Hi Listers, Thank you for all the reasons why people would move to SD in the late 1800's. I've learned a lot from your responses. Someone mentioned Dodge Co., WI as being a mining area (coal?). It could very well have been. My ancestors basically farmed in Dodge Co., and some began attending college/universities and became doctors and lawyers, teachers, etc. Now these BACHHUBER's are all over the world, it seems! Thanks again for the input, Beth STEINBERG ARNOTT