Sivert Severson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1209-1210 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


				SIVERT SEVERSON. 

	Sivert Severson, who has been a resident of Minnehaha county for 
more than three decades, is a foremost citizen of Split Rock township 
and acts as manager of the Perry elevator at Rowena. His birth occurred 
in Norway on the 29th of August, 1863, his parents being Sivert and 
Sigred (Lutro) Severson. The father died in that country in 1908, but 
the mother is still living on the old home farm in Norway. 

	Sivert Severson acquired his education in the common schools of 
his native land and set sail for the United States in 1883, when a 
young man of twenty years. On reaching American shores he made his way 
direct to Dell Rapids, South Dakota, arriving here on April 13th. He 
then went to Valley Springs and there secured a position as a section 
hand at a wage of one dollar and ten cents per day, being thus employed 
for four months. On the expiration of that period he turned his 
attention to the work of the fields and was employed as a farm hand for 
about four years, while subsequently he cultivated rented land for 
about five years. In 1892 he identified himself with the grain business 
as manager of the elevator at Benclare, South Dakota, remaining in this 
position for ten years. He next operated an elevator in Sioux Falls for 
one year and in 1903 came to Rowena. When G. H. Perry erected the 
elevator at this point he also opened a lumberyard and placed Mr. 
Severson in charge of both branches of his business. In this important 
position he has since served to the present time and by his able 
management has largely contributed to the success of the enterprise 
which he represents. 

	In 1899 Mr. Severson was united in marriage to Miss Alma Swenson, 
a native of Iowa, her parents having emigrated from Norway and taken up 
their abode in that state at an early day. Our subject and his wife 
have five children, as follows: Herbert C., Elwood S., Wilfred I., 
Howard T. and Johanna M. 

	Mr. Severson gives his political allegiance to the democracy and 
now holds the office of clerk of Split Rock township, discharging the 
duties devolving upon him in a prompt and efficient manner. Fraternally 
he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Modern 
Brotherhood of America and the local lodge of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows at Valley Springs. In all the relations of life his actions 
have conformed to the highest standards, and he justly deserves the 
full measure of confidence and respect now entertained for him by all 
who know him.