Olaf Sjolie Biography


	This biography appears on page 756 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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				OLAF SJOLIE. 

	Olaf Sjolie, proprietor of the leading general store in Wallace, 
was born in Norway ml the 22d of October, 1878, a son of Ole L. and 
Eline Sjolie. The family came to South Dakota in 1892 and located at 
Bradley, where the father purchased land. The parents are still living 
in that town. 

	Olaf Sjolie acquired the greater part of his education in his 
native land but attended school for a short time after accompanying his 
parents to this state. After leaving school he entered the business 
world as a clerk in the store of Mathewson & Company in Bradley, which 
position he held for about eight years, and during that time thoroughly 
familiarized himself with the problems of a small town merchant and 
also carefully saved his earnings so that after eight years he was able 
to buy the store. He conducted it successfully for five years and on 
selling out went to Stanley county, where he homesteaded land, 
remaining there for a year. He next traveled for one year for the 
Empire Creamery Company, after which he went to Wallace and established 
a general store. Since his arrival there in 1907 he has prospered and 
his patronage is constantly increasing. He erected the building which 
he occupies and his enterprise has proved a profitable one. He keeps a 
stock suited to the demands of his trade and is therefore not obliged 
to carry goods upon his shelves for any length of time, which means 
that his merchandise is always new and up-to-date. He is considered one 
of the leading and successful business men of Wallace. 

	On the 21st of May, 1914, Mr. Sjolie married Miss Cora Fryslie, a 
daughter of Anton Fryslie, of Vienna, who was a member of the 
legislature from Clark county for several terms. Mr. and Mrs. Sjolie 
are Lutherans in their religious faith, and fraternally he is a member 
of Bradley Camp, Modern Woodmen of America; Bradley Castle of Yeomen 
and Watertown Lodge; B. P. O. E. He is a republican in his political 
affiliation and has served as clerk of the school board for five years 
and is the present chairman of the town board. He is interested in real 
estate and has invested to a considerable extent in farm lands. He has 
abounding faith in the future of South Dakota and cooperates heartily 
in every effort made to hasten its development and advance its 
interests.