Wessington Springs in Jerauld County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Robert S. Vessey

Seventh Governor, South Dakota

— 1909 - 1913 —

Robert S. Vessey Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 9, 2017

1. Robert S. Vessey Marker

Inscription. Robert S. Vessey was born near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, May 16, 1858. His father was a minister-farmer with a family of 15 children. He attended common school, but dropped out at an early age to work and assist in the support of his father’s family. He became a lumber-jack at the age of 16. In 1882, he married Florence Albert. He moved to Jerauld County, South Dakota, in 1883, where he established ‘squatters rights’ on the S.E. Quarter of Section 12-107-66 in Pleasant Township. Here he erected a ‘claim shanty’. He was the father of six children: Florence and Frank (both died in infancy), Harvey, Verna, Bernice and Robert Junior. In 1885, Mr. Vessey, in partnership with a brother, established a mercantile business in Wessington Springs. Later, he sold real estate, was engaged in abstracting and banking. He was active in the Methodist Church and community affairs; helped to establish the Wessington Springs Seminary; was President of the Dakota Telephone Company and President of the Wessington Springs State Bank. He was elected to the Senate in 1904, re-elected in 1906 and served as President pro tempore of the Senate in 1907

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Session. He was elected Governor in the Fall of 1908, serving two terms 1909-1913. In this office he gave challenging leadership to a growing State. The State House Building was completed during his term of office. His death occurred on October 18, 1929 in Pasadena, California.

Erected 1967 by Dunham Historical Society, Wessington Springs Chamber of Commerce and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 433.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 16, 1858.

Location. 44° 4.502′ N, 98° 34.498′ W. Marker is in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, in Jerauld County. It is on South Dakota Route 34 0.3 miles west of Dakota Avenue South. Located in a wayside park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wessington Springs SD 57382, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Yankton Sioux Tribe,

in East River,

and specifically in the James River Valley.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 9, 2017

2. Robert S. Vessey Marker

Corridor,

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 Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Governor Vessey - Father of Mother's Day (a few steps from this marker); Wessington Springs Roadside Park (a few steps from this marker); Rube Goldberg Ski Lift Gadget (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Nobles Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); City Park (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sumac Used By Native Americans (about 500 feet away); Historic Stone Bridge (about 500 feet away); Barbed Wire (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wessington Springs.

<i>Gov. R.S. Vessey, cameo portrait</i> image. Click for full size.

Bain News Service (photograph courtesy of the Library of Congress), circa 1910

3. Gov. R.S. Vessey, cameo portrait

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 360 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on September 1, 2021. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. 3. submitted on January 22, 2018. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.