Thomas L. Wiggen Biography


	This biography appears on pages 682-683 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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				THOMAS L. WIGGEN.

	Since 1894 Thomas L. Wiggen has been engaged in the plumbing 
business in Yankton, his well equipped establishment being located at 
No. 222 Capitol avenue. He is a native of Norway, the year of his birth 
being 1871. His parents were Louis and Carrie (Jensen) Wiggen, the 
father a native of Norway and the mother of France. The son began his 
education in his native land but at the age of twelve years accompanied 
his elder brother, James, to America, their destination being 
Minneapolis, Minnesota. He then entered the public schools of that 
city, which he attended for two years, or until he was fourteen years 
of age. At that time he became apprenticed to the plumber's trade, thus 
serving four years, and as a journeyman plumber worked at his trade in 
many of the principal cities of the United States. In 1894 he made his 
way to Yankton, South Dakota, where for a time he was employed in a 
similar capacity, but after four years he opened an establishment of 
his own at 222 Capitol avenue. He handles all kinds of plumber's 
supplies and does a contracting  business, his establishment being the 
most completely equipped for repair work in the state. He installed the 
heating and plumbing apparatus in the Sisters Hospital in Yankton and 
in Garfield school and also had the contract for laying the main 
sewerage throughout the city. He has likewise done much other important 
work along his line in Yankton and in the surrounding districts. He 
understands his business thoroughly and employs only skilled workmen to 
assist him, and this added to his honesty and fair dealing has brought 
to him a gratifying and substantial success.

	Mr. Wiggen was married to Miss Bertrena Nelson, a native of 
Denmark and a daughter of Christian and Kristiana (Nelson) Nelson. The 
daughter accompanied her parents on their removal to South Dakota and 
the father for many years followed farming near Tabor, in Yankton 
county but he is now living practically retired. Mrs. Wiggen attended 
the public schools of Yankton and later the Lutheran Normal College at 
Sioux Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggen have one daughter, Lillian. The family 
attend the services of the Lutheran church. Mr. Wiggen is a member of 
St. John's Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty-
second degree in Masonry, belonging to Oriental Consistory, No. 1, and 
he is likewise a member of Yelduz Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic 
Shrine at Aberdeen, South Dakota. He also holds membership relations 
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Wiggen is yet a young 
man, alert, energetic and wide-awake and if his present success is any 
criterion of what the future holds in store for him he will undoubtedly 
attain much greater prosperity ere his career comes to a close.