Ole N. Spilde 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. Pages 560-563

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

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OLE N. SPILDE. Among the foreign born residents of Clark county who 
have made a success of their vocation on the lands of their adopted 
state, the gentleman whose name heads this personal history is entitled 
to a foremost place. He went to Dakota at a time when the life of an 
agriculturist meant more labor and discouragements than falls to the 
lot of the farmer of the present day, and he has been fortunate in 
possessing a well-balanced mind and a determination which gave way to 
nothing, and pushed forward to success. His resources were limited, and 
it was by dint of energetic effort and good management that he has 
gained for himself one of the best improved farms in the township. His 
home is on section 21, in Pleasant township, and he is the possessor of 
four hundred and eighty acres of land. 

Mr. Spilde is a native of Norway, and was born in the vicinity of 
Bergen, November 1, 1837. He is the son of Nels Nelson and Susan 
(Jensdatter) Nelson, of the farm "Spilde." When he was nineteen years 
of age he came to America, and borrowed about forty dollars to enable 
him to reach Winneshiek county, Iowa. He there engaged at farm work, 
and attended school six weeks, and afterward secured some land in Iowa, 
but did not meet with success, and did not remain on it. He went to 
Dakota in March, 1882, and filed on land in Clark county, and the 
following June moved his family to the new home. He had four cows, two 
horses and four hundred dollars in money, and secured three quarter-
sections of land, and began farming. He has as fine a farm as is to be 
found in his township, and is one of the well-to-do agriculturists of 
Clark county. 

Mr. Spilde was married, in 1861, to Miss Julia Neshem. Mrs. Spilde died 
in 1871, leaving a family of four children, named as follows: Nels O., 
Christina, Hans and Julia. Mr. Spilde married Maria Sandsnes, June 19, 
1873, and she passed away within a year after their marriage. Mr. 
Spilde married Miss Betsey Seim in 1875. 

Our subject, soon after taking up his residence in Clark county, began 
mixing in public affairs. He was clerk of the first election held in 
his precinct, and was also instrumental in naming the township. He was 
the first township clerk of Pleasant township, and has since served in 
various official positions, including treasurer of the school board and 
member of the township board. He has served as delegate to county 
conventions, and was nominee for membership in the state legislature. 
He wields a large influence with the Scandinavian element, and is 
recognized as their representative and most influential man in 
political circles. He is a member of the county central committee of 
the Republican party. He advocates prohibition and anti-suffrage 
principles, and is strong in his convictions. He is a member of the 
Lutheran church. A loyal citizen, true agriculturist, and a man of 
excellent characteristics, he well merits the esteem in which he is 
held by those among whom he has chosen to make his home. Portraits of 
Mr. and Mrs. Spilde are presented on another page of this volume.