Alef O. Arneson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 900-903 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				ALEF O. ARNESON. 

	Alef O. Arneson resides in Opdahl township, Hamlin county, and is 
a man of prominence and influence in his community. He is thoroughly 
democratic in manner, unassuming, cordial and kindly, and his sterling 
traits have won him firm hold upon the genuine regard of his fellow 
citizens. He was born in Norway, December 26, 1855, a son of Ole and 
Mary Arneson. The father was a farmer and stonemason and after coming 
to the new world settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1864. After the 
removal of his son to South Dakota he, too, came to this state in 1882, 
taking up his abode on the northwest quarter of section 26, Opdahl 
township, Hamlin county. His wife has passed away, her death having 
occurred December 4, 1909. 

	Alef O. Arneson attended the common schools of Norway and of 
Wisconsin, having been brought to the new world when a lad of about 
nine years. When fourteen years of age he began working out as a farm 
hand by the month and was thus employed for eight years. Subsequently 
he spent some time in different places, being employed for one year in 
the lumber camps of the upper peninsula of Michigan, for one year in 
Hammond, Indiana, and for some time in southern Arkansas, whence he 
made his way to South Dakota, arriving at Huron in June, 1881. He 
worked for a time in Huron, and having friends in Hamlin county, was 
induced to remove to that locality. Liking the district, he took up his 
abode within the borders of the county and was later followed by his 
father. Alef O. Arneson settled on the northwest quarter of section 27, 
Opdahl township, but has since erected a commodious residence across 
the road on section 22, where he now lives. Prosperity has attended his 
efforts as the years have gone on and he has added to his original 
claim until he now owns seven hundred and sixty acres. His business 
affairs have been carefully managed and beside his farm interests he 
has other investments, being one of the large stockholders of the 
Central State Bank of Hayti, of which he is now the president. Each 
forward step in his business life has brought him a broader outlook and 
wider opportunities and he has carefully utilized the latter with the 
result that he has gained a place among the most substantial citizens 
of his district. 

	On the 18th of November, 1882, Mr. Arneson was,united in marriage 
to Miss Mary Hansen, a daughter of Hans Hansen, of Iowa county, 
Wisconsin. Her parents are both living and still make their home in 
Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Arneson have become parents of eight children, 
as follows: Harry, who wedded Miss Signa Rude of Canada and resides at 
Wetaskiwin, Alberta; Rosa, who is employed as bookkeeper by Marshall 
Field & Company of Chicago; Arthur, the assistant cashier for the 
Central State Bank of Hayti, South Dakota; Mabel, the deceased wife of 
Theodore Holt, of Hamlin county; Lillie, who gave her hand in marriage 
to Gilbert Holt, of Hamlin county; and Clarence, Agnes and Fred, at 
home.  

	In religious faith Mr. Arneson is a Lutheran and his political 
belief is that of the republican party. He has held various township 
and county offices, serving as county commissioner for two terms, while 
in 1890 he represented his district in the state legislature and later 
became state senator. He was elected to the house and to the senate on 
the populist ticket, but afterward became identified with the 
republican party and was reelected to the senate on that ticket. He 
possesses a most democratic spirit, is approachable and at all times 
courteous to those who seek an audience with him. His life proves the 
Emersonian philosophy that "the way to win a friend is to be one." He 
is widely and favorably known throughout his part of the state and is 
highly respected for what he has accomplished and the honorable methods 
by which he has attained his success.