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Although the subject of this brief biography with his family, made South Dakota his home for many years, his history is nevertheless interesting.
Mr. Bonnichsen first came to Sac county in 1888, and hired out to August Dannenberg to pick corn. The boss told him that if he picked two double boxes full his wages would be $1.25 a day, otherwise they would be $1.00. After all the corn was in the crib, he hired out to Jacob Kallmer, who owned a farm some five miles southwest of Odebolt. Mr. Kallmer lived in Odebolt, and Mr. Bonnichsen was to take charge of the place. For this work he was to receive $22 a month for nine months, and $15 a month for three months. He continued to work for Mr. Kallmer until 1894, (this was the dry year when we had hot winds). Almost everything in the way of crops was burnt up that year and many farmers were forced to sell their stock because they had nothing to feed them.
The following year Hans hired out to the Northwestern road as a section hand receiving $1 a day as his wages. He continued with this work until 1896, when he again entered the farming game. This time he rented a farm which was in the Early territory and belonged to Cal Ainsworth. The rent was $2.50 an acre. The following year he rented the same farm but instead of giving cash for the rent agreed to give two-fifths of all the crops. The next year Mr. and Mrs. Bonnichsen hired out to C. W. Cook, working on the big ranch. For this work Mr. and Mrs. Bonnichsen received $40 per month. They continued to work for Mr. Cook until 1902, when they rented, for one year, a farm adjoining the Cook Ranch. They then moved to a farm owned by Peter Buller, situated between Odebolt and Kiron. Later they moved to the Hiram Sawyer farm in Levey township, where the family remained until 1907.
It was while on the Sawyer farm that Mr. Bonnichsen concluded that there was a better opening further west. So he made a trip to Highmore, South Dakota, where he bought a quarter section, paying $15 an acre. About the same time John Fertig of Odebolt, bought a section near Mr. Bonnichsen's. This section was well improved, with good buildings and about 250 acres under the plow. This section Mr. Bonnichsen rented of Mr. Fertig in the year of 1908.
Mr. and Mrs. Bonnichsen were pretty well equipped to run this large farm as they had a large family of boys and girls.
Later on when the oldest son got married, Mr. Bonnichsen improved his own farm and moved to it, the married son renting the Fertig farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Bonnichsen and children were one of our best German families. Three of the daughters reside here, Mrs. Reuben Hokanson, Mrs. Anna Fertig and Mrs. Esther Roth, who resides near Odebolt; Mrs. Mary Burrows, Mrs. Helen Nurland and Anton Bonnichsen of Highmore, South Dakota.
Hans Bonnichsen says you can't beat Iowa, although his financial interests are at Highmore. He owns a good farm and is out of debt--doesn't owe any man a dollar--but he says Dakota is bankrupt. His synopsis of the whole situation in Dakota, as well as Iowa, is that there is altogether too much borrowed money being used. Officials are too careless in handling public money and because of this he advises the farming community to keep out of debt at any cost. If your neighbor is going at a pace to [sic] fast for you, drop out, and don't wait too long either.
Mr. and Mrs. Bonnichsen left for their home Tuesday morning, after visiting relatives here for several weeks. When the writer hunted up Mr. Bonnichsen for an interview, he was at his daughter's home, and while I was there two other daughters came--I suppose to have a family powwow before the "Old Folks" returned home.
The Chronicle wishes to be counted among the friends and well wishers of this fine couple.
transcribed by B. Ekse from microfilm