Amund O. Ringsrud Ringsrud


	This biography appears on pages 1092, 1095 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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				HON. AMUND O. RINGSRUD. 

	The name of Hon. Amund O. Ringsrud is written large on the pages 
of South Dakota's history because of his prominent and helpful 
connection with public offices and his activity in the field of 
commerce, which constitutes the basis of the material development and 
greatness of the state. While he is now widely known as the proprietor 
of an establishment conducted under the name of the Ringsrud Mercantile 
Company at Elk Point, he is equally widely known as having had the 
honor of serving as the first secretary of state of South Dakota. 

	He was born in Norway on the 13th of September, 1854, a son of 
Ole O. and Karen (Amundson) Ringsrud, who came to the United States in 
1867. They were among the first residents of Union county, Dakota, and 
the work of development, improvement and civilization seemed scarcely 
begun in that district. Much of the land was still in possession of the 
government and Ole O. Ringsrud homesteaded a quarter section of land in 
Brule township, on which he lived to the time of his death in 18,6, 
devoting his energies to the cultivation and improvement of his farm. 
His widow survived him for thirty-eight years and passed away at the 
advanced age of ninety-one years. She was born November 17, 1822, and 
death called her on the 2d of April, 1914. 

	Amund O. Ringsrud was a little lad in his thirteenth year at the 
time the family made the long voyage across the Atlantic to the new 
world; For a brief period after the establishment of the home in South 
Dakota he attended public school and then worked upon his father's farm 
until he reached his sixteenth year. He then received his initial 
training along mercantile lines in a clerkship in a general store at 
Elk Point. He spent eight and a half years in that way, gaining broad, 
practical experience, which constituted the foundation for his present 
success in mercantile lines. After that period spent in a clerkship, 
however, he became an active factor in political circles and the 
recognition of his worth and ability on the part of his fellow citizens 
led to his election to the office of registrar of deeds of Union county 
in 1878. Reelection continued him in the position for three terms, or 
six years, and he retired from office as he had entered it-with the 
confidence and goodwill of all concerned. When his third term as 
registrar had expired he was elected county treasurer of Union county 
and continued as the custodian of the public funds through two terms, 
or for a period of four years. Still higher political honors awaited 
him, however, for in 1889 he was elected secretary of state of South 
Dakota, having the honor of being the first man chosen to that position 
in the newly organized commonwealth. As in the positions which he had 
previously 
held, he discharged his duties with such promptness, faithfulness and 
capability that he was reelected and remained for two terms as one of 
the state officers. 

	In the meantime Mr. Ringsrud had become actively and prominently 
identified with the business life of Elk Point, having established a 
mercantile enterprise in 1885, which he incorporated under the name of 
the Ringsrud Mercantile Company in 1896. In that year he was candidate 
on the republican ticket for governor of South Dakota but in the 
election met defeat when Bryan and free silver swept the state, the 
party losing in the election the congressman, the governor and the 
presidential electors. He now represents his county as a committeeman 
of the republican party and is still deeply interested in the political 
situation of the country, although not seeking office at the present 
time. He now devotes the greater part of his energies to the conduct of 
his growing commercial interests and is today at the head of one of the 
most important mercantile establishments of his part of the state. He 
carries a very large and carefully selected line of goods and is thus 
ready to meet the varied wants and needs of a diverse patronage. His 
store is attractive in its arrangements, his prices are reasonable and 
in the conduct of his business he displays unfaltering energy and 
progressiveness. He is also a member of the board of directors of the 
Union County Bank. 

	In 1876 Mr. Ringsrud was married to Miss Emma F. Snyder, of New 
Hampton, Iowa, and to them have been born two daughters and a son: 
Grace Ellen, now the wife of F. W. Ford, of Elk Point; Stella May, at 
home; and Alfred H., who is engaged in the automobile business in Elk 
Point. Mr. Ringsrud is a leader in Masonic circles, holding membership 
in Elk Point Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. M.; Vermillion Chapter, No. 21, R. 
A. M.; De Molay Commandery, K. T., of Yankton; Oriental Consistory, No. 
1, A. & A. S. R. of Yankton; and El Riad Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., of 
Sioux Falls. He is now president of the Elk Point Commercial Club and 
displays in marked measure the spirit of initiative in promoting,and 
fostering the interests whereby the club is doing such splendid work in 
advancing the commercial connections of the city and in furthering all 
interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride, From 
early manhood Mr. Ringsrud has been a leading figure in South Dakota 
and is widely known throughout the state as one whose record is of 
signal usefulness and honor.