Jacob B. Severson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1221-1222 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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				JACOB B. SEVERSON. 

	Jacob B. Severson, who is widely recognized as a progressive and 
enterprising agriculturist of South Dakota, has made his home in this 
state for more than a quarter of a century, residing on section 33, 
Valley Springs township, Minnehaha county. His birth occurred in Norway 
on the 23d of July, 1870, his parents being S. S. and Sigri Severson, 
both of whom are deceased. 

	Jacob B. Severson attended the common schools of his native land 
in the acquirement of an education and after putting aside his 
textbooks immediately made preparations to emigrate to the United 
States, landing on American shores in 1887. He made his way direct to 
South Dakota and in Minnehaha county took charge of the estate of John 
O. Johnson, who afterward became his father-in-law and whose farm 
embraced three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 33, Valley 
Springs township. In the management of this property he has been 
actively and continuously engaged to the present time and his labors 
have been attended with most excellent results. He utilizes the latest 
improved machinery in the work of the fields and conducts his farming 
interests in accord with the most modern and practical methods. Mr. 
Severson owns a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, 
Valley Springs township, which he purchased in 1909, and also eighty 
acres on section 19. In connection with the production of cereals he 
devotes considerable attention to live stock, feeding seventy head of 
cattle and one hundred and fifty head of hogs. He makes a specialty of 
shorthorn cattle and in all of his undertakings as an agriculturist has 
been deservedly successful. 

	On the 16th of March, 1899, Mr. Severson was united in marriage 
to Miss Annie Johnson, a daughter of John O. and Eveline Johnson. Her 
father came to South Dakota in 1872 and took up a homestead and also a 
tree claim comprising the north half of section 33, Valley Springs 
township, Minnehaha county, being among the earliest pioneers of this 
state. He passed away August 3, 1896, but is still survived by his 
widow, who makes her home with our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Severson have 
two children, Harry and Iva, who are fourteen and eleven years of age 
respectively. 

	In politics Mr. Severson is a republican. He has held several 
township offices and at present holds the position of supervisor, ever 
proving a most capable and satisfactory official. The cause of 
education has ever found in him a stanch champion and he has done able 
serve ice in its interests as chairman and member of the school board. 
His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, while fraternally 
he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen. He is 
interested ill everything pertaining to the welfare and advancement of 
his adopted state and enjoys an enviable reputation as a 
representative, esteemed and prosperous citizen.