Richard F. Pettigrew was born 23 July 1848; he came to the falls of the Big Sioux River in 1869, while traveling to meet a government surveying party. Mr. Pettigrew saw the potential of the location and marks off a quarter section of land which later becomes part of Sioux Falls. In 1870, like many others Pettigrew was squatting on the military reservation; (by law only military personnel and Native Americans could occupy the reservation), a bill was introduced in Congress to sell the land to an Eastern investor, through his connection in Congress he was able to get a counter bill introduced. This counter proposal would pass and the Preemption and Homestead Act would allow the reservation to be opened up for settlement. Pettigrew would quickly become a leading promoter of the “second” Sioux Falls City.[1] Many of the enterprises Pettigrew was involved in helped Sioux Falls to quickly grow into an industrial center for the region. One such enterprise was the building of the Queen Bee Mill. Richard Franklin Pettigrew was an American lawyer, surveyor, and land developer. He represented the Dakota Territory in the U.S. Congress and, after the Dakotas were admitted as States, he was the first U.S. Senator from South Dakota. He worked tirelessly to build and promote the city. He was responsible for bringing in all five early railroads, and developing many businesses for the community. He died 5 October 1926 leaving his home and artifacts to the City of Sioux Falls.
[1] (Rambow n.d., 14)
[1] (Rambow n.d., 14)