Turkey Valley Township - South Dakota Genealogy

Biography of Ellef Solem

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Ellef Solem (b. 1852, Norway) was a pioneering farmer and stock raiser in Yankton County, South Dakota. After immigrating in 1874, he worked for others before homesteading 160 acres, where he and his wife, Mary Anderson, built a sod house. Despite early challenges like crop destruction by grasshoppers, Solem steadily expanded his operations, now owning 320 acres with modern improvements. He diversified into dairy farming and livestock, raising shorthorn cattle and hogs. Solem also serves as treasurer for the local creamery and township. An independent voter, he is active in the Lutheran church and respected for his business acumen.

Biography of Soren Mikkelson

Soren Mikkelson was born on February 14, 1865, in Denmark. He emigrated to America with his parents, Ole and Karen Mikkelson, in 1875, initially settling in Illinois. In 1878, the family moved to South Dakota. Soren became a prominent farmer in Yankton County, owning 120 acres, with 80 acres under cultivation. He focused on dairy farming and raising hogs. In 1890, he married Kitty Stockland from Haugesund, Norway. They had six children: Ole, Jennie, Walter C., Alma, Roy, and Herman. Soren was active in the Lutheran church, the Republican party, and local educational and business affairs, serving as chairman of the school board and holding positions with the Lundquist Mercantile Company and the Irene Creamery.