Andrew Snoen Biography


	This biography appears on pages 870-871 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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				ANDREW SNOEN. 

	There is no greater incentive for continuous effort among young 
men than the record of those who have proven in their business careers 
that success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, nor the result 
of a combination of fortunate circumstances, as others believe, but is 
the direct and logical result of earnest, persistent effort, 
intelligently directed. Such has been the career of Andrew Snoen, who 
is today controlling the largest shoe trade in the city of Yankton, in 
which business he embarked in 1896. 

	Mr. Snoen was born in Norway on the 1st of March, 1861, a son of 
Eric and Gertrude Snoen. The family were for many generations Norwegian 
farmers. In the schools of that country Andrew Snoen pursued his 
education, which comprised no college training but only such mental 
direction and discipline as the public schools afforded He afterward 
began learning the trade of shoemaking, at which he served an 
apprenticeship, following that pursuit until he came to America in 
1886, when twenty-five years of age. Others of his fellow countrymen 
had previously crossed the Atlantic and settled in Dakota territory and 
the reports which they sent back concerning opportunities aroused his 
ambition and his desire to become a resident of the western section of 
America. Accordingly, he, too, made the trip across the briny deep and 
continued on his way until he reached Yankton, where he entered the 
employ of Jacob Max, for whom he worked for nine and a half years 
Capability, industry and energy constituted the salient features which 
he displayed and, moreover, proved the foundation upon which he builded 
his later success. He lived economically until his careful expenditures 
enabled him to save from his earnings a sufficient sum to purchase a 
stock of shoes. He then opened a store on his own account in 1896 and 
since that time has been one of the shoe merchants of the city. He soon 
ceased to be "one of the shoe merchants," and became the foremost 
dealer in that line in Yankton, having today the largest business in 
the city. He carries an extensive stock, qualifying him to meet varied 
tastes, and in addition he has made ,judicious investments in property 
until he is now the owner of valuable city real estate and farm lands, 
his investments being the visible evidence of a life of well directed 
energy and thrift. 

	On the 18th of October, 1894, Mr. Snoen was united in marriage to 
Miss Anna Gorseth, a native of Norway, who came to Dakota when twelve 
years of age, and a daughter of Arnt and Ingeborg Gorseth, who are 
residents of Volin, South Dakota. ' They became parents of two 
daughters: Grace Inga, who is a graduate of the Yankton high school; 
and Agnes Evelyn, who is at home. 

	Before leaving Norway Mr. Snoen served for three years in the 
regular army of that country. His political endorsement is given to the 
republican party and he has been a member of the city council, 
exercising his official prerogatives in support of various measures for 
the general good. He is also a member of the Commercial Club and 
cooperates in all of its plans and movements for advancing the welfare 
of the city and upholding civic standards. His religious faith is that 
of the Lutheran church and he is now president of its board of 
trustees. He has never neglected the duties and obligations of life 
while attempting to win success in the field of business and is known 
as an honorable man, a progressive and public-spirited citizen and a 
faithful adherent to any cause which he espouses. The analyzation of 
his business career proves that indefatigable energy and careful 
management are a sure foundation upon which to build success.