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This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography, including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 316-319
WILLIAM McQUAKER, whose portrait is presented on another page, is one
of the leading and influential citizens of Clark county, South Dakota, who has taken an active part in promoting its substantial improvement
and material development, and is now most capably serving his fellow citizens as county auditor. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in
Waukesha county, February 29, 1856, and passed his childhood and youth in Washington county, that state. He is the filth in order of birth of
the eight children born to James and Sarah (Herron) McQuaker, who were born, reared and married in Scotland, where they continued to make
their home until after the birth of two of their children, and then emigrated to the New World. The mother died June 21, 1898, but the
father is still living and now resides in Clark county, South Dakota. He is a veteran of the Civil war, a member of Company I, Forty-fifth
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of his community.
Until 1875 the subject of this sketch resided upon the home farm and
assisted in its operation, and then worked in a sawmill at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, for a time. Going to Minnesota, he entered the employ
of the Great Northern Railroad Company as car inspector and while in their service came to Clark county, where, on the 3d of October, 1879,
he filed a homestead on the northwest quarter of section 12, Elrod township. In the spring of 1880 he erected upon his place a sod house,
10 x 12 feet in dimensions, but did not locate permanently here until 1882. He made his home at first with his parents while operating both
his own and his father's farms, and he soon became the possessor of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land, which he has placed under
excellent cultivation. In 1889 he built a comfortable little cottage upon his place and also a good barn, 30x 44 feet, and there he has
since made his home, devoting his energies to general farming and the breeding of draft horses.
Mr. McQuaker is a Populist of long standing and is a popular and
energetic party man, who has done all in his power to insure success of the party or advance its interests in any way. In the fall of 1896 he
was elected auditor of Clark county and removed to the county seat. He has now entered upon his second term in that office, the duties of
which he has ever discharged in a most commendable and satisfactory manner, and in all life's relations merits the confidence so freely
accorded him. Mr. McQuaker is yet unmarried. |
