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ANDREW OPHEIM.
Entering this section of the state of Minnesota and the Northwest while it was still largely an unbroken wilderness and founding a business which soon became, and has continued, a leader in its line; taking a very active and helpful part in laying the foundations of civilization in the section and giving its public institutions form and direction, and using his wide acquaintance and strong personal influence to bring settlers into the region, the late Andrew Opheim, whose death occurred at his home in Fertile April 5, 1915, was, for a period of thirty-three years, one of Polk county’s most useful, representative and esteemed citizens, and well deserved his rank.
Mr. Opheim was born in Voss, Norway, November 14, 1844, the son of Styrk and Anna (Opheim) Opheim, also natives of that country, who passed their lives in it and whose mortal remains were at last laid to rest in its soil, which they had hallowed by their long and productive labors. The son was reared in his native land and obtained his education in its public schools, completing it at one of the excellent normal schools it contains. He taught school for a few years in Norway after attaining his majority, then came to the United States, arriving in 1871 and locating in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he passed two years. From there he went to Chicago and was employed as a laborer in that city until 1875, when he moved into Southern Minnesota. There he worked on farms and taught school until 1882. In that year he came to Aldal and entered into partnership with the late Dr. Arne Nelson in a general merchandising and drug business, which they conducted at that place until 1887, then moved both stock and building to Fertile. Their business grew and flourished at Fertile, as it had done at Aldal, and they became as widely and favorably known as merchants and progressive, enterprising and public-spirited citizens as any residents of the Northwest have ever been. Their partnership continued until 1893. In that year it was dissolved by mutual consent and the business was divided, Mr. Opheim taking over the general merchandising department and Dr. Nelson the drug stock and trade.
In 1895 Mr. Opheim erected at Fertile the building which bears his name and is one of the best in that village. The business founded by him is still conducted in it by his nephew, Odd Eide, a sketch of whom appears in this work. Mr. Opheim was one of the founders of the First State Bank of Fertile and served it as a director until his death on April 5, 1915, at which time he was also vice president of the bank. He long took an active interest in the Fertile Brick and Tile company and was one of its directors to the end of his life. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party and he was an ardent and effective worker for its success in all campaigns.
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Locally he took an energetic and serviceable part in public affairs, serving as president of the village of Fertile for ten terms. Fraternally he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was zealous in his membership and his devotion to the fraternity. As Mr. Opheim never married he was able to give earnest attention to every public interest, and he did this diligently.
Source:
Compendium of History and Biography of Polk County, Minnesota
Maj. R. I. Holcombe, Historical Editor
William H. Bingham, General Editor
W. H. Bingham & Company, Minneapolis, 1916
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Textile [Fertile] Brick and Tile company, Textile [Fertile]; capital stock, 50,000; incorporators, George Kronschnabel, Andrew Opheim, Brown Duckstad and Norman Hanson, all of Textile [Fertile].
Source:
The Saint Paul Globe
Wednesday, January 13, 1904
Volume XXVII, Number 13
Page 2
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Fertile – President of the council, George Kronschnabel; councilmen, Andrew Opheim, Brown Duckstad, E. B. Gustafson; …
Source:
The Minneapolis Journal
Wednesday Evening, March 13, 1901
Page 8
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The Fertile State bank, of Fertile, Polk county, with a $25,000 capital stock, has been granted a charter. The stockholders are William H. Matthews, of Ada; Norman Hanson, Haver Sohler, Otto Kankel, Andrew Opheim, Knute J. Sandoig, John Holton, Carl H. Carlson, George Kronschnabel, Stene J. Sandoig, John S. La Due, Ole Tharaldson, Martin I. Haugan, Frank H. Knickerbacker, all of Fertile. It will commence business on May 2.
Source:
The Saint Paul Daily Globe
Sunday Morning, May 1, 1892
Volume XIV, Number 132
Page 3
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Andrew Opheim
Date of Death: 5 April 1915, Polk County
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