John A. Samuelson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1145-1146 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 A. SAMUELSON.  

	John A. Samuelson, residing on section 13, Split Rock township, 
Minnehaha county, is deserving of particular mention in this work as 
the first pioneer settler of his township. His birth occurred in Sweden 
on the 27th of June, 1837. His father, Samuel Anderson, passed away in 
Sweden when the subject of this review was but a lad of six years. He 
remained in his native land until a young man of about thirty-one 
years, when he emigrated to the United States, hoping to find better 
opportunities for advancement in this uncrowded new world. He made his 
way to the interior, locating in Boone, Iowa, where for some time he 
was engaged in construction work on the railroad, being built to Cedar 
Rapids. In 1869 he went to Sioux City and in that year while working 
there came up into South Dakota and filed a preemption on his present 
home farm. He subsequently entered the land as a homestead claim rather 
than as a preemption, but did not make his home there permanently until 
1872, when his marriage occurred. Mr. Samuelson has found excellent 
opportunities here for advancement and, as he has utilized the same, is 
now a well-to-do man and enjoys the comforts of life. Besides his farm 
in Split Rock township, he holds title to one hundred and sixty acres 
of land situated ten miles northeast of Pierre in Hughes county, and 
also owns city property in the state capital. For sixteen years he 
resided upon his land in Hughes county, engaging in the raising of 
horses and cattle, which proved a very lucrative occupation. He, 
however, has recently returned to his homestead in Minnehaha county, 
where he is at present living.  

	In 1872 Mr. Samuelson was united in marriage to Miss Anna L. 
Johnson, of Sioux City, who was also born in Sweden and who came to the 
United States at about the same time as our subject. Eight children 
have been born to this union as follows: Anna M., at home; Celia L.; 
John, of Meade county, South Dakota; August, of Pierre, who is 
operating his father's farm; Christina E., the wife of Samuel Peterson, 
who farms Mr. Samuelson's land in Split Rock township; Carl E., and 
Emil O., both ranchmen of Meade county; and Martin, engaged in ranching 
in Hughes county.  

	The family are devout members of the Lutheran church. Mr. 
Samuelson is a republican in his political allegiance and has served 
some years as a member of the school board. He was not only the first 
settler of Split Rock township, but he is one of the leading and 
influential citizens of the county, being well known within its borders 
and exercising a potent influence in securing its advancement and 
progress.