John Severson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 360 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 SEVERSON. 

	General agricultural pursuits claim the attention of John 
Severson, who owns a well improved farm comprising one hundred and 
sixty acres on section 12, Buffalo township, Minnehaha county. His 
birth occurred in Norway on the 8th of June, 1856, his parents being 
Severt Olson and Emma Ordal, who emigrated to the United States in 
1864. They took up their abode in Decorah, Iowa, and there continued to 
reside until 1880, when they came to South Dakota, the father 
preempting a quarter section of land in Taopi township, Minnehaha 
county. After proving up on this he homesteaded one hundred and sixty 
acres in Buffalo township and later sold his preemption, residing on 
his homestead until the time of his death in 1903. He won success in 
his undertakings as an agriculturist and enjoyed recognition among the 
substantial and respected citizens of his community. 

	John Severson, who was a lad of eight years when he accompanied 
his parents on their emigration to the new world, acquired but a 
limited education in the pioneer schools of Iowa. In 1880, on coming to 
South Dakota with his father, he took up a homestead in Taopi township 
and subsequently traded the property for his present home farm of one 
hundred and sixty acres in Buffalo township, Minnehaha county. His 
place is well equipped with substantial buildings and modern machinery 
and is a valuable property in every respect, reflecting the intelligent 
care and management of its owner, who is a progressive and practical 
agriculturist. 

	On July 13, 1884, Mr. Severson was united in marriage to Miss 
Betsy Neshem, of Fillmore county, Minnesota, by whom he had ten 
children, nine of whom survive, namely: Senvil, who follows farming in 
Buffalo township; Minnie; Hannah; Anna, the wife of George Aker; Emma; 
Mary; Josie; Mabel; and Elmer. All the children live at home except 
Senvil and Anna. 

	Mr. Severson gives his political allegiance to the republican 
party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the 
Norwegian Lutheran church, to which his wife and children also belong. 
The period of his residence in Minnehaha county covers more than a 
third of a century and he has won an extensive and favorable 
acquaintance throughout the community.