Martin Oien Biography


	This biography appears on pages 73-74 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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				MARTIN OIEN.  

	Martin Oien is an enterprising, representative and prosperous 
agriculturist of Mapleton township, owning and cultivating three 
hundred and seventy-one acres of productive land. He is numbered among 
the worthy native sons of South Dakota, his birth having occurred in 
Minnehaha county on the 8th of September, 1876. His parents, Hemming H. 
and Annie Oien, came to this state in 1872, the father preempting a 
tract of land. As the years have passed and prosperity has attended his 
efforts, he has extended his landed holdings until they now embrace six 
hundred and forty acres. Both he and his wife still survive, residing 
on the old home farm four miles east of Baltic. They have lived in that 
locality for more than four decades and are widely and favorably known.  

	Martin Oien attended the country schools of his native county in 
the acquirement of an education and after putting aside his textbooks 
assisted his father in the work of the home farm. Eventually his 
father-in-law gave him a quarter section of land in Mapleton township, 
and to the operation of that place he has devoted his attention 
continuously for the past fifteen years. As his financial resources 
have increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, 
he has acquired more property by purchase and now owns three hundred 
and seventy-one acres. The fields annually yield golden harvests in 
return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them, and he has 
long enjoyed recognition among the substantial and representative 
agriculturists of his community When he located on his present place 
there was only one small house on the farm and that structure, which is 
still standing and which is now used as a chicken house, is the oldest 
building in the locality and was erected by Jonas Nelson. He and John 
Thompson were the first settlers in the township.  

	On the 12th of June, 1899, Mr. Oien was united in marriage to 
Miss Cleopatra El. Thompson, a daughter of John and Christina Thompson 
They have six children, as follows: Annie, sixteen years of age; Helen, 
who is fourteen years old; Jennie, eleven; Clarence Gilmore, seven; 
Morris M.; and Claris Henrietta.  

	Mr. Oien is a republican in politics and has served as a member 
of the school board for eleven years, the cause of education ever 
finding in him a stanch champion. He is a Lutheran in religious faith 
and is a man of domestic tastes who finds his greatest happiness at his 
own fireside with his wife and children. His entire life has been spent 
in Minnehaha county, and that his career has ever been upright and 
honorable is indicated in the fact that the associates of his boyhood 
and youth are still numbered among his warm friends and admirers.