Biography - Martin Jacobson

MARTIN JACOBSON, of whom a portrait appears on another page, is a prominent merchant and successful farmer of Minot, Ward county. He is one of the pioneers of that county and has influenced the business development of his county and city to a very great degree.

Mr. Jacobson was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, October 17, 1863. His father, Jacob Knutson, was born in Norway and came to America about the year 1835 and located in Winneshiek county, Iowa. He was the sixth in a family of seven children and was reared to farm work. He obtained his education in the public schools and at the age of eighteen years left home and went to North Dakota. He worked one year in Richland county for ex-Governor Miller and then returned to Iowa, where he remained three years. He then returned to North Dakota, in 1886, with five horses, a wagon and farm implements, taking them by rail to Buxton in Traill county, and thence drove overland to Ward county, a distance of two hundred and twenty-five miles, and made a location at a point eight miles from Minot. He erected a shanty and began farming. He made a success of it from the start. He continued to conduct farming for eleven years and then, in 1897, while still continuing his stock raising and dealing business, he opened a hardware store at the corner of First and Main streets, Minot, and though starting in a small way, he now has the largest hardware business west of Grand Forks. He carries a stock valued at fifteen thousand dollars and his business amounts to between forty and seventy-five thousand dollars a year. In 1897 he removed his family to Minot, where they now reside. Mr. Jacobson still conducts farming, and is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land and a limitless range for his stock. He owns four hundred and fifty head of stock and these yield him a handsome profit.

Mr. Jacobson was married, January 11, 1887, to Miss Anny Kettleson. Mrs. Jacobson was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, three-fourths of a mile from the birthplace of Mr. Jacobson, and it is said they were born the same day and hour. They grew up together, attended the same school and were communicants of the same church, and have resolved to continue companions through life. They are the parents of six children, as follows: Earl H., Chester J., Elletta C., Mildred A., Alton T. and Vernon M., all born in North Dakota and one in the city of Minot.

Mr. Jacobson is a Republican in political belief and has been active in public affairs. He was appointed county commissioner in 1887 and was elected to the same position in 1888 and re-elected in 1891, serving three terms. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Knights of the Maccabees. He is well and favorably known throughout the county, having a personal acquaintance at one time with every resident within its limits, and is deserving of the high esteem in which he is held by all. For many years he has taken a leading and active part in politics; was a delegate to the state Republican convention of 1900, held at Grand Forks and at this time (August 6, 1900) is a prominent candidate for the state senate for the twenty-ninth senatorial district.

Extracted 26 Dec 2019 by Norma Hass from Compendium History and Biographies of North Dakota, published in 1900, pages 1392-1397.

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