Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-06-28
Death of s. M. Booth.

1t devolyes upon the CHRONICLE to
the sorrowful intelligence of
the death of our distinguished towns
man, s. M. Booth, which occurred at
his residence in this city on Wednesday,
the 25th inst, at 9 o'clock p. m.
The deceased was seriously afflicted
with asthma for many years, which
rendered life q burden until he came
to this city, where he found immediate,
but not permanent relief, al he after
ward, a few years prior to his demise,
again became a sufferer from that dread
disease, which latterly becoming COM
plicated with other maladies rendered
his case fairly hopeless. Dropsy and
heart trouble ensued which resisted the
strong and persistent efforts Of the most
skilful phesicians to remove, and not
withstanding the faithful and unre-
hitting attention bestowed upon him by
a most patient and devoted wife, and
the most skilful medical treatment. he
succumbed to the dread call, and passed
suddenly and Unexpectedly away while
sitting in his chair at the hour above
stated. Heart failure was the immediate
cause of death. OF the character of the
deceased it is unnecessary for US to
speak, as few men in the state were
better known, and none more highly
esteemed. He leaves a wife, son,
two step sons, a father, brother and
two sisters to mourn their loss, who
have the earnest sympathy of a large
circle of friends in their sad affiiction.
He was buried with Masonic honors on
Friday in the Custer cemetery, the fun
eral procession being the largest ever
witnessed in this city, comprising the
full membership Of all the various civic
societies ~ this place, including a fair
delegation from the Hermosa Masonic
lodge, and visiting Masons fiom -Four
Mile and other localities.
Stephen Mark Booth was born in
Trenton, New York, July 18th, 1910, and
removed with his parents to Wisconsin
in lS47. He enlisted as a soldier in Co.
az" Of the 3Sth Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry in July, 1864, and was discharg
ed July Goth, 1865, by reason Of the close
of the war. After the close Of the war
he returned to his home at Oshkosh,
Wisconsin, where he was engaged in
steam boating on the Wisconsin and
Fox rivers until 1874. He was married
to Mrs. Laura Peterson at Oshkosh in
1875, and came to this city in April,
1876, where he was engaged in mercan-
tile pursuits until 1887, when he retired
from active business on account of fail
ing health.
He was a member Of high standing in
the Masonic order, having been made
a Mason at Oxford, Wisconsin, in 1866.
He was Identified from Oxford Lodge, and
afterward, on July 23rd, 1884, became a
charter member of Custer City Lodge,
No. GO, of which lodge he was elected
Worshipful Master November 3rd, 1886,
reelected w. NJ. Noy. End, 1887, and
November 9TH, 1888. He was a member
OF Black Hills Chapter No. SIS, of Rapid
City, South Dakota. and also a member
of Schrader C~ommandary No. 8, knight
Templars of that place. He was promi-
nent among the charter members Of
General Steele Post, No. "a, Dept. of Da-
kota, G.. A. r., mustered in at this place
Oct. 3rd, 1885, haylng served continuously
as Commander Of the same from the
time Of muster for a period of nearly
four years, which post he represented
with marked credit at both national and
department encampments. In his death
the Masonic order. and the Grand Army
have lost a worthy and honored mem
Der, and the state a most useful and
exemplary citizen. Peace to his ashes.