George Madsen Biography

	This biography appears on pages 739-740 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	GEORGE MADSEN. - On the peninsula of Denmark George Madsen first 
opened his eyes to the light of day, his birth there occurring on the 
21st of October, 1839. He was educated in the schools of his native 
land and reared under the parental roof. He had two brothers, both of 
whom are now deceased, and he has a sister, Mrs. Robert Thogersen, who 
is now a widow and resides upon a farm in Yankton county. On attaining 
his majority Mr. Madsen of this review began farming on his own account 
in Denmark and remained in his native land until forty years of age 
when he sailed for the United States.  

	At the age of twenty-nine years the subject was joined in wedlock 
to Miss Elsie Larsen, whose father was a farmer of Denmark. She had 
three brothers: Conrad, Hause and Nelse, who are married and reside in 
that country. It was there that she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. 
Madsen. They became the parents of six children, five of whom were born 
ere the emigration to the new world, world, the youngest is a native of 
South Dakota. These are Annie, Conrad, Marie, Johanna, Louisa and 
Eleanor. The eldest daughter is the wife of William Neiland, who is a 
prosperous farmer of Yankton county. Conrad married Miss Huber and is 
now living on his father's farm, which he has recently purchased. He 
has one son, Richard Julius, while Mrs. Neiland has four children: 
Clara, Henrietta, Harvey and Arthur. Marie Madsen became the wife of 
George Klise, of Vermilion, South Dakota, and has one son, Lester. 
Louisa is the wife of Charles Frick, who was born in Yankton county, 
and who has purchased a farm on Beaver creek, where he is living. The 
youngest daughter is being educated at the University of South Dakota, 
located in Vermilion, and is now eighteen years of age. Johanna is a 
nurse in a hospital at Pueblo, Colorado.  

	Upon coming to the new world Mr. Madsen made his way across the 
country to Yankton county, where he purchased two hundred and twenty 
acres of land, upon which he made his home, his time and energies have 
been devoted to its development and cultivation. He raised considerable 
stock and also engaged in the cultivation of the cereals best adapted 
to the soil and climate. In his work he was energetic and practical and 
a glance at his place indicates to the passerby the careful supervision 
of the owner. Whatever success he has achieved has come to him as the 
direct result of his own labors and his life indicates what it is 
possible to accomplish in a land where labor is not hampered by caste 
or class. He has recently purchased a home in Yankton, which is now his 
home. He and his family are devoted members of the Lutheran church of 
Yankton, of which the Rev. Solberg is the pastor. As a sincere 
Christian gentleman, a straightforward business man and a good friend 
and neighbor, as well as a devoted husband and father Mr. Madsen 
deserves representation in this volume among the leading citizens of 
Yankton county.