Knud Knudson Biography This biography appears on page 1066 in "History of Dakota Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) 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://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm KNUD KNUDSON. Knud Knudson, a farmer of Highland township, Minnehaha county, has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of his state and nation, although he was born in the distant land of the midnight sun. His natal day was September 30, 1853, and his parents were Knud and Osa (Knudson) Olverson. The family came to the United States in 1870 and resided in Clayton county, Iowa, for about six years, after which they removed to Minnesota, where the father homesteaded land. Both parents are deceased. Knud Knudson received an excellent education in Norway and studied for the ministry, although he was never ordained. In 1875 he started out in life for himself and came to South Dakota, where he homesteaded on section 3, Highland township, Minnehaha county. He subsequently purchased one hundred acres of land and is also the owner of a farming property in Minnesota. In the early days of the state Mr. Knudson met many discouragements in his efforts to improve his farm and to raise good crops, as at times the severe winters made it impossible for the grain to grow well and at other times the grasshoppers destroyed the crops. Markets were many miles away and he has often hauled his grain to Luverne and to Sioux Falls in order to dispose of it. He persevered, however, in the face of all obstacles and as the country became mole settled and as the farmers learned better how to protect themselves against the rigors of climate, prosperity came to him and he does not regret coming to the state and casting in his lot with its citizens. He carries on general farming and raises some stock for the market, having at the present time about thirty head of cattle, forty-five head of hogs and sixteen horses. He is a stockholder in the Jasper Elevator and in the Highland Creamery, which connections indicate that he realizes the value of local business enterprises. Mr. Knudson is married and all of his children were born on the homestead and have been reared under the parental roof. The family belong to the Lutheran church and support all movements undertaken for the moral welfare of the community. Mr. Knudson is a republican and for many years has been a member of the town board, ably discharging the duties devolving upon him in that capacity. He is well known throughout the county and has many friends, who value his good opinion highly.