John E. Walseth Biography


	This biography appears on pages 375-376 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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				JOHN E. WALSETH.  

	John E. Walseth is the vice president of the First National Bank 
of Clear Lake and figures prominently in financial circles in his 
section of the state. He is a man of determined purpose, accomplishing 
what he undertakes, nor does he find it necessary to follow devious and 
unfair methods. On the contrary, he is thoroughly reliable and his 
business principles are such as will bear the closest investigation and 
scrutiny. He was born in Norway, on the 13th of May, 1869, and is a son 
of Einer J. and Margaret Walseth, who came to the United States in 
1881, settling in Murray county, Minnesota, where he purchased one 
hundred and twenty acres of school land. He afterward added to that a 
tract of eighty acres, which he has since sold, but still retains 
possession of the original one hundred and twenty acres, making his 
home thereon. He is a republican in polities, with prohibition 
tendencies, and the weight of his influence is always east on the side 
of temperance. He and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran 
church.  

	John E. Walseth was twelve years of age when his parents 
emigrated to the new world. He had attended the public schools of his 
native country and he afterward continued his education in the public 
schools of Slayton and Tracy, Minnesota, and in the Minneapolis schools 
and the Minneapolis Business College. When his education was completed 
he applied himself to the art of fresco painting, serving a regular 
apprenticeship and afterward working as a journeyman until 1891, when 
he removed westward to Canby, Minnesota. There he read law for a year, 
but in 1892 turned his attention to the banking business, securing a 
position as clerk in the Bank of Canby, with which institution he was 
identified for eight years, working his way steadily upward until he 
was thoroughly familiar with all phases of the business at the time he 
resigned. In 1900 he went to Clear Lake, South Dakota, as assistant 
cashier of the First National Bank and became a stockholder of that 
institution. In 1903 he was elected to the board of directors and in 
1911 was made vice president of the bank, in which position he still 
continues. The bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars, 
has a surplus and undivided profits of about twenty-six thousand 
dollars, has in circulation twenty-five thousand dollars and has 
deposits amounting to four hundred and fifty-eight thousand, six 
hundred and sixty-two dollars. The official statement of the bank shows 
the institution to be in excellent condition. He was one of the 
organizers of the State Bank of Goodwin, South Dakota, of which he is 
still a stockholder. He is likewise a stockholder in the First State 
Bank of Eagle Bend, Minnesota, a stockholder in the State Bank of 
Waverly, South Dakota, and a member of its board of directors. He is 
secretary and treasurer of the Citizens Electric Light & Telephone 
Company and is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of excellent 
farm land in Deuel county. He is likewise treasurer of the Clear Lake 
Farmers Elevator Company and the extent and importance of his business 
affairs place him among those who have done most toward furthering the 
upbuilding and prosperity of his section.  

	In 1895 Mr. Walseth was united in marriage to Miss Nellie C. 
Peterson, a daughter of Thomas C. Peterson, formerly vice president of 
the First National Lank of Clear Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Walseth have become 
parents of three sons and two daughters, Edwin T., Russell M., Clarence 
A., Margaret C. and Clara G. Mr. Walseth holds membership with the 
Modern Woodmen of America and he and his wife are adherents of the 
Lutheran faith, but, as there is no congregation of that denomination 
in Clear Lake, they attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. In polities Mr. Walseth is an earnest republican and served for 
several years as a member of the school board. He is also president of 
the city library board and has served as secretary of the Clear Lake 
Commercial Club, of which he is now a director. He justly ranks as one 
of the leading citizens of Deuel county, for his efforts have been an 
important element in advancing public progress as well as in bringing 
about individual success.