Ole H. Tofte Biography


	This biography appears on pages 942-945 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
	organizations for their private use. 

	Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval 
	system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other 
	means requires the written approval of the file's author.

	This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside
	a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at

	http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm


				OLE H. TOFTE. 

	With the history of pioneer development in Minnehaha county the 
name of Ole H. Tofte is associated, for he came to South Dakota in 
territorial days and traveled with ox teams from Vermillion, a distance 
of eighty miles, until he filed upon the claim which thereafter 
remained his place of residence. He was born in Melhus parish, near 
Trondhjem, Norway, on the 22d of September, 1822, a son of Hendrik and 
Jaada Tofte. He attended the common schools of his native country and 
there learned the blacksmith's and carpenter's trades. He also owned a 
farm near Trondhjem. In the spring of 1866, however, he left the hand 
of the midnight sun and crossed the Atlantic, making his way to 
Chicago, where he entered the employ of H. A. Pitts' Sons, 
manufacturers of threshing machines. A few days before the great 
Chicago fire of October, 1871, he returned to Norway, but in May, 1872, 
again came to the United States, bringing his family with him. 
Following the fire H. A. Pitts' Sons removed to Marseilles, Illinois, 
and thither Mr. Tofte made his way, remaining with his old employers 
until March, 1874, when he removed to Dakota territory. At that time 
there was only one railroad in the territory, the Sioux City & Yankton 
line. and for over eighty miles he journeyed with oxen, thus covering 
the distance from Vermillion to Minnehaha county. He filed on the 
northwest quarter of section 19, Highland township, in April, 1874, and 
there resided until his demise. He was also the owner of the north half 
of the northeast quarter of section 19, having in all two hundred and 
forty acres of rich and productive land, which responded readily to the 
care and labor which he bestowed upon it and was thus converted into a 
valuable farm. 

	On the 19th of April, 1855, in Melhus parish, near Trondhjem, 
Norway, Mr. Tofte was married to Miss Sigrid A. Krogmoe, a daughter of 
Arent Krogmoe. She was born June 30, 1821, and is now quite active and 
well preserved at the age of ninety-four years. Her father was the 
owner of the Krogmoe farm, in Melhus parish. Mr. and Mrs. Tofte became 
the parents of three children, of whom Ingeborg died in infancy. 
Another daughter was named Ingeborg and her natal day was March 5, 
1861. She is now the wife of G. A. Grant. The other member of the 
family, Ole, was born April 27, 1856. On the 19th of April, 1905, Mr. 
and Mrs. Tofte celebrated their golden wedding, Rev. O. A. Anderson, 
pastor of the Lutheran church at Dell Rapids, officiating. They 
received many valuable presents and the congratulations of a host of 
friends. 

	Mr. Tofte had military training in Norway but never participated 
in any wars. He was a republican in his political views, after becoming 
a naturalized American citizen and his religious faith was that of the 
Lutheran church, to which he always loyally adhered. He lived a quiet 
life, free from ostentation or display, but his sterling traits of 
character were recognized by all and his industry and business ability 
brought him a substantial measure of success.