Henry Hinz
April 29, 1938: Henry Hinz Erected First Building On Townsite
Henry HInz, Sr., died at his home here early Monday at the age of 83 and a half years, after an illness of several years. He was laid to rest Wednesday afternoon in the local cemetery.
Mr. Hinz had the distinction of erecting the first building on the townsite of De Smet and being the first to engage in business here. Later he became a rural mail carrier and served through 25 years of travel by team and later by car, to retire a few years ago.
Though in ill health for some years, Mr. Hinz had been able to get down town occasionally through the winter, the last time about four weeks before his death.
Mr. HInz was born at Sheyboygan, Wis., October 21, 1854, and spent his boyhood in that vicinity. He came to this vicinity in 1879, visiting the tonwsite of De Smet and deciding upon it for a location. He returned early in the spring of 1880 and put up a small building along what was to be the main business street.
Mr. Hinz was married October 22, 1889 to Miss Randi Distad at De Smet.
Surviving are the widows and seven children: Mrs. Joe (Mabel) Larson of Erwin vicinity, Carl of Eugene, Ore., Henry Jr., Mrs. A.M. (Lillian) Hanson and Miss Marion, of De Smet, Ruth of Sioux Falls and Edward of De Smet. Another daughter had preceded her father in death.
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