Bio of BLAKKESTAD, Halvor P. (b.1853), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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H. P. BLAKKESTAD (Halvor P. Blakkestad) - Vol III, pg 635
Prominent in the musical circles of Minneapolis is H. P. Blakkestad, a violinist
of more than local repute. He was born in Norway, on the 8th of October, 1853, a
son of Peter O. and Margaret (Haarelmoen) Blakkestad. The father came to America
from Norway in 1875 and located at St. Ansgar, Iowa. There he engaged in farming
and in the conduct of a mercantile business, becoming one of the representative
citizens in the community in which he resided. His demise occurred at the age of
sixty-four years. Mrs. Blakkestad died in 1903, when sixty-eight years of age.
Her family never came to this country.
In the acquirement of his education H. P. Blakkestad attended the common schools
of his native country until 1875, when he came to the United States with his
parents. He attended school at St. Ansgar, Iowa, for four years and after
putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming near there. He was active in
agricultural pursuits for nine years. In early life he evinced musical
tendencies and subsequently, in 1890, he came to Minneapolis and took up the
study of music with Professor Gus Schubert, Mr. Schlacter and Amiel Straka. For
eight years he devoted his entire time and attention to study and then began to
teach the violin on the south side of Minneapolis. He likewise made a business
of repairing stringed instruments, especially violins, and he achieved success
from the start. In 1893 he opened a music shop at No. 619 First avenue South,
and he conducted business in that vicinity for many years. For some time Mr.
Blakkestad was connected with the various leading orchestras in Minne­apolis as
violin soloist and he gained widespread recognition in that connection. Mr.
Blakkestad has attained a position of affluence and has extensive financial
interests in this city. He owns a beautiful home, valued at fifteen thousand
dollars.
On the 1st of March, 1915, in Minneapolis, was celebrated the marriage of Mr.
Blakkestad and Miss Marie O. Hove, a daughter of N. Hove of Norway. Her father,
whose death occurred at the age of sixty-five years, was active in the conduct
of a furniture business in Norway. To Mr. and Mrs. Blakkestad one son has been
born, Harold M. who is five years of age. Mrs. Blakkestad is a woman of much
culture and refinement and she is prominent in the club and social circles of
this city.
In his political views Mr. Blakkestad is a stanch republican and is active in
party affairs, although he has never sought nor desired political preferment.
Mr. Blakkestad's hobby has always been his music. He is an active and prominent
member or the Norwegian Society, and is a man of genial and pleasing
personality, who has made many friends, enjoying the confidence and esteem of
all who know him.