Ole H. Wolner Biography


	This biography appears on pages 85-86 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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				OLE H. WOLNER.  

	A splendid farm of four hundred and eighty acres on section 35, 
Frankfort township, Spink county, is the property of Ole H. Wolner and 
his energy and progressiveness are shown in its excellent condition. He 
was born in Christiania, Norway, November 10, 1862, a son of Hans and 
Elizabeth (Johanson) Wolner. When but a child he lost his mother, but 
his father survived until 1888. They were quite prominent farmers in 
their native land and both are buried there. They were the parents of 
eight children, namely: Syverine, the wife of John Johanson, a 
carpenter of Norway; Maren, the wife of Christopher Olson, a grocer of 
Norway; John, who passed away in 1869 and is buried in Norway; Hans, 
who is farming in the lantl of the midnight sun; Caroline, who died in 
1904 and is buried in Norway; Lauritz, a blacksmith living in Norway; 
Ole H., of this review; and Hannah, living in St. Paul, Minnesota, the 
widow of Vincent Strommen, who was killed in a railroad accident  

	Ole H. Wolner is indebted to the public schools of his native 
land for his education. At the age of fifteen he left school and hired 
out as a blacksmith's apprentice for a three years' term. He then came 
to the United States and for four years worked as a farm hand in 
Minnesota. He next removed to South Dakota in 1888 and for four years 
worked in the employ of others on farms. Later he purchased one hundred 
and sixty acres and began to cultivate his land. As he was thoroughly 
versed in agricultural work and directed his labors wisely, prosperity 
came to him and from time to time he bought additional land until he 
now owns four hundred and eighty acres. He raises the crops that are 
best adapted to soil and climate and also keeps about twenty horses, 
twenty cattle and fifty hogs, beside raising poultry on an extensive 
scale.  

	Mr. Wolner was married at Frankfort, this state, on the 3d of 
November, 1893, to Miss Jennie Gill, a daughter of Ole and Sophia 
(Torson) Gill. The latter died in 1880 and is buried in Norway, but the 
father survives and makes his home near Hitchcock, this state, having 
come here from Norway in 1881. They were the parents of five children, 
namely: Mrs. Wolner; Anna, who died in infancy in 1875; Tora, who died 
in infancy in 1877; Anna, who passed away in 1879; and Loren, who died 
in 1880. The four deceased are buried in Norway. To Mr. and Mrs. Wolner 
have been born seven sons: Harry, who died in infancy; Henry, Edwin, 
Oscar, Willard, Herbert and Arthur, all at home.  

	Mr. Wolner is independent in politics, obeying the dictates of no 
party leaders, and since 1902 he has served acceptably as township 
supervisor. His religious belief is that of the Congregational church 
and his daily life is in harmony with his profession. Fraternally he is 
a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. None begrudges him the 
large measure of success that is his, for it is recognized that his 
prosperity is due entirely to his tireless energy and his business 
ability. His activities have not only resulted in his accumulating a 
competence, but have been productive of good to his community.