Oscar S. Gifford

Oscar Sherman Gifford (October 20, 1842 – January 16, 1913) was an American lawyer of Canton, South Dakota. He served six years in the United States House of Representatives, first as the non-voting delegate from the Dakota Territory, then as a full member of the House from South Dakota.

Oscar S. Gifford
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Dakota's at-large district
In office November 2, 1889 – March 4, 1891
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	John Rankin Gamble
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Dakota Territory's at-large district
In office March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1889 (Delegate)
Preceded by	John B. Raymond
Succeeded by	George A. Mathews
Personal details
Born	Oscar Sherman Gifford (1842-10-20)October 20, 1842 Watertown, New York
Died	January 16, 1913(1913-01-16) (aged 70) Canton, South Dakota
Political party	Republican
Occupation	Lawyer

Oscar was born in Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, and moved with his parents to Wisconsin, settling in Rock County and then in Brown County, Illinois. He served as a private in the Union during the American Civil War.

After the war Gifford studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1871, beginning his practice in Canton, Dakota Territory (now South Dakota). He was district attorney for Lincoln County, mayor of Canton, and a member of the State constitutional convention of South Dakota which convened at Sioux Falls on September 7, 1883. He was a Republican, and was twice elected as the Territorial delegate to Congress, and served from March 4, 1885 to March 3, 1889.

Upon the admission of South Dakota as a state, it was allocated two seats in the U.S. House. Candidates ran at-large for Seat A or Seat B. Gifford was the first Congressman elected to Seat B, and served from November 2, 1889 to March 3, 1891. He was not a candidate for re-election in 1890, and resumed the practice of law in Canton, where he died on January 16, 1913.[1] He was interred in Forest Hill Cemetery in Canton.