RAMSEY, William H., was born in Crawford county, Ohio, May 15, 1851; and raised on a farm and educated in the common and high schools, and was for two years a student in Oskaloosa college, and also in the Bryan and Stratton Business college, Chicago, where he was graduated.  After attaining his majority engaged in farming in Iowa until 1878, when he went into the clothing and boot and shoe business with his younger brother John H., at Harlan, Iowa.  April 6, 1889, he came to Sioux Falls, and for three years was a dealer in real estate.  Since 1891, he and his brother have been engaged in the boot and shoe business in Sioux Falls, under the firm name of Ramsey Brothers.  Mr. Ramsey is well and favorably known as a citizen, and the firm has an excellent reputation in commercial circles.

RANSOM, Charles H., was born at Chazy, New York, October 5, 1853.  When sixteen years of age he was appointed chief clerk of the post office at Plattsburg, N.Y., which position he held thirteen years.  In 1885 went to Omaha, Neb., and resided there until he removed to Sioux Falls, where he arrived on the 10th day of February, 1887.  Since that time he has been engaged in various enterprises at this place.  He engaged for awhile in the pork packing business, and was the owner of the axle-grease factory at South Sioux Falls at the time it was destroyed by fire.  During the last three years he has been engaged in the grocery business under the firm name of Ransom & Newell, and is also operating the Sioux Falls candy factory.  He has taken quite an active part in politics, and was chairman of the Republican county committee in the campaign of 1892, and was again elected to that position in 1896.  He is an enterprising, independent, outspoken, citizen, and was never known to be on the fence in reference to any public matter.  He has a large circle of warm friends.

RAVNDAL, G. Bie, is a native of Norway, and was born June 27, 1865.  He received his early education from a private tutor; then attended two different colleges and took the degree of B.A. at the University of Christiania, Norway.  In 1885 he came to the United States and went to the Black Hills in Dakota, where he engaged in lumbering, mining and freighting for about two years and a half; then went to Wisconsin and worked as assistant civil engineer in the pineries of that state.  In 1888 studied civil engineering for a short time in the Minnesota State University, and then became editor of a newspaper in Fargo, North Dakota, for two years.  In the spring of 1891 came to Sioux Falls to take editorial charge of the Syd Dakota Ekko, in which capacity he was engaged nearly seven years.  In 1893 he was elected a member of the house of representatives of the legislature of South Dakota on the Republican ticket.  He was the first president of the Northwestern Scandinavian Singing Association, and also of the Minnehaha Mandskor, and was one of the chief promoters of these enterprises.  As an editor he had the reputation of being a keen, vigorous writer, and his treatment of the topic of the day proved him to be a close observer and well informed.  In December, 1897, he received the appointment of consul to Beirut, Syria, and the following February left Sioux Falls to assume the duties of this office.  He is an energetic man, a thoroughly good citizen, and when his term of office expires will be warmly welcomed back to Sioux Falls.

REID, Alexander, was born August 13, 1856, at Aberdeen, Scotland, and came to the United States in 1880.  He learned the trade of ornamental stone cutter in his native country, and the first five years after coming here, worked at his trade in Rhode Island.  The next two years he was engaged in the same business in Wisconsin.  In 1884 he came to Sioux Falls, and since then has been operating stone quarries.  In 1890 he was elected alderman from the Fourth ward, and again in 1891-3-8.  He is a good business man, a good citizen, and a faithful, honest official.

REILEY, Eugene, was born at Burlington, Iowa, February 11, 1864.  During his early youth he attended the public schools, and was also a student at Elliott’s business college at Burlington.  His first business was that of a traveling salesman for a wholesale shoe house, and he continued in this employment until 1888.  On the 27th day of August, of that year, he came to this county and located in the city of Sioux Falls and for six years conducted the Rag Baby shoe store.  He was appointed deputy clerk of courts under W.J. Crisp, Jr., which position he still holds.  Mr. Reiley is a good citizen, makes a good official, and is well like by the patrons of the office.

ReQUA, Benson H., was born at Juneau, Wisconsin, December 3, 1858; was educated in the public schools and the Syracuse University, at Syracuse, New York, where he was graduated in 1882; taught school two years in Washington, Pennsylvania, then was in the drug business at Rochester, New York, two years, and on the 20th of September, 1887, arrived in Sioux Falls and for one year engaged in the drug business.  When the Union Trust Company was organized in 1888, he became one of its officer and managers; was elected cashier of the Union National Bank in 1893, and remained its cashier until it went into liquidation, since which time he has been assistant cashier of the Minnehaha National Bank.  For the last four years he has been treasurer of the independent school district of Sioux Falls.  Mr. ReQua is an honest, upright business man, and well liked as a neighbor and citizen.

RICE, Oscar E., was born at Wheeling, West Virginia, March 7, 1839; attended the city schools and worked in his father’s store during his youth; when he attained his majority he took an interest in his father’s business, and remained with him until 1870; then went to Cherokee, Iowa, and engaged in the hotel business for a short time; was in the lumber business in Sioux City until 1877, and then opened a millinery store at that place; during the summer of 1879 removed to Sioux Falls, where he engaged in the same business for about ten years.  Mr. Rice is a conservative man in business, a good neighbor, and a highly esteemed citizen.

RICHARDSON, Frank L., is a native of Bangor, Maine, and was born December 5, 1852.  He was raised on a farm, and received a common school education.  When fourteen years of age he commenced learning the trade of foundry-man, and at the age of twenty years went to Massachusetts, and worked at his trade until 1876; came to Sioux Falls November 25, 1877, but his family did not arrive until the 12th day of April, following, when they reached Sioux Falls, coming by team from Owatonna, Minnesota.  In July, 1878, he took up a claim on the northeast quarter of section one, in Humbolt township, where he built a house and kept up a residence in order to hold his claim, but lived principally in the city of Sioux Falls, where he had also erected a house.  He has been engaged in the real estate business more or less during the whole time of his residence in this county.  He is well known as a man of more than ordinary energy and ability, and is a good citizen.

RICKER, D.C., was born in Galesburg, Illinois, June 29, 1860; moved with his parent to Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1868; where he received his education in the common and high schools; was clerk in a grocery store at Worthington, Minnesota, and at Flandreau, South, Dakota, for some years, and located at Madison, South Dakota, in 1881, where he engaged in business with T.J. Lannon until 1885, when he moved to Vilas, this state, and kept a general store until June, 1887.  At that time he removed to Sioux Falls, where he engaged in the grocery business for ten years, and for the last two years has been engaged in the wholesale cigar business with S.F. Greenleaf, under the firm name of The Greenleaf Cigar Company, of which he is also the secretary.  He has been a member of the board of education two years, and is at the present time serving as alderman from the Third ward.  Mr. Ricker is an energetic, enterprising business man, and a highly respected citizen.

ROBBINS, James L., was born in Montgomery, Vermont, November 28, 1859.  He attended the district schools and worked in a shop as a mechanic until November, 1878, when he removed to Sioux Falls where he has since resided.  He has been an active member of the fire department for nearly fifteen years, and superintendent of the first alarm system from August 3, 1888, until May, 1897.  He is a good citizen and has a host of friends.

ROBIE, Hial P., was born in Eaton, Madison county, New York, January 8, 1851.  He removed with his parents to Minnesota in 1855.  In 1865 he went to South Bend, Indiana, and commenced to learn the printer’s trade in the office of the St. Jo Valley Register, then edited by Schuyler Colfax.  In this office he remained for several years.  In 1869 he was at work in Kansas.  In 1870 went to Taylor Falls, Minnesota, where he worked on the Reporter.  In 1873 established the Pine County News at Pine City, Minnesota, but sold out this paper at the end of two years, and started the Rush City Post at Rush City, Minnesota, which he published fourteen years.  In 1876 started the Mora Times at Mora City, Minnesota, which he published until 1879.  Not finding the publishing of two newspapers sufficient to satisfy his ambition for work he established the Pine County Record at Pine City in 1877, which he published until 1881.  In 1889 removed to Pierre, South Dakota, and bought the Pierre Signal, which he published for one year.  His next newspaper work was at Yankton, where he was connected first with the Yankton Herald and then with the Yankton Journal.  When the Forum was started by Robert Buchanan he came to Sioux Falls, and was connected with this newspaper as long as it was published by Mr. Buchanan and Buchanan Brothers.  In October, 1896, he purchased the Successful Farmer of J.A. Lucas, and is now publishing this newspaper in Sioux Falls.  Mr. Robie is a good newspaper man, and is making a decided success of the Successful Farmer.

ROGDE, Peter J., was born in Lee county, Illinois, February 4, 1864.  He was a student at Monana academy, at Madison, Wisconsin, and at the Northwestern college at Mapleville, Illinois, and also at the Luther college, Decorah, Iowa.  In 1887 he graduated from the law department of the University of Iowa, and was admitted to the bar at the same time.  He came to Sioux Falls in October, 1887, and commenced the practice of his profession.  In January, 1889, he formed a copartnerhsip with C.S. Palmer under the firm name of Palmer & Rogde.  In February, 1895, H.C. Preston of Mitchell was taken into the firm under the firm name of Palmer, Preston & Rogde, which copartnership continued until 1896, when Judge Palmer retired from the firm.  The firm of Preston & Rogde continued in the practice until the summer of 1896, when Mr. Preston accepted a position as attorney for a corporation in Chicago and removed there.  Mr. Rogde was then practicing by himself until he entered into copartnership with C.P. Bates in January, 1898.  At the general election in November, 1894, he was elected state’s attorney for Minnehaha county, and performed the duties of this office until January, 1897.  Mr. Rogde is one of the most industrious and energetic lawyers in the city of Sioux Falls, and is recognized as one who is bound to succeed in his profession.

ROGNESS, Andrew H., is a native of Norway, and was born September 29, 1858.  He was reared on a farm, and received a common school education.  He emigrated to the United States in 1878, and located in Lincoln county, this state.  On the 9th day of September, 1881, he entered the employ of F.W. Taylor, and is his head-man in his extensive hardware business.  Mr. Rogness has not lost a day since he engaged with Mr. Taylor, and for industry and diligence in business he undoubtedly stands at the head in this county.  He is as genial and pleasant as he is industrious, and is one of Sioux Falls best citizens.

RONLUND, Nels J., is a native of Sweden, and was born September 20, 1846.  After having emigrated to this country he resided in New York, Ohio and Chicago until in the summer of 1872, when he removed to Union county, Dakota.  In the spring of 1873 he came to Minnehaha county and took up a homestead in Brandon, but sold it and moved to a little village by the Brandon station, where he engaged in the grain business, and was postmaster for six years.  He now resides in Sioux Falls, engaged in the real estate business.  Mr. Ronlund is well known as an active and enterprising citizen.

ROUNDS, William H., was born at St. Johns, Province of Quebec, Canada, November 26, 1865.  When one year old he came to the United States with his parents, who settled at Malone, N.Y., where the subject of this sketch received his education in the common and high schools.  When eighteen years old he came to Sioux Falls, and was employed as clerk in the Livingstone clothing store and Waters’ dry good store, and then worked for Pixley & Co. five years, when he bought the stock of this company and engaged in the clothing business for himself, in which he has since continued, and is doing a good business.  He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, is a Mason, and secretary of the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank.  Mr. Rounds is a successful business man, energetic and enterprising, is a good citizen and socially up to the standard.

ROSS, Hiram William, was born in Wauwatosa, Wis., in 1840; attended the public schools at that place, and took a higher course at Milwaukee. His first business was that of keeping books for a commission house in Milwaukee; then engaged in the produce business at Berlin, Wis., but at the end of four years returned to Milwaukee and engaged in the commission business again for several years.  His next business venture was in the wool trade with Casper Sanger, of Milwaukee, but at the end of two years went into the fancy wholesale grocery business under the firm name of Bowker, Ross & Co.  Five years later he sold out his interest and traveled for a short time for the Sanger, Rockwell Lumber Co.; was then connected with the R. McMillan Lumber Company of Oskosh, Wis., and in 1879 came to Canton, S.D., and started a lumber yard.  The next year he came to Sioux Falls and engaged in the lumber business, in which he has since continued.  Mr. Ross resided in Sioux Falls until 1894, when he removed to Minneapolis, Minn.  In addition to his lumber business at Sioux Falls, he has six lumber yards in Minnesota, and is a very successful business man.  While a resident of Sioux Falls he was prominent in public affairs, was a public-spirited citizen and highly esteemed.  In 1885 he was elected mayor of the city and served in that capacity two years, and his administration met with the approval of his constituency.

ROWLAND, Andrew J., was born in Sherburne, Chenango county, New York, December 21, 1841.  His parents were of English descent.  He attended the public schools at Sherburne until about twenty years of age, when he entered the Binghampton (N.Y.) Commercial college, where he graduated.  October 26, 1876, he married Miss Caroline Darling, of Freeport, Illinois; remained upon the old homestead until 1879, when, upon the death of his parents, he sold it and removed to Worthington, Minnesota.  In April, 1882, he came to this county and located at Sioux Falls, where he at once engaged in the real estate business, and has platted four additions to the city which bear his name.  He has from time to time held positions of trust. When the financial panic of 1892 struck the country it found him, like many others, with sails wide-spread, but he applied himself manfully to the oars, and has succeeded in maintaining a good standing in business circles.  He is an honest, upright citizen.

ROWLAND, Mrs. Caroline D., was born in Spafford, Onondage county, New York, January 25, 1845, and died in Sioux Falls, January 5, 1897; was a daughter of Mary H. and Rev. J.W. Darling, a Free Will Baptist minister; received a liberal education, being a classical graduate at Norwich, N.Y., in the class of 1863; for thirteen years was engaged in teaching; was a writer of considerable note, in both poetry and prose, and her writings appeared in eastern journals under the nom de plume of “Edith Gray.”  She was married October 26, 1876, to Andrew J. Roland.  After coming to Sioux Falls, for several years she took an active part in the reading circles and History Club, but her true worth was best known and appreciated in religious circles.  She was an ideal Christian woman, and worked faithfully to maintain a high standard of Christian life among those with whom she has associated.  She will long be remembered in Sioux Falls as a kind, generous, exemplary Christian woman.

RUSSELL, Marcus, was born June 17, 1846, in Illinois; was reared on a farm, and received his education in the district schools; in 1855 removed with his parents to a timber farm in Michigan, and remained there until 1869.  At that time he went to Hastings, and engaged as clerk in a hardware store, and after having been there about nine months bought out his employer, and continued the business twelve years.  In 1882, he went to Grand Rapids, and became the secretary and treasurer of a large manufacturing establishment for two years.  He then left Michigan and went to Nebraska, where he resided until he came to Sioux Falls in 1886; In October of that year he organized the Sioux Falls Savings Bank, and has been its cashier since then.  Mr. Russell has the reputation of being a careful, conservative business man, and is greatly respected as a citizen.