Andrew Melgaard, born in Norway on September 15, 1842, was a significant figure in Brown County, South Dakota. Educated in Norway, he served five years as a sergeant in the Norwegian army before emigrating to the United States in 1869. Settling first in Litchfield, Minnesota, Melgaard worked for the Minneapolis Harvester Works before moving to Brown County in 1880. There, he homesteaded a half section of land near Aberdeen, transforming it into a prosperous farm and modern residence. He was instrumental in establishing the Northern Normal and Industrial School on his property. Active in community and church affairs, Melgaard was known for his public spirit and commitment to education. He and his wife, G. Marie Hoel, whom he married in 1867, raised six children.
Andrew Melgaard is a strong and sturdy citizen of foreign birth, one of Scandinavia’s contributions to the United States. He was born in Norway, September 15, 1842, spent his early life in his native land and received a good education in the public schools of the locality in which he was reared. From youth he was accustomed to honest toil and inherited a strong character and a tendency to make the most of his opportunities, laid well-grounded plans for the future and determined to lead a life that would reflect credit upon himself and be of usefulness to the world. In his early manhood he entered the cavalry arm of the Norwegian army and after two years in a military training school served five years as the sergeant of his company. At the expiration of the period of his enlistment, Mr. Melgaard resumed the pursuits of civil life and continued to live in the land of his birth until 1869, when he came to the United States and located at Litchfield, Meeker county, Minnesota, where he was among the very first settlers. At the end of two years he removed to Minneapolis, where he soon secured a lucrative position with the Minneapolis Harvester Works, and spent seven years in that employment, a greater portion of the time in the shops as an artisan, but in the seasons for that work as an expert machinist in the field, and in that capacity traveled over most of Minnesota and adjoining states.
Attracted by the Dakota land boom, he severed his relations with the harvester company in the spring of 1880 and came to the wild prairie of Brown county, South Dakota, where he took up, under the government laws, a half section of land about one mile south of Aberdeen, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. At that time the country was so new and sparsely settled that for a friendly chat with a neighbor he was obliged to go a distance a little in excess of fifteen miles. His first dwelling was a typical sod house, but it was comfortable and answered every purpose until a better home was completed early the following spring. It was his intention to bring his family out to the new home that autumn of 1880, but the phenomenally early arrival of winter caused him to remain in Minneapolis until spring, when he returned, bringing his wife and children to the homestead, where they still reside. Without following the family in all of the details of the intervening years, it is sufficient to say that each member was satisfied with his lot and the mutual interests of the household. In due season a handsome modern residence occupied the site of the homestead’s humble dwelling; many improvements were inaugurated and genuine prosperity smiled upon them in the recurring years, until Mr. Melgaard found himself the owner of a splendid farm and home adjoining a splendid city where he is recognized as one of the substantial men and leading citizens as well as a representative farmer and stock raiser of Brown county. He is modern in his farming methods, fully abreast of the times in everything relating to his calling, and, possessing cultivated tastes as well as great industry, has spared no reasonable means in adding to the attractiveness and beauty of his home. Shortly after taking possession of his land he planted upon the treeless prairie two groves, of ten and five acres respectively, which have grown to large trees, affording most grateful shade and rendering the landscape attractive and pleasing. These grounds he leaves open to the public and being at the very gates of the city, are a favorite resort for picnickers and pleasure seekers, who find within the cooling shade the rest and recreation which the heated season frequently renders imperative.
Another attractive feature of Mr. Melgaard’s farm and one which makes the place widely known is the location upon it of the Northern Normal and Industrial School. Mr. Melgaard was untiring in his efforts to have the school built upon its present site, which is indeed a most favorable and advantageous one, and he heartily lent his influence toward securing the establishment of the institution by the state, at Aberdeen. It has no doubt greatly enhanced the value of his property, as well as given the place wide publicity, to say nothing of the additional attractiveness to the locality by the beautiful buildings, and the advantages to the youth of the neighborhood, offered by the splendid educational facilities which are placed within the reach of all who see fit to utilize them. Mr. Melgaard is a friend of education and uses his influence and all of the means within his power to advance its interests both at home and throughout the county. He also encourages all laudable enterprises and whatever makes for the material development and moral welfare of the community and as a citizen he is public-spirited and aggressive, inflexibly honest and upright in his dealings and his relations with his fellow men have been marked by that probity and regard for right which is characteristic of the true lover of his kind. Like all good citizens, he takes an interest in politics, but has never been a partisan in the strict sense of the term nor disturbed the even tenor of his life by seeking official station. He has served as a member of the township board and his interest in local affairs has led to a number of improvements within his civil jurisdiction, although he is conservative in the matter of expenditures, only advocating public measures when they are for the benefit of all concerned. Religiously, Mr. Melgaard was reared in the Lutheran church, and he still adheres to this faith. He was one of the original members of the First Lutheran church at Aberdeen, has been active in all of the good work of the congregation ever since, and at the present time is serving the society in the capacity of trustee.
Mr. Melgaard was married in his native land, on the 27th of July, 1867, to Miss G. Marie Hoel, a most estimable lady and genuine helpmeet, who has aided him in his struggles for a competence, ministered to his comfort and presided over his home with true wifely interest. Nine children have been born of the union, three of whom died in infancy. Of the survivors, Alfred was born in Christiania, Norway, May 24, 1868, and is now a successful druggist in Spokane, Washington; Harold, born at Litchfield, Minnesota, April 3, 1870, was formerly a teacher both in Dakota and Washington, but is now associated with his father in his farming operations; Rika, a native of Minneapolis, born July 28, 1873, is now the wife of A. Bjork, a prominent business man of Aberdeen; Hilda, born January 22, 1875, now residing at Miller, South Dakota; Ida, born October 28, 1876, is now Mrs. J. H. Herrett, the latter being a merchant of Frederick, South Dakota, and Oscar, born May 4, 1879, resides in Spokane.
Mrs. Melgaard is also a Lutheran in religion and, like her husband, is an earnest and highly respected member of the church in Aberdeen.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.