JERAULD COUNTY, SD HISTORY AND LOOKUP
County History Books
A History of Jerauld County South Dakota by N.J. Dunham, (1910) – 464 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2024.06.04.1748.CD.AR
Jerauld County, South Dakota: A Genealogical Overview
Nestled in the east-central plains of South Dakota, Jerauld County is a classic example of a prairie community forged by the Homestead Act and the great Dakota Boom of the late 19th century. Its history is rooted in the toil of breaking the sod, the lifeblood of the family farm, and the development of close-knit agricultural towns. Centered around its unique county seat, Wessington Springs, which grew up around natural springs in the Wessington Hills, the county’s story is one of pioneer resilience and perseverance. For genealogists, its records document the wave of Northern European and American-born settlers who came seeking land and a new life on the northern Great Plains.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Jerauld County was created during the Dakota Territory era, with its organization coinciding with the peak of pioneer settlement in the region.
- 1883: County Organized: While the county was officially created by the Dakota Territorial Legislature on March 9, 1873, it remained unorganized and attached to Aurora County for judicial purposes. It was formally organized with its own government on March 2, 1883, after a sufficient number of settlers had arrived.
- Parent County: Jerauld County was formed from the western portion of Aurora County and a portion of unorganized territory. Research into land claims or other matters prior to 1883 may require searching the records of Aurora County.
- Subsequent Formations: The county’s boundaries have remained stable since its organization in 1883.
- Name Origin: The county was named in honor of H. A. Jerauld, a member of the 1873 territorial legislature from Canton, Dakota Territory.
- County Seat History: Wessington Springs has been the county seat throughout the county’s history. It was selected due to the presence of the natural springs, which made it a well-known landmark and gathering place for early settlers.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: Before European settlement, the land was the domain of the Sioux (Dakota/Lakota) people and was used for hunting grounds, particularly around the Wessington Hills.
- Homesteading and Settlement: The “Great Dakota Boom” of the 1880s brought the first significant wave of permanent settlers to the area. Lured by the promise of free land under the Homestead Act of 1862, pioneers flocked from states like Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and New York. They were joined by a large number of immigrants from Germany and Scandinavia, particularly Norway. The first homes were often simple sod houses or tar paper shacks, and the economy was based entirely on agriculture, primarily wheat and livestock.
- Key Historical Events:
- Breaking the Prairie: The primary experience of the first generation was “proving up” their homestead claims by cultivating the land for five years. This period defined the county’s social and economic structure.
- The Railroad: The arrival of a branch line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad in 1903 was a pivotal event. It provided a reliable way for farmers to ship their grain and livestock to eastern markets and for the towns to receive goods and mail.
- Chautauqua and Education: Wessington Springs became a notable cultural center on the prairie, hosting a popular Chautauqua from the 1890s through the 1920s that brought speakers, educators, and entertainers to the area. It was also home to Wessington Springs Junior College, an important educational institution for many decades.
- The Dust Bowl: Like the rest of the Great Plains, Jerauld County suffered greatly during the drought and Depression of the 1930s, which tested the resolve of its farming families and led to some population decline.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
Most historical records for the county are held at the courthouse in Wessington Springs.
- County Courthouse: The Jerauld County Courthouse, 205 S. Wallace Ave, Wessington Springs, SD 57382, is the central repository for records.
- Register of Deeds: This is the most important office for genealogists. It holds all land records from the time of the initial homestead patents, as well as birth, marriage, and death records from 1905 onward. Some school census records may also be available.
- Clerk of Courts: This office holds court records (civil and criminal), divorce decrees, and crucially, the county’s probate records (wills, estate files) and naturalization records (declarations of intent and final papers) for immigrants who became citizens in Jerauld County.
- Vital Records:
- Birth, Marriage, and Death Records: Statewide registration was mandated in South Dakota beginning July 1, 1905. Records from that date forward are held by the County Register of Deeds. For certified copies, researchers should contact the South Dakota Department of Health. Records of vital events prior to 1905 are rare and must be sought in church records, newspapers, and cemetery records.
- Libraries and Societies:
- Jerauld County Historical Society & Pioneer Museum: An essential resource for researching local families, viewing artifacts and photographs, and gaining context on the county’s history.
- Wessington Springs Carnegie Library: Holds collections of local newspapers on microfilm, which are invaluable for finding obituaries, marriage announcements, and local news.
- South Dakota State Historical Society and Archives: Located in Pierre, this is the primary repository for statewide genealogical resources, including state census records (taken in years ending in ‘5’ from 1885 to 1945), an extensive newspaper collection, and government records.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Hand County (north)
- Beadle County (northeast)
- Sanborn County (east)
- Aurora County (south)
- Brule County (southwest)
- Buffalo County (west)