Ole Kjeldseth Biography


	This biography appears on pages 772-773 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
	organizations for their private use. 

	Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval 
	system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other 
	means requires the written approval of the file's author.

	This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here 
	Inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door 
	is at

	http://www.usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm


	OLE KJELDSETH. - In taking up the personal history of Ole 
Kjeldseth we present to our readers the life record of one of the 
worthy sons of Norway, who has become a loyal defender of America and 
her institutions. He has enjoyed her business opportunities and by the 
improvement of the advantages with which he has been surrounded he has 
won for himself very comfortable living and a desirable property. He is 
also one of the pioneer settlers of Yankton county, his residence 
covering one-third of a century.  

	Mr. Kjeldseth was born in Bye, Wardalen, Norway, March 20, 1835, 
and left that country in 1864, settling first at Muskegon, Michigan. He 
there worked in a sawmill for two and a half years, after which he 
engaged in farming in Wisconsin. Later he returned to his native land 
upon a visit and spent three years there, but in 1870 again came to the 
United States, locating in South Dakota on the 15th of September of 
that year. He held one hundred and sixty acres of land and for a time 
lived in true pioneer style, his original home here being a dugout. As 
time has passed prosperity has attended his efforts and he now has six 
hundred and forty acres of land, of which two hundred acres is under 
cultivation. Between the years 1870 and 1874 he lost heavily because of 
the destruction of his crops by grasshoppers. In 1889 he built a fine 
barn upon his place and in 1880 had replaced the little pioneer home by 
a splendid residence. He raises cattle and hogs and because of his 
practical methods he is meeting with success in all that he undertakes.  

	On the 21st of June, 1860, Mr. Kjeldseth was married to Miss 
Sarah Kuntson, also a native of Norway, and they have four children: 
Ellen, the wife of Augustus Holm, a farmer; George F., who is married 
to Johanna Sothe and follows farming; Karl, who wedded Mary Abilson and 
is a farmer; Mary, the wife of S. Erickson, a druggist of Sioux Falls, 
South Dakota.  

	In his political views Mr. Kjeldseth is an earnest Republican, 
believing firmly in the principles of the party and upon its ticket he 
has been elected to several public offices. He served as county 
commissioner for three years, was justice of the peace for seven years 
and for twenty years has served as a school officer. His son George has 
been a member of the township board and his son Karl is now clerk of 
the township and both belong to the Modern Woodmen of America. The 
subject is pleasantly located on a farm on section ,74, township 55, 
range 54, where he is surrounded by many of the comforts of life, all 
acquired through his energy and diligence in former years. He gave to 
his children good educational privileges and has also divided much of 
his land among them so that they now have nice homes and are among the 
progressive farming people of Yankton county. Sound business judgment 
keen discernment, unfaltering labor and perseverance have been the 
elements which have contributed to the success of Mr. Kjeldseth and 
made him one of the worthy and representative citizens of Yankton 
county. He has made three trips to Europe since his arrival in this 
country, and expects to repeat the journey again soon.