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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.
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1851 - 1935 (83 years)
Siblings
. Agnes Adelia SKINNER, b. 9 Nov 1876, Riverton, Floyd, Iowa 
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