Andrew Melgaard Biography


	This biography appears on pages 786-788 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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	ANDREW MELGAARD is a strong and sturdy citizen of foreign birth, 
one of Scandanavia's contributions to the United States. He was born in 
Norway, September 15, 1842, spent his early life in his native land and 
received a good education in the public schools of the locality in 
which he was reared. From youth he was accustomed to honest toil and 
inherited a strong character and a tendency to make the most of his 
opportunities, laid well-grounded plans for the future and determined 
to lead a life that would reflect credit upon himself and be of 
usefulness to the world. In his early manhood he entered the cavalry 
arm of the Norwegian army and after two years in a military training 
school served five years as the sergeant of his company. At the 
expiration of the period of his enlistment, Mr. Melgaard resumed the 
pursuits of civil life and continued to live in the land of his birth 
until 1869, when he came to the United States and located at 
Litchfield, Meeker county, Minnesota, where he was among the very first 
settlers. At the end of two years he removed to Minneapolis, where he 
soon secured a lucrative position with the Minneapolis Harvester Works, 
and spent seven years in, that employment, a greater portion of the 
time in the shops as an artisan, but in the seasons for that work as an 
expert machinist in the field, and in that capacity traveled over most 
of Minnesota and adjoining states.  

	Attracted by the Dakota land boom, he severed his relations with 
the harvester company in the spring of 1880 and came to the wild 
prairie of Brown county, South Dakota, where he took up, under the 
government laws, a half section of land about one mile south of 
Aberdeen, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. At that 
time the country was so new and sparsely settled that for a friendly 
chat with a neighbor he was obliged to go a distance a little in excess 
of fifteen miles. His first dwelling was a typical sod house, but it 
was comfortable and answered every purpose until a better home was 
completed early the following spring. It was his intention to bring his 
family out to the new home that autumn of 1880, but the phenomenally 
early arrival of winter caused him to remain in Minneapolis until 
spring, when he returned, bringing his wife and children to the 
homestead, where they still reside. Without following the family in all 
of the details of the intervening years, it is sufficient to say that 
each member was satisfied with his lot and the mutual interests of the 
household. In due season a handsome modern residence occupied the site 
of the homestead's humble dwelling; many improvements were inaugurated 
and genuine prosperity smiled upon them in the recurring years, until 
Mr. Melgaard found himself the owner of a splendid farm and home 
adjoining a splendid city where he is recognized as one of the 
substantial men and leading citizens as well as a representative farmer 
and stock raiser of Brown county. He is modern in his farming methods, 
fully abreast of the times in everything relating to his calling, and, 
possessing cultivated tastes as well as great industry, has spared no 
reasonable means in adding to the attractiveness and beauty of his 
home. Shortly after taking possession of his land he planted upon the 
treeless prairie two groves, of ten and five acres respectively, which 
have grown to large trees, affording most grateful shade and rendering 
the landscape attractive and pleasing. These grounds he leaves open to 
the public and being at the very gates of the city, are a favorite 
resort for picnickers and pleasure seekers, who find within the cooling 
shade the rest and recreation which the heated season frequently render 
imperative.  

	Another attractive feature of Mr. Melgaard's farm and one which 
makes the place widely known is the location upon it of the Northern 
Normal and Industrial School. Mr. Melgaard was untiring in his efforts 
to have the school built upon its present site, which is indeed a most 
favorable and advantageous one, and he heartily lent his influence 
toward securing the establishment of the institution by the state, at 
Aberdeen. It has no doubt greatly enhanced the value of his property, 
as well as given the place wide publicity, to say nothing of the 
additional attractiveness to the locality by the beautiful buildings, 
and the advantages to the youth of the neighborhood, offered by the 
splendid educational facilities which are placed within the reach of 
all who see fit to utilize them. Mr. Melgaard is a friend of education 
and uses his influence and all of the means within his power to advance 
its interests both at home and throughout the county. He also 
encourages all laudable enterprises and whatever makes for the material 
development and moral welfare of the community and as a citizen he is 
public spirited and aggressive, inflexibly honest and upright in his 
dealings and his relations with his fellow men have been marked by that 
probity and regard for right which is characteristic of the true lover 
of his kind. Like all good citizens, he takes an interest in politics, 
but has never been a partisan in the strict sense of the term nor 
disturbed the even tenor of his life by seeking official station. He 
has served as a member of the township board and his interest in local 
affairs has led to a number of improvements within his civil 
jurisdiction, although he is conservative in the matter of 
expenditures, only advocating public measures when they are for the 
benefit of all concerned.  

	Religiously, Mr. Melgaard was reared in the Lutheran church, and 
he still adheres to this faith. He was one of the original members of 
the First Lutheran church at Aberdeen, has been active in all of the 
good work of the congregation ever since, and at the present time is 
serving, the society in the capacity of trustee.  

	Mr. Melgaard was married in his native land, on the 27th of July, 
1867, to Miss G. Marie Hoel, a most estimable lady and genuine 
helpmeet, who has aided him in his struggles for a competence, 
ministered to his comfort and presided over his home with true wifely 
interest. Nine children have been born of the union, three of whom died 
in infancy. Of the survivors, Alfred was born in Christiania, Norway, 
May 24, 1868, and is now a successful druggist in Spokane, Washington; 
Harold, born at Litchfield, Minnesota, April 3, 1870, was formerly a 
teacher both in Dakota and Washington, but is now associated with his 
father in his farming operations: Rika, a native of Minneapolis, born 
July 28, 1873, is now the wife of A. Bjork, a prominent business man of 
Aberdeen; Hilda, born January 22, 1875, now residing at Miller, South 
Dakota; Ida, born October 28, 1876, is now Mrs. J. H. Herrett, the 
latter being a merchant of Frederick, South Dakota, and Oscar, born May 
4, 1879, resides in Spokane.  

	Mrs. Melgaard is also a Lutheran in religion and, like her 
husband, is an earnest and highly respected member of the church in 
Aberdeen.