Frederick in Brown County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Philip Cain Gelling Homestead
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 15, 2020
1. Philip Cain Gelling Homestead Marker
A pioneer in Brown County, Philip Cain Gelling was born on the Isle of Man in 1849. He came to the Dakota Territory from Illinois in 1882 and homesteaded on this site. Philip married Elizabeth Johnson in 1887. From that union 8 children were born; Walter (1888), Howard (1990), Robert (1893), Gertrude (1895), Ralph (1899), Ted (1900), Earl (1902) and Margaret (1905).
Philip's accomplishments included establishing his homestead, owning and operating a general store in Frederick, breaking and selling horses to the U.S. Army, surveying the Dakota Territory and representing Brown County in the South Dakota House of Representatives 1911 and 1912. Elizabeth J. Gelling was his pioneering partner and wife.
(1849 - 1919)
Elizabeth
(1867 - 1945)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.
Location. 45° 46.826′ N, 98° 24.881′ W. Marker is in Frederick, South Dakota, in Brown County. It is on 391st Avenue 0.2 miles north of 111th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11089 391st Avenue, Frederick
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in East River and specifically in the James River Valley. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Tveit Homestead (approx. half a mile away); Aurland (approx. 0.7 miles away); Frederick, South Dakota Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.9 miles away); The First Frederick School (approx. 5.9 miles away); Songbirds (approx. 6.4 miles away); Waterfowl (approx. 6.4 miles away); Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge (approx. 6.4 miles away); The View from the Top (approx. 6.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frederick.
Also see . . .
1. Find-a-Grave Memorial for Philip Cain Gelling. (Submitted on May 28, 2025, by Luci j Baker Johnson of Seattle, Washington.)
2. Find-a-Grave Memorial for Elizabeth (Johnson) Gelling.
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 15, 2020
2. Philip Cain Gelling Homestead Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 404 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
