Mini Bios of People of Scots Descent
David K. Batchelor Biography

David K. Batchelor, who is filling the position of county auditor of Fall River county and has also for a number of years been a well known contractor of Hot Springs, was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, August 31, 1876, and of that place his parents, Alexander and Ella (Kidd) Batchelor, were also natives, there spending their entire lives. The father was a tailor by trade. Their family numbered six children, of whom David K. was the second, and he attended school in his native country to the age of about sixteen years. He then learned the stonemason's trade, which he followed in Scotland until 1900, when he crossed the broad Atlantic and settled at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There he followed his trade for about nine months, after which he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he also worked as a stonemason for nine months. He next went to Texas, where he followed his trade for about four or five months. In Colorado he continued in the same business for about six or eight months and thence went to Arizona, New Mexico and again to Texas. In the spring of 1902 he arrived in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was engaged in the construction of the Battle Mountain Sanitarium for about four or five years. He then engaged in interrupting and building as a mason and has since been identified with building operations in Hot Springs and Fall River county. He is now in partnership with Stuart Hill, who looks after the business of the firm, while Mr. Batchelor is giving much of his attention to his official duties as county auditor. 

In politics Mr. Batchelor has always been a stalwart democrat since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He has never been a politician in the usually accepted sense of office seeking, but was called to the position of county auditor and discharged his duties so creditably that he has been reelected for a second term. 

In January, 1904, Mr. Batchelor was married to Miss Della Keyes, who was born at Springfield, Illinois, of which state her parents were also natives. They occupy a pleasant home in Hot Springs and Mr. Batchelor is also the owner of landed interests in Fall River county. He is identified with several fraternal organizations, including the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Brotherhood of America and while in Scotland joined the Masonic fraternity, but never demitted from the old lodge. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found and improved good business opportunities and has gradually worked his way upward, winning a creditable measure of success through his close application and capability.