Mini Bios of People of Scots Descent
John Headrick Biography

John Headrick, a prosperous farmer, stockman and landowner of Moody county, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, January 4, 1852, a son of Peter and Mary (Park) Headrick. The father went with his family to Ontario, Canada, in 1856 and was there engaged for a time at his trade of shoemaking, while later he became a prosperous farmer of that province, where his death occurred in 1883, when he had reached the age of sixty-three years. For some time he had survived his wife, who died in 1876, at the age of forty-eight years. In their family were seven children, of whom John Headrick was the fourth in order of birth. 

In the public schools of Ontario, John Headrick pursued the common branches of learning and his early educational opportunities have been supplemented in later life by extensive reading of the standard authors, making him a well informed man. He began his business career as a farmer on his own account when twenty-two years of age and was identified with agricultural pursuits in Ontario until 1883, when he arrived in Dakota territory, settling on a homestead to which he added later by purchase. In fact he increased his holdings from time to time until he is now owner of eight hundred acres of valuable land, devoted to general farming and to the breeding and raising of registered shorthorn cattle, Clyde and Norman horses and Duroc hogs. His farm presents a most neat and attractive appearance, and the business is carried on along progressive and scientific lines. He is likewise a stockholder and director in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Egan Creamery Company at Egan, South Dakota. 

On the 3d of November, 1891, Mr. Headrick was united in marriage to Miss Elnora Cameron, a native of Olmsted county, Minnesota, and a daughter of George W. and Julia -(Moore) Cameron, who went as pioneers from New York to the Gopher state. To Mr. and Mrs. Headrick have been born the following children: John H., who wedded Miss Lillian Thompson, by whom he has a son, Donald; William Ray; George Harold; Clarence Oswald; Evelyn Fern; and Raymond Lyle. 

Mr. Headrick is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Modern Woodmen camp. In politics he is a democrat, voting for the men and measures of the party where national issues are involved but casting an independent local ballot. He served for a number of years on the town board and has also done efficient service for the interests of education as a member of the school board. He stands at all times for progressive methods in school work and is a stalwart advocate of the good roads movement. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. Viewed from modern standpoints, his life is a successful one, due to his judgment in purchasing land with his surplus earnings and his employment of advanced farm methods.