Berns Johnson Solem Biography


	This biography appears on page 1896-1897 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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	BERNS JOHNSON SOLEM was born in Norway, and was reared and 
educated in his native place and there continued to give his attention 
to business until his immigration to America. He landed in Quebec, 
Canada, and thence made his way to Wisconsin, and thence went to 
Minnesota, where he was engaged in railroad work for the ensuing two 
years, at the expiration of which he went to Mason City, Iowa, and in 
that locality devoted three years to grading work on a railroad. 
Subsequently he came as a pioneer to what is now Lincoln county, South 
Dakota, and took up a homestead claim in Norway township. On his land 
he proceeded to erect a shanty, and hired men to break some of the 
land, while he soon returned to Mason City, Iowa, where he purchased a 
yoke of oxen and transported his little stock of household goods to his 
primitive house. He energetically set himself to the task of developing 
his farm and placing it under cultivation, and with the passing of the 
years marked success came to reward his efforts. He became the owner of 
a finely improved ranch, and there continued to reside until he 
disposed of the property and removed to the village of Canton, where he 
has since lived practically retired. In politics he gives his support 
to the men whom he considers best qualified, and both he and his wife 
are devoted members of the Lutheran church.

	Mr. Solem was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Johnson, who was 
born and reared in Norway and who has proved to him a devoted wife and 
helpmeet, and of this union were born two children.