Hans Lewison Biography


	This biography appears on pages 762-763 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" 	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and 
	was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				HANS LEWISON. 

	Among the well-to-do farmers of Spirit Mound township, Clay 
county, is numbered Hans Lewison, who was born in that county, April 
18, 1876, a son of Ole and Ellen (Tetly) Lewison, both of whom were 
natives of Norway. In 1859 the father emigrated to America and settled 
in Wisconsin, where he lived for several years, after which he removed 
to South Dakota and homesteaded land on which our subject now resides. 
He devoted his entire life to farming, passing away in 1880, and was 
survived by his widow for thirteen years. They were the parents of six 
children: Lewis, who is farming in Clay county; Lena, the wife of Frank 
Bliss, a farmer of Clay county, who is now serving as a member of the 
township board of Spirit Mound township; Eli, a physician of Canton, 
South Dakota; Hans, of this review; Lottie, who is the widow of Paul 
Paulson and makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Frank Bliss; and Anna, 
the deceased wife of Andrew J. Anderson, a farmer of Clay county. After 
the death of the father the mother married Knute Olson and to their 
union were born two children: Hilda, deceased; and one who died in 
infancy. Mr. Olson now lives retired in Canton, South Dakota. 

	Hans Lewison was reared upon the farm which is still his home and 
attended the district schools in the neighborhood until he was 
seventeen years of age, when he became a student in the Lutheran Normal 
School at Sioux Falls. Later he entered the State University of South 
Dakota at Vermillion, where he continued his studies for a time. He 
then returned home and worked upon the farm until his mother's death. 
Shortly afterward the homestead was divided and Mr. Lewison of this 
review fell heir to one hundred and sixty acres of the place, which 
comprised two hundred and forty acres. He has concentrated his energies 
upon the improvement and development of his farm and has erected a 
commodious, two story house and large barns and adequate outbuildings. 
He follows general farming and as he is successful and is also careful 
in the investment of his capital his resources are steadily increasing. 

	Mr. Lewison married Miss Nettie Anderson, a native of South 
Dakota and a daughter of Ole G. and Mary Anderson, both of whom were 
born in Norway They came with their respective parents to America in 
childhood, both families locating first in Wisconsin but subsequently 
removing to Iowa. Mr. Anderson took up a homestead in Clay county, this 
state, in May, 1874, and is still living thereon. His place is located 
about ten miles northeast of Vermillion and is in a high state of 
cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Lewison were married November 20, 1897, and 
have four children: Oren Vreeland; Erling Ellsworth; Harold Vernon; and 
Roderick Frank. 

	Mr. Lewison is a republican and in March, 1914, was elected 
supervisor of Spirit Mound township, in which capacity he is now 
serving. He and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, 
in which he served as deacon for a time. Their upright lives have won 
the sincere respect of those who have been thrown into contact with 
them.