Gustave A. S. Arneson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 432-433 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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				GUSTAVE A. S. ARNESON. 

	A practitioner at the bar of Hamlin county, Gustave A. S. Arneson 
is well and favorably known in this connection and has made for himself 
a creditable position during the thirteen years in which he has been 
active along professional lines in this part of the state. He was born 
in Decorah, Iowa, on the 9th of March, 1868, a son of Amon and Julia 
(Wolden) Arneson, both of whom have now passed away. The father was for 
many years engaged in merchandising and he also held the office of 
sheriff of Winneshiek county. 

	Gustave A. S. Arneson, one of a family of eight children, spent 
his youthful days in his parents, home and when he had passed through 
consecutive grades in the public schools he entered the high school. 
Still later he became a student in the Decorah Institute, from which he 
was graduated with the class of 1888. For two years he followed 
teaching in Iowa. Deciding to come to South Dakota, he accordingly 
arrived in Bryant, Hamlin county, in August, 1890, and there followed 
mercantile pursuits for several years. In 1898 he was elected clerk of 
the courts for Hamlin county, was twice reelected and occupied that 
position for six years. During this time he resolved to follow a 
professional career and made choice of the practice of law. While 
serving as clerk of the court he became a student in the law offices of 
Judge Bennett and Aubrey Lawrence, formerly states attorney, and after 
carefully mastering many of the principles of jurisprudence he 
successfully passed the examination that secured his admission to the 
bar in April, 1902 

	On the expiration of his last term as clerk of the court Mr. 
Arneson returned to Bryant and entered upon the practice of his chosen 
profession, remaining there continuously since. He soon proved his 
ability to successfully cope with intricate and involved legal 
problems, to unravel a legal tangle and to present his cause with 
clearness and force that seldom fail to win the verdict desired. The 
court records are evidence of his success, and his ability is further 
demonstrated in the fact that in 1912 he was chosen to the office of 
county judge by popular suffrage and was reelected in 1914. 

	Mr. Arneson was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Braaten, a 
daughter of Harvey and Mary Braaten, who were pioneer settlers of 
Hamlin county, South Dakota, but later removed to Saskatchewan, Canada, 
where they now reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Arneson have been born six 
children: Mabel G. and Agnes H., who are now teaching in the district 
schools; Ralph W.; Dora E.; William R.; and Harlan A. 
The family attend the Lutheran church, of which the parents are 
members, and Mr. Arneson also holds membership in the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. His political views are in accord with the principles 
of the republican party and upon that ticket he was elected county 
auditor for four terms. He also served as city attorney for two years 
and was reappointed to the latter position in 1915, being the present 
incumbent. He enjoys a ride through the country in his motor car and 
also likes to spend a leisure hour as a disciple of Izaak Walton, but 
his time and attention are chiefly concentrated upon his professional 
duties and since being elected to the bench he has made an excellent 
record, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial, so that his 
excellent work during his first term led to his reelection to the 
office.