Charles Tinkham

July 8, 1938: C.H. Tinkham One Of First Merchants Here

Charles H. Tinkham, one of the pioneer merchants of De Smet, died at the Odd Fellows Home at Dell Rapids Sunday morning at the age of 84, after a severe illness of several months. The body was brought to his old home Thursday, accompanied by the widow, for burial that afternoon.

The retired furniture merchant had suffered several strokes last year and though he rallied some at the time his health had been failing for months.

In respect to the pioneer merchant, De Smet places of business were closed during the hour of the funeral Thursday.

Mr. Tinkham was one of the small group of merchants who set up in business in De Smet before the arrival of the railroad, in the spring of 1880. He walked here from Volga ahead of a load of lumber for his store. He retired about 12 years ago because of ill health. He and Mrs. Tinkham gave up residence here some years ago to live in the Odd Fellows Home.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church, at three o’clock with the Rev. L.A. Johnson officiating, and burial was in the local cemetery.

July 21, 1938: Pioneer Businessman Laid To Rest; Was Native Of Maine

The body of Charles H. Tinkham, a pioneer businessman of De Smet, was laid to rest in the local cemetery Thursday, July 7, after services at the Methodist church. Many long-time friends of Mr. and Mrs. Tinkham were present.

Mr. Tinkham had died July 4 at the Odd Fellows Home at Dell Rapids, where the couple went to live a few years ago. The body was brought to De Smet early Thursday afternoon. Mrs. Tinkham accompanying it, with the matron of the home and others with her.

The Tinkhams had made their home here for over fifty years, and through most of those he had been in the furniture and undertaking business. He had come to the new town in April of 1880, its first year, had lumber hauled overland from Volga to build a store, and—in his own words—set up business with a stock of chairs.

Pallbearers were J.O. Purintun, J.H. Armstrong, Henry Holverson, W.J. Allen, F.N. Dow and N.E. Tackaberry. The Rev. L.A. Johnson officiated.

Mr. Tinkham was born near Norridgewock, Me., and educated in the country school and a private school, the Eaton School. Before he was 17 he was teaching school himself. He went to Massachusetts in the early 70’s and west to Wisconsin in 1876, and after a few months on to Chatfield, Minn., and after a few months on to Luverne, Minn., where he took a claim, Grasshoppers harvested his first crop and in September he returned as far as Chatfield, Minn., and taught school in the winter.

Mr. Tinkham returned to Massachusetts in 1879 and came west again the following year, expecting to locate in Dakota Territory. He was in De Smet in April to become a merchant of the new town.

His first location was on Second street where the Waters building now stands, but he soon built his own store on Calumet avenue where it stood for many years, replaced with the White building.

Along with other early business men, Mr. Tinkham helped develop the community with hard labor, working on bridge construction, grading across sloughs so farmers could get to town, setting out trees on neighboring tree claims, and likely shoveling snow for the railroad that first Hard Winter.

He took an interest in civic affairs, was on the first city council with John H. Carroll the mayor. He served as county treasurer in the early years. He was a member of the school board for many years and instrumental in establishing the twelfth year of school.

Through many years Mr. Tinkham took on interest in literary activities of the community, directing amateur plays, including many for the school.

It was in Massachusetts before coming to Dakota Territory that Mr. Tinkham was married to Adeline Jennings, and she joined him here in the spring of 1881. One son, Harold, was born to them. He died a few years ago and only Mrs. Tinkham survives the husband.

An Odd Fellow for 52 years at the time of his death, Mr. Tinkham was a Past Grand Patriarch and also held offices in the local lodge, one of its leaders for many years.

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