Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1916-10-21

Peter Norbeck was born in Clay
county, Dakota Territory, in 1870,
within ten miles OF the first permanent
schoolhouse erected in the territory
HIS parents were among the pioneers
and made entry of a homestead only
a few years after President Abraham
Lincoln opened that part OF the terri
tory for settlement. His father was
Lutheran clergyman aside from being
farmer, and took great interest in
all questions pertaining not only to
the farm, but also to the state and the
church on account Of his interest In
public affairs the elder Norbeck was
elected to the territorial assembly in
1872, and to the state legislature in
The family moved TO Charles Mix
county and the stern realities Of life
prevented young Norbeck from getting
real college education. He had only
a short period al the state university
at Vermillion in addition to his com
mon school course. But what he was
lacking in college training was, more
than made up In the university OF
real life In this respect he was like
many other great Americans. who, as
self-made men, have blazed the trail
to usefulness and fame.
When only twelve years OF age Mr.
Norbeck became interested In artesian
well machinery. and when he grew to
manhood he engaged in the business
kota. With only $3.50 which he had
borrowed from his father, he started
at the age Of twenty-five on a business
career. Himself and partners now con-
duct the largest artesian wen drilling
business in the United states, with
headquarters at Redheld Their sue
cess has been wonderful New meth
DDS and machinery evolved by Mr..
NorbeCk and his partners, coupled with
efficiency and organization have made
II possible for every farmer in the
artesIaa zone OF the northwest to have
a constant supply Of water always at
command, a a small fraction Of the
former cost.
After Mr. Norbeck moved to Red
fiild In 1900 the residents Of that city
soon discovered that he was interested
IN pubic questions, and he was twice
chosen by the voters of Redheld to
serve on the city council Later he
was elected state senator from Sphinx
county for three consecutive terms
Then, In 1914, he was elected lieuten-
ant governor of South Dakota, his
term I'm that capacity terminating with
this year. On May %, 1916 at the
state primary election, he was given
the nomination for governor on the
number of votes than the combined
vote OF all the opposing candidates.
During all these years Mr. NorbeCk
has been deeply interested in all public
questions bearing upon the success and
prosperity of the people Of South Da-
kota lie is of scandinavian descent
and thorough American. He learned
from actual experience the needs Of
the farmer. Mr. NOrbcck yet Is in
terested i'm practical farming, having
specialized on alfalfa
He stands unsweryiugly for the
rights Of the people and for all reforms
which Will result to the benefit and
well being OF the people OF his state
He Will give the duties OF governor
the same careful attention and bust
nesslike methods which have made him
one Of the most successful business
meu in the northwest
Such I'm brief is the mantle first
native son OF South Dakota-whom the
republican party presents TO the voters
Of this magnificent state as candi-
date FOR the important office Of COVER
nor.