August C. Burnstad Biography


	This biography appears on pages 234-235 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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				HON. AUGUST C. BURNSTAD. 

	Hon. August C. Burnstad, now living largely retired at Florence, 
has lived to witness a remarkable transformation in South Dakota. He 
arrived in pioneer times, driving a team of oxen across the country, 
and aided in transforming broad prairie land into richly productive 
fields. He met many of the hardships and privations of life upon the 
frontier, but with the passing years success attended his well directed 
efforts and he became the possessor of a handsome competence, which now 
enables him to rest from further labor. He was born in Norway, August 
11, 1853, a son of Chris and Martha Burnstad, both of whom passed away 
in that country. The father devoted his life to farming. 

	In the common schools of his native country August C. Burnstad 
pursued his education and then, attracted by the favorable reports 
which he heard concerning the opportunities and advantages of the new 
world, he sailed for America when but sixteen years of age and settled 
in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in 1869. There he remained until 1880, 
working in the lumber woods, at the end of which time he made his way 
to South Dakota, settling in Eden township, Codington county. He 
traveled after the primitive manner of the times, driving a team of 
oxen hitched to a covered wagon. He homesteaded on section 24 and 
secured a tree claim on the same section. There was no competition for 
land there, for he was the first settler in the township. With 
characteristic energy he began to develop the place and continued 
operating the two claims until seven years ago, when he removed to 
Florence in 1914, however, he again began to cultivate his farm. At one 
time his landed possessions were more extensive, but he sold a portion 
of his holdings. His first work was done with the four oxen with which 
he had made the journey to South Dakota. Every evidence of frontier 
life was here to be seen. He had to haul his grain to and obtain his 
supplies from Watertown, twenty-five miles distant. No roads had been 
laid out and there were many hardships and privations to be met. The 
seasons were so dry that crops were poor and the winters were very 
severe, but as the years have gone on Mr. Burnstad has won a 
substantial measure of prosperity in the development and improvement of 
his farm. He is now a stockholder and director of the farmers, 
elevator, is a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank and also buys and 
ships cattle, for, while his competence is sufficient to enable him to 
live retired, indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature 
and he cannot content himself without some occupation. 

	At Luverne, Minnesota, in July, 1880, Mr. Burnstad was united in 
marriage to Miss Dorothy Best, a daughter of Valentine Best, who came 
from Canada. Their children, all born upon the farm, are: John, who is 
now engaged in farming and cattle-raising in Canada; Gracie, who died 
in 1898, at the age of fifteen years; Carl, who is conducting a drug 
store in Watertown; Hattie, the wife of E. Meyers, who has been 
postmaster of Florence since the establishment of the town; and Jessie, 
at home. 

	Mr. Burnstad is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of 
Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is deeply interested in 
everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of town, county and 
state and his efforts have been a substantial element in promoting 
public progress in his community. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of 
his worth, ability and public spirit, have frequently called him to 
office. He has served in various township positions, was county 
commissioner from 1894 until 1900, is a member of the school board of 
Florence at the present writing and in 1901 was elected a member of the 
state legislature, in which he proved so faithful to the interests of 
the commonwealth that he was reelected in 1903 and again in 1909 and 
1911. He stands loyally for all that he believes to be beneficial to 
the commonwealth and is just as stalwart in his opposition to any 
interests which he believes will he inimical to the advancement of the 
state.