Christian C. Bratrud Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1192 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	CHRISTEN C. BRATRUD was born on a farm on Root prairie, Fillmore 
county, Minnesota, on the 27th of December, 1855, and was thus reared 
amid the scenes of pioneer life in that state, being a son of Ole C. and 
Ambjor Bratrud, the former of whom was born in Sigdal and the latter in 
Eggedal, Norway, from which fair Norseland they came to America and 
became pioneers of Fillmore county, Minnesota, where by industry and 
honesty the father attained a position of independence, becoming one of 
the successful and highly honored farmers of that section. The subject 
was reared on the homestead farm and early began to assist in its work. 
while his educational advantages were such as were afforded in the 
common schools of the locality and period. In 1883 he came to South 
Dakota and located in Estelline, Hamlin county, where he was engaged in 
the buying and shipping of grain for the ensuing four years. In the 
autumn of 1887 he removed to Bryant, in the same county, where he became 
identified with mercantile pursuits, having an interest in a general 
store. In the following year he effected the organization of the 
Merchants' Bank, of that place, and had the supervision of its affairs 
until 1893. In 1894 he closed out his interests in Bryant and came to 
Sioux Falls, where he has since been successfully engaged in the real-
estate and loan business, his books at all times showing most desirable 
investments, particularly in choice lands in the southeastern part of 
the state and residence and business property in the city of Sioux 
Falls. He is a loyal citizen and takes an active interest in all that 
makes for the progress and material prosperity of the state of his 
adoption, the state in which he has attained success through his own 
well-directed efforts, while he has so ordered his life in all its 
relations as to merit and receive the unqualified esteem of his fellow 
men. In politics he exercises his franchise in support of the Republican 
party and its principles; he is an appreciative member of the Masonic 
fraternity and both he and his wife are prominent and valued members of 
the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church in their home city. 

	On the 20th of November, 1897, Mr. Bratrud was united in marriage 
to Miss Ellen Marie Strom, who was born in the beautiful old city of 
Christiania, Norway, on the 1st of January, 1873, being a daughter of 
Feodor and Elizabeth Strom.