Christian O. Berdahl Biography


	This biography appears on pages 452-455 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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				CHRISTIAN O. BERDAHL. 

	While it is an indisputable fact that the growth and progress of 
any city or community is the result of the combined efforts of many, it 
is also equally true that there are always leaders in the movements 
which result in progress and prosperity for a district, and to this 
class belongs Christian O. Berdahl, who is cashier of the Minnehaha 
State Bank and the present efficient and popular mayor of Garretson. 
Minnehaha county numbers him among her native sons. He was born 
November 11, 1878, of the marriage of Anfin J. and Caroline 
(Christianson) Berdahl. The father, a native of Norway, came to the 
United States with his parents when a little child of but three years 
and the mother, while born in Minnesota, was of Norwegian descent. The 
paternal grandparents settled in Minnesota, but in the early '70s came 
to South Dakota, establishing their home in Minnehaha county. Anfin J. 
Berdahl had then reached adult age and both he and his father filed on 
claims about seven miles west of Garretson, becoming pioneer settlers 
in that region and recognized later as active factors in its 
development and improvement. Ole Christianson, the maternal grandfather 
of C. O. Berdahl, died while serving in a Minnesota regiment during the 
Civil war. His widow with their five children afterward came west to 
South Dakota, arriving about the same time as the Berdahl family. They 
settled in Moody county, where Mrs. Christianson secured a claim of a 
quarter section of land. After the marriage of Anfin J. Berdahl and 
Caroline Christianson they began their domestic life upon the claim 
which he had previously secured. He owned three quarter sections and 
with characteristic energy began the development and cultivation of the 
farm. In 1892 he removed to Garretson and turned his attention to 
mercantile pursuits as a dealer in general merchandise, remaining in 
active and successful identification with that business for about 
seventeen years. At length, with a well earned competency, which had 
come to him as the reward of his close application and capable 
management, he retired from active life. Both he and his wife still 
live in Garretson, where they are numbered among the most highly 
respected citizens. 

	Christian O. Berdahl was reared under the parental roof and 
acquired a public-school education in Garretson, after which he became 
a student in the normal department of the business college at Sioux 
Falls. Still later he attended the Sioux Falls College for two years 
and completed his preparation for life's practical and responsible 
duties with a business course in the Caton Business College at 
Minneapolis, Minnesota. During the periods of vacation while he was 
pursuing his studies he taught school for two terms and after finishing 
his course in Minneapolis he returned home and found employment in his 
father's store in Garretson. In 1906 he secured a claim in North Dakota 
and in 1907 he removed to the homestead upon which his wife lived until 
they had proved up the claim and secured their title. Mr. Berdahl, 
however, returned to Garretson, having been offered the position of 
cashier in the First National Bank in the fall of 1907. He accepted and 
continued to act in that capacity until February, 1911, when he 
resigned his position to become cashier in the Minnehaha State Bank. He 
has since acted in that capacity and his previous experience well 
qualified him to undertake the duties which devolve upon him, and in 
their faithful discharge he has contributed much to the growth and 
upbuilding of the bank. In addition to his connection with banking 
interests Mr. Berdahl is engaged in merchandising, having ill 1912 
formed a partnership with his brother Elmer U. under the firm style of 
E. U. Berdahl & Company. This business is conducted under the 
management of Elmer U. Berdahl and has proven a distinct success. 

	Mr. Berdahl has also been a prominent and influential factor in 
the public life of the community. In politics he has always been a 
republican and for years past has been a dominant factor and recognized 
leader in political circles. In 1908 he was elected city auditor, in 
which position he remained for four years. Further evidence of the 
confidence reposed in him by the public came in his election to the 
mayoralty of Garretson in 1912 and in his reelection to that office, 
and he is now the chief executive of the city, to which he is giving a 
businesslike and progressive administration. At the last primary he was 
nominated on the republican ticket for representative of his district 
and w as elected. He proved an able working member of the legislature, 
served on the committee on banks and banking and was especially active 
in connection with legislation relating to the government of cities. 

	On the 24th of August, 1905, Mr. Berdahl was united in marriage 
to Miss Mary Mair, of Garretson, a sister of the Rev. William M. Mair, 
who is at the head of the agricultural department of the college at 
Brookings, South Dakota. To Mr. and Mrs. Berdahl has been born a 
daughter, Dorothy Mair, and a son, Clayton Munroe. 

	Fraternally Mr. Berdahl is connected with the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and the Fraternal 
Reserve. He is of the Lutheran faith, while his wife holds membership 
in the Presbyterian church. Both are highly esteemed in the community 
and many friends extend to them the hospitality of their homes. Mr. 
Berdahl is without invidious distinction accounted one of the foremost 
men of Garretson. He has done much to further its interests and 
upbuilding and his work has at all times been characterized by 
unfaltering devotion to the public good. What he has accomplished has 
resulted from the fit utilization of the innate powers and talents 
which are his and the wise use which he has made of his opportunities.