ABBOTT, George W., was born in Sandwich, New Hampshire, October 10, 1858.  His father was a farmer, and the subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and knows what farm work is from experience.  He was educated at the public schools and at the high school and Phillips Academy at Exeter, N.H.  At the age of twenty he went to Colorado as secretary for a mining expert, and remained there until he removed to Dakota in 1882.  He settled in what is now McIntosh county, North Dakota.  He helped organize the county, and was its first superintendent of schools.  He was also appointed postmaster at Ashley, and was the first postmaster in McIntosh county.  During this time he had a cattle ranch and was also engaged in merchandising.  In 1887, he sold out his interest and removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and engaged in the furniture and hardware business until 1891, when he removed to Sioux Falls and became the general manager of the Co-operative Loan and Savings Association of that place.  He occupied that position until September, 1894, when he resigned, and organized the Union Savings Association of Sioux Falls, and since then has devoted his time in promoting the interests of this association as its general manager.  Mr. Abbott is an active, energetic business man and an enterprising and respected citizen.

AIKENS, Frank R., the subject of this sketch – although he for several years resided at Canton, Lincoln county, since coming to Dakota – is so well known to the residents of Minnehaha county, and has been so closely identified with her affairs, that he is entitled to a more extensive notice than will appear incidentally upon the pages of this work.  He was born in the city of New York,. December 14, 1855, and entered a law office so young, that he practically received his education in a law office.  After five years of study was admitted to the bar January 5, 1877, and commenced the practice of law at Rome, N.Y., where he remained until August, 1880, when he went to Sioux Falls, and from there to Canton, where he opened a law office on the 1st day of September following.  From the first he had a good practice, took an active part in politics, and in 1885 was elected to the provisional state senate; and also elected to, and served in the territorial assembly, 1887, and 1889; was chairman of the judiciary committee in 1887, and served on the same committee in 1889, and was practically its chairman; was a prominent and influential member of the legislature during both sessions, and was recognized as one of its ablest debaters.  He is always clear, concise and forcible in presenting his views, and has enough of the orator in his composition to command the attention of any audience he may address.  On the 19th day of March, 1889, was appointed associate justice of the territorial supreme court, and the following October was elected judge of the second judical circuit for the term of four years.  At the expiration of his term of office as judge he resumed the practice of law at Canton until July, 1895, at which time he removed to Sioux Falls and entered into copartnership with the firm of Bailey & Voorhees for the practice of law, under the firm name of Aiken, Bailey & Voorhees, and was the trial layer of the firm during its existence, which terminated in October, 1897.  On the 22d day of that month he formed a partnership with Harold E. Judge under the firm name of Aiken & Judge, which partnership will continues.
     Wile upon the bench he was a good listener, always self-possessed, and understood thoroughly the case he was trying, and if he had not been so big-hearted would have laid down the law cold enough to satisfy the most exacting lawyer.  Young, active and sagacious, with strong inclinations to take a hand in the affairs of the state, it is not too much to predict that thirty years from now the foregoing sketch will be remarkable for its brevity.

ADLRICH, Herbert Clark, is a native of Vermont and was born January 13, 1845.  In 1850 he removed to Illinois with his parents, and resided a few years in Iowa, and finally in September, 1872, came to Sioux Falls and bought the southwest quarter of section 13, and settled down to farming.  He has held several town offices.  A few years ago he rented his farm and came to the city of Sioux Falls and engaged in the grocery business.  He was a good farmer and is well liked as a business man, and is a thoroughly good citizen.

ALMOS, Andrew O., was born in Norway November 22, 1849, and was raised on a farm.  He emigrated to Lansing, Iowa, in 1870, and worked there at the carpenter’s trade seven years.  He came to Sioux Falls May 12, 1878, and since then has been engaged as a contractor and builder.  He built the Lowell school house, and the Lutheran Normal school buildings, and several of the best residences in the city, and has also built a number of churches in the county.  He is a good citizen.

ARCHER, Thomas E., is a native of Stafforshire, England, and was born February 12, 1837; attended the public schools, worked on a farm and in the butcher business until he emigrated to this country with his parents in 1851, and settled in Iowa; engaged in farming until 1881, when he went to Brule county, Dakota, and opened a meat marker, and also engaged in farming until April, 1888, when he came to Sioux Falls and opened a meat market in the Waples block.  In 1890 went to Rowena, and opened a meat market there, but retuned to Sioux Falls, and for several years has been established on Main avenue in the meat business.  He is a good citizen.

ARNSTON, Nels.  It is a little out of the alphabetical order to give a giographical sketch of Nels Arnston at this place, but Bob & Nels are always together, and we will keep them together here. *(This sketch has been placed at the end of the V's in Bailey's biographies)  He was born June 18, 1864, at Grover Springs, Minn., was reared on a farm, and received his education in the public schools and at the State Normal school at Winona, Minn.; came to Sioux Falls in 1883, and entered the store of Chris Aslesen as a clerk; went to Potter county, S.D., and remained a few months, then returned to Sioux Falls and worked for Morstad & Christopherson until 1891, when he commenced business with Robert Vreeland.  He is a good business man, a good social fellow, and a good citizen.

AVERY, Henry M., was born at Newbury, Vermont, February 2, 1849.  He removed with his parents to Walworth count, Wis., in 1857; was raised on a farm, attended public schools, and was a student at Beloit college for some time.  When he attained his majority he removed to Jackson, Minn., and started a newspaper called the Jackson Republic, and was its editor and publisher for five years.  He then sold out the paper, and engaged in the mercantile business at the same place.  In 1881, he removed to this county, and located in Sioux Falls on the 22d day of August.  He was appointed deputy clerk of the courts of Minnehaha county, and held this position until 1888.  Upon his arrival in Sioux Falls he purchased the abstract business of Charles Webber, and has continued that business since then in 1892 it was incorporated under the name of the Sioux Falls Abstract and Title Insurance Company, with a capital stock of $50,000.00.  In March, 1898, the name of this corporation was changed to the Sioux Falls Abstract Company, and Mr. Avery and wife own the majority of the stock.  He has been a member of the Sioux Falls Fire Department fourteen years, and was its chief four years.  Mr. Avery is one of Sioux Falls most energetic citizens, and an enthusiastic supporter of any project calculated to promote the prosperity of the city.