Surname: Swanson

Biography of Svante Josephson

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Svante Josephson, a respected citizen of Brule County, South Dakota, is an extensive landowner and successful farmer. Born in Sweden in 1840, he immigrated to America in 1863, working as a carpenter before settling in Iowa. In 1884, he moved to South Dakota, where he purchased land and developed a thriving farm. Today, his home ranch spans 800 acres, and he owns an additional 320-acre tract. Known for his progressive approach and dedication to education, Josephson serves on the school board and is an active member of the Presbyterian church. His children have also excelled, with one daughter becoming a popular teacher in Brule County.

History of Pleasant Valley Township

History of Marshall County Dakota title page

Pleasant Valley township lies east of Britton, and the ridge or elevation on which Britton is located extends across the northwest corner of the township and terminates in the southeast corner of White township on sections 35 and 36, where the Wild Rice passes through to the north. This termination is generally known as the “Gap,” and by the Indians called Spirit Earth, where they annually congregated to hunt buffaloes. The southeast corner of the township extends pretty well up into the Coteaus; there are several coulees containing excellent spring water. Near Mr. Ford‘s, on section 11, is really the … Read more

History of Victor Township

History of Marshall County Dakota title page

Victor Township lies in the northeast corner of the county, west of the Sisseton reservation and north of the military reservation and at present includes a strip three miles wide lying between it and the military reservation. The western part is quite level, while the eastern part extends up into the Coteaus. The principal part of the land in the hills is good farming land, free of stones and nearly all settled. There are five coulees emerging from the hills, four of which contain timber. Chas. Bailey, mentioned elsewhere, was the first settler on section 12. Peter Sirai, a native … Read more