John Person Biography


	This biography appears on pages 910-911 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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				JOHN PERSON. 

	John Person, who has been actively and successfully identified 
with agricultural interests in Minnehaha county for more than three 
decades, is now the owner of three quarter sections of land in Benton 
township, one hundred and sixty acres in Hartford township and forty 
acres in Grand Meadow township. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 
28th of July, 1857, his parents being Per and Annie Benson, both of 
whom died in Sweden. The father followed farming throughout his active 
business career. 

	John Person acquired his education in the common schools of his 
native land and after putting aside his textbooks assisted his father 
in the work of the home farm. In 1876, when a young man of nineteen 
years, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in 
Wisconsin, where he remained until 1882. In that year he removed to 
Dakota territory and purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres 
on section 8, Benton township, Minnehaha county, whereon he has resided 
continuously since. With the passing of years and increasing prosperity 
he has augmented his holdings by additional purchase until at the 
present time they embrace three quarter sections in Benton township, 
one hundred and sixty acres in Hartford township and forty acres in 
Grand Meadow township. Mr. Person erected all the buildings on his 
property and made all the improvements. He uses the most modern 
machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and in addition to the 
production of cereals feeds fifty head of cattle and one hundred and 
fifty head of hogs. His record again stands in proof of the fact that 
in this country "labor is king," for he came to the United States with 
only a small capital and by dint of industry, energy and perseverance 
has worked his way steadily upward to a position among the substantial 
and prosperous citizens of his community. 

	In April, 1891, Mr. Person was united in marriage in Sioux Falls 
to Miss Augusta Eklond, a daughter of Ole and Anna Eklond, both whom 
died in Sweden. Mrs. Person came to Dakota territory in 1889 when 
twenty-two years old. By her marriage she has become the mother of the 
following children: Otto P., Alfred B. and Harry B., all at home; and 
twins who died in infancy. All were born in this state. 

	In his political views Mr. Person is a republican and throughout 
the entire period of his residence in Benton township has served as a 
member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a 
stalwart champion. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. He is well 
known in the community where he has made his home since pioneer times 
and talks entertainingly of his experiences in the early days, still 
having a vivid remembrance of the terrible blizzard of 1888, when he 
was away from home and was able to return to his family only with the 
utmost difficulty. His life has been one of continuous activity, 
characterized by high and honorable principles, and he not only ranks 
among the leading agriculturists of Minnehaha county, but also among 
its most respected and desirable citizens.