Ole J. Questad Biography


	This biography appears on page 687 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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	OLE J. QUESTAD. - As the name indicates, the subject of this 
review is of foreign birth, being an honorable representative of the 
large, thrifty and eminently respectable Norwegian element that has 
exerted such a potent influence in the settlement and development of 
South Dakota and contributed in such a marked way to the material 
prosperity of the state. Ole J. Questad was born in Norway on the 3d 
day of May, 1854, and spent his childhood and early youth in the land 
of his nativity, receiving the meantime a fair education in the schools 
of his neighborhood. On his sixteenth birthday he took passage with his 
parents, Jacob O. and Rachel Questad for the United States and, 
arriving in this country, proceeded direct to Freeborn county, 
Minnesota, where he labored during the ensuing three years as a farm 
hand. In 1873 he came to South Dakota, and for some time carried on 
farming in Minnehaha county, subsequently on attaining his majority 
taking up a homestead in the township of Burk, where he lived and 
cultivated the soil until 1885, when he returned to the township in 
which he originally settled. After spending one year on his farm in 
Lyons Mr. Questad, in partnership with his brother, Thomas J., engaged 
in merchandising at Baltic, the firm thus constituted lasting about 
thirteen years, at the expiration of which period the subject purchased 
his partner's interest and became sole proprietor. From that time to 
the present day he has prosecuted the business quite successfully and 
is now the leading merchant of the place, carrying a large stock of 
general merchandise, which is advantageously displayed in a fine, 
commodious stone building, erected by him in the year 1902. Mr. Questad 
is an enterprising, up-to-date man, familiar with the principles upon 
which success in the commercial world depends, and, by consulting the 
needs and tastes of his customers, as well as by his courteous 
treatment of the public, he has secured a large and lucrative 
patronage, which gives every promise of still greater magnitude as the 
years go by. In addition to his establishment at Baltic, he is also 
interested in agriculture, owning a well improved farm in Lyons 
township, a part of which is in cultivation.  

	Mr. Questad has been honored at different times with official 
positions, having served as justice of the peace in the townships of 
Lyons and Sverdrup and as school treasurer and township treasurer in 
the latter jurisdiction. He acquitted himself creditably as a public 
servant and demonstrated his ability to discharge worthily the duties 
of any important trust confided to him. He is a man of sound 
intelligence, clear, practical mind and excellent judgment, as the 
growth and continued success of his business attest, and among his 
fellow citizens he is held in high esteem by reason of his honorable 
course, correct conduct and upright life.  

	From April 1, 1881, dates the domestic life of Mr. Questad, at 
which time he entered the marriage relation with Miss Lena Swenson, of 
Iowa, but of Norwegian descent, the union being blessed with the 
following children: James J., Rosa A., Julia, Sander, Arthur, Otella, 
Lonard and Earnest Ferdinand, all living and, with their parents, 
constituting a happy family circle.