DALTON, Henry J. M., was born in Lincolnshire, England, November 26, 1853, and received a classical education.  He engaged as broker in cotton at Liverpool for several years, and came to the United States in 1880.  He first located at Le Mars, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for five years; then removed to Luverne, Minnesota, where he resided two years, and came to Sioux Falls in the early part of May, 1887, accompanied by his brother.  During that year they established the Queen City Bottling Works at Sioux Falls under the firm name of Dalton Bros., for the manufacture of mineral waters of all descriptions; and since that time they have continued to do a successful business.  Henry still enjoys single blessedness, and is a genial good fellow, and a good citizen.

DANIELS, Edmund J., was born in St. Albans, Vermont, November 22, 1855.  When a lad he attended the village school, but at the age of thirteen became a clerk in a dry good store, and from that time to the present writing has been engaged in some capacity in the dry good business.  For a while he was a clerk in Providence, R.I., but in 1878 went to Minneapolis, where he remained in the employ of Goodfellow & Eastman for two years.  He then entered into copartnership with Harry Hornefius, and in the fall of 1880 they removed to Sioux Falls and immediately commenced business in general merchandise on Phillips avenue in what has since been known as the “Checkered Front,” under the firm name of Dan and Harry.  The firm was enterprising and soon commanded a large trade.  On the 8th day of August, 1885, the firm was dissolved by mutual consent; Mr. Daniels continuing the business.  He did not commence business in Sioux Falls in a dugout, but the original little “Checkered Front” he first occupied would bear no comparison to the splendid store he now occupies, it being the finest and best equipped store in the city, if not in the state.  He is a merchant in all that the name implies.  Although a good citizen, he never meddles with anything but business.  He is a thorough business man.

DAVIS, Park, the subject of this sketch, is better known to the writer than any other person who name is mentioned in this book.  In the fall of 1853 he attended the Leland Seminary in Townshend, Vt., and the acquaintanceship formed at that time resulted a few years later in a copartnership for the practice of law at St. Albans, Vt.  Mr. Davis was born in Athens, Vt., September 24, 1837.  His father was a farmer, but died when Park was twelve years of age, and his mother died a year later.  Under the direction of a guardian, he worked on a farm during his minority, except when attending school.  He entered Middlebury college at Middlebury, Vt., in 1858, and graduated in 1862.  He studied law in the law office of Butler & Wheeler, at Jamaica, Vt., and was admitted to practice in September, 1864.  On February 3, 1865, he commenced the practice of his profession at St. Albans, Vt., with D. R. Bailey under the firm name of Bailey & Davis, and remained in the practice of law at that place until the fall of 1879, when, in company with H.F. Stevens who was then his law partner, he changed his place of business to the city of St. Paul, Minn., and there remained in practice under the firm name of Davis & Stevens until September, 1881.  At the last mentioned date he entered into copartnership with a brother-in-law, in the pork packing business at Albany, N.Y., under the firm name of Gary & Davis.  On January 1, 1886, the old firm of Bailey & Davis was renewed at Sioux Falls, and during the summer following Mr. Davis built his residence on Dakota avenue and removed his family to Sioux Falls, and commenced again the practice of law September 11.  In January, 1889, W.H. Lyon was added to the firm, but soon after Mr. Bailey’s retiring in November, 1890, the firm of Davis, Lyon & Gates was established, and they are now engaged in the practice of law.  Mr. Davis is a thoroughly well read lawyer, and during his long practice has been engaged in a great many important cases.  He is a conservative, conscientious legal adviser, and when employed, his client gets his services to the full extent of his ability.  His standing among the legal fraternity is evidenced by the following request, signed by thirty-six members of the Minnehaha county bar July 26, 1889:
“HON. PARK DAVIS, Sioux Falls, Dakota:
     The undersigned, members of the bar of Minnehaha county, respectfully and earnestly request, that you permit yourself to become a candidate for the office of judge of the circuit court of the second judicial circuit of the state of South Dakota, at the election in October next.”
     In 1874 he represented St. Albans in the Vermont legislature, serving with recognized ability and influence.  For several years he was Grand Master of the Masons of Vermont, and was the author of a treatise on Masonic offenses, trials and restoration, prescribing full forms of procedure, which was adopted by the Grand Lodge of Vermont and incorporated in the Monitor.  Since coming to South Dakota he has held the office of Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons, and other important Masonic offices.  He is a good neighbor, a steadfast friend, a social, genial gentleman, and a respected citizen.

DARLING, Mrs. Mary H., was born in Belgrade, Maine, December 29, 1801, and died in Sioux Falls March 26, 1898.  Her maiden name was Mary H. Buffington.  In 1826, she was married to the Rev. J.W. Darling, a Free Will Baptist minister, who died at Freeport, Illinois, in 1868.  In 1882, she came with her daughters, Mrs. Rowland and Miss Ella L. Darling, to Sioux Falls, where she resided until her decease.  “Grandma Darling” as she was called by those who knew her, was a woman of more than ordinary strength of character.  She had a purpose in living.  She took an active interest in all the public questions of the day, and her sympathies were keenly enlisted in the Cuban cause during her last days.  Living such a life, covering nearly a century, made rich and great by the devotion of noble, good women, it is no wonder that she was a grand good woman herself.

DAY, Charles Manley, was born at Sidney, Iowa, November 4, 1863.  He is a son of the Hon. James G. Day of Des Moines, Iowa, who for fourteen years was one of the supreme court judges of Iowa.  During his early youth he attended the public schools and then entered Tabor college where he was graduated in 1886, and is at the present time one of the trustees of this institution.  His newspaper work commenced while in college, by reporting for newspapers in Iowa and editing the college paper.  Immediately after completing his course of study at Tabor college he came to Sioux Falls, arriving on the 10th day of July, 1886.  He was at once employed by the Goddard Brothers on the Argus, and from that time to the present writing he has been connected with the paper, except for ten days when the Argus-Leader was taking a vacation from the 1st to the 10th day of November, 1889.  During this time Mr. Day was at work on the Sioux Falls Press.  After the purchase of the Argus-Leader by Tomlinson & day, and the responsibility of conducting a daily newspaper was assumed by them, Mr. Day developed into a strong newspaper man.  He was equally at home as city editor or editor-in-chief, and it required an expert to determine by a perusal of the columns of the paper while he was actively connected with it which one of the two was in charge of the heavy work upon any particular day.  In 1897, he was appointed deputy postmaster in the Sioux Falls post-office, but he still retains his interest in the Argus-Leader and writes its editorials.  He is a man of excellent good sense, stands well socially, is an obliging neighbor, and a thoroughly good citizen.

DETLIE, Stengrim O., is a native of Norway, and was born April 17, 1842.  He received a common school education, and worked for an English carriage manufacturer in Norway several years.  He emigrated to the United States in 1866, arriving in Chicago in April of that year.  He remained in Chicago until August following, when he went to Union county, Dakota, and took up a homestead and engaged in farming for ten years.  In 1876, he was employed by the government at the Crow Creek Indian Agency, and remained there until 1886, when he removed to Sioux Falls.  In the fall of that year he bought a half interest in Martin Olson’s carriage and blacksmithing business, and the copartnership of Olson & Detlie was then formed.  In 1894, the firm erected a store building 50 by 90 feet, three stories high, on Seventh street, between Main and Dakota avenues, where they have since been engaged in the manufacture of carriages.  Mr. Detlie was instrumental in the organization of the United Norwegian Lutheran church in Sioux Falls, and has been the superintendent of its affairs since its organization, and the fact that the congregation has a commodious church building in which to worship is largely attributable to Mr. Detlie’s enterprise and efforts.  He is an energetic business man, and a good citizen.

DICKSON, Joseph M., was born in Logan county, Ohio, January 14, 1840.  Attended public schools and worked in a tannery for some time, and then worked on a farm in Illinois until August 10, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. F, 125th Illinois Infantry, and served until June 29, 1865.  After his discharge he engaged in farming until 1867 when he moved to Bloomfield, Iowa, and went into the hotel and livery business, in which he continued until he removed to this county.  He arrived in Sioux Falls the last day of February, 1871, and took up a pre-emption and homestead in Mapleton township, in sections twenty-nine and twenty-two, which he farmed until 1880, when he assumed the duties of sheriff of Minnehaha county, to which office he was elected in 1879, receiving the unanimous vote of the county; was re-elected in 1881 and 1883, holding the office six years; was then chief of police in Sioux Falls three years and on the police force in all six years.  December 28, 1898 he removed to the State of Washington.  Mr. Dickson was one of the best known men in the county, a good neighbor and a highly esteemed citizen.

DIXON, Simon H., was born in Star(k) county, Ohio, October 13, 1832.  He attended the public schools and worked on a farm until he was twenty-three years old.  He then went to Iowa and for three years was engaged as a contractor and builder, and then resumed the occupation of farming.  In 1862 he enlisted in Co. G, 35th Iowa Inf., and was elected captain of the company at the time it was organized and served through the war.  He then returned to Iowa, and remained there engaged in farming until he removed to Sioux Falls in March, 1892.  While a resident of Iowa he held several town offices and was appointed by the governor as commissioner at large from the state of Iowa to the Cotton Exposition at New Orleans.  Since coming to Sioux Falls he has been engaged in the real estate business.  At the Republican county convention of Minnehaha county, in 1898, he was nominated clerk of the courts, but the Republicans were in the minority.  Captain Dixon is a good citizen and an active participator in all public matter, and, for the short time he has resided in the county has a host of friends.

DONAHOE, Den, was born in Canada February 14, 1861.  He removed to Iowa with his parents when only three years of age and from there removed to Chicago during the winter of 1871, where he worked in his father’s brick yard when not attending school.  In 1878 his parents came to Sioux Falls, and Den was one of a large family who accompanied them.  Again Den went to work in his father’s brick yard, and continued in that occupation until he was appointed deputy warden at the penitentiary under Daniel S. Glidden, who was then the warden.  He held this position two years.  During the years 1893-4 was deputy sheriff under Sheriff George W. Knott, and had his office at the court house.  The following two years he was engaged in the ice business in Sioux Falls.  In 1896 he received the nomination for sheriff of this county by the Democratic and Populist parties and was elected, and in 1898 was re-elected.  Mrs. Donahoe make a good official, is a good citizen, and, as the official returns in 1896 and 1898 demonstrate, has a host of friends.

DONOVAN, Joseph Mitchell, was born in the beautiful town of Littleton, New Hampshire, on the 28th day of April, 1866.  He was graduated from the high school at Littleton in 1884; then went to Georgetown, D.C., and attended the Georgetown University, receiving the degree of A.M. in 1887, and the degree of LL.B. in 1889.  He was admitted to the bar of the District of Columbia in June, 1889, and in October of that year removed to Sioux Falls, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law.  He has had quite a large special practice, and if appearances are to count he is not suffering for the wherewithal to clothe and nourish his body.  Always a gentleman, genial and companionable. he is well liked by the profession and a large circle of acquaintances.

DOOLITTLE, William T., was born in Loudenville, Ohio, March 30, 1849.  He attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and then entered a railroad machine shop as an apprentice.  When nineteen years old he became a locomotive engineer, and since March, 1873, has been engineer on passenger trains.  He was in charge of the first passenger engine that ran into Sioux Falls, and, except for a little more than a year, has been the engineer on the passenger train between Sioux Falls and Worthington, Minnesota, since then.
     In 1879, an incident occurred which gave him an unexpected vacation for thirty days.  He was engineer of the train which during that year started out from Worthington with R.F. Pettigrew and a Mr. Bottineau on board, each of them having in his pocket a deed which he was particularly anxious to get on record in Sioux Falls first, and was induced by Mr. Pettigrew to detach the engine about two miles east of the city and bring Mr. Pettigrew in on the engine.  Mr. Bottineau made complaint to the superintendent of the road, Mr. John F. Lincoln, stating the facts and demanding $50,000 damages.  Superintendent Lincoln sent for Engineer Doolittle, and when he appeared the following colloquy took place:  “William, if what is told is true I am afraid you have got the company into trouble.  I am told you detached your engine and took a party into Sioux Falls that he might get a deed on record before another passenger who had a deed to the same property could do so.  Is this true?”  Mr. Doolittle – “It is.”  Mr. Lincoln—“I could not believe you would do such an act.  The party having the other deed says he is damaged $50,000 by the transaction, and demands your dismissal, and threatens to sue the company for damages.”  Mr. Doolittle—“If my dismissal will appease the wrath of the gentleman it is a small matter; but as to the damages, that is another thing.”  Here Mr. Doolittle, who had been advised of all the facts in the case, related them to the superintendent, and told him it was simply a robbing scheme and so satisfied the superintendent that it was true, that he ended the interview by bringing his fist down on his desk, saying:  “Let him sue, he can’t recover a cent; but William, you need a rest of thirty or sixty days; take a vacation; I will see that your pay goes right along.”
     Mr. Doolittle resides with his family in Sioux Falls, and was elected alderman from the First ward in 1896, and re-elected in 1898, and has been president of the council since May, 1897.  He is prominent in Masonic circles, and at this writing (1898) is Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar of South Dakota.  Socially and as a citizen he stands well, and has a host of friends.

DOW, Wallace A., was born in Croydon, New Hampshire, September 21, 1844.  His father was a carpenter and building contractor, and the subject of this sketch attended the village school and worked at his father’s trade during his youth.  For awhile he was engaged by the War department in secret work, but before twenty-one years of age he engaged in the steam heating business.  For three years he was learning what he could of this business with the view of aiding him in what he proposed to become his occupation for life, namely that of an architect.  For the next three years he was at work with a competent architect at Concord, New Hampshire, and then, until he came West, was engaged in architectural work and as a contractor and builder at Newport, N.H.  In the fall of 1880 he came to Pierre, in this state, and the following February was appointed by the Governor one of the board of directors having in charge the building of the state penitentiary at Sioux Falls.  He was chairman of the board four years, and during that time the penitentiary was built and put in operation.  Since the completion of that institution he has been engaged principally in architectural work, and has made the plans for nearly all the public institutions in the state.  He is undoubtedly the best known and most competent architect in South Dakota.  Mr. Dow is a man of positive character, and any project that he may champion is sure of persistent, earnest support.  He is an enterprising, respected citizen.

DUNNING, Lyman T., was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, July 26, 1847.  He spent his minority at work on a farm and in obtaining an education in the district and city schools.  At about twenty-two years of age he entered employment in a drug store, and worked in the capacity of clerk until he came to Sioux Falls in July, 1873.  Soon after his arrival he opened a drug store at this place, and from that time to the present writing has done a successful drug business.  In 1880 he was elected one of the trustees of the Village Board, and in 1881 was elected its president.  He has never been a politician, but has attended strictly to business and has been successful.  He can justly be numbered as one of our best citizens, not only on account of his personal characteristics but because of his public-spirited attitude on questions affecting the interests of the city.