Donald R. Gustafson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 118-121 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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				DONALD R. GUSTAFSON. 

	Donald R. Gustafson, a well known citizen of Lead, efficiently 
served as auditor of Lawrence county, but was not a candidate for 
reelection to that office in the spring of 1915. He was born in Colman, 
Moody county, this state, in 1882, a son of John Alfred and Anna 
(Danielson) Gustafson, natives of Sweden and Norway respectively. The 
father was but a boy of twelve years when he crossed the Atlantic and 
made his way to Michigan. In 1875 he removed to Moody county, this 
state, and there secured a homestead. In 1878 he made his way to Lead, 
in the Black Hills, and followed mining for a number of years. In 
April, 1910, he removed to California, where he died the following 
year. The mother is still a resident of that state. Of their four 
children Hjelmar is now in Alaska; Agnes is living with her mother; and 
George is in Montana. 

	Donald R. Gustafson was the third in the family and was educated 
in the public and high schools of Lead. Following his graduation from 
high school he took a business course in the Augustana College at Rock 
Island, Illinois, after which he returned to Lead and entered the 
employ of the Homestake Mining Company, with which he remained for a 
few years. In 1905 he was appointed deputy auditor of Lawrence county 
and served for three years under Captain McLaughlin, or until 1908. In 
that year he was elected auditor on the republican ticket and reelected 
in 1910, serving until March, 1913. In February, 1914, he was appointed 
to the office by the county commissioners to fill the unexpired term of 
John L. Baker, which expired in March, 1915. His long service in the 
office is the best proof of the ability with which he discharged the 
duties devolving upon him as auditor. He is methodical, prompt and 
accurate and his books were always in fine condition. He has devoted 
practically all of his time and attention to his official work and his 
record is a most creditable one.  

	Mr. Gustafson was married in February, 1911, to Miss Inez M. 
Moses, of Bixby, Perkins county, South Dakota. She is an Episcopalian 
in religious faith, while Mr. Gustafson is a member of the Lutheran 
church of Lead and is always willing to give of his time and means to 
the furtherance of all worthy enterprises. He has voted for the 
candidates of the republican party since aged conferred upon him the 
right of franchise and has for years been quite active in political 
affairs. Fraternally he belongs to Golden Star Lodge, No. 9, A. F. & A. 
M., of Lead; Colden Belt Chapter, No. 35, R. A. M., of Lead; Black 
Hills Council, No. 3, R. & S. M., of Lead; Black Hills Consistory, No. 
3, A. & A. S. R. of Deadwood; and Naja Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of 
Deadwood. He also holds membership in Lead Lodge, No. 747, B. P. O. E., 
of Lead. He is widely known not only in Lead but throughout Lawrence 
county, and the circle of his friends is large as his character is one 
that commands respect and inspires goodwill.