Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1870, Iowa
• Census: 1900, Lewiston, Nez Perce, Idaho
• Census: 1910, Hermiston, Umatilla, Oregon
• Census: 1920, Portland, Multnomah, Oregon

Notes:

SKU 16(3)82 Compendium of Biography pages 334-338 South Dakota State Archives 900 Governors Dr. Pierre, SD 57501-2217 WILLIAM HENRY SKINNER, whose portrait will be found on another page, is a pioneer of Brookings, and to him belongs the credit for doing more, probably, than any other individual in the building up of Brookings city and county.
 Mr. Skinner, always a broad minded and public spirited man, has had the interests of his chosen city at heart ever since he first arrived upon the wild Dakota prairie, where Brookings now stands, in 1873. His history is part of the history of South Dakota, and were the early events in which he figured prominently to be written of at length they might easily fill a volume.
 Mr. Skinner was born in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, on the 24th of July, 1851. He is the son of Henry and Ruth A. (Ilsley) Skinner, of whom sketches will be found upon another page of this work. Mr. Skinner received an elementary education in the public schools of Nova Scotia, and later attended Acadia college, which is now the University of Nova Scotia. He taught school for two years in Nova Scotia, and at the age of eighteen came with his parents to Iowa, where he resumed his professional labors.
 In June, 1873. Mr. Skinner came to Brookings, locating at first in Trenton township, where he homesteaded a claim and pre-empted another, making in all three hundred and twenty acres of rich land which he acquired. This was converted into a large farm, and remained in Mr. Skinner’s possession until 1893, when he sold it, his other interests having become so large that they required all of his time and attention. One of the most important services, among the many which he rendered to Brookings county was getting the Chicago & North-Western railway to establish a station at Brookings. This was no easy task, as a railroad in those days was something of a seventh wonder among most of the folk who lived in that region, and they were in the habit of letting the officials do about as they pleased.
 Mr. Skinner purchased about two hundred and forty acres of land at Brookings while the place was; yet virgin prairie. His intention was to make it the site of a future great city; and as a preliminary step, to secure a station on the North-Western road on or near his land and secure the location of the county seat at this place. The whole idea was daring in its’ conception, an still more so in its execution. This projector after securing the assistance and cooperation of the leading citizens of the county went before the officers of the road represented to them the future of the city and it’s advantageous location, and closed by offering one hundred and sixty acres of land to them if they would agree to add Brookings to the line and build a station there. It was thus finally a arranged through Mr. Skinner’s zeal, though the engineers and some of the high a officials protested against the move the county commissioners were at once petitioned to submit to a vote the question of location of county seat, which resulted in Brookings being selected by a good majority. This was merely one of the clever coups which Mr. Skinner executed in the days. His farsightedness and ability showed in his next move. After securing assurances that the railroad station located at Brookings, he advertised the fact very extensively, and also made it known that there was a town named Brookings, and that he had several acres of town lots to sell. So well was the matter arranged that people soon began to inquire about the lots, and finally to purchase them and from that time forth Brookings began from the condition of a hamlet into the proud estate of a city. It was Mr. Skinner and his property that started the city, and to him alone is due the credit of originating and carrying out the project.
 In 1879 Mr. Skinner’s services were partially recognized. and he was appointed to the office of clerk of the district court. The county seat was then at Medary, a very diminutive hamlet, which has since become but a memory. Mr. Skinner immediately took his office paraphernalia upon assuming the office and conveyed it to the new town, Brookings. This startling move had an immediate effect, for all a other county officers forthwith followed in his footsteps, and soon the city which Mr. Skinner had laid out became the official capital of Brookings county, a title which it poss-esses to the present day.
 Mr. Skinner has since devoted most of his time to real estate and business ventures, all of which have been successful, and he is, of course, in very easy circumstances. He has not relaxed his efforts in behalf of the city, however, and is still one of its most active and energetic residents.
 In 1896 he, with a number of others, incorporated the Brookings Cooperative Creamery Company and he is at present one of the largest stockholders. This company was organized, as its name implies, upon the cooperative basis, and for the benefit of the farmers, who thus have a direct and personal interest in all of it’s concerns. Up to the present time it has met with great success. Mr. Skinner was one of the promoters of the Masonic Temple, which is one of the finest brick business blocks in the city. The second floor contains the finest suite of lodge rooms in the state.
 During 1886-87 Mr. Skinner was one of the Trustees of the State Agricultural college. He served two years and it was largely through his efforts that one of the largest and finest buildings on the campus was erected. Mr. Skinner is a free-silver Republican politically, and has held a num-ber of public offices. In addition to being clerk of the courts and a trustee of the agricultural college, he was postmaster of Brookings from 1891 to ’95. He is prominent in secret society affairs, and is a member of the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and council of the Masonic fraternity, also a leader of the M. W. A. and the A. O. U. W.
 Mr. Skinner married Miss Elizabeth A. Laird, April 13, 1873 She was the daughter of James and Margaret Laird, and was a native of Chickasaw, Iowa. Mrs. Skinner died in July, 1886, leaving five children: Ansel 0., who is now manager of the Creamery at Pierpoint, South Dakota; Agnes A., a teacher of Yankton; Charles H., Guy E. and May E.
Mr. Skinner remarried February 29 1888, his bride being Georgia A. Laird a cousin of his first wife. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner a re the parents of four children now living. They are: Catharine, Ruth A., Rae G. and Grant.

William married Elizabeth Adams LAIRD on 13 Apr 1873. Elizabeth was born on 29 Dec 1853 in Chickasaw, Iowa; died on 12 Jul 1886 in Brookings, Brookings, South Dakota; was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Brookings, Brookings, South Dakota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Ansel Oscar SKINNER was born on 16 Apr 1875 in Iowa; died on 28 Jan 1960 in San Diego, California; was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, San Diego, San Diego, California.
2. Agnes Adelia SKINNER was born on 9 Nov 1876 in Riverton, Floyd, Iowa; died on 13 Apr 1958 in Fort Steilacoom, Pierce, Washington.
3. Charles Henry SKINNER was born on 22 Nov 1878 in South Dakota; died in 1942 in Hermiston, Umatilla, Oregon; was buried in Hermiston, Umatilla, Oregon.
4. Guy Elmer SKINNER was born on 24 May 1881 in Brookings, South Dakota; died on 26 Apr 1951 in Seattle, King, Washington.
5. Mary Elizabeth SKINNER was born on 5 May 1882 in Brookings, Brookings, South Dakota; died on 22 Jul 1958 in San Diego, California.

William married Georgia Anna LAIRD on 29 Feb 1888. Georgia was born on 22 Mar 1860 in Bradford, Franklin, Iowa; died in Oct 1935; was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Brookings, Brookings, South Dakota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Catherine SKINNER was born on 16 Jan 1891 in Brookings, South Dakota; died after 1960.
2. Ruth Ann SKINNER was born on 31 Oct 1892 in Brookings, Brookings, South Dakota; died on 26 May 1973 in Piedmont, Alameda, California.
3. Rae Gladstone SKINNER was born on 5 Apr 1894 in Brookings, Brookings, South Dakota; died on 29 Dec 1949; was buried in Bethel Cemetery, Cheyenne, Laramie, Wyoming.
4. Grant S. SKINNER was born on 6 Feb 1896 in Brookings, South Dakota; died on 20 Dec 1978 in Bend, Deschutes, Oregon; was buried in Pilot Butte Cemetery, Bend, Deschutes, Oregon.
5. Helen SKINNER was born on 27 Sep 1897 in Brookings, South Dakota; died after 1960.
6. Georgia SKINNER was born on 26 Jun 1899 in Brookings, Brookings, South Dakota; died on 6 Aug 1989 in Orange, California.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1870, Iowa
• Occupation: 1880; Farmer

Notes:

From Ann Marie Skinner of Washington (Ann Marie Owen a_m_owen@hotmail.com)

Henry married Ruth Ann ILLSLEY. Ruth was born in 1826 in Nova Scotia; died on 24 Jun 1906 in Brookings, South Dakota; was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Brookings, Brookings, South Dakota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1870, Iowa

Alfred married Abigail BIGELOW on 17 Mar 1803. Abigail (daughter of Amasa BIGELOW and Roxanna CONE) was born on 20 Mar 1785 in New Hampshire; died on 17 Mar 1855. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

“Sarah and Charles Skinner went to Maugerville, N.B. just before the Loyalists, and it is assumed they might have gotten a good price for their land and moved to Bass River, N.S., where Charles was a school teacher. They stayed there about five years before moving to Kings County. The school records in Bass River were burned in a fire.” (Source: Isabel Palmeter) This would suggest that the family came to Cornwallis Township just prior to the influx of Loyalists.

Charles Skinner was a grantee at Cornwallis township, that he was born 3 Jan 1748 in Colchester, Connecticut, son of Aaron Skinner. He married 24 Nov 1774 at Passamaquoddy, Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Osborn, perhaps from Martha’s Vinyard. She lists 15 children, including my Ann Skinner, who married 1802 Thomas Lyons. (Source: Esther Clark Wright in “Planters and Pioneers”)

The Skinners first came to Passamaquoddy, Campobello or Indian Island (all in Passamaquoddy Bay in Charlotte, New Brunswick), where Charles might have taught school from 1774 to 1778. They moved to St. John and Maugerville in 1778 where he taught school until 1780. The arrival of the Loyalists may have provided financial incentive to sell their lands profitably. They moved to Five Islands, Cumberland, N.S. (but I think then all part of Cornwallis Township) where the family lived for the first five years, before they settled in 1785 at Little Pereau, near Blomidon, in the Cornwallis area of present day Kings County. (Source: Rev. Davison in his book “Alice of Grand-Pré”)

Charles Skinner was a school teacher by profession, and one reference said he was a “refined gentleman”.

The father of Samuel Skinner (i.e., Charles Skinner) came from New England to the Maritimes just before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. (Source: The book “Biographical Review… Province of New Brunswick” published in Boston in 1900 page 97)

“Died 15 January 1848 in Cornwallis, Mrs. Sarah Skinner in 88th year, daughter of the late Samuel Osborne of Martha’s Vineyard, U.S. They removed to Casco, Maine, to New Brunswick, then to Nova Scotia. Born 22 July 1760, married in NB at age 16 to Charles Skinner, native of Connecticut. Leaves 8 sons, 7 daughters, 113 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren. Late W. A. Chipman was a brother-in-law. Edward Manning and George Dimock sons-in-law. Rev. I. E. Bill married a granddaughter.” (Source: The Christian Messenger an early Baptist magazine).

Charles married Sarah OSBORN on 24 Nov 1774 in Passamaquoddy, Nova Scotia. Sarah was born on 22 Jul 1760 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts; died on 15 Jul 1848 in Cornwallis, Kings, Nova Scotia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From notes of A. Joanne (Irving) Hunt, Litchfield, NH:

From The Christian Messenger (an early Baptist magazine): “Died 15 January 1848 in Cornwallis, Mrs. Sarah Skinner in 88th year, daughter of the late Samuel Osborne of Martha’s Vineyard, U.S. They removed to Casco, Maine, to New Brunswick, then to Nova Scotia. Born 22 July 1760, married in NB at age 16 to Charles Skinner, native of Connecticut. Leaves 8 sons, 7 daughters, 113 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren. Late W. A. Chipman was a brother-in-law. Edward Manning and George Dimock sons-in-law. Rev. I. E. Bill married a granddaughter.”

Amasa married Roxanna CONE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]