HENRY MCGRATH 1915

Henry McGrath, a successful ranchman residing at Oacoma, is also a factor in public life as incumbent in the office of register of deeds of Lyman County. His birth occured in Liverpool, England on the 31st of October, 1882, his parents being Henry and Rosa (Burns) McGrath both natives of Ireland. For many years the father has been engaged in shipbuilding.

Henry McGrath, the eldest of eight children, was seven years of age when sent to Ballygowan, County Down, Ireland, and there attended the public schools until entering Maynooth Seminary, from which institution he was graduated in 1901. It had been his parents' wish that he study for the priesthood, but he felt better qualified for a business career and accordingly, in 1902, sailed for the United States and came directly to South Dakota, having an uncle in this state. Locating in western Lyman county, he there took up land and embarked in the business of horse raising, in which he is still largely interested and in which he has met with unqualified success, now operating a ranch of ten hundred and twenty acres.

In politics, Mr McGrath is a staunch republican and he has ably served on various townships boards. In 1910 he was chosen regiser of deeds of Lyman county and made such a creditable record that he was reelected in 1912, so that he is still serving in the office. In

1914 he waseelected to the lower house of the state legislature and during the session of 1915 took an active part in transacting the business coming before that body. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and acts as secretary of Oacoma Lodge, No 164. Coming to this counry without capital, but with good health and a determination to succeed, Mr. McGrath has made an enviable record both as a business man and public official. He is fond of outdoor sports and played on the class football team during his college days. In business and public life he has already won a position than many a man of twice his years might well envy and in social circles he is popular and esteemed.

Source: History of Dakota Territory by George Kingsbury

S.J. Clarke Publishing Co Chicago 1915

Note: There was a Frank McGrath, a rancher, in Lyman SD Precinct 8

Dist 44 in the 1900 census.

Single, age Born Ireland Feb 1853, emigrated 1870. This could be the uncle referred to in the bio of Henry McGrath above.

But there were numerous Burns born Ireland in So Dakota, too, although none in Lyman Co in 1900.