Edwin Oliver Walgren Biography


	This biography appears on pages 618-621 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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				EDWIN OLIVER WALGREN. 

	Edwin Oliver Walgren is the secretary and treasurer of the 
Schwenk-Barth Brewing Company, one of the large productive industries 
of Yankton. He was born in Galesburg, Knox county, Illinois, January 
29, 1866. His father, Charles Walgren a native of Sweden, crossed the 
Atlantic to America in 1856 and at different periods worked in the 
pineries of Minnesota and of Arkansas but ultimately returned to his 
native land in 1865. There he married, after which he brought his young 
wife to the new world. They settled in Illinois and there Mrs. Walgren 
passed away in the fall of 1868, when their son Edwin Oliver was less 
than three years of age. The father followed farming, having purchased 
a tract of land in Knox county, Illinois, which he continuously 
cultivated and improved until 1888, when he retired from active farm 
life and removed to Dixon, Illinois, where he passed away in 1903. 

	Edwin Oliver Walgren was the eldest in his father's family. He 
was reared upon the home farm to the age of nineteen years and then 
started out in the business world, securing a position as bookkeeper 
after having pursued a course of study preparing him for work of that 
character at the Northern Illinois Normal school and Dixon Business 
College. His position as bookkeeper was in a general store at Dixon, 
where he continued for thirteen years, or until 1899, a fact 
unmistakably evidencing his capability, his efficiency and his 
trustworthiness. His thorough study and experience made. him an expert 
accountant, and he won a wide and well merited reputation in that 
direction. 

	In 1899 Mr. Walgren arrived in Yankton, South Dakota, where he 
has since made his home. He was first employed in checking up for the 
Building & Loan Association and did work as an accountant for the 
county treasurer and others. In July, 1901, he embarked in the 
restaurant business, which he conducted for four years, or until 1905. 
In the meantime he acquired an interest in the brewery which was 
incorporated in May, 1903. He assumed charge of the office at that 
date, being elected secretary and treasurer, in which connections he 
has since continued, contributing in large measure to the success of 
the company through the capable manner in which he controls its 
business and financial affairs. 

	In July, 1901, Mr. Walgren was married to Miss Maud Vore, a 
native of Logan, Harrison county, Iowa, and they have one son, William 
Edwin, who is now attending school. Mr. Walgren has advanced through 
both the York and Scottish Rites in Masonry since becoming a member of 
St. John's Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M. He also belongs to Yankton Chapter, 
No. 1, R. A. M., of which he is a past high priest; Omego Council, No. 
2, R. & S. M., of Salem, South Dakota; De Molay Commandery, No. 3, K. 
T.; Oriental Consistory, No. 1, A. A S. R., in which he has attained 
the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and of which he is 
preceptor; and Yelduz Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Aberdeen, South 
Dakota. He likewise has membership in the Elks Lodge, No. 994; the 
Eagles Aerie, No. 1486; and Phoenix Lodge, No. 34, K. P., in which he 
is chancellor commander He is also connected with Yankton Council of 
the United Commercial Travelers and is a member of the Improved Order 
of Red Men, of which he was the first great sachem for South Dakota. 
His political endorsement is given to the republican party, but he has 
never sought nor desired office, preferring to give undivided attention 
to his business affairs. Indefatigable energy and close application 
have featured most strongly in his success. He has worked hard and 
merit has won its true reward, so that he is now one of the prosperous 
business men of his city.