Hans Martin Finnerud, M. D. Biography


	This biography appears on pages 301-302 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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				HANS MARTIN FINNERUD, M. D. 

	Dr. Hans Martin Finnerud is a physician and surgeon, who has 
figured as well in a prominent connection with the business life of 
Watertown. He was born in Norway on the 23d of May, 1859, and, there 
spending his youthful days, acquired an education in the public schools 
of his native country. In 1880, when a young man of twenty-one years, 
he came to the United States, first making his way to St. Peter, 
Minnesota, where he found employment in the state insane hospital, a 
work which proved attractive to him inasmuch as he had previously 
determined upon taking up the study of medicine. This gave him 
opportunity for further investigation along the line of mental and 
nervous diseases. In the fall of 1882 he entered Beloit College at 
Beloit, Wisconsin, where he pursued a scientific course. During his 
student days there he spent the vacation periods at work in the insane 
hospital of St. Peter and his earnings enabled him to continue his 
college course. He spent three years in Beloit College and in 1886 went 
to Chicago, where he matriculated in the Hahnemann Medical College, 
from which he was graduated with the class of 1889. His first location 
as a practitioner was at Ashley, North Dakota, where he remained until 
October, 1890. He then removed to Watertown, where he has since been in 
successful practice, and is a well known member of the medical 
fraternity in eastern South Dakota. He has constantly broadened his 
knowledge and promoted his efficiency by attending clinics in Chicago 
and has done post-graduate work at various times, thus keeping fully 
abreast with the advancement which has characterized medical science. 
He is a member of the South Dakota State Medical Society and the 
American Medical Association. 

	While prominently connected with the profession, Dr. Finnerud is 
perhaps equally well known in business associations. He was one of the 
four men who organized the Watertown Gas & Light Company and is still 
serving on its board of directors. He was also one of the organizers of 
the Security National Bank of Watertown and has been vice president of 
the institution since it was established. In 1906 he became one of the 
principal factors in the organization of the Dakota Life Insurance 
Company and was the moving spirit in the reorganization of the company 
in 1909, when the charter was changed and the business placed on a 
successful financial basis, so that within the short space of five 
years they have written insurance representing nearly ten million 
dollars and have a million dollars in assets. Dr. Finnerud has served 
as vice president and medical examiner, in both of which capacities he 
is still acting. 

	In June, 1892, Dr. Finnerud was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
Alice McIntyre, of Watertown, and to them have been born three 
children, two daughters and a son: Mahren Adelaide, the wife of C. D. 
Johnson, an attorney of Watertown; Clark Wylie, who is attending the 
Wisconsin State University at Madison; and Florence, a student at Oak 
Hall in St. Paul. 

	Dr. Finnerud is a representative of the Masonic fraternity, of 
the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He 
is also a member of the Watertown Country Club and of the Commercial 
Club of Watertown. In polities a republican, he has never sought public 
office, but in 1912 at the earnest solicitation of his friends he 
accepted the nomination for state senator and was elected to that 
office. At various times he has been called upon to act in different 
capacities, member of the board of regents, member of the board of 
examining physicians, etc. He has also served for some years as a 
member of the school board, staunchly advocating progressiveness in 
connection with the system of public education. Religiously he is of 
the Lutheran faith, while his wife is a member of the Congregational 
church. Both are held in high esteem, occupying an enviable position in 
the social circles of the city, and the attractiveness of their home is 
heightened by their warmhearted hospitality.