William H. Jorgensen Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Page 537

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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WILLIAM H. JORGENSEN. The farming interests of Baker township, Davison 
county, have a worthy exponent in the person of the gentleman above 
named, whose home is situated in section 33. The entire tract of three 
hundred and twenty acres is improved and tillable, and altogether makes 
up an estate whereon a remunerative business may well be done by a man 
who devotes himself closely and intelligently to his work. In the way 
of buildings every arrangement is being made for the economical conduct 
of the farm, and for the comfort of the family a nice residence has 
been constructed. 

Mr. Jurgensen is of German birth, born in Schleswig, December 22, 1854, 
a son of Fred and Kate (Ewis) Jurgensen. The father was a plasterer and 
mason by trade. They reared a family of nine children, of whom the 
subject of our sketch is the fourth in the order of birth. In 1880, he 
migrated from the land of his nativity to America, landing in New York, 
and at once made his way to Iowa, where his brother was working. Here 
he was employed as a farm laborer for four years, and in 1884 he moved 
to South Dakota, where he bought contested land, improved it and has 
since made that his home. He is now adding to the line of improvements 
a barn, 50 x 50 feet, with sheds. 

Our subject possesses many estimable traits of character, is endowed 
with activity, persistence and a good capacity for well directed labor, 
which have placed him in the forefront among the farmers in the 
vicinity. He is keenly interested in the welfare of the community, and 
dyes all in his power to push all schemes forward that will in any way 
enhance its growth or elevate its status. He is at present performing 
the duties of the office of township treasurer. Politically, he is a 
Populist but is not a strong partisan. In religious affairs, he is 
identified with the German Lutheran church. 

The estimable lady who presides over the household affairs of the 
subject of our sketch, and who has for many years been his companion 
and helpmate alike in loss and gain, bore the maiden name of Miss Rosa 
Sperlech. Their wedded life has been blessed by the presence of a 
bright, interesting family of five children, whose names in the order 
of their birth are as follows: Matha, Minnie, Annie, William and John.