Ole Kjeldseth, born on March 20, 1835, in Bye, Wardalen, Norway, emigrated to the United States in 1864, initially settling in Muskegon, Michigan. After working in a sawmill and farming in Wisconsin, he returned to Norway briefly before relocating to Yankton County, South Dakota, in 1870. Starting with 160 acres, he expanded his holdings to 640 acres, overcoming early setbacks like grasshopper plagues. He married Sarah Knutson in 1860, and they had four children. A committed Republican, Kjeldseth served as county commissioner, justice of the peace, and school officer. His success is attributed to his hard work and business acumen.
Ole Kjeldseth.— In taking up the personal history of Ole Kjeldseth we present to our readers the life record of one of the worthy sons of Norway, who has become a loyal defender of America and her institutions. He has enjoyed her business opportunities and by the improvement of the advantages with which he has been surrounded he has won for himself a very comfortable living and a desirable property. He is also one of the pioneer settlers of Yankton county, his residence covering one-third of a century.
Mr. Kjeldseth was born in Bye, Wardalen, Norway, March 20, 1835, and left that country in 1864, settling first at Muskegon, Michigan. He there worked in a sawmill for two and a half years, after which he engaged in farming in Wisconsin. Later he returned to his native land upon a visit and spent three years there, but in 1870 again came to the United States, locating in South Dakota on the 15th of September of that year. He held one hundred and sixty acres of land and for a time lived in true pioneer style, his original home here being a dugout. As time has passed prosperity has attended his efforts and he now has six hundred and forty acres of land, of which two hundred acres is under cultivation. Between the years 1870 and 1874 he lost heavily because of the destruction of his crops by grasshoppers. In 1889 he built a fine barn upon his place and in 1880 had replaced the little pioneer home by a splendid residence. He raises cattle and hogs and because of his practical methods he is meeting with success in all that he undertakes.
On the 21st of June, 1860, Mr. Kjeldseth was married to Miss Sarah Knutson, also a native of Norway, and they have four children: Ellen, the wife of Augustus Holm, a farmer; George F., who is married to Johanna Sothe and follows farming; Karl, who wedded Mary Abilson and is a farmer; Mary, the wife of S. Erickson, a druggist of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
In his political views Mr. Kjeldseth is an earnest Republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party and upon its ticket he has been elected to several public offices. He served as county commissioner for three years, was justice of the peace for seven years and for twenty years has served as a school officer. His son George has been a member of the township board and his son Karl is now clerk of the township and both belong to the Modern Woodmen of America. The subject is pleasantly located on a farm on section 24, township 55, range 54, where he is surrounded by many of the comforts of life, all acquired through his energy and diligence in former years. He gave to his children good educational privileges and has also divided much of his land among them so that they now have nice homes and are among the progressive farming people of Yankton county. Sound business judgment, keen discernment, unfaltering labor and perseverance have been the elements which have contributed to the success of Mr. Kjeldseth and made him one of the worthy and representative citizens of Yankton county. He has made three trips to Europe since his arrival in this country, and expects to repeat the journey again soon.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.