Lars Skaland Biography


	This biography appears on page 1038 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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				LARS SKALAND. 

	Lars Skaland was one of the earliest settlers in Minnehaha 
county, arriving there while the Indians were still plentiful and 
enduring all of the hardships incident to life in a new country. He did 
his full share in reclaiming the region from the wilderness and in 
making it a settled and prosperous agricultural country. He realized 
the value of South Dakota land and became one of the well-to-do 
citizens of the county, as he owned four hundred and eighty acres, now 
operated by his sons. He, however, resided upon his farm on section 12, 
Brandon township, until his death. He was born in Norway on the 28th of 
March, 1843, a son of Enbreg Larson, who passed away in Norway. The 
subject of this review attended the public schools of his native 
country in the acquirement of an education and in 1864, upon reaching 
his majority, crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He made his 
way to Iowa and spent one year in that state, coming to South Dakota in 
1865. He located in Lincoln county and soon preempted a quarter section 
of land near Canton. He made his home upon his farm for about a year 
and then sold it for three hundred dollars. He later removed to 
Minnehaha county and homesteaded the farm whereon he spent the 
remainder of his life. He also purchased a quarter section of hand in 
Red Rock township and another quarter section in Brandon township, 
making his landed possessions four hundred and eighty acres. For many 
years he was actively engaged in the cultivation of his land but he 
felt in his last year that he was entitled to a rest and left the 
actual work of the farm to his sons. Mr. Skaland was a stockholder in 
the Farmers Elevator Company of Carson and was a great believer in the 
value of such local business enterprises. 

	Mr. Skaland was married in Norway while on a trip back to his old 
home in 1881, his bride being Miss Elizabeth Anderson. Seven children 
were born of this marriage, as follows: Edwin, a farmer of Brandon 
township; Ludwig, at home; Oscar, a farmer of North Dakota; and Conrad, 
Isaac, Harry and Ruth, all at home. The family are members of the 
Norwegian Lutheran church and are active in promoting its work. Mr. 
Skaland was a republican in his political allegiance and was interested 
in all matters of public concern. The younger generation can scarcely 
realize the difficulties and privations which were the lot of the first 
settlers, but the presence of such men as Mr. Skaland in the community 
helps to keep alive the memories of those early days and of the heroic 
labors which have made possible the present favorable conditions of 
life. The death of Mr. Skaland occurred September 15, 1914, when he was 
almost seventy-two years of age. His life record covered years of toil, 
attended at length with a substantial measure of success that enabled 
him to live practically retired, and his friends rejoiced in this 
condition, knowing that his prosperity was well earned.