Union County, SD Biographies.....Martin, Andrew March 28, 1846 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 14, 2022, 6:45 pm

Source: MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota. (1897)
Author: Geo. Ogle & Co.

HON. OLE HOKENSTAD. This name is borne by a prominent citizen of Dayton township,
Lincoln county, whose life and labors in South Dakota extend over a period of more
than a quarter of a century. During this time Mr. Hokenstad has been found standing
on the side of truth and justice, and manifesting the true spirit of American
progress in his business affairs and his connection with the advance of
civilization.

The subject of this sketch was born in the kingdom of Norway, March 28, 1846, and
was a son of Ole Hanson Hokenstad, a farmer by occupation, who lived and died in the
old country. Ole Hokenstad spent his boyhood days on his father’s farm, gaining much
valuable information in the safe conduct of a farmer's estate, as well as book
knowledge in the excellent system of common schools of his native land. When he had
attained the age of fifteen years, he was apprenticed for three years to a
cabinetmaker to learn that trade, and after serving his “time,” followed it as a
means of livelihood for over a year prior to coming to America. Mr. Hokenstad early
came to the conclusion that the country across the broad Atlantic was a better one
than the land of his birth for the success of labor, and to satisfy his convictions,
embarked in June, 1866, for America. He landed at Quebec, Canada, and came
immediately to Monroe, Green Co., Wis., arriving there the latter part of the same
month. He found employment as a field hand near the city of Monroe, and remained
there during harvest, then locating at Janesville, of the same state, where he
followed the trade he had learned in the land of his birth. For three years he was
engaged there, and at the expiration of that time came to Dakota territory. He
arrived in April, 1870, and took up a claim where the city of Sioux Falls is now
located; however, his right to this property he relinquished, the fall of that same
year, and entered a homestead in section 20, of Dayton township, Lincoln county.
There his family shortly after joined him, and they have continued to reside on the
farm ever since. For several years he followed carpentering in connection with
farming, but since early in the 8o's he has given his attention exclusively to
agricultural pursuits. His farm shows the results of careful tillage and
cultivation, and the improvements in the shape of good, substantial buildings
reflect credit on his thrift and enterprise.

Mr. Hokenstad was married in Norway, May 17, 1866, previous to coming to America, to
Miss Martha Gilbertson, and their happy union has been blest to them by twelve
living children, three sons and nine daughters, viz.: Maria, the wife of Nels Hoff;
Margaret, the wife of Gilbert Ringheim; Lena, the wife of Knute Halgerson; Gena, the
wife of Gilbert Heggen; Emma, Thea, Ruth, Ohmer, Garnetta, George H., Alice and
Winston L. Hanne died when but twelve years old. Mr. Hokenstad possesses in a good
degree those traits of character that are so necessary to make life a success, and
it is through these endowments that he has been able to make his way in the work to
his present prosperous circumstances. He is looked up to by his neighbors for his
sturdy, unswerving rectitude of character, and for his solid worth as a man and
citizen. Politically he is a Republican, and has always taken an active interest as
such in local affairs. He has held at one time or another, nearly all the offices of
the township in the gift of the people, and for two terms has been a member of the
board of commissioners of Lincoln county. He has been a delegate to nearly all the
conventions of his party since the state of South Dakota was admitted to the Union,
and in the convention at Aberdeen held there in 1896 was an active participant. Mr.
Hokenstad has been a member of the lower house of the state legislature since 1892,
being elected to the office that year and re-elected in 1894, and has acquitted
himself in the discharge of the duties imposed in a masterly manner and to the
entire satisfaction of the community. Both he and his wife are zealous members of
the Lutheran church, and Mr. Hokenstad is also a member of the K. of P.

Mr. Hokenstad’s portrait appears on another page of this record and will be readily
recognized by his acquaintances.


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