Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1891-03-12
HON. GEORGE II. HAND.
Tho Patriot, the True Soldier. the Able Adj
vocate. tho Excellent Cit,yen, tho Warm
Hearted Generous Frinnd, Is no Moro.
Yankeon Press, Msrch 10th.

Hearted Generous Friend, Is no Moro.
Yankeon Press, Msrch 10th.
The following brief telegram will
carry sadness and mourning to nearly
every section of South Dakota:
Special to the Press s. Dakotan:
Pierre. S. D., March 10. 1891. Press &
Dakotan, Yankton, S. D.-Mr. Hand
died of pneumoniY ut l:l5 this after
noon. Body will reach Yankton to-
morrow night.
JAMES RoANE.
The name of George II. Hand has
been for many years almost house
hold word in South Dakota. He has
been not alone one of the best known
public men in the old territory and
new state, but it is claiming none too
much to say that for score OF years
he has stood as high rs the best in the
esteem and confidence of the people.
The knowledge OF his death will cast a
gloom about thousands Of hearths to-
night.
Geo. H. Hand was one of the earliest
settlers of Yankton. He removed
with his family from Wisconsin to this
city in the year 1865. just after the
close of the wae in which he participant
ed as a soldier battling for the union
cause. He was then u young man, and
sought this field to lay the foundation
for Il home and fortune. He entered at
once upon the practice of his profession
and for q number of years he struggled
diligently to keep the wolf from the
door. Clients were few. and the young
advocate became something of farmer
in order to exc out an honorable liveli-
hood. In 1867 he received the appoint
ment of United States attorney for the
| district of Dakota, Il position however,
that was not at all lucrative and which
| he gave up after 4 couple years a1d re-
turned to the runks of his profession.
| During these years he was one of the
burden bearers OF the community. In
the front always for any enterprise.
and ALWAYS heartily interested In pro-
| iects of charity and benevolence. The
records of Yaukton's doings during her
early career will disclose the name of
Geo. II. Hand in connection with every
movement which looked to the ad-
vancenent of the city.
In 1873 MIR. Hand WIS appointed to
the position of register Of the Yankton
land district. "a newly created district,
which position he held until 1874, when
he was made secretary of the territory,
a position which he filled most credit
ably for the succeeding eight years. 1t
was during his inculnbpncy of this im-
portant office that Mr.. Hand became
well known throughout the territory.
and established social and political
| friendships with prominent men which
have continued unbroken to the pres
ent time. No man had more ardent
| and devoted friends than he-and in
political life few had more earnest par
tizans whose support he could Oh any
occasion command.
Upon the expiration of his second
term as secretary iE 1888, Mr.. Hand re-
turned to private life, and has since
devoted himself to the practice of law,
practice which has grown rapidly,
yielding 10 him u satisfactory income.
In addition to other duties. Mr.. Hand
has been conspicuous in the affairs of
Free Masonry for ut least a dozen years,
and has filled nearly every position con-
nected with ancient Craft Missionary
through all the subordinate organiZa-
tions to the Grand mastership of the
Grand Lodge OF the state. At the time
of his death he was Grand Commander
of DeMolay commandery, K. L. of
YanktoE. 10 works of beneYolence and
IN societies of benevolent character.
4 Mr.. Hand was greatly devoted. In relig-
iuus matters he WAS an earnest consist
ent christian and 4 member of the Epis-
copal church. He has been one of the
waruens OF Christ church, in this city
for a number of years.
Possibly the saddest circumstance
connected with the death Of our honor.
ed citizen and life long friend was the
fact that he died away from the home
that he has built up and occupied here
during SO many years and with none
of his family near to listen to his dying
message, though he WAS surrounded by
devoted friends who did all that human
skill and tender sympathy could sug.
gest to aid him.
Mrs. Hand has been in New Mexico
since early in January spnding the
winter with her son Edgar, at Silyel
City. Carl, the eldest son is also in that
section. Arthur, the youngest boy is
at Helena, Montana.
Mrs. Murdoch, the eldest daughter
resides mt Murdoch. Mimi. Mrs. Sharpe
is in Annapolis. Md, Mrs. Elier is il
Yanktoa. and Miss Lulu Hand is ir
Chicago. Word has been tclegraphet
5 to all the absent ones.
, The Masons of Yankton will hold (:
+ meeting this evening and will make al
necessary arrangements for receiving
and caring for the remains on theil
arrival tomorrow.