county lady, Caroline Olson. Some years later, the family removed to Caledonia in the northern part of Dakota Territory. (G. W. K.)

Corporal Amos Shaw, of Vermillion

Amos Shaw was an early resident at, Sioux Falls and Vermillion. At the latter place he taught the first school in the famous school house in the ravine. He died recently in Washington.

Corporal Adolph Mauksch

Adolph Mauxsch, a native of Germany, settled in the western part of Yankton County, south of Lakeport in 1861. He was a single man. He enlisted in Company A the following winter and became one of the non-commissioned staff. He served during the war and was known as an all-round excellent soldier. Retiring from the army in 1865, he returned to his claim; took a wife and entered upon his life of opening up a farm on the virgin soil of Yankton County. The remainder of his long life was devoted to this work, and he had the satisfaction of enjoying for many years one of the finest farm homes and most productive farms in the Territory. His was a fruit farm, a grain, farm and a livestock farm. From his porch he overlooked many miles of the most attractive scenic portions of the Missouri River as well as the noble stream. He died at his farm residence a few years ago, an aged veteran. (G. W. K.)

Corporal Charles Wright, of Yankton

Charles Wright, of Yankton, born in Virginia August 14, 1847, died at Yankton April 25, 1916. Served many years as peace officer.

Bugler Amund Hanson

Amund Hanson was among the newcomers at Vermillion in 1860 or 1861. He enlisted under Captain Miner at that point. He was one of the Norwegian recruits and a fine young man. After quitting the service in 1865 he remained in the Territory and took up land south of Meckling in Clay County where he died several years ago. He was one of the enterprising farmers of that section, and secured a competency. (G. W. K.)

Bugler Edwin Wilkins

Edwin Wilkins may have been a resident of Sioux City when he enlisted in Company A in 1862. His record as a soldier was without a blemish and when he retired from the service or soon after, he engaged in the agricultural implement business in Sioux City. He was a denominational Christian a Methodist. (G. W. K.)

Farrier Ananias Jones

Annanias Jones was holding a claim in the western part of Bon Homme County, near the Missouri river in 1861-2 at the time he enlisted in Company A. He had a wife and one child and it is claimed that Wales was the land of his nativity. He served as a soldier until he was mustered out and enjoyed the respect and confidence of his comrades. His descendants are now residing on the old pioneer claim which has come to be a fine farm and an attractive rural home. (G. W. K.)

Blacksmith Robert Burkhart

Robert Burkhart came to Dakota with the earliest German colony in 1859 or 1860 and lived with John Solberger about 4 miles northeast of Yankton. He was a mechanic and an excellent blacksmith; a single man about 21 years of age. He became a member of Company A, and was appointed company blacksmith, discharging- his duties with credit. He launched into the blacksmithing business at Yankton after quitting the military service, and remained at the head of a prosperous industry for about 30 years when continuous ill health compelled, his retirement. He died at Yankton in 1914. He married at the close of the war. His widow survives him and resides on their farm a few miles west of Yankton. (G. W. K.)

Privates

The first spelling is as supplied by Sergeant English, the enclosed spelling is as printed in Kingsbury's History of Dakota Territory.

Alderson, Richard

Allen, John E.

John E. Allen was an American, and a lawyer, who was among the earliest pioneers of Sioux Falls. He was a native of Ohio. He came to Yankton and enlisted in Company A in 1862. His military record was creditable. What part he took or where he abided after the war, we have been unable to ascertain. (G. W. K.)

Anderson, Edward

Edward Anderson was a Norwegian who was one of the recruits secured by Captain Miner at Vermillion. His military record was an honorable one. Retiring from the service with Company A in 1865, he settled on a claim northwest of Vermillion where he resided when last reported, and was known as a prosperous farmer. If living he is about four score years of age. '(G. W. K.)

Anderson, Michael

Michael Anderson, a young man and a Norwegian, was a pioneer' of the lower James valley and enlisted in Company A, probably under recruiting officer Fowler of the Yankton district. He was an efficient soldier and an exemplary young man. After the war he settled on the James River land and was there, hale and hearty, when last heard from. (G. W. K.)

Andrews, Cornelius

Cornelius Andrews was an American born and bred, and lived at Vermillion at the time of his enlistment in Company A. He was a married man, by occupation a farmer, made a faithful soldier and was mustered out with the company at Vermillion in 1865, and went back to his farm. His present whereabouts are pot known, but if he is living he is about 80 years of age. (G. W. K.)

Bell, John

Bellows, Benjamin

Benj. F. Bellows was a member of Company A, and was dismissed from the service before his term expired. (G. W. K.)

Bellows, George

George Bellows was a native of the United States, about 23 years old, a married man, who had taken a claim near Vermillion where he resided at the time of his enlistment in Company A. He returned to his farm after being mustered out, but of his subsequent career we have no information. (G. W. K) See roster of Company B.

Bellows, Henry

Henry Bellows was probably a younger brother of George and unmarried. Was a native of an eastern state. He held a claim near Vermillion when he enlisted in Company A, and returned to it when he was honorably discharged from the service in 1865. If living he would be about 75 years of age. (G. W. K.)

Benedict, William W.  

W. W. Benedict was born at Providence, Lucerne County, Pa., February 5, 1831. Emigrated by way of New York to Austin, Minn., in 1858 and thence by way of Dixon county, Nebraska in 1860 and then canoed across the river to Vermillion D. T., where he settled in 1860 with his family and took up land. He joined the army in 1862, and served with credit to the end of the war. Returning to civil life he removed to eastern Yankton County and became a prominent citizen of the county. He acquired a competency and later went to the Black Hills where he prospered, returning to Springfield, where he resides with his daughter's family. He is now about 82 years old and in fairly good health. (G. W. K.)

Betz, John

John Betz was a member of Company A, and belonged to the German colony that made the first early settlement west of the James in what is now Yankton County. He was a farmer, and was honorably discharged from service in 1865, after which he found a wife, Miss Doritta Donaldson, and settled on his early pre-emption. His death occurred a few years later, and his widow became the wife of John Woodman. (G. W. K.)

Bradley, (John) George

John Bradley born in Ireland, was a brother of Henry Bradley, of Yankton, both among the earliest of Dakota's pioneers, and both having served in the regular army John Bradley re-entered the service in 1861 by enlisting in Company A and serving throughout the war. He was honorably discharged, settled at Yankton, and resided with his brother Henry who was a hotel keeper. John died at Yankton about 20 years ago.

Campbell, David

David Campbell had been a Missouri river steamboat pilot prior to enlisting in Company A in the winter of 1861-2. He was a single man, about 40 years old, and made an excellent soldier. He settled at Yankton on retiring from the army and engaged as a pilot on the Government snag-boats which were then destroying the nests of snags with which the upper river abounded to the serious hindrance of navigation. He went to the Black Hills in 1877. (G. W. K.)

Claude, John

John Claude was a native of old Prance, came to Yankton County and took up land in the neighborhood of the German colony near James River. He was a single man and enlisted in Company A in the winter of 1861-2 His military services were decidedly creditable and at times exceedingly hazardous and arduous. He returned to his land at the close of the war, found a wife, cultivated his farm for a few years and then removed, but where to we have been unable to ascertain. (G. W. K.)

Collins, John

John Collins was a pioneer of the Missouri and Vermillion valley region and enlisted in Company A under Capt. Miner. He was a married man. He was a prominent man among those who laid the foundations of Dakota's settlement and was prominently identified with early common school work. His son, Edward C. Collins, who resided at Elk Point became one of the State Superintendents of Schools. Mr Collins' record as a soldier was one of the best. He settled in. Union county at the close of the war. (G. W. K.)

Cramer, Joseph

Cummings, James

Cusek, (Cusick) Nelson W.

Nelson Cusick was a young farmer who by himself or by his parents had taken up land east of the Vermillion in 1860. He enlisted in Company A under Capt. Miner who was recruiting' officer for the Vermillion district, no counties having- as yet been defined, in the winter of 1861-2, being- one of a number of the earliest immigrants to the Territory. Cusick was of Norwegian parentage. He served with credit during the war and was mustered out with the company at Vermillion, in the spring of 1865. He was living on his farm three miles east of Vermillion (G. W. K.)

Deloney, (Delaney) Sahil

Ellingson, Neils

Neils Ellingson enlisted from the Vermillion district during the winter of 1861-2. He had taken up land west of the lower Vermillion River not far from the old town of Vermillion under the bluffs which was washed away in the great flood of 1881. Neils' record as a soldier entitled him to an honorable discharge, which he received. The entire company received an official commendation at the time of its "muster out" and it was because of the uniform excellent soldierly deportment of the members of the company that we get no occasion to note the promotion of its private members, who were worthy of promotion, but no vacancies were open "for cause." Ellingson died several years ago at his farm home west of Vermillion. (G. W. K.)

Felling, Nicholas

Fisher, Michael

Michael Fisher was a pioneer of the Territory, coming out from Pennsylvania in the fall of 1860. He reached Sioux City late in the season, and walked from that point to Yankton carrying his baggage on the end of a cane across his shoulder. He was a brother of David Fisher, the blacksmith, a single man, about 21 years old. He enlisted in Company A, in 1861, but owing to poor health did not serve out the term of enlistment. Retiring from military service, he learned the printer's trade in the office of the weekly Dakotan, which occupation he followed for several years. He married a Michigan lady about 1864, built a dwelling-house on the northwest corner of Second and Linn streets, wherein he made his home until death came at the close of a long and painful illness. He served as Justice of the Peace two terms in Yankton. He left a widow, one son and one daughter. (G. W. K.)

Fjeltvet, Herman P.

Floeder, Julius

Ford, John O.

John G. Ford enlisted in Company A at Vermillion in the winter of 1861-2. His name was Ferde and his nationality Norwegian but as the name was pronounced Ford he finally adopted it. He was a single man and farmer, and retired from the service with an honorable discharge. He died in Clay county in 1885 (G. W. K.)

Frick, Louis

Louis Frick was a German and a younger brother of Thomas Frick. He became a member of Company A and made an excellent military record, crossing the Bad Lands with Sully in 1864. After quitting the service in 1865, he took a homestead in the valley of the Jim River south of Henry Strunk's, and three and a half miles from Yankton. . He was an adventurer and went to the Black Hills in 1877, and finally drifted away to the Pacific coast, where becoming incapacitated for labor, he entered the California Soldier's home, and died there. He was not a married man. (G. W. K.)

Frick (Frek) Thomas

Thomas Frick was a member of Company A which he joined during the winter of 1861-2. He was a native of Leighenstein, Germany; emigrated to America in 1852, settled in Iowa and remained there until 1859, removing with his family to Dakota Territory in August 1859, where he took a pre-emption on the west bank of the James river 4 miles northeast of the townsite of Yankton which was laid out the same year. The public land had not been surveyed, and he took a "squatter's right" and joined the "Yankton Claim Club," an organization for the defense of this class of early settlers. Mr. Frick was about 30 years of age at this time and a staunch Democrat. He was also a public spirited citizen. His pioneer cabin stood near the bank of the river, and when the Little Crow outbreak occurred in August 1862, a band of Indians made a hostile excursion down the river valley on the east side and poured a volley of bullets into the logs which composed the structure, but it was not occupied, the family having been removed to Yankton the day before. Frick's military record was highly honorable. He resumed farming on his claim at the close of the war in 1865, and remained on his pre-emption, prospering and rearing a family that is a credit to the- State. One of his sons owns and cultivates the old place to this day, the old pioneer having died in 1888. He was a member of the Territorial legislature at one time and always active in promoting the public good. (G. W. K.)

Gibson (A.) John

Gray, Benj. F.

Benjamin Gray removed from Nebraska to Yankton County in 1861 and with him came quite a family of grown boys and girls. He took up land but may not have made a settlement for though nearly 50 years of age, enlisted in Company A in January 1862 and served throughout the war, retiring to Yankton at the close of hostilities and taking up his residence in the city, where he died a few years later. Mr. Gray was an American citizen. (G. W. K.)

Gray, Josiah

Josiah Gray was a son of Benjamin Gray, and enlisted in Company A, at the same time the elder Joined. He served through the war, and returned to Yankton and settled at the expiration of his military service. Here he remained several years, having married, and engaged in business which he successfully con-ducted until early in the present century, when he removed to St. Helena, Cedar county, Nebr., where he died quite suddenly, a few years later. He was an excellent citizen and won an honor-able discharge from the army. (G. W. K.)

Haggin, (J.) Zachariah

Zachariah Haggin was a pioneer of the lower James River valley in Yankton County. He occupied a tract of land in an abrupt turn of the river which was known as "Haggin's Bend." He was an American and a man with a family. His place subsequently became one of the polling places of the county. He enlisted in Company A in the late winter of 1861-2 and served to the end of the war doing efficient service. His age was in the neighborhood of 30. He remained for many years on his farm, but ceased to be a resident years ago. Can give no information of his later life. (G. W. K.)

Harrington, E. (Not in English's list but in Kingsbury's)  

E. Harrington enlisted in Company A at Vermillion in the winter of 1861-2 and served with credit through the Indian wars of the following three or four years. He resided on land west of Vermillion after being honorably discharged from the service, but we have no reliable information concerning- him for several years. He was an American farmer. (G. W. K.)

Hart, Benj.

Benjamin Hart was a young man about 21, of good education and engaging manners, who enlisted in Company A at Yankton. He impressed one as a young gentleman who had seen something of the ways of men and women of the world, and was not averse to witnessing more of it. Frontier soldiering was a new experience but he was never known to object to scalping the foe when nothing milder would bring the desired results. He came out of the war weather beaten but otherwise victorious, and remained at Yankton and Bon Homme a number of years, going to the Black Hills in 1876. He had been fairly well educated, was evidently capable of taking care of himself, and while nothing was known to his Yankton chums of his later life, all who remember his genial presence would wish him well (G. W. K.)

Hobler, P. F. (Not in English's list but in Kingsbury's)

Hosick (Hoosick) George

George Hoosick was an American, a single man about 25 years of age when he enlisted in Company A in 1862. He was an industrious citizen and enterprising. Owing to failing health he was released from the service and returned to Yankton, where he built a chalkstone residence of attractive proportions which is still in use as a comfortable dwelling. Later Mr. Hoosick was married to a daughter of Benjamin Gray and removed to Kansas about 1880, where he engaged in a profitable business. It is many years since we have had any information concerning him or his family. (G. W. K.)

Johnson, John

John Johnson who was a member of Company A was born in Norway and came to America with his parents in the last year of President Fillmore's administration. The family settled in, Minnesota and after a few years removed to North Bend, Nebraska, where young John was located in 1859 or 1860 and from whence they crossed the Missouri river and settled near the lakes in the lower James River valley. John enlisted in the early spring of 1862 joining the recruited squad under Lieut. Fowler. He proved to be one of the most capable soldiers in the company, always ready for duty. He held a claim near the lakes, and it may be that he took it up after he was discharged in 1865, for he had a farm and home near Gayville, and died there in 1877. (G. 'W. K.)

Kinney, James

James Kinney, a worthy soldier and member of Company A during the Civil War, may have enlisted from Sioux City or from Covington, Nebraska. He was a single man and an American. After the war he took up steamboat employment for a time and was Captain of the ferry boat that plied between Springfield and Santee. He was identified with Covington, Neb. for a number of years. (G. W. K.)

Larson, Ole B.

Ole B. Larson, who subsequently became quite a prominent citizen of Clay County, enlisted in Company A at Vermillion under Capt. Miner in the winter of 1861-62. He was a young Norwegian farmer of superior intelligence and served his adopted country faithfully during the long Sioux Indian war which continued until it was starved out by General Sully in his Bad Lands campaign of 1864, in which Larson with Company A participated with marked credit. After his discharge from the service Larson became a Clay County farmer, and was later elected to the Territorial legislature. He was conducting his farm work and was hale and hearty when this scribe heard of him in 1915. Larson had a reputation for efficiency, ability and honesty. (G. W. K.)

Lathrop, Merril G.

Merril G. Lathrop, occupation unknown, but probably farmer. Probably son of Marcellus Lathrop who was one of the pioneers of Vermillion, coming there from North Bend, Nebr., in 1860. He enlisted in Co. A, in 1861, was a single man, age about 25, and an excellent soldier. He served to the close of the war, and within a few years thereafter removed east, took up the study of theology and became finally an evangelist, in which work he was quite successful. (G. W. K.)

Lewesson (C. Lewison) Ole

Ole Lewison was a young Norwegian claim holder when he enlisted in Company A, under recruiting officer Lieut. Fowler, in the winter of 1861-2. He was well educated and entered the army as a matter of principle. He felt that his country needed him and it was his bounden duty to take up arms in its defense. His record as a soldier was above reproach and he was among those most respected when the time came for the boys to return to civil life. He became a Clay County farmer, selecting his claim northwest of Vermillion. He served his legislative district a term or two in the Territorial Legislature. He died several years ago, and left his family well provided for. His sons are still conducting the pioneer farm. (G. W. K.)

Long, Charles

Charles Long was an American-German, a single man, and enlisted in Company A at Yankton. He was one of the most useful of soldiers, being an expert butcher. At the close of the war, in company with Charles Wright, as "Long and Wright" established a meat market at Yankton. A few years later Long went to Sioux City and became immersed in the commercial affairs of that rapidly growing metropolis, and was soon lost to his Dakota friends. (G. W. K.)

Ludwig, Jacob

Jacob Ludwig enlisted in Company A at Yankton. He was an American-German and an enterprising young man. His occupation was that of a brick mason and in 1874 he built the Pacific Hotel on Cedar Street, Yankton, opposite the Masonic Temple, and became a hotel keeper. He remained in Yankton County for a number of years. He was married to a Yankton lady and finally removed to LeMars, Iowa, and thence to Kansas, where illness or other misfortunes overtook him. He then entered the Soldier's Home of that state, where he died. (G. W. K.)

McBee, James H.

James H. McBee died in hospital at Fort Randall, during his term of enlistment. (G. W. K.)

McClellan, John, of Sioux Falls

John McClellan, who came to his death in Sioux Falls in 1899 through being crushed under the elevator in the Van Epps Building, was of Irish birth, but as to his age and life nothing is known except that he came to Sioux Falls in 1857 and took a quarter section of land within the townsite which laid the foundation of the fortune which has for 18 years occupied the courts of South Dakota.

McLeese, Thomas A.

Thomas A. McLeese was of Scotch parentage, and probably from Canada to Detroit, Mich. He came out to Dakota from that place in 1859 with Mr. Redfield, the first Yankton Indian Agent, as the agency carpenter, and laid the foundations of Greenwood, the Yankton Indian Agency village. He was a married man with no children, and in 1860 removed with his wife and brother-in-law, Mr. 'Bordino,' to Yankton, and assisted in constructing the first log cabins of the first capital city. He built the McLeese House and kept hotel after the pioneer fashion. He enlisted in Company A in 1862 and served with credit during the long campaign against the Sioux Indians, and was mustered out with the company at Vermillion in 1865, bearing the badge of "well done, good and faithful servant." He then returned to Yankton, engaged in the building industry and was employed with the public land surveying parties, finally drifting away to the Black Hills in 1876, and farther west. We have no tidings of this man's subsequent career. (G. W. K.)

Maskell, (Markell) John

John Maskell was a member of Company A and one of its early members. We get no trace of his residence or employment until some years after the company was mustered out. We find that he was living on a farm on Lime Creek, Cedar County, Nebr., in 1885. He was then a farmer and forging ahead. (G. W. K.)

Minde, (Mind) Mathias J.

M. J. Minde was a young man and a bachelor, and an excellent musician an expert violinist. He came from Norway where the family resided in the enjoyment of much worldly wealth. Young Minde had' disappointed his father in declining a matrimonial alliance, which resulted in his abandoning the parental roof and emigrating to America and to Dakota where he enlisted in Company A and proved a valiant soldier. He remained a resident of Yankton a number of years after leaving the service, taught music principally, took a claim in the vicinity of Mission Hill, and finally removed to California where he was living when last heard from. (G. W. K.)

Morse, John J.  

John J. Morse was known as "Deacon Morse." He was appointed one of 'the first Census enumerators in 1861, by Gov. Jayne and assigned to Charles Mix and the west of the Missouri settlements including Fort Randall. He was at Sioux Falls prior to this. He enlisted in Company A among the first and served with credit. He was a single man of fair ability, and may have been a professor. Of his career after leaving the service nothing is definitely known. (G. W. K.)

Munson, Albert

Oleson, (Olson) Andrew

Andrew Olson was a son of Louis Olson, who emigrated from Norway and settled on the east bank of James river near the German settlement in 1860. Andrew was one of the oldest boys in a numerous family. He was a single man. His military record was excellent. After the war he returned to the pioneer cabin and home and assisted in farm work. His father died about 1889, having long passed the four score period of life. (G. W. K.)

Oleson, (Olson) Christian

Christian Olson was a member of the Louis Olson family, pioneers of Yankton County. An elder brother and himself became 'members of Company A. He made an excellent soldier, and returned to the parental home at the close of the war, but as to his subsequent career we have no information. (G. W. K )

Oleson, (Olson) Ole

Omeg, Peter

Peter Omeg was a naturalized citizen whose native country was Germany. He enlisted at Vermillion and his occupation was given as laborer. His military record was without a flaw. At the close of the war he obtained employment with the steamboat people, and later settled in Sioux City, and engaged in business. (G. W. K.)

Orland, Ole N.

Peters, James E.

James Peters was an early settler of Yankton County, an active steady young- man, but he contracted one of the earliest marriages in Yankton. His bride was a Nebraska girl and in order to secure her the couple eloped from the girl's parental roof, crossed the Missouri in a dug-out, made their way to the James River ferry house, where the knot was tied by Rev. Ingham, the pioneer Methodist minister of Dakota. Peters enlisted in Company A subsequently and was known as an efficient soldier always ready for duty. We cannot gain the least information regarding the subsequent career of the family. (G. W. K.)

Phelps, Loeman E.

Looman B. Phelps was an American citizen with a family consisting of wife and children, who lived on a claim near Vermillion at the time he entered the military service as a volunteer in Company A. He was then over 30 .years of age which would make him a nonagenarian if living at this date. He drifted to the Pacific coast before South Dakota became a state. (G. W. K.) (Note: spelling differences as in book)

Phelps, Oscar

Oscar Phelps was one of the early day stage drivers from Sioux City to Port Randall. He enlisted in 1862 and earned the reputation of a good soldier. He was a married man, and said to be the father-in-law of Mr. Rokusek, a prominent farmer of the present day in Yankton County. (G. W. K.)

Pierce, Henry M.

Henry M. Pierce was a citizen of the Vermillion valley at the time of his enlistment. He was an American who had come in from either Iowa or Minnesota with a wife and children. He was about 35 years old at the time and by occupation a farmer. His present whereabouts are not known to this writer. (G. W. K.)

Pike, George

George Pike, Jr. was born in Ohio, and had been a resident of Sioux City before coming into Dakota Territory in the spring of 1860. His trade was that of brick or stone mason and plaster work, but being a born frontiersman he had indulged in some adventures before settling down to army life which he did in 1861 by enlisting in Company A. He "was unmarried and his age was about 23. His military record was creditable, and after his discharge from the army he took a claim near Utica in Yankton county, which he converted into an excellent farm and followed farming for many years. He died at Yankton about 1900. A younger brother, Herbert Pike, who came with his father, is now one of the prominent citizens of the old capitol city. (G. W. K.)

Prindle, (Pringle) Timothy

Timothy Prindle was a pioneer veterinary surgeon and black-smith, but had barely begun his business at Vermillion or Yankton, before he joined Company A in 1862. He was an excellent mechanic and qualified veterinarian. He established himself in business at Yankton after the war, but being of an adventurous nature went to Montana in the early years of the occupation of that Territory. (G. W. K.)

Ramsey, (R. A. Ranney) Peter A.

Robeart, Fred

Fred Robeart was the son or young brother of Antoine Robeart, a Canadian Frenchman who opened a business house in Yankton during the winter of 1861-2, and handled a restaurant and sold liquors at retail, the first of its kind in the Territory of Dakota. Fred enlisted in Company A at Yankton, and became an excellent cavalryman. He was a single man, about 21 years of age at enlistment. We know nothing of Fred's career after leaving the army, his father or elder brother removing from Yankton in 1865. (G. W. K.)

Sherman, Philip

Philip Sherman was an American, married, who occupied a pre-emption claim quite close to Vermillion. He was quite young, not over 23. He enlisted in the winter of 1861-2, and made an efficient soldier. We have no information regarding him after his discharge in 1865 except that he returned to his pre-emption claim and proved up on it a short time after. (G. W. K.)

Snow, Henry

Snow, John B.

Snyder, William

Solburger, (Solberger) John

John Solberger was a native of Prussia and had seen military service in the fatherland. He settled with the James River Ger-man colony in Yankton County in 1860, and his relatives and descendants are cultivating his pioneer farm to this day. He en-listed in Company A in 1861-2, and four years later was given an honorable discharge, when he returned to his farm which remained his home as long as he lived. Through his descendants his name has become familiar to the present generation, and the "old Solberger place" is one of the landmarks of the James River valley. (G. W. K.)

Tallman, John

John Tallman enlisted in Company. A at Vermillion under Captain Miner. He was a single man, and highly esteemed by his comrades. He met death during his term of enlistment. He went out from the Vermillion camp one cold evening in December 1864 to secure a deer that he had discovered in the forest at that point, and was overcome by the cold of the night. A search-ing- party found him in a sitting posture, his back to a tree, lifeless, rigidly frozen. The incident cast a gloom over the camp and the community where he was well and favorably known. (G. W. K.)

Tate, Thomas J.  

Thomas Tate, came to Dakota July 10, 1859 with the Shober party and settled at Bon Homme. He died at the Soldier's Home April 1, 1910, aged 71 years. He was one of the builders of the famous Bon Homme log school house in 1859 or 1860, the first school house in the Territory of Dakota. He enlisted in Company A at Bon Homme and was one of the youngest of its members. 'He was famous as a speaker, and quite popular with the company members. It was said of him that he was never seen 'n an angry mood. He established a city water service at Yankton after leaving the army, hauling the water from the Missouri river and delivering it to the city consumers at 25 cents a barrel. He accumulated considerable money but competition destroyed the profitable feature of the business. He never married. (G. W. K.)

Trucks, (Trake) Abraham J.

Trumbo, John

John Trumbo was a pioneer of Clay County and enlisted in Company A at Vermillion early in 1862. He was an American and an enterprising young man with ambition to become useful to his fellow men. At the close of the war, or probably some years later he became identified with Charles Mix County and was chosen its legislative representative for several years after South Dakota became a state. (G. W. K.)

Wambole, Charles

Weeks, (Weegs) Thomas H.  

Thomas H. Weeks was a pioneer of Vermillion and held a claim near there when he enlisted in Company A, under Captain Miner. He was a young man of prominence among the pioneers of that day. At the close of his military service he conducted a farm about 7 miles northwest of Vermillion but because of ill health removed many years ago to Colorado. Knute, a brother, resides at Vermillion. Norway is the parent country of Thomas and his brother. One or both the brothers have represented Clay County in the Territorial legislature. (G. W. K.)

Will, (Wells) Joachim

Joachim Wells was a young married man at the time of his enlistment in Company A early in 1862, one of the youngest members of the Company. His occupation cannot be given, but it is morally certain that he had taken a pre-emption claim, the homestead law not having been enacted until later in 1862. Joachim had a wife but no children. We do not find him or his descendants in the list of Clay County people at the present day. (G.' W. K.)

Wood, Bucklin H.

Bucklin Wood was a pioneer of 1861, and a younger brother of Hon. Bligh Wood, prominent in our early political history. He enlisted in Company A at Vermillion, and became one of the best soldiers. He was a single man before his enlistment, but married after quitting the service. He remained in Yankton until the Black Hills were opened, became a pioneer of the gold regions, and returned and settled in Bon Homme County, at Tyndall, later than 1880. He was residing at Tyndall in good circumstances until about 1911 when he was stricken suddenly with a malady that ended his life. (G. W. K.)

Woodruff, Henry

Henry Woodruff was a resident of the East Vermillion settle-ment in 1861 and entered the government military service in 1862 by enlisting in Company A. He was of patriotic American stock and a native of an eastern state. He completed his term of enlistment with honor and in 1865 returned to Clay County and opened a farm on the public lands where he resided and prospered for a number of years. He was one of those who aided materially in making the reputation of Clay County as the leading agricultural county of Dakota. (G. W. K.)